A House-Building Contest

What is there to do on such a hot, sweltering day in Kansas City? We broke open Ryan's Lincoln Logs and proceeded to hold a building contest. I was to be the judge. Erin and Samantha formed one team, while Ben and Ryan joined forces on the other team.

Let the construction begin!

Progressing nicely!

After construction was complete, each team presented their project, adding miscellaneous details in an attempt to convince me to choose their team as the winner. They sure knew their audience well.

Samantha and Erin's dwelling boasts two bedrooms and one bathroom. The retractable roof on the left and right sides of the house allow you to see the sky. Large windows offer a wonderful view of the gorgeous mountains in Estes Park, Colorado (one of my favorite places, by the way). A serious contender for the grand prize.

Ben and Ryan's house is actually a duplex. The microscopic windows give the illusion that the house is larger. The back entrance easily accesses the pool, overlooking the gorgeous landscape of Italy (my lifelong dream is to visit Italy someday. Good call, Ben.). The highly-coveted award may be within your grasp!

Being the wonderful judge I am, I actually awarded two prizes in this tough competition. Samantha and Erin received the $3 million prize for best artistic design. Their home will be featured as HGTV's Dream Home. Including large windows in this spacious house make it a photographer's paradise.

Ben and Ryan were the winners of the "Green Home" award. With the simplistic yet ingenious design, this house uses little energy to heat or cool. No trees were logged to construct this home, as the trees were already cut. Their $3 million prize will undoubtedly be used for installing solar panels to conserve energy, re-planting the rainforests, and of course, saving the whales.

Congratulations to both teams on a job well done!