Gingerbread joy
By Kirsten Ballard
Published in News on December 6, 2014 11:58 PM
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News-Argus/MELISSA KEY
Collin Gardner, 2, and his "memaw," Cathy Gardner, have fun decorating a gingerbread house at the Arts Council of Wayne County's annual Gingerbread Breakfast on Saturday morning.
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News-Argus/MELISSA KEY
Nora Sheets, 2, takes a break from decorating to enjoy a muffin with her mother, Beth.
Collin Gardner's gingerbread house was beautiful -- so beautiful that the little boy gasped in delight just looking at it.
Sure, a marshmallow stuck jauntily off the roof, towering over the rest of the small house.
But to him, it was a masterpiece.
The 2-year-old decorated the house Saturday morning with his "memaw," Cathy.
"Last year, he didn't understand the concept. He was only one," his mother, Lisa, said. "He's into it this year."
Collin boldly stuck every piece of candy to the graham cracker roof.
"I put it there, Memaw," he said, looking at her.
Cathy assured him it was beautiful.
"He and Memaw are having a good time together," Lisa said, laughing.
Collin's brother Nathan, 7, worked on his own house.
Lisa said her boys asked why they didn't decorate at home.
"We don't have arts and crafts tables," she quipped. "They have such a good time. They love it."
The Arts Council of Wayne County provided glued houses, snacks and the candy -- and more importantly, the cleanup at their annual Gingerbread Breakfast.
"The houses are fun, but very messy," said Brittany Brown, who brought her sons, Jahlil and Nzahih Randall, to the event.
"Jahlil didn't understand it," she said, adding that the 5-year-old was more focused on candy consumption than construction.
It was $4 for the muffin-breakfast, hot chocolate and supplies.
More than 50 children came within the first hour.
Mr. Crumbly, the gingerbread mascot, entertained families with his antics -- dancing around, offering high-fives and taking photos with the children.
Kyle Williams, son of gallery director Traycee Williams, led participants in ornament making lessons in a classroom upstairs.
His favorite part of Christmas at the Arts Council is the gingerbread competition -- and agreed to teach the ornaments in exchange for not having to dress up as Mr. Crumbly.
Kyle instructed his students on how to make reindeer clothespin ornaments.
Jahlil named his Bullseye.
His older brother, Nzahih, named his Rudolph Jr.
Both, they said, were going home to be added to the tree.