I have recently instituted a reward system for Aubrey and Emma which requires a chart. There is a list of responsibilities and at the end of the day if they have satisfactorily completed each task they get a sticker. At the end of the week, they cash in their stickers for dimes.
Last week Aubrey received a grand total of $3.35 and Emma racked up a whopping $3.55. I paid them in dimes and quarters so they could get the whole Scrooge McDuck experience and explained to them the importance of tithing. They each gave their 10% (Aubrey much more willing than Emma.) And whisked them off to the dollar store to spend some of their hard earned cash.
It didn’t take them long to discover exactly what they wanted…she was there in all of her glory…it was Stripper Barbie. She had bad hair extensions, pink highlights and clear stripper heels, and she was going home with me- times two.
We walked to the register and each of the girls counted out their money to pay for their private dancers and we went next door to get Aubrey’s hair cut. For 20 minutes, Emma attempted to get her stripper’s shoes to stay on. She threw up her hands after the first 10 minutes and yelled in disgust, “I KEEP GIBIN UP!”
The problem, you see, was that the skank’s feet and the shoes were not the same shape or size. There was no way those shoes were ever going to stay on, unless we went back to the dollar store for superglue, but I guess that’s what happens when you pay a buck and a half for a generic Barbie.
I was talking to Aubrey for a moment and looked away from Emma just long enough for her to solve her stripper shoe dilemma. “MOMMA! WOOK! WOOK! Dey stay on wike dis!” Emma yelled excitedly. I turned back to Emma, to see her Barbie’s legs extended above her head- her stripper heels dangling perilously on her feet. Not exactly the wholesome picture of responsibility and pride in ownership I was looking for…but whatever.
We were home for less than 5 minutes when Emma approached me with her doll in one hand and her doll’s arm in the other. I guess we are also learning a lesson in quality craftsmanship. This afternoon, I had to dig Stripper Barbie’s butt out of Sadie’s mouth. Next week, we will be going to Target, even if we have to stick to the dollar bins.
I know EXACTLY what this Barbie is like. Ours had on a skimpy pink cheerleading uni & is now dismembered exactly the same except one thigh has a big caved in part that won't pop back out from being stepped on. Good stuff!!!
This totally cracked me up!! Too funny! I've seen those skimpy barbies when I've been around the dollar store!
By the time I finished reading this I was screaming from laughter!!! Having 3 precious girls I have had the very same experience with the girls going to Dollar General and picking out the worst dolls possibly made. But they were using their own money and it's a great lesson for them to learn how to save a little more and get a higher quality doll somewhere else. Zoe has started telling Mary Frances "Don't get that one, it's too cheap!"
Tina,
That is SO funny. We are now saving for a bigger purchase and I'm going to TRY to get them to spend some of their own money to buy gifts for each other for Christmas!
Robin
Love it! That sounds like my 4 year old. At least twice a week my mom thinks it is a great idea to take him to Dollar Tree to buy useless junk! Love the "skank" reference too!
Funny post! Love the last picture, it completely sums it up lol.
I want to win!!
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