The Battle of the Hairbangs: Romulan versus Rachel Berry

I think Miss C-Jaz tricked me with her intention behind getting me to cut her hair to give her bangs.  It started about a month and a half ago when I was cutting Daddy-oh-ee's hair.  Out of the blue Miss C-Jaz started talking about how she wants me to cut her hair really short (like her bff's hair), and with her hand she motioned that short meant right under the chin.  Inside, I was freaking out.  Outside, I was trying to use reverse psychology stating all the different things I could possibly think of that she had expressed to me in the past...

"Oh, well I thought you wanted to grow your hair out like Repunzel?"
"But if you have short hair, we can't curl it anymore."
"If you cut your hair, it won't be like mine."

And to each of these, to no avail, Miss C-Jaz said, "Oh, it's okay.  It can grow out."  How mature of her...at four years old...

Well, a few weeks passed, and I was cutting Daddy-oh-ee's hair again.  Miss C-Jaz did not forget.  She was pretending to be my next customer awaiting her hair cut.  So, finally I sat her on the bar stool in the washroom.  Daddy-oh-ee would be in for a surprise after his shower and his new cut.  I sprayed water on Miss C-Jaz's hair, had my comb in one hand and scissors in the other.  The cutting part wasn't going to be a problem.  I was prepared to cut her hair to sit above her shoulders, then to show her it was super short, I would take my hand and brush her hair against her neck with the illusion of much shorter hair.  Besides, it wasn't like I was cutting her bangs like I did a few years ago prior to leaving for Sweden making her accidentally look like a Romulan.

Remember those bangs, and ignore the raised eyebrows and ridges along the forehead!!! You'll be seeing this hair cut soon...

So, Miss C-Jaz's hair was cut, nice and fresh, no resemblance to being a Romulan, and I thought I was out in the clear.  Nope!  Not today.  I was prepping her today, reminding her that we were going to make Daddy-oh-ee look more handsome with a haircut.  (If I don't 'prep' her mentally with reminders, sometimes she's is very uncooperative and stubborn.)  Then, all excited she said, "Of course!"  Again, all mature sounding.  "And we can cut my hair too!  I'll get bangs."

Daddy-oh-ee overheard this and tried his own way of reverse psychology.  Fail.  Her mind was made up.  "Don't worry Daddy, it won't look ugly."

Here we go again.  Inside, I was freaking out for real...bangs?!  Outside, I didn't say much, other than, no matter what, you're always pretty.

I felt like the people in Matrix who downloaded information at an instant.  I retrieved information in my brain from all my previous experiences getting a hair cut and tried to envision the various techniques I've witnessed sitting in the hairdresser's chair.

I must proudly say, that I did it!  I've come a long way from the Romulan bangs to a more pleasing style.  A style that I truly believe Miss C-Jaz was envisioning in her own mind, which was truly her intention behind getting bangs...

Yes, Rachel Berry.  As soon as Miss C-Jaz saw her bangs in the mirror, she couldn't stop looking at herself.  "Mommy!  I look like Rachel Berry now," she exclaimed with so much enthusiasm.  She was running around, showing Daddy-oh-ee, Gamma, and Gammpa.  Miss C-Jaz was going back and forth between mirrors.  She was happy with her new do, so now we'll see how long the looks lasts for her.  Soon after her shower, she had a hair pin in her hair keeping the bangs away from her eyes, which is great!!!  In the end, the bangs are a super cute look for her, and yay for my 'mad skillzz' (as my bff commented) as the personal hair dresser for Daddy-oh-ee and Miss C-Jaz :)

The 'asymetrical romulan' look.

The 'Rachel Berry' phenomenon.

The cutest little mature 4-year old I know.

First Day of Montessori Pre-School, or 'Khool' as Miss C-Jaz Would Say

"Mommy! I can say 'sss...school'!" Miss C-Jaz says with the biggest grin.  "I didn't say 'kool'.  I can say 'sss...skin', not 'kin'.  I can say 'sss...swimming', not 'pimming!"  She laughs, and bounces, and wiggles.  It's the best sound, the best sight, the best reason to smile.

Miss C-Jaz has officially participated in that big social event and kick off for a new school year that we all call 'The First Day of School'.  For her, the next 3 weeks are about integration: a shorter period of time than her regular schedule.  Some of the goals are to settle into a new routine, to meet the teacher, and to get to know classmates. 

It was definitely a great day for Miss C-Jaz, and as much as J and I wish we could've been a part of her big day, she was in great hands with Ganma, and so my account is based on what I was told as I had my own First Day of School to conduct with my own class of Grade 1s, another story in itself that tested my abilities as a teacher in a way I hadn't anticipated.

My day with my new class ended at 12:15, and as soon as I got out of my staff meeting I called Ganma, excited to see what Miss C-Jaz's reactions were to her new environment and new experiences.  For at least a month, we've been talking about her school and her new teacher, Ms. N, to prep for this big day. 

At times c,onversations went like...
"Miss C-Jaz, do you remember Ms. N when we first met her after we came back from Sweden?"
"Ahh. Yah. I 'member."
"Do you remember what she looks like?"
"No. But I'm gona see her soon."

Other times it was to build excitement like...
"Who's going to school on Tuesday?" I'd say in a sing-song voice.
"Me-ee.  I am!"  Miss C-Jaz would respond mimicking my tone.  "Yesssss!" she'd say thrusting an arm up into the air.

Thankfully, it was a very good day for Miss C-Jaz.  Ganma said she was brave.  She went into her classroom no problem.  When Ganma and Ganpa left her, she was seated amidst the other kids, and by the time they returned to pick her up she was seated right beside Ms. N.  Apparently Miss C-Jaz told me that she moved purposefully so she could be near Ms. N while also having a good view of the doorway so that when she saw Ganpa poke his head in a few minutes before the end of the class she said, "My Ganpa is here everybody.  Bye! I've gotta go now." 

Over the phone when I called Ganma I could hear Miss C-Jaz say there were lots of boys in her class and only 3 girls.  Supposedly, 2 boys were crying for their moms.  "But, I didn't cry Mommy," was what she said to me over the phone.  "I didn't have to potty, too," which is always a good thing, right?  Later in the evening she told me that there should be a separate class for girls and for boys, and she also said that Ms. N was like Mommy because she's a teacher.  It always amazes me the connections she makes and to see how her brain works.

Miss C-Jaz definitely enjoyed her First Day of Pre-School!  She has tomorrow off as part of her integration schedule, so hopefully Thursday is another day of 'grrrreat success'!

I can't believe my baby is growing up!!!  *sigh*