the weed below.. or the blurry sticks???

compare with the link.. if so.. its a magnificent bee attractor ...

regarding the kids.. i found it a lesson in nature.. to learn to leave them alone ... rather than avoiding such for said reason ..

this is a WAG ... a pic in leaf might help .. if the guess fails ...

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: link

I would suggest you take several steps back and and take a photo again to see if a photo of the whole shrub is more IDable. If you give it a solid back drop, such as having someone hold a sheet behind it, that may help.

Long pink flowers might be a Clethra 'Ruby Spice'.

Clipping off a branch, and laying it on a neutral background is usually a failsafe way to get good focus in closeup or otherwise.

Otherwise, I agree with nhbabs that it sounds like a pink Summersweet selection (Clethra alnifolia), of which there are more than a few available.

'Ruby Spice', 'Hokie Pink', 'Rosea', 'Pink Spires', and 'Fern Valley Pink' are but a few that have been around for awhile.