Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Mojo and the Hat

When Jack saw this hat in August at Target and placed it on his head...he looked in the mirror and grinned. When he asked his cousin Ellie who was with him what she thought, she said, "That's cool, Jack" and it clinched the deal. He bought the hat for $12...and pretty much hasn't taken it off since except for school...

So when Jack was packing for our Disney cruise, we had this conversation:

Jack: "Mom, I think I'm going to bring my hat."

Mom: "Sure Jack."

Jack: "I have to have my hat, Mom. It's my mojo."

His mojo?? Had he seen the Austin Powers' movies? (For those who haven't seen, it's an outrageous comedy where Austin Powers, a secret agent from the '60's has unbelievable sexual charm which he refers to as his 'Mojo, baby'... His mojo is so strong that there is an evil plot underway to try to steal it....but I digress...)

OK. I just shut up and tried to listen. I read a book about talking to teenage boys and it says that they'll control when they want to talk...the opportunities may not be frequent...but when they happen...you should drop everything and take advantage of the moment.

Mom: "Your mojo?" I ask in a leading way, hoping he'll say more...but not trying to say too much because then he usually shuts up...

Jack: "Yeah. I feel way more comfortable wearing my hat...without it, I don't have my mojo..."

Mom: "Oh. I see. Don't you think you're mojo comes from within and not from the hat?"

Of course, Frosty the Snowman didn't feel that way, I know, but...

Jack: "Not really. I think I need the hat."

Mom: "Oh. Then better bring it..."

When we reached the hotel where we were spending the night before we disembarked, we met up with Jim's family. Hugging and greeting each other in the lobby, Jack's Uncle George started teasing him about his hat...

George: "What's up with the hat, Jack?" he says, trying to steal it. (Everybody is always trying to steal his hat) "I think you should lose the hat!"

Now...Jack loves and respects his Uncle George's opinion -- his cool quotient is way higher than his parents and I saw doubt start to creep into Jack's mind about his hat...


Me, knowing how important the hat is..: "I don't know, George. I like it. What do you girls think?" I say as I turn toward the two female receptionists behind the counter...

20-something Female Receptionists: "Oh no. We like it. It's cool. Keep it on."

And it was settled. George lost and Jack kept his hat on.


Jack entered the ship wearing the hat. And he didn't really take it off except to sleep.

He spent most of his time hanging out with his cousin Mark and groups of friends that they met throughout the week. Disney has a special area for Teens called The Stack and they all tend to hang out there...


I did get a few shots of him but not many.


I had to use my big-zoom, paparazzi lens to get these shots at Castaway Cay.


I think I was a whole football field away. He absolutely didn't want anyone to know he actually had parents on the trip...


When it came time to get his official portrait taken, he asked if he could wear his hat and I said, "Sure."


And when we got back to Baltimore and I was driving him home from school yesterday, he started to talk about the trip. So I shut up and listened.

He had the time of his life. It was fun hanging out with kids his age and having the freedom on the boat to come and go as they pleased. So I had to ask...

Me: "How did the hat work for you? Did the girls like it?"

Jack: "Oh, yeah Mom. It earned me lots of cred. That's how I met them. They were two floors up and screamed down...'Hey, Nice Hat!!'"

Me: "And you responded..."

Jack: "Yeah. I was different this time. I was more outgoing than I normally am..."

Me: "How'd that work for you?"

Jack: "It was fun."


And that was it. The end of our deep discussion...

21 comments:

Gerry Krueger said...

You can tell Jack he is just "too cool" in his hat. I am waiting for real hats to come back for men... There isn't a baseball cap in the world that does anything for a guy... I can be in sweats and a work shirt but if I put on a fancy straw hat I am "dressed". Go Jack!!!And show him some movies from the 40s when hats were in!!!Gerry K.

méri said...

Your son is right!
The hat suits him! He looks "trés charmant" with the hat, much better than with a cap (don't know why but I don't like caps..)

You have a beautiful son!

verobirdie said...

THanks for the pictures of the cruise!
OMG your son is growing like the mushroom in Alice in wonderland! Can't believe my eyes.
And yes, he is gorgeous with his hat.

Sweetpea said...

