Going Once, Twice, Sold!

One of the highlights of our Family Reunion, besides having my cheeks pinched, was the Family Auction.

Every other year, when my hubby's family gets together, everyone brings something to auction off.  The funds help reserve the cabins for the next reunion.

Now, I love auctions.  I love old things and new things.  Well, just things, in general.  Don't judge me, m'kay?

As items were labeled and laid out on tables, I eyed some old family embroidered linens.  I don't have many heirlooms from my side of the family and thought these would be pretty to have and then pass down to my daughter's.  

My kids have never been to an auction.  We missed the last Reunion because I was in bed with a troublesome pregnancy.  The last one we attended was four years ago and my kids were too young to remember the excitement of buying other people's junk precious items.

Well.  Who knew the love of auctions was inherited?  It runs deeply in the blood of my children.  They circled the table like vultures, eyeing their prey.  While the other kids played, mine counted their pennies.

And they asked questions.  Many.  Questions.  My daughter understood how the auction would work and she watched the clock (and drove everyone crazy announcing the time every 5 minutes).  

My son?  At six, let's just say the workings of an auction eluded him.

A second cousin by marriage stood to start things off.  He began with the kid's table.  My kids sat on the edge of their seats with their numbers in hand.  

And my daughter bid like a madwoman.  

It was embarrassing ya'll.

She was completely out of control.  She bid on notepads, an old jar, a doily, a pink baseball hat, a bouncy ball, a Mexican tote bag and semi-gold jewelry that was lovely.  Oh, and she won a huge box of vintage Simplicity patterns from the 1950's, for .50 cents.  I leaned up and tapped her on the shoulder, she turned around, beaming.  "Save some for your cousins," I whispered.  

"I've only spent $9.75," she said excitedly.

I leaned over to my hubby and said, "I think we might have a problem.  Maybe we could get her into the support group I attend."

Well, my son's interest was peaked.  Mainly because he saw his sister like this:

And, I mean who wouldn't be envious of her purchased goods?  The girl had enough patterns to clothe the vintage world!

The thing was, he didn't get it.  My son would raise his number as a package of Hot Wheels was being auctioned and then look weepy when the auctioneer said, "Sold!" and handed the prize to a third cousin.

He kept whispering to me, "Why am I not winning?  I keep holding up my number."  I explained that you had to pay the most.

Several items slipped through his fingers like sand.  He was near tears.  The one thing he truly wanted was up next:  a package of water balloons.  250 in quantity.  

Oh, stop my beating heart.

The auctioneer started the bid at .50 cents and my son raised his card.  A cousin had the bid at .75 cents.  My son stood.   When the nod came his way, he raised his card over his head and screamed, "Siiiixxxx-fiiiftttyyyyy!"

"Sold!"

$6.50 for a bag of water balloons that he kept in his pocket the rest of the Reunion.

And they were worth every penny!

P.S.  We returned to my in-laws farm and left our kids for 2.5 days while hubby and I snuck away!  My sweet mother-in-law filled up balloons until her fingers were swollen and sore.

(what's left of the water balloons)

My daughter evaluating her new pattern collection!

I displayed my auction linens on an old ladder.