Happy Friday, Summerville!

We're officially in the "any day now" stretch with baby boy #3, which means every plan we make these days comes with an asterisk (and a very slow-moving mama). But for all of you, we've got a reminder of some fun events happening this weekend, along with a great lineup for next weekend for those who like to plan ahead! Cheers to finally having a weekend with some sunshine in the forecast and a beautiful week ahead!

For this weekend, here are a few things to consider:

The FIT4MOM Family Day that I was planning to attend last weekend has been rescheduled for October 24, so be sure to save the date for that, too!

Enjoy a wonderful weekend and a great week ahead with your family!

Picking out pumpkins is a fall rite of passage, and if you’re going to buy them anyway, you might as well buy them somewhere the money does some good. A handful of local church and community pumpkin patches put every dollar toward missions and neighbors in need. Here are a few worth supporting the next couple weeks.

St. James United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch — Goose Creek
512 St. James Ave, Goose Creek
Open through October 31 | Mon–Fri 11am–7pm, Sat–Sun 10am–7pm

This one has a cool backstory. St. James has run its patch for over 20 years, long enough that locals just call it “the Pumpkin Patch Church.” The pumpkins arrive by the truckload from Pumpkin Patch USA, which sources them from the Navajo Nation near Farmington, New Mexico, so your purchase helps provide jobs and income for Navajo growers out west. Then the proceeds stay local too, supporting the church’s outreach along with Helping Hands of Goose Creek and My Sister’s House. Every fall, the congregation, scout troops, and community volunteers turn out to unload and set up the whole thing. Buy a pumpkin here and you’re supporting two communities at once.

Knightsville Methodist Church — Summerville
1505 Central Ave, Summerville
Open through October 31

Right in the heart of Knightsville, this patch is celebrating its 25th year in 2026. Thousands of pumpkins and gourds in every size roll in each fall, and all the proceeds go toward the church’s mission projects, which in past years have included the Summerville Miracle League and Epworth Children’s Home for kids in foster care. It’s a Summerville institution at this point, and an easy, affordable stop close to home.

The Pumpkin Patch at Mistletoe Lane — Summerville
3408 Mistletoe Lane, Summerville
Open now | Sun–Thurs 12–7pm, Fri–Sat 10am–8pm | Free admission

If you want the full fall-photo backdrop, Mistletoe Lane is the spot. Beyond pumpkins, they stock gourds, hay bales, mums, and cornstalks, so you can knock out your whole porch display in one trip. Admission is free, and it makes for a pretty, low-key weekday afternoon with the kids.

However you fill your porch this year, these are three easy ways to make your pumpkins count for a little more.

Not-So-Spooky Storywalk
Daily through Saturday, October 31 | 10am–5pm | Ashley River Branch Library, 2824 Bacons Bridge Rd., Summerville | No registration required

The Ashley River library has set up a picture book along its nature trail, so you read a page, walk a little, and read the next one. It's listed for all ages, and you start next to the bike racks. This is exactly the kind of thing I love for a 2-year-old who can't sit through a full storytime but will happily run from one page to the next.

One of our favorite fall traditions is getting a special family photo taken at Ernest Govan’s Fall Pictures in the Park event. Just show up at Azalea Park anytime between 9:30–11am on Friday, November 7th, and you’ll get a free family photo taken. No appointment, no fuss, just a sweet keepsake to mark the season.

This event is thanks to Ernest Govan, The Dream Maker Agent, who genuinely loves investing in local families and helping them find their dream homes. It’s a reflection of how he shows up for this community year-round.

If you come, please bring some school supplies or cash to donate to local teachers in the area. It’s a simple way to give back while you’re there.

We’ll see you at the park!

Next weekend is packed with fall fun! Here’s some events going on that may interest your family. Some of them require registration so make sure you claim your spot if you’re interested!

Eerie Express at Ashley River Park
Saturday, October 24th
Ashley River Park, 200 Renken Rd, Summerville
Register here

All aboard the Eerie Express! Dorchester County Parks & Rec is turning Ashley River Park into a frightfully fun night with a haunted train ride, and you get to choose your scare level. From 6:00–7:30 PM, the Little Monsters ride is perfect for younger thrill-seekers, with Halloween fun and no big scares. Then from 7:30–9:00 PM, Brave Souls can test their nerves as darkness falls and spooky characters come alive along the trail.

While you wait to board, head to the pavilion for Gears & Ghouls, a hands-on STEM activity hosted in partnership with the Summerville High School Engineering Club, plus other Halloween-themed fun. It’s a great way to keep the kids busy before the train.

Space is limited and pre-registration is required, so reserve your spot before it’s too late. It’s one of the most festive family nights of the season.