What a lovely story! Brought back lots of good memories from my younger days....you know, way back when, when I didn't have to SEARCH for my mojo when I got up in the morning, hahaha!!

Jack looks really great in that hat :>]]

Ati said...

Great story, great son and great hat. I love to see a man with a hat, like Gerry :)

Marty52 said...

Yup, that hat is definitely too cool for school! I love the portrait of him. That is a very cocky smile... he looks great!

And yes, take advantage of it when they open up to you, it doesn't happen very often!

Judy S. said...

Loved your story, Susan. And what great memories you have captured, memories that will bring a smile years from now when Jack is on his own. And that time will come all too quickly, at least it did for me and our three. You are a great mom, and it sounds like you have raised a terrific young man.

Debra Dixon said...

My son is a huge hat wearer (same style) and now all his friends wear hats. For the wedding, they were all excited to get hats! It's always been fun with the hats but occasionally, I would like to see his hair!

Cute story!

a2susan said...

I say that Jack has his mojo with or without the hat, but if it gives him confidence and draws kids (girls) to him, what the heck. I hope you get the portrait of him framed, that is one great picture!

And I like the part about how he didn't want other kids to know he had parents on the cruise, like they didn't either!

I'm so glad you had a great cruise.

Susan

Unknown said...

I sense the beginning of a gentleman's style emerging. Just watch- and encourage of course! Every "chic" loves a gentleman!

Ingrid Mida said...

I can relate to this story! A hat is a totally cool way to get some mojo!

MeganH said...

I think you should get 'the official portrait' framed. It's a really really nice photo of him, and shows his personality too (plus it's got the HAT)

Chris Daly said...

Jack is so cool. I get frostbite looking at him. You've got to love a young man with such a great eye for style. Welcome home from your trip. Love the turkey trot shirts this year. :)

Loralynn said...

Great story! I love those moments when "the boy" will talk to us! I had a great conversation (if you can call it that! lol) with one of my boys recently and you are so right, when they choose to talk...listen! Also, as mother's we can learn one very valuable lesson...never under estimate the power of a 20 yr old "woman"!!!

coral-seas said...

I should know better than to read your posts at work. Why did this one make me tear up?

Wow, you little boy is growing up all of a sudden. Mojo! when did he start with the mojo? And he is already working out how to win over the ladies!

I love, love, love your embroidery but your life blogs are just as fabulous.

The official portait is a winner and a definit keeper to remind you of the year of the hat!

allie aller said...

Definitely, yes, he should keep the hat! Glad Uncle George lost this particular round...
Jack's mom knows the power of hats herself. I seem to remember being greeted by her in an airport and she was wearing a magnificent one...

Great post, go Jack!

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Its so much fun watching them grow up. Funny how their style changes as they age and become interested in more things. Corey has gone from the skateboard/BMX bike look to whatever the jocks on the wrestling team is into (not the same stuff the football team was into though). Even down to changing the type of underwear he wears.

That hat is a symbol. Its his Samson hair. Just look at the portrait. Comes clearly to me what is inside, just dying for the courage to come out!! You are in for it with the girls. They call at all hours now, you know.

Great post Susan. I am waiting to sit down with the Disney post when I can thoroughly enjoy it with uninterupted focus.

XX, Carol

pam ehlers stec said...

What a great story, Susan! I adore hats and that really is a great one. Jack definitely has a whole lot of mojo going on. It sure sounds like you all had a really wonderful trip. Welcome Back!

Cloth Diapers said...

I have to say, that hat looks great on him. So much classier than the baseball caps that are everywhere. He is a smart young man.

Paula Hewitt said...

Wonderful story. i enjoy your posts about jack so much -and lots of free advice about what I should do in a couple of years (I'll come back and re-read them all when Jim is 13!)

I think the hat is cool too. but hat doesnt mean much from a 41 year old mother of three - better the young girls behind the counter think it's cool.

Wanda said...

This is SO GREAT!! And so are you!!! I have no idea what Mojo is...even after your explanation but I'm going to try to figure it out! Or do you have to be a teenager? lol He looks GREAT in the hat ! You must be very proud of the man he is becoming. And you talk to him...and listen. Wow.

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