tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191385232012-01-29T08:22:57.244+09:00This blog was started for everybody I care about and love back home, it sorta helps my family and friends feel more connected to me and my life. It's also a place to make new friendships, support one another, laugh our butts off at times, and just be kind to one another and hang out! So please join me, while I try living my life in Japan, all the good, the bad and yes even the embarrassing blunders that I will probably be making along the way! : )Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.comBlogger13311100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-32699114688971008902012-01-28T17:09:00.004+09:002012-01-28T17:11:30.557+09:00

Last Sunday in our neck of the woods, our little area was having it's 3rd straight day of rain. And the weather, last Sunday? Bitterly cold and heaps of rain. However we had a plan, to go to the closest outlet mall nearest our house and look for jeans and sneakers for Branden.And to Gap we went. They had nil when it came to boys jeans. But they had a puff vest Branden has been wanting. He had a

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-26554060941825243242012-01-23T15:17:00.012+09:002012-01-23T17:24:46.929+09:00

Last Monday, while the boys were at Kumon. By the way you know how Noah's swim day has to switch every few months, well he is now swimming on Monday's now. So Mondays after regular school and yochien, things are quite busy here Monday's. Noah is exchanging his homework every Monday now for this month only and his Kumon teacher knows. But he's there Thursday. So, after school, they both go to

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-19904913111426925452012-01-23T11:34:00.006+09:002012-01-23T13:49:09.568+09:00

Brandens' classmate's mother died last week. It completely knocked the wind out of me, if I'm to be honest with you. She wasn't someone we knew for years and years. She was someone we never even met. Let me explain. Do you remember, about 6 months or so ago, when I said, Branden has a new classmate. He just moved here from Tokyo. The new boy. So yes, while we did not enter the ichinensei together

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-43160658565203875052012-01-16T12:38:00.004+09:002012-01-16T19:37:23.761+09:00

When Friday finally came around last week, I was definitely more then ready for it. : ) After both Branden and Noah were home, we had dinner. And after that we just relaxed some. Then we decided to bake something so, the 3 of us made this together. A cinnamon crumb cake. Very similar to coffee cake, if you ask me. : ) It was so good. A definite way to start the weekend. Then Noboru came home,

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-55339295699834125032012-01-12T11:57:00.006+09:002012-01-12T12:13:40.649+09:00

My most recent "job" for the shaon kai. Is cut out light blue circles. Other members were given different colors and for the dinner after graduation which will take place this March, these will each have a child's face in each of these circles and it will be hanging at the dinner along with all the other decorations we're making. So, I did that over the winter holiday. I tried my best to make

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-1465243271508160652012-01-12T10:13:00.001+09:002012-01-12T10:14:21.563+09:00

The very last day of Winter break. This Monday. This pic is of Branden, Noah, the Jinbei boy and Keita. They were outside playing. I meanwhile had the boys school shoes outside drying in the backyard, fresh out of the washer. Both Branden and Noah's uniforms. Noboru meanwhile weeded and transferred the bark that used to be here and put it in the jungle gym area. He wants to grow veggies or

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-70496192946437254832012-01-09T13:53:00.009+09:002012-01-09T14:24:56.858+09:00

Sorry, I didn't blog this past week. It's just this was our last and final week and tomorrow both Branden and Noah head back to school, January 10th. So, we decided to keep, January 1st, to now...just our time. : ) But with this being the last and final day, I thought it would be okay to get this up and posted now. The pic of Noah riding without training wheels! Here's the story on that.....I

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-40351434463736727902012-01-01T15:47:00.005+09:002012-01-01T16:16:54.258+09:00

In Japan, it's pretty common to have a very big end of year house clean up. You know, out with the old... in with the new. Or in this case, out with the dirty and in with the clean. : ) This is probably one of my favorite things in Japan, this end of the year clean up. I really look forward to this every single year. And if you look at my older blog posts, I've written about this many times in

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-54742092915803039632012-01-01T15:43:00.002+09:002012-01-01T15:54:51.540+09:00

After a lot of research and I do mean a lot, an a deep talk about legalities with a quarantine person a month ago that the hubby did. And believe you me, we researched the heck out of it. Finally we understand how to bring meats and things back to Japan with actually declaring them. This was our first attempt and trial. We knew beforehand they said as long as we...do this and do that and dot

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-83080443523490128552011-12-30T16:50:00.003+09:002011-12-30T20:41:52.127+09:00

I hope you all had a very merry Christmas. We really enjoyed ours. It was quiet, low key and spent poolside. Our room. A different view. Flat screen TV. We had the best view, ocean view and pool view too. Noah enjoying the view about to take an afternoon Christmas swim. Can see right down below to the slide. Peter Thomas Roth products are now being offered for the guests. Christmas dinner. You

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-77610395033086695552011-12-29T13:47:00.002+09:002011-12-29T13:50:36.600+09:00

This post is so absurdly behind. But you know what...I'm going to post it anyway, what the heck! I had these pics up and waiting/paused and just sitting as a draft since before Noah even went on Christmas break. Since before the Christmas recital actually, yet with working those 3 days that week. And with the Christmas recitals and the candle light service and plus shaon kai meetings. And plus

