The Downs family have been having a great time on vacation. And as it nears its endpoint, I thought I’d put together a few pictures of one of our fun stops.

In downtown Traverse City, they had a special Lego storefront setup for the National Cherry Festival. There was no entrance fee, and kids were able to play to their heart’s content.

My favorite moment was when Sophia noticed a ramp for racing cars constructed from Legos. I have to admit, that it gave me bad pinewood derby flashbacks, but those were replaced by my favorite image: one that will be forever etched in the concrete block I call a brain. She sees a kid drop a car down the ramp, squeals, turns to me, and furiously grabs a handful of Legos. Then she runs behind the ramp and releases them to slide down the ramp.

Then she runs back to me to get more.

It was the sweetest thing. She eventually discovered the sets of wheels on an axle and then I fashioned a simple car, connecting two axles with one thin, long piece, which she adores. My attempts to make a fancier car are rebuffed. The simple one is the favorite. She grabs it, runs to the top, releases the “car” and watches it go!

Well, it is less “release” and more a push. Which means the car never goes straight down, but goes off-line and bounces off the walls. But I am amazed by her joy and excitement. And I am thankful that she is so happy to play so simply.