I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Everybody needs and Ellie in their life!
I absolutely love nutcrackers. I have a little collection that I decorate the piano room with during the holiday season. Now. I realize that most people have a love or hate relationship with nutcrackers. They either love them (like I do). Or hate them (I can't imagine!). There is no in-between.
Ellie hates nutcrackers. I should've figured this out over the last couple of years, but I didn't. Until now.
Three weeks ago the girls and I were in Hobby Lobby. I needed two things, and I knew exactly where they were. I was not in the mood to browse, and I was not interested in wasting time. So we made tracks through the store so I could quickly pick up what I needed. Ellie was walking a bit in front of me, and Hannah Kate was behind me. I was in my own little world because I was determined that we were going to go in and then get out as quickly as possible. I was honestly not paying very much attention to the girls. So I barely heard it, and I almost missed it . . . I even stopped dead in my tracks for a minute to be sure I heard what I thought I heard . . . and I know I did . . .
One of the big display shelves in the middle of the aisle was covered with nutcrackers. I mean, you couldn't miss it. There were nutcrackers EVERYWHERE. Under her breath, Ellie muttered (almost like she didn't mean to say it aloud, like it was a thought that was not meant to leave her mind):
Ugh. Jaw knockers. Those things creep me out.
Y'all. I nearly died. I was all like "WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?" and she was all like she had no clue what I was talking about. I turned around and asked Hannah Kate, "DID YOU HEAR WHAT SHE SAID?!" And Hannah Kate just looked at me like I was a crazy lady (she has a point . . .).
Nutcrackers.
Jaw knockers.
Needless to say, my little collection is now displayed in the piano room. And she won't even go in there! I've really been wanting a life-sized nutcracker, too, and I found the perfect one the other day. But I couldn't bring myself to get it because I was afraid it would scar my kid for life.
I'm quite certain I will never look at nutcrackers the same way ever again. I will always see a jaw knocker instead.