There are milestones in your child's life that you chronicle with scrapbook pages, photo sessions, even videos. And then there are milestones that, while they tug just as hard on the heartstrings, just don't have a Hallmark card for the occasion.
Such is the milestone of choosing your first deodorant.
While in Target today, Zack expressed interest in choosing a signature scent. He doesn't stink. I don't think he even needs this particular milestone yet. But what the heck. Let's go.
When faced with the aisle, nay, gargantuan wall that has become body care products, Zack immediately zoned in on .... Old Spice.
"Oh honey, you don't want that!" I said, imagining some serious repercussions of going to school smelling like Grandpa's Christmas gift circa 1975.
"But I like the commercials!" he said. This rather startled me, since we usually watch TiVo'd things and speed through the commercials, but apparently that particular marketing campaign had done its duty.
For some UNKNOWN reason, Zack has decided that one day he wants to go to Fiji. I told him we would do that as soon as he would live on something other than peanut butter sandwiches and pizza. Lo and behold, Old Spice makes a deodorant named "Fiji", and it smells like fresh sheets. Zack loved it -- score one for Old Spice.
Out of curiosity, though, he asked what the regular Old Spice smelled like, since I had such a violent no-no-no reaction. I opened the lid and obliged.
Zack recoiled like he'd been stung. "Why the heck would anyone want to smell like that?????" he asked.
Crisis averted. (And Zack just now said, "ONLY Fiji, Mom. Tell them ONLY Fiji."
I just love that kid.
And here is a collection of Old Spice commercials for your enjoyment.
Book Review: "The Forgotten Garden" by Kate Morton
Lori Anderson creates jewelry and bead kits as well as collaborative mixed media art with her son, Zack. Visit her shops by clicking here. She is also the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party tm and author of the book Bead Soup.
Join her at the Facebook group Bead Soup Cafe for bead chat, swaps, challenges, and lots of eye candy!
That is so funny and cute... Zack is growing up! Old Spice has stood the test of time! Wish he could just whip out some of those diamonds and broadway tickets that guy on the boat/white horse has in the commercial!
ReplyDeleteLori, Ernest uses Fiji right now!
ReplyDeleteWhy the heck would anyone want to smell like that, indeed.
ReplyDelete:-D !!!
ReplyDeleteToo cute!! I will have to check out Fiji for mark. lol.
ReplyDeleteLori, as the mom of boys, I get this and I LOVE this story. Bless his heart...he knows where he's headed and that the day is coming when "smelling good" is going to be something that matters. He's looking to establish "who" he is in a different world and bless you mama for taking him to that place where he can establish himself!! xo
ReplyDeleteHow cute! Thanks for the entertainment!
ReplyDeleteOnly Fiji, Zack. Don't worry, we got it !
ReplyDeleteThanks for making me laugh out loud at the computer. My family now officially thinks I'm crazy! :-)
ReplyDeleteCute story! Old Spice does remind me of 1975! lol Gotta love these coming of age milestones!
ReplyDeleteCute post!!
ReplyDeleteYou may not know it yet, and even Zach may not knot it yet, but becoming cognizant of deodorant - in any scent ... and thank God he didn't like Old Spice -usually means that he has noticed girls. I'd be on the lookout.
ReplyDeleteAwww! I so missed having boys. =( I had two girls, and I originally only wanted boys. To this day, my girls tease me about it. 21 and 17, they both acknowledge I missed my calling. I was probably meant to be a mom to boys. *slowly shoves her plastic swords back over the top of the computer*
ReplyDeleteHehe! From all that you blog about him, you're son seems like quite the unique and one-of-a-kind kid :)
ReplyDeleteI love those darn old spice commercials-"Swan dive!" LOL
(big smile on my face) That is quite a milestone and many more to come.
ReplyDeleteThose commercials are hilarious! Do they actually 'sell' the product? LOL I guess they must.
ReplyDeleteOld Spice isn't all bad, and it's not AXE. My daughter had to talk my son out of that one....... :)
ReplyDeleteGood for Zack! At almost 12, I still have to remind my daughter every day to put deodorant on --and she definitely needs it! She chose hers by the label, another marketing win.
ReplyDeleteLori - these commercials are a hoot - love them!! The marketing director at Old Spice is earning his pay for sure!
ReplyDeleteIt's so funny when our kiddos have such an opinion of things and then to think t.v. influenced them is even funnier. Logan wears old spice, too - not the original either - he agreed w/Zach on the awful smell of that one!
About time Old Spice got with the times! I'm sad that these "milestones" seem to be occurring at younger ages for both boys and girls as time goes by... they barely have time to enjoy childhood any more!
ReplyDelete*lol* Mom and I just pulled out an ancient bottle of Old Spice my bigger brother used when he was about 18. Too funny!
ReplyDeleteI am faced with that dilemma every time I have to go and find something that will make my {somewhat stinky} 14 year old smell acceptable without being a chick magnet. Okay. He can't help he has those eyes, but still! Zach is growing up... oh what fun it is! Enjoy the day. Erin
ReplyDeleteP.S. I like those commercials too!
Oh, so cute! I could just pinch those cheeks!
ReplyDeleteI am a new follower from GoodReads. I would love a follow back at http://endlessdaysofbooks.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteCandace
Too funny!!!
ReplyDeleteI haven't watched the vid yet, so don't know if this is already included ... but if not you HAVE to look up the sesame street spoof of the 'look at your man' ad.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkd5dJIVjgM
HA! Too cute!!
ReplyDelete