So, being a former children's art teacher, I decided that even though Little Boy is under two years old, he should still get to experience making a gingerbread house this year. And I was inspired by the celebration and contest put on by the Port of Bellingham. So we made up some frosting (his first cooking adventure!) and then I made several gingerbread houses out of graham crackers during his nap and when he woke up, I taught him how to put one together.  It went mostly like this:

me: "Mommy will spread the frosting and then you can stick on some candy!"
LB: "Mmmmmm"
me: "Oh! Save the candy for the house! Can you put a piece on your house?"
LB:  "Mmmmmm. Yummy!"
me: "Ok. No more candy in your mouth! Put some on your house!"
             (LB takes the candy out of his mouth and puts it on the roof)
LB:  "Gorgeous!"
me:  "It is gorgeous! Can you do it again?"
LB:  Sticks an entire handful of candy in his mouth and takes one piece out at a time and sticks it on his house.
me:  "So pretty"
LB:  "Mommy pretty"
me:  "I love you."

We dropped off the gorgeous/pretty house today at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal for display. Some of the other entries may outshine LB's, but do they have have half eaten snowmen leaning up agains their houses? No. The Port Celebration is this Friday, Saturday and Sunday with tons of fun activities and the Lighted Boat Parade.  It starts at 5:30 at the Bellingham Yacht Club in Squalicum Harbor and makes it's way to Fairhaven. I called the Port and they said it will probably arrive between 6:10 and 6:40ish in Fairhaven. Hope that helps. :)

The Port's activities:
Friday, Dec. 5 noon - 8 p.m.
Music & Dance Performances * Santa Alaska Ferry Send Off * Gingerbread House Display and Silent Auction

Saturday, Dec. 6 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Music & Dance Performances * Santa Horse and Wagon Rides * Gingerbread House Display and Silent Auction Children’s Art Activities  & Lighted Boat Parade

Sunday, Dec. 7 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Music & Dance Performances * Santa Horse and Wagon Rides * Gingerbread House Display and Silent Auction Children’s Art Activities