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-8448754164425163422011-12-29T13:45:00.008+09:002011-12-29T13:46:25.523+09:00

December 16th was yet another "last' for Noah and I. Every year our Catholic yochien has a mother and child candle light service, this closes the school for the Winter holidays. And then the kids start their vacation. I sat on the front row. Chatting with my girlfriends/fellow yochien mama friends, while we waited for the kids to come upstairs to join us. The baby Jesus, surrounded with candles

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-76767817646823175132011-12-22T17:47:00.009+09:002011-12-22T20:15:29.439+09:00

December 14th, was yet another milestone for Noah. As you know this is a year of many "lasts" for him, but also on the positive side also many "firsts" too. So, last week, a slightly toothless Noah performed and enjoyed his *very last* Christmas play/recital at the Catholic yochien. Noah will leave this yochien knowing how to play, "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" on the harmonica as well as a few

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-31274059581490818682011-12-21T10:29:00.002+09:002011-12-21T10:29:50.237+09:00

Yep, it finally happened. : ) And boy was Noah thrilled! You see, since April of this year, all his classmates have been losing their first, second and even 3rd and 4th teeth already. But so far, it was a no go for Noah. The dentist at his last check-up even said, after looking at the x-rays after his 6 month dental check and cleaning. He said, all Noah's teeth underneath are ready to come up

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-85334479774448495312011-12-20T08:15:00.008+09:002011-12-20T09:10:40.546+09:00

I have a couple really good posts coming up. That I need to get up. We had another important "last" last week, Noah's Christmas recital was last week. It was awesome, I got so many good pictures and good video from it. We also had the candle light service last Friday at the yochien as well, that I'd like to post about since it's the last one for our family as well. But, I'll try to post both

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-81331629017265570152011-12-18T10:41:00.002+09:002011-12-19T08:05:58.714+09:00

Last Saturday was Branden's marathon at the local elementary school. All of the kids needed to take a lunch/obento because they would have class after that and no lunch ladies are there on Saturday's. Which is absolutely fine, I don't mind making Branden a lunch in the least. Branden brought, a toasted pepperoni sandwich on a bakery baguette. A cheese and butter baked potato, some steamed

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-40924395371080105912011-12-12T12:55:00.001+09:002011-12-12T12:55:14.637+09:00

Last Friday, Branden and Noah and I baked some homemade Christmas cookies from scratch. I know the boys look forward to making Christmas cookies with mommy every year and to be honest I look forward to it too. : ) You can see some Christmas wrapping paper in the background because we've been wrapping presents like crazy since the first week of December. Making the most fun out of our family time

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-67079729723843211912011-12-11T16:37:00.005+09:002011-12-12T07:41:28.371+09:00

A month ago, Noah received yet another letter from our town. Inviting him to take part in the Himotoki Iwai celebration that our town has for the kids who are about to start the first grade. If you research it online, there is very little about this. : ( In fact when I was speaking to my friend Noriko last week when I went to her house to watch the last Harry Potter dvd and have lunch and

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-12485158802092355942011-12-08T10:00:00.004+09:002011-12-08T16:49:26.637+09:00

I've mentioned this before, but the elementary school Branden goes to, is an extremely modern elementary school, the thinking and teaching methods, as well as the building itself. They're really big on encouraging kids and getting them to think outside the box and think for themselves. The school itself has, central heating and air conditioning, which is a big deal considering most schools here

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-78018016956583488332011-12-04T15:20:00.000+09:002011-12-04T15:20:11.872+09:00

As the award says, November 30th, is when Noah tested and also passed into a new level in swimming. He is now a level 7! For being in yochien and being a level 7, that's actually really amazing. Well done kiddo! : )

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-11628282529359838992011-12-01T10:53:00.006+09:002011-12-01T11:16:16.687+09:00

A pic of my dad walking Noah in to yochien on Friday. He walked Noah into class Thursday and also Friday and also we both went into the school grounds to pick him up. Noah loves it when we both pick him up! My dad also waved off Branden to school both days as well. Which Branden also loved. And grandpa was careful not to pull out his camera and take pics this time around. : ) Like most Americans

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-28739549448661796482011-11-28T10:25:00.001+09:002011-11-28T10:25:16.367+09:00

How our family spent Thanksgiving 2011. Branden and Noah first went to school, regular elementary and yochien (not Kumon). I let them miss Kumon however, I sent them to Kumon Monday, with a note asking for extra homework (Thursday's amount) since they'd be missing Thursday for Thanksgiving and she said that was absolutely fine and gave the extra work. So, Noah got out at 2pm from yochien and

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-17593203603607597222011-11-27T14:49:00.005+09:002011-11-27T19:05:12.360+09:00

My dad arrived Tuesday evening as planned, and all of us end up going to have dinner together. We went to have Chinese food at the Ohsho, it was delicious as always. This pic was from the following day, Wednesday morning, it was a holiday for us here in Japan, Labor Day. And Branden and Noah did not have school that day. However they had their English study, so grandpa (my dad) jumped in and

