To turn enable/disable emoticons...
launch AIM
click My AIM
select Edit Options
select Edit Preferences
in the Category Group listing findIM/Chat
under IM Window check/uncheck Disable Graphical Smileys
note: this also removes the submenu in the IM window
hit Apply
hit OK

Emoticon/Smileys
the font size your select impacts on the size of the smileys..
the same smiley in...

The smileys show differently if you select either font size 8 or 10.. which is why there is two different smileys for each on the table below :-)

font 8/10	SMILEY	MEANING	KEYS	KEY COMBO
		Smiling	:-)	Crtl+1
		Frowning	:-(	Crtl+2
		Winking	;-)	Crtl+3
		Sticking-out-Tongue	:-P	Crtl+4
		Surprised	=-0	Crtl+5
		Kissing	:-*	Crtl+6
		Yelling	>:o	Crtl+7
		Cool	8-)	Crtl+8
		Money-Mouth	:-$	Ctrl+Shift+1
		Foot in Mouth	:-!	Ctrl+Shift+2
		Embarrassed	:-[	Ctrl+Shift+3
		Innocent	O:-)	Ctrl+Shift+4
		Undecided	:-\	Ctrl+Shift+5
		Crying	:'(	Ctrl+Shift+6
		Lips are Sealed	:-X	Ctrl+Shift+7
		Laughing	:-D	Ctrl+Shift+8