There should be a law that forbids ice cream trucks from driving through innocent, unsuspecting neighborhoods at 4:30 p.m. – right before I plan to serve dinner. There should be a law, but there isn’t. Dinner was in the oven and we were playing outside waiting for it to finish when we hear music. Unmistakeable ice-cream-selling music. I look at the kids, they look at me, and instead of saying, no – which crossed my mind – I say, “let’s go!” and we ran sprinted through the house and out the front door to buy ice cream from some shady ice cream truck. I dig through my wallet and found $2 in change – just enough to get two ice cream bars. At $1 each that comes out to only about $12 a box. 🙂 Considering I could have bought an entire box at Safeway for $0.99 this week, I overpaid just a little.
But life isn’t always about that. Life is short. Summer is sweet. Money isn’t everything. Coupons aren’t everything. Ice cream trucks don’t come along everyday (at least in our neighborhood). The joy from a 5- and 2-year old waiting for an ice cream truck to come around the corner is magical. And eating dessert first isn’t going to hurt anyone, right?
Chasing after an ice cream truck and buying my kids ice cream doesn’t make me a special mom. But it did make for a special moment. And I’m trying to savor every one.
What special memories are you making this summer? Do ice cream trucks come through your neighborhood?
Celia Husmann says
Drool… I wish we had them here! It tastes so much better from an ice cream truck…
Heather J. says
I couldn’t agree more! For some reason, when I hear the ice cream truck coming, I have the same reaction. There’s just something about buying a popsicle the old fashioned way! I don’t mind a bit spending the extra money in that way, and I don’t even think about doing it because I know it makes my son happy and creates little memories along the way!
Hillary says
I am being induced right now cuz I’m two weeks overdue…but my husband and I have done so many fun beach and park outings and even a drive in movie with our two and a half year old while we’ve all been waiting for our new arrival. It’s been so special to get this time together before welcoming a newborn into our home! Btw-Trader Joes has THE BEST ice cream sandwiches called Svelte or something…They are SOO good!!!!
Jennifer says
Happy kids who think mom is super cool for allowing the occasional special treat = Priceless!
Gillian says
The ice cream also tastes 12x better when it comes from the ice cream truck!
koopon says
My attempt at convincing my kids that it was really the “baked-potato” truck that they were hearing was unsuccessful.
Kerri says
Love this! So very true.
Karrie says
Umm, I think it DOES make you a special mom! You care about making memories with your kids, and I’ll bet later on they will remember when Mom ran down the street with them flagging down that ice cream truck.
David Volk says
I agree with you. If I had the option and the timing was right, I’d spend the extra money in a second. It’s not always about saving money. Sometimes, it’s about being in the moment and enjoying each other and there’s no amount of money in the world that can replace that memory.