Boo Bash at Nexton Square
Saturday, October 24th | 5–8pm
Nexton Square, 801 Nexton Square Dr, Summerville
Free

Nexton Square throws one of the most popular trunk-or-treats around. Expect a live DJ, family-friendly activities, and plenty of trick-or-treating. Costumes are encouraged, and the whole thing is free. An easy, festive evening for all ages right in the heart of Nexton.

Kids Garden Fall Fest
Saturday, October 24th | 10am-2pm
Kids Garden, 1244 Central Ave, Downtown Summerville

Kids Garden is throwing a free, family-filled fall day that brings together local families and local businesses. There’s a free petting zoo with All Things Acre, food trucks, local vendors, kids’ activities and crafts, special Kids Garden offers, and plenty of giveaways from local businesses. Families get giveaway tickets at the event, with lots of ways to earn more throughout the day by visiting vendors and joining in activities. Dress your little one in a costume and let them gather candy and treats as you explore, play, feed the animals, and meet local businesses. A great low-key kickoff to Halloween weekend.

The first time we visited Seene House months ago, we were immediately taken with the aesthetics and the drinks. The space is beautiful, the coffee and matcha are excellent, and it’s the kind of place that makes you want to linger. Months later, we keep finding new reasons to come back.

In recent weeks we’ve been in for workouts and story times, and what’s impressed us most is what Seene House has become. It’s no longer just a gorgeous coffee shop. It’s a genuine community hub. On our recent visits, we’ve seen groups of people of all ages gathering, and the space has grown into something that’s really making a difference in Summerville. The owners always described it as a “modern living room for the community,” and that vision has clearly come to life.

Every week there’s something happening. Community workout classes, trivia nights, live music, mom groups, and more fill the calendar, so it’s worth following their social media to see which groups are meeting and what events are coming up. It’s a place you can go for a quiet coffee and a working session, or to meet new people and plug into the community. Both are equally welcome.

We love the speciality coffee drinks, but the thing that’s surprised us most is the food. The pastries are made by a local couple, and they rival any we’ve had in Summerville (which is exactly why we had to share the photo above). Pair one with a Seene Latte or one of their signature matcha drinks and you’ve got a pretty perfect morning. There are also bagels, boards, and a thoughtful, simple menu beyond the sweets.

Seene House is at 231 Old Trolley Road, Summerville. Hours are Monday–Wednesday 8am–4pm, Thursday–Saturday 8am–2pm with Seene After Dark from 5–10pm, and Sunday 9am–4pm. One note: on a popular event day, parking can be a little tricky and limited so arrive early and carpool if you’re going with other moms! It’s always worked out for me, but you may just have to get a little creative with spots.

This week, Daniel and I have been especially enamored with our boys' imaginations. They went on a field trip where they decorated pumpkins, and that evening at dinner, they had the best time pretending to share their food with their new pumpkin friends. What would normally have been a pretty ordinary dinner turned into a whole production, complete with conversations with the pumpkins and plenty of pretend bites. The best part was that they were having so much fun that they ended up eating way more cucumbers and meatballs than they normally would have!

Another favorite activity in our house lately is playing construction site. Our boys can spend what feels like hours building things, assigning jobs, and creating elaborate scenarios with their trucks and equipment. One of my favorite things is listening to our two-year-old come up with his own stories. The way he explains what's happening, the characters he invents, and the seriousness with which he approaches these completely imaginary situations bring me so much joy. I love getting a little glimpse into how his mind works.

Daniel and I were talking about it this week, and it made us wonder: At what point do we lose that sense of imagination and wonder? Is it because pretending eventually becomes something we're told is childish or weird? Or do our brains simply change as we grow, making it harder to access that part of ourselves? Somewhere along the way, most of us stop turning ordinary objects into characters, creating entire worlds out of toys, or finding endless entertainment in things that seem so simple.

And while I don't necessarily feel the need to start pretending to feed my dinner to a pumpkin, I do wonder if there's something we're missing as adults. Our kids don't need much to have a wonderful time. They aren't worried about whether an activity is productive, whether it makes sense, or what someone else might think. They just allow themselves to be completely immersed in whatever brings them joy at that moment. Meanwhile, as adults, it's so easy to get caught up in schedules, responsibilities, and the constant feeling that we should be doing something useful with our time.

Maybe tapping back into that sense of wonder doesn't mean we need to start playing pretend again. Maybe it simply means allowing ourselves to be a little more curious, a little more playful, and a little less concerned with making every moment productive. It could mean getting genuinely excited about something small, being silly without feeling embarrassed, or letting ourselves enjoy an experience without immediately thinking about what comes next.

I know our boys won't always be this little, and one day their construction sites and conversations with pumpkins will probably be replaced by other interests. But for now, I'm grateful that we get a front-row seat to their imaginations. And I'm starting to think that while we're busy teaching them how the world works, they might be teaching us something just as important: how to enjoy it.

Love,

Courtney, Daniel, and the Berk Boys

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