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-84194345488645975922011-11-22T16:12:00.002+09:002011-11-22T16:17:14.287+09:00

Last week, Noboru, Branden and Noah and myself, all went and got our flu shots. We had an early morning appointment. We went in and out. And then to school, a bit delayed but the boys did get to school. And we told their teachers beforehand they'd be a good 45 minutes late for class due to them getting their flu shots. According to my girlfriends and the doctor and nurse, , you know how...the

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-66222658014103299812011-11-18T10:41:00.005+09:002011-11-18T10:55:42.192+09:00

November 15th, is Shichi-go-san for those of us living in Japan. If you'd like to read more about it, here's a link. I explained it when Branden went here and, I think last year as well. Also, quite a few yochien's throughout Japan have little ceremonies at their kindergarten's for the children as well. Our yochien has one too. But ours as you know is a little bit different...with a twist, since

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-25332717616156575502011-11-14T22:25:00.004+09:002011-11-18T08:48:12.001+09:00

On 11/11/11, Branden, Noah and myself flew to Guam. We flew out of Narita around 9:20am. And arrived in the afternoon. This is what we ate while going there. Stuffed chicken breast, mashed potatoes with some green veg mixed in. Salad with dressing of your choice, I picked goma dressing. Dinner roll, pistachio cake with toasted hazel nuts on top. Shrimp salad.This is sort of weird (good weird

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-60317852945278012482011-11-14T20:03:00.004+09:002011-11-17T09:35:05.509+09:00

Five suitcases and this is what we lugged back to Japan with us. 2 big huge packs of bacon. These came from Cost u less. Like Costco. Each black box has three 1lb packages each. So 6 pounds/6 packages of bacon total enough for Fall and a great part of Winter. They were super cheap buying in bulk. Almost everything on my list was on sale. The pepperoni for example was on sale. Sale at Payless.

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-15715815590483160482011-11-08T13:31:00.003+09:002011-11-09T10:22:45.552+09:00

These were the last 2 DVD's we rented for October. No Strings Attached with Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher. This was funny, it made me laugh. I thought it was definitely a good rental and I am glad I saw it. The other one was, the Unknown with Matt Damon. In my opinion this movie was very slow. Without giving too much away. I'll say this. The first 10 minutes of the movie, amazing. Really

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-92093750396167790282011-11-04T11:07:00.003+09:002011-11-04T11:17:07.191+09:00

Paranormal Activity 3 came to the movie theaters in the US last week. According to the commercials we see on TV. Anyway for us it was only a week delayed. Which made Noboru and I both happy, since we enjoyed the first Paranormal movie, we were sorta so so on the 2nd one though. But we've been watching the commercials for this new one. And it looks so freaking scary! The commercials on American

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-42647303078668690012011-10-31T17:00:00.002+09:002011-10-31T17:01:55.523+09:00

Hope all of you really and truly have a very Happy Halloween. Here's a little Halloween post of the things our family has enjoyed this season. For Halloween 2011. Isn't that a beautifully carved Jack O' Lantern! I think the family did really well this year. A very happy Mr.Pumpkinhead indeed! We had 4 floating and glowing illuminated Jack O' Lanterns where the flowery hanging baskets usually

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-68320560774253591522011-10-31T12:01:00.007+09:002011-10-31T13:24:26.125+09:00

One of the classic things I always remember or associate with Fall or Halloween in America growing up, are caramel and also candy apples. Going to Halloween parties as a child, every party usually either had bobbing for apples and also had some caramel apples as part of the food table, perhaps because Fall is when apples are in season. I also remember those daffy apples already packaged at the

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-39674864759061017722011-10-31T10:11:00.003+09:002011-10-31T11:25:13.547+09:00

If you've been reading this blog for a while, you'll know every single year our family likes to carve us a Halloween pumpkin! Friday night our family got together to make our Jack O' Lantern for 2011! Ready to start carving! But first... time to dig out the pumpkin guts! LOL. : ) Definitely this part goes to the kids. They like cleaning it out and getting all those seeds for roasting later. Go

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-26286871327176646852011-10-31T09:07:00.003+09:002011-10-31T09:47:43.928+09:00

Friday was Noah's Fall ensoku/field trip. Our yochien takes the kids to the Chiba Zoo every Fall. So, first things first is I made sure Branden was ready and taken to school. Once back at home, I skillet/pan fried the yakitori, I had cut and marinating since the night before. A super simple but filling obento. Yakitori, on a bed of rice. Steamed veggie, 2 grapes and omelet fried in a bit of

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-36526873440380800002011-10-30T13:55:00.007+09:002011-10-30T13:55:18.462+09:00

Alrighty so you know what I did Wednesday morning. I went to that music concert. : ) But, that was also Branden's birthday. October 26th. Branden finally hit the big 1-0! The double digits. Very exciting. Huge milestone for him. Anyway, for starters we had asked Branden the week before, what would you like for your birthday dinner? Would you like me to make something here at home, or would you

