Chop Suey!

For starters, here is a pic of Jackson having his first encounter with string cheese, taken yesterday. I think he's enjoying it, don't you?

On to more important things...

You guys!! Jackson had his first (professional) haircut!! He loved it! He didn't even cry, until we had to leave! It was awesome.

We went to Zusso Kids at Takashimaya Times Square (fancy-shmancy dept. store) in Shinjuku. They ushered us in with smiles and bows, and showed Jackson to a little elevated Audi car. It was just his size and I do believe it is the first toy car he has ever "driven". Our assigned hairdresser asked me if he would prefer a train or car dvd, and I selected trains (you know, Japanese Shinkansen, etc!). They had baskets of small toys for him to handle; although he was mostly interested in the steering wheel and all the action going on around him! He was having a blast!!

It was quite an experience. The attendant spoke almost no English, and I speak VERY little Japanese. Fortunately, she had a laminated translated script to describe our options and the process. She was wonderful (I didn't get her name as her name tag was in Kanji, so let's call her Sally). Sally was quick and precise, sweet and gentle. Jackson was tethered to his play car and was sitting and then standing, shouting "Beep, Beep" and squealing. He was so animated and happy, I'm not sure if he even realized that he was aquiring a new 'do. We chose his new style from a catalogue of hairstyles, the Japanese boys' section to be precise. Eric was admittedly unsure of my selection, but I assured him it would grow and need future cutting, and therefore opportunities for a change of style. We ARE in Japan afterall.

The result was just darling! Sally gave Jackson a very fine haircut, and despite all of his Audi-shenanigans, he remained unscathed by her rapid scissors! He looks handsome and like a real boy, and his hair is certainly even (which I could never manage with his high chair trims at the mouse house!). She offered to give him a shampoo and I conceded. Sally took us to the shampoo area and asked me to "sleep" Jackson on a padded table. I laid him down and he looked a little unsure. I said, "Bath!" and he perked right back up! He enjoyed a quick and thorough pint-sized head massage with designer child products and was back in his Audi in no time.

Sally gave Jackson's hair a gentle blow dry and then trimmed a few more hairs. She asked, "Gel?" I again conceded and she gave him a cross between what his Aley cousins call "Spikey Guy" and a look from There's Something About Mary. Ha!!


Sally saved some of Jackson's hair for a souvenir of his "First Cut". We declined the US$360 keepsake calligraphy pen they could have made using his hair, and just accepted his shorn locks in a free envelope. As we reclaimed our little driver from his perch the mini-drama unfolded. Jackson was not at all ready to leave this amusement park experience! He was quickly distracted with the pretty girls at the counter, and as we checked out they offered him a present. I chose for him from the three options (most of which looked like they just might not pass the safety standards for children under 3!). He waved bye-bye and left with his new Chip 'n Dale mouse pad, his new 'do and a smile. We were so relieved and so proud. What a trooper!

The final look, with "Sally," and obviously with the gel. The tears came when he had to "share"
(aka return) the ball with Sally. The kid loves toy balls, what can I say...