Teenagers enthralled with broccoli, proudly comparing pineapples, and lugging enormous watermelons. It's hilarious to watch them so excited about food they wouldn't touch in the cafeteria or glance at twice in a grocery store. So why the sudden charm at a sprawling busy farmer's market?

Autonomy has something to do with it I suppose. It's really a lot of freedom we give them, to wander the market with friends and make their own choices. They check back in surprisingly often. They show off their purchases with pride, but also, I think, feel some security in knowing we're still there, still aware of where they are, still focused what they're doing.

They beg for ten minutes at playground, squealing and jumping like ten years olds, then stagger back to the bus burdened with flowers for their moms, bulging bags full of vegetables, and jaunty plastic sunglasses.

The last few days of eighth grade innocence, nudging at the edge of the chasm of high school.