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-1876279407431487552011-10-30T10:20:00.000+09:002011-10-30T10:20:37.479+09:00

On Monday of the week that just passed, I ran to Narita city after dropping off both Branden and Noah at both of their different schools. Ran to Hanamasa, picked up 2 whole chickens for the roasted chicken dinner I would be making that week. Some pork for making miso pork and a few other meaty things, then swung by the mall in Narita and picked up a schedule/planner. There's just so much going

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-30053643458147938842011-10-28T18:07:00.006+09:002011-10-29T09:46:37.424+09:00

I blogged all about the testing Branden had done when he was a pre-first grader. And so here are Noah's experiences. We had received a letter in the mail over a month beforehand. Noboru said, there were 2 dates. And as he rattled off the dates, I quickly jotted down the dates on whatever scratch paper I could grab for at the time, because I knew how crazy busy we all were for the month of

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-74125737781974455532011-10-27T13:47:00.001+09:002011-10-27T13:51:36.257+09:00

I usually fly to Guam mid October for a night or two. Get stuff for Halloween and also for Thanksgiving. A sort of 2 in 1 time saver for me. However with us knowing of Noboru's mid October Slingbox trip planned. I decided I would not go to Guam in October. Instead I will go in November for Thanksgiving stuff. Anyway, my dad had mentioned to me that he bought both Branden and Noah some Halloween

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-47575812144058693592011-10-25T16:35:00.008+09:002011-10-25T19:07:20.735+09:00

I think it is fair to say, Noah ended his yochien undokai years on a wonderful and fantastic note! Noah had fun, he was really involved and he did win the huge big relay this year at the end, joint effort for sures, no doubt but he did do amazing on that final winning lap! So, yeah let me get this post started. Here is how the undokai started. Noah (the white hat) and a fellow Sakura-gumi (

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-8452776045678124252011-10-21T16:47:00.009+09:002011-10-22T08:45:15.119+09:00

Last Wednesday, as soon as we arrived and went through the gates, at Tokyo Disneyland. Definitely put us in the Halloween spirit. Riding the Pirate's of the Caribbean ride. Having some lunch!(pizza) Yumm! R2-D2 and C-3PO. About to ride something. Branden and Noah all smiles and having a great time. 2 buckets of caramel corn gone, so now to fill up 2 buckets with honey popcorn. About to get on

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-4007727427075597612011-10-19T07:41:00.001+09:002011-10-19T09:21:59.137+09:00

Our family's plan was to leave last Tuesday. Tuesday of last week, October 11th very early and head to Hakone. Stay the entire whole day and night, onsen up basically and then Wednesday morning head directly for Disneyland!!!! So, Monday October 10th, I packed for myself (packed for the boys the day before). Last time the boys and I baked homemade chocolate chip pecan cookies to take to Hakone

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-76199690931373365292011-10-15T10:45:00.005+09:002011-10-18T06:53:31.010+09:00

Still playing "catch up" on my blog. My goodness I'm so behind. The Hakone post and Disneyland post are coming. Meanwhile tomorrow is Noah's undokai. So another post and if I don't blog soon, it will really get out of control type behind. But, considering Noah's at school today for the last practice, I will run back to the city to pick him up at 11:30am this morning, prep for undokai obento #100

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-47082531364102848922011-10-14T12:53:00.007+09:002011-10-14T12:56:45.093+09:00

Last Sunday was our town undokai. The second out of the 3 undokai's for our family this year. Would you believe, the last 2 years, our town undokai were actually cancelled. Yes, it's true. Branden and us went to the one when he was an ichinensei. Then when Branden was a 2nd grader, the whole school had many classes cancelled due to the swine flu. Remember that year seemed all over Japan people

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-65317652749231918742011-10-13T10:29:00.004+09:002011-10-15T07:13:43.915+09:00

You ever have a week that's so busy, that it seems everyday you have a million things to do, that need to get done. And you frankly wonder, "will I survive this week?" That pretty much describes the week I just had last week. : ) On Monday, last Monday, after sending both Branden and Noah to school, one with an obento. I came home, hung laundry, cleaned the house for an hour. Then I went over my

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-34763480267532815482011-10-08T13:53:00.003+09:002011-10-13T10:31:39.493+09:00

I have 2 big posts, I hope to get posted before our family leaves to Hakone this coming week. I'll try to get this one posted now. All these things happened 2 weeks ago. One morning, Noboru was home and so he ran Noah to yochien for me. Whenever he's home and available he always does try to jump in and help me, which is appreciated. I was home busy cleaning the house like crazy. Swooshing

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-45868667464638459432011-10-01T15:15:00.001+09:002011-10-02T08:47:36.761+09:00

October 1st, means time for the Fall wreath switch. I packed the hydrangea wreath away. And pulled out the one for Fall. With scarecrows and squash and leaves. It definitely will make everyone coming to our home, smile and think of Fall.This past week, was really awesome. Not a single meeting. It was just a regular week. And this weekend, is going super. Nothing is planned. No school function or

