Oh, the ice cream truck. I hear the music coming, in the distance, and do anything LOUD I can to ensure my kids DON'T hear it. That music is one of the sure signs of summer, I suppose. My kids have always known that the music represents ice cream, so last summer we took the advice of a friend and told them that when you can hear music playing, the truck is out of ice cream and needs to go fill up again. This summer Emma is too smart for that. The truck started coming around last week, and Emma even witnessed two of her friends exchanging money and ice cream with the driver - darn! She often asks if we can get some; it's not that paying $5 one time for a lame popsicle is a huge deal, but I'm worried it will become something she looks forward to and expects. So...my sweet, resourceful Emma has been collecting money. Not that old PAPER money, since everyone knows that's useless (I'm ok if they continue to think that). She's been collecting quarters, pennies, and dimes. She just brought me her stash and told me that next time we hear the truck, she is going to use her own money to buy something. How can I turn that down?
So now my ears are grudgingly open for that awful music, so we can run out and satisfy the only desire of a frugal 4-year old. And of course I'll have to sacrifice my own money for Tyler's benefit since I know he'll want one too. Too bad he's not yet as resourceful as his sister. All things considered, he may never be as resourceful...she's a tough act to follow. Can I blame Emma for being frugal? I like to think she gets it from me.
I guess if we get to spend lots of time outside in the sun, running around and trying to catch moths, picking flowers, and enjoying ourselves, we're entitled to spend a lot of money on some yummy, cold goodness every once in a while. (I can thank my sweet grandma who just gave us each $1 inside of our belated Easter eggs.) It IS that time of year for ice cream. And my kids deserve it. Packing is not their idea of fun. Ice cream is.
(Is the ice cream truck everywhere? Or just in our state?)
**Update: This just in - I just witnessed Tyler putting a loose dollar bill into his pocket "to buy something at Target." I guess things are taking a turn around here...
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Music to someone's ears
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6 comments:
When we lived in the "hood" the first year we were married the ice cream trucks ran year round, here in Utah... we think they were dealing out of the trucks, so we avoided them at all costs. Living in a safer and more wholesome neighborhood now doesn't make me any more excited to turn over my cash for treats, but I think I won't be able to deny my kids the cold joys of ice cream from the ice cream man. I love Emma and Tyler's ability to save for the things they want--kudos to you!
I love these "revenge" moments. Ahh -- the joys of being a grandparent.
Hopefully this summer we can keep Jessica in the dark about what the raunchy music really means. I'm worried she's going to continually sneak out of the house to eat the raspberries in the back yard.
Emma and Tyler and hilarious. We can't wait to see you at the reunion.
My mom hardly ever let us get anything from the ice cream truck. So we would make our own popsicles in the ice tray, and then charge everyone else in the family a quarter to have one. Brilliant, I know. ;-) lol
Maybe you could say Fridays are the special ice cream days. And then hope he doesn't come around! :o)
Zach is a saver too. He will save his allowance for two months so he can get the engines that run on an actual battery!
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