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-1593263855857735152011-10-01T14:26:00.001+09:002011-10-01T14:26:27.416+09:00

With the start of the first grade this coming April strongly on our minds. We picked these up for Noah. He's a 20cm right now. And knowing how his feet grow, we picked these in 20.5cm and they should be perfect for when April rolls around. We've put these in the shoe closet. A smaller order from Gap/ON got here. Every week a 30% coupon will show on their site and only be on there for a day or a

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-7971354414591325252011-10-01T14:17:00.001+09:002011-10-02T08:48:12.387+09:00

I know I rarely talk about working out anymore. But I haven't stopped at all. Not in the least. Since January 2011, I have been going full steam and I haven't wanted to quit. I am always very cautious to say things until I know for sure but I really feel it was a life change. You can see my "fitness minutes" for August. I was 6th place in one of the groups I belong to. And 6th place isn't bad.

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-48594589857116715382011-09-29T10:05:00.001+09:002011-09-29T10:05:06.963+09:00

Now that I'm teaching English at 2 hoikuen's and need to wear inside shoes, which can be anything...Nike, Adidas doesn't matter as long as it isn't used for outside. Anyway, I washed my black low top converse and had been using those as my "inside shoes" to wear inside the schools I work at. However with working and making my own income. Not only did I pay for my own hair straightening a month

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-32752192499627844562011-09-29T09:32:00.000+09:002011-09-29T09:32:54.623+09:00

The Sunday right after Noah's recital was over, we did not go home, we headed directly to Hanamasa. We had planned going there for a few days before and that day worked out best for us. I had brought a spare change of clothes for Noah, so he wouldn't have to go to Hanamasa in his yochien uniform. At this point, on Sunday was when we had heard that the typhoon would be heading our way. This is

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-67017152949736095692011-09-28T07:50:00.004+09:002011-09-28T08:03:44.278+09:00

The day after undokai. The Sunday that was September, 18th, was the "Respect for the Aged" event that's held every year in the small city that Noah goes to school in. The following day, September 19th, Monday was the actual Respect for the Aged Day here in Japan. And the boys had no school that day. So last Sunday, we woke up like as if it were a school day. Woke up, had breakfast got dressed

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-46616915377779301812011-09-24T14:47:00.009+09:002011-09-24T20:34:56.532+09:00

With our spot saved from the day before. There was no real reason to rush on down there undokai morning. It started at 9am. Though we dropped off Branden at 7:20am like he was supposed to be. The rules changed this year. Not sure if you can see the chalk line near the tarps front right leg? They said, no tarps in front of the chalk line this year. This was not such a smart rule because then, we

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-37328605610101421112011-09-23T13:35:00.002+09:002011-09-23T13:37:22.780+09:00

Typhoon blurb from us here that happened 2 days ago. Since I worked that day and then since I made it back to my area with more then enough time...I went and picked up Branden with Noah after I got home from work. By then I could tell the typhoon was definitely heading our way. Almost like fate would have it, as weird as that sounds. As soon as we got home, with Branden...and we all got home. Is

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-46525777292107405812011-09-21T07:03:00.002+09:002011-09-21T07:26:49.135+09:00

Around 6:25am our home phone rang this morning. It was the mother in front of our name on the order of the calling tree. The message today? No school...yochien canceled today because of the typhoon expected today. Thank you for calling. Hung up and called the next person on the calling tree. The Jogo-san is right behind me, and it's not in alphabetical order at our school. Anyway, we're great

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-33988948524342361052011-09-20T19:12:00.000+09:002011-09-20T19:12:14.678+09:00

Well, as you know this past weekend was quite busy for us. It was wonderful though and I have a ton to say about it. I'll blog all about that when I get a little extra free time (give me a day or two). But for now, I have a few posts that were waiting since last week. And since I have yet to get the pics up from the undokai day and also the respect for the aged day. I'll get these posts up first

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-6452751703288285792011-09-15T10:39:00.005+09:002011-09-15T12:29:56.830+09:00

This week, has been really busy for me. On Tuesday this week, you would not believe all the things I had going on.After sending both kids to school. And of course making breakfasts for them both and obento for Noah. I ran home, hung the laundry and then started getting myself ready to head back to the yochien. Meet up time. 10:30am. We had a "parent teacher meeting" basically all parents showed

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-54723697581213335922011-09-13T18:29:00.002+09:002011-09-13T18:31:59.398+09:00

Do you remember when we went to Hakone last November? It was so lovely and nice to be in the mountains at a famous onsen area, stay the night at a nice hotel. And just onsen up, the whole trip. Going from various outdoor bath to bath. Well, we're doing the same this year as well. In fact Noboru already made our reservation to the hotel, booked the room. Luckily for us he did, because there were

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-86132621398231914532011-09-12T11:01:00.002+09:002011-09-12T11:01:15.976+09:00

Last Friday night, with it being the start of the weekend and all. I thought what better way to start a weekend, then with homemade pizza. A recipe that's been passed down in my family. I made the crust during the day, covered the dough and left it to sit in a quiet place in the kitchen. Kneading a few times during the day but mostly let it be. By the time both Branden and Noah were home and

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-35242660912668770592011-09-11T18:53:00.003+09:002011-09-12T07:18:52.277+09:00

I'm sure everyone knows and remembers where they were when 9/11 happened. Here's my story, I've shared it once before on this blog but with it being the 10th anniversary and all. It feels right to write this again.As you know Branden will be 10 years old this year he was born the year 9/11 happened. Here's our story.For the whole year prior to 9/11 my grandma's health had been slowly failing.

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-86582739993982426582011-09-10T09:51:00.001+09:002011-09-10T09:54:15.377+09:00

Last Saturday, the day the typhoon was supposed to hit us here in Kanto. And also the same day was the "last" : ( sweet potato dig and grape picking for Noah and his fellow blue badges, at the yochien. And as you can tell by the pictures. The day was absolutely beautiful! Seriously not quite sure how we managed to luck out so much. But I won't question it. : ) Big clusters and bunches of grapes.

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-11764327527900712592011-09-08T10:11:00.003+09:002011-09-08T14:41:07.379+09:00

Last Friday, Noah had a swimming test, he had to show proper swimming strokes and technique for the level, he is currently doing and he passed! Congratulations cutie pie, we are so proud of you. I haven't done a proper swimming school update in forever...so I will do one shortly. I did so many proper swimming updates with Branden all through the years and I really haven't given equal amount of

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-80175573719582982892011-09-05T13:00:00.003+09:002011-09-05T14:48:09.907+09:00

Ever since Noah started yochien, we've been balancing 3 undokais each year. Noah's yochien undokai, then there is Branden's undokai at the local elementary school and then there is the town undokai. With the balance of 3 undokais. And considering the cost of all those undokai obentos. It's no wonder next year we'll be happy we'll only have 2 undokais next year to deal with (the elementary one

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-79973026821914037022011-09-02T13:10:00.003+09:002011-09-13T19:15:00.586+09:00

First thing, weather update. Today here in our little area of Chiba, the weather is beautiful. Clear and sunny. The playground looks dumb without the blue tarp I know, but we'll put it back on Sunday just in case something comes from tomorrow. At 6:27 am our house phone rang this morning. It was the yochien calling tree in effect and the message was "school is in effect" so pass that little

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-10504803132860407102011-09-01T13:45:00.008+09:002011-09-01T15:13:21.234+09:00

So a typhoon is heading towards Japan. The news reports so far say it will be a big one and should get here in the Kanto area sometime Saturday. But you know many times these things get downgraded to just a tropical storm and lose their punch before they hit. And sometimes they get here much slower then expected or much faster then expected. So their arrival is hard to pinpoint. Of course I am

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-33880232214499031642011-09-01T13:19:00.028+09:002011-09-01T13:25:37.961+09:00

This happened yesterday morning and it was just so funny, I just have to share this. Before I start this story off. Most of you know, Noboru moved to the US at age 16, he went to Denver, Colorado as an exchange student and lived with an American family until age 18 and at age 18, he moved out on his own and went to university there and that's where/when we met. And he didn't return to Japan to

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-21184383994200685782011-08-31T11:09:00.006+09:002011-08-31T11:09:11.848+09:00

Well, Saturday my hair appointment at the salon went fine. It was quite a few hours spent there. But I'm glad it's done. While I was at the salon, Noboru took the boys fishing right near our house, so they loved that and I also hear he took them to Mc D's beforehand, so they enjoyed their time with dad while I was getting my hair done.: ) These pics are from Sunday. We bought 4 really huge racks

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-31206307307508062062011-08-30T16:07:00.004+09:002011-08-30T17:47:16.695+09:00

Last Friday, we took both Branden and Noah back to the pool to spend the entire day. Playing in the wave pool. It was a weekday, so not so crowded. We brought/packed a picnic lunch with us. Potato salad and macaroni salad, chicken cutlets for sandwiches or to enjoy with tonkatsu sauce and with a rice ball or two, their choice, although everyone picked sandwiches. Fresh grapes, the lettuce

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-67704600958098086742011-08-30T13:01:00.004+09:002011-08-30T16:24:58.676+09:00

Thursday July 28th was indeed Branden's very last day of swimming school ever. Branden has been in swimming school every single week since he was 4 years old (Noah since age 3), last September or October, before he hit age 9, he reached a level 1. And honestly about 95% of the kids (if not more) who reach a level 1, quit the swimming school after reaching that goal. At the time Branden did not

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-8279264808921013662011-08-26T08:53:00.007+09:002011-08-28T09:21:21.768+09:00

Can barely believe a week from now both Branden and Noah will both be in school already. Branden starts next Thursday Sept 1st. And Noah starts Friday Sept 2nd. Noah will have half day though next Friday as usual and then normal schedule that following Monday. According to the Phinneas and Ferb song, there's a 104 days of Summer vacation (for us in America) but for us in Japan we get, only like

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-35435851306441888752011-08-24T17:27:00.003+09:002011-08-24T17:33:37.428+09:00

Last Thursday we had yet another backyard bbq. The meat was marinating nicely all day, since morning in the fridge. Noboru fired up the grill when the boys called me from Kumon on their cell. I popped over there in a few minutes. Kumon's basically on the other side of the huge rice field behind our house that runs a few blocks and up a bit, so it's really close. Picked them up. They came home

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-83154723345371717222011-08-24T17:26:00.009+09:002011-08-25T14:07:05.762+09:00

Our trip was primarily focused on relaxation and fun, however given we were in Guam, and the fact good stores are there and plus Guam has no sales tax. We brought back a very small amount of things. Noboru went to Home Depot. It's his favorite store. I think he would love to stay in one for a whole day. He truly loves looking at each and every thing. So, what are these 2 things in this picture?

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-19913982885326545752011-08-21T17:53:00.003+09:002011-08-21T20:52:04.049+09:00

One of our days we had planned and went to spend the entire day at the Pacific Islands Club Guam (PIC) they also have a PIC Saipan which if you've been reading for a while, you might remember we've also been there twice and blogged both those trips there too.: ) Anyway, this was our 2nd time to PIC Guam. We got there so early the pools were even closed, notice no people in the pool in this pic.

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-17276444345759342102011-08-18T08:53:00.004+09:002011-08-18T08:58:07.330+09:00

Not counting the Cars 2 movie we took our family to see while in Honolulu in July and me going to see Bad Teacher. These are 3 of the newest movies we went to see last week while in Guam. The Smurfs was cute! I loved the Smurfs as a child, so I was excited to see this. Not sure I'd buy the dvd, but I am glad I saw it at least. Branden and Noah enjoyed it. And Hank Azaria was absolutely brilliant

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-84563527722760195932011-08-17T08:27:00.002+09:002011-08-17T13:33:36.996+09:00

One of the days, was the most filled with activity. On that day we went to the PIC (Pacific islands Club) for an all day swim, water slides and canoes and lunch buffet, then after that we took showers at my dad's condo and we went to the movies afterwards. The movie was great because we got to sit and enjoy the Rise of the Planet of the Apes movie in a nice air conditioned theater. When we got

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-29294412229180148732011-08-16T10:38:00.003+09:002011-08-16T13:04:09.005+09:00

Last Tuesday was the 1 and only day for August I worked at the hoikuen. Teaching ended around 11:20am and we went downstairs and chatted with the principal for a bit drinking some iced tea that they offered us and then I waved my teaching partner goodbye. And I drove home. The original plan was our family of 4 would all leave to Guam on Wednesday, August 10th morning together, however the flight

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-29697665113302279312011-08-09T13:09:00.003+09:002011-08-09T13:12:55.835+09:00

Saturday we had yet another backyard bbq here at home in the Japanese countryside. Teriyaki chicken breasts with a pinch of pineapple for teriyaki sandwiches. Hamburgers and hot dogs. Noboru brought his lap top outside and played 80's music while we bbq'ed and the boys played in the yard. I can tell exactly what song was playing when I clicked this picture. The Power of Love by Huey Lewis

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-52451113151054534742011-08-08T16:57:00.002+09:002011-08-08T18:42:47.804+09:00

Here's a picture of Noah cleaning the back patio sliding door one morning. Wiping down any fingers prints or smudges. He's been wiping down the 2 big back patio sliding glass doors every week since going on Summer break. Branden's been vacuuming the stairs for me every week, twice a week by the way. They of course empty the dishwasher every morning together. Noah's always in charge of the shoes

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-51747638623772193912011-08-07T10:42:00.001+09:002011-08-07T11:42:21.337+09:00

This Wednesday, our family headed to the pool! This a really cool pool to be at, lots of soft grass to lay down our tent. Many many different types of pools, splashing creeks, so many different big pools, a huge wave pool, a pebble peach type pool, and a lazy river. Branden and Noah helped Noboru set up the tent. We got our cooler and also our Costco bag that carried the obento's, inflatable

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-89890859814638918162011-08-06T10:07:00.001+09:002011-08-06T10:07:49.832+09:00

Goodness have we been enjoying the heck out of Summer around here, on Monday aftrenoon of this week, we quickly unrolled the slip and slide and the boys started sliding and staying cool. I tell you honestly....children's laughter definitely one of the best sounds ever! Run Branden. Go Noah go! Goodness you've been enjoying your Summer. : ) Branden, I never knew there were that many ways to slide

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-89455465371385002952011-08-05T14:39:00.005+09:002011-08-06T07:54:12.627+09:00

Yep, everything in the title of this post happened on 1 single day. : ) Happened last Saturday. Let's see, the morning dashi pull started at 10am. But the kids had to be there at 9:45am. 15 minutes earlier, to give the ladies 1 pet bottle of frozen water for each child. It was needed for make shift ice. To keep the ice cream cool. At 9:39am we walked up through the ped walkways and made our way

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-28359865034081541492011-08-01T17:13:00.000+09:002011-08-01T17:13:30.603+09:00

Yep, we left to Guam last Saturday and got back last Sunday. Last Friday Noboru got home from work, he said..we should go to Guam tomorrow the flight's open. The kids could see your dad and we can go to the Home Depot and get those ceiling fans we've been thinking about. I said, sounds good but let me call my dad to see if he's available, because he travels often and is pretty active in his

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-80243939970125245822011-07-30T12:09:00.001+09:002011-07-30T15:20:52.876+09:00

This is yet another one of the "lasts" we encountered a few weeks ago. Noah's last Summer festival at the yochien. Not his last Summer festival *ever* obviously, because we go to them yearly anyway. Like the one in our housing community that is taking place today for example.: ) But it is indeed Noah's last one, he'll be participating in at the yochien. So another thing comes to a close for him.

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-61107237340806178782011-07-27T15:15:00.009+09:002011-07-27T20:35:11.275+09:00

Every year 3 huge buses come to our town. They're 3 very modern buses. They come to make sure us ladies in Japan stay healthy. This is not the giant health check where they test you from top to bottom and take blood and test for everything. This is simply a pap smear checking and looking to make sure, no one has ovarian cancer, or anything else bad going on down there. And the other 2 buses

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-5754834381007747132011-07-27T14:17:00.001+09:002011-07-27T14:17:28.081+09:00

Still trying to catch up here. : ) After we got back from Hawaii. We had just about run out of waffles. And also we didn't buy tortilla chips in Hawaii, we could have but didn't want to take up the needed space in a suitcase. So we ordered from the Flying Pig here in Japan. We did however bring the salsa back with us though. Just 2 things, well I guess 3, if you count the waffles twice since we

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-41203138265681135212011-07-26T16:45:00.014+09:002011-07-26T21:52:05.304+09:00

No, not full time and not even part time. I am teaching 2-4 times a month now, I just started in July. Between you and me, I get asked to teach English at least once a week, if not more. It happens to me everywhere I go. If I'm at swimming club. At the yochien. People who live in our housing community...even if I'm just chilling at a Summer festival for example someone is bound to walk up to me

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-31274038190577538952011-07-26T10:11:00.003+09:002011-07-26T15:20:53.099+09:00

Delta kids can not fly in first class, unless they are 6 years or older. Regular paying passengers can, but you know what I mean. With having 2 children. We just never really got the chance of ever being able to sit in first class. Not that we're hoity toity fancy shmancy types anyway. When Noah became 4 years old. Noboru and Branden started to get really antsy. They kept saying 2 more years.

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-14486459035729634652011-07-25T19:21:00.001+09:002011-07-25T19:41:53.581+09:00

Things brought back from Honolulu, this time. Noah received Diary Of a Wimpy Kid Roderick Rules, dvd for his birthday and 2 DS cards, the new Phinneas and Ferb card and the Sonic collection card (many Sonic games in one card). Noboru got the Resident Evil 4 Wii game for himself to enjoy late at night after the boys go to sleep. We got the Tatsunoko vs. Capcom Wii game, Noboru and the boys play

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-12483635664215005552011-07-21T18:05:00.001+09:002011-07-21T18:07:25.325+09:00

I'm going to try and tell you about Noah's turning 6 as much as I can. I want to make sure to write all the things down while they're still fresh in my mind. Turning 6 has been something he's been looking forward to for quite a while. The night before, Noah asked for us all to take one last look before bed. And when he woke up the morning of his 6th birthday, he asked..."do I look any different?

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-81700944698417432522011-07-20T19:55:00.004+09:002011-07-20T19:59:40.215+09:00

Another very early morning we left and headed to spend the day at Hanauma Bay (a very cool snorkeling spot) we bought lunch along the way. It was around 8am-9am-ish and I honestly thought no way would we find a sandwich place open that early, but Subway was, go figure. We all got sandwiches, chips, we brought some of our juice pouches and vitamin waters from the hotel fridge that we had (these

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-21454962948608954592011-07-16T16:39:00.002+09:002011-07-16T16:44:06.107+09:00

Ahh, I know I'm behind with posting. I've yet to get all the Honolulu posts up and/or Noah's birthdya post yet either (sorry). And on top of all that...Noah's very last day of school was yesterday/Friday. And we have Noah's Summer festival at the yochien this coming Monday and I must go and prepare for that tomorrow morning. So considering all the Summer festival last minute bits going on...no

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-81733689020192429832011-07-13T17:01:00.006+09:002011-07-14T13:01:17.307+09:00

The Fourth of July! We all got a great nights sleep the night before and woke up ready for a full day at the beach. Noboru first needed to get himself a new pair of swim trunks though first thing. He dislikes shopping for himself very much, so it's no wonder his last pair of swim trunks he'd had for a very very long time. So he said if he packed his old ones, He'd end up putting off buying a new

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-50509525330805813442011-07-13T13:53:00.003+09:002011-07-13T20:39:46.324+09:00

July 3rd at around 7am Honolulu time our family arrived in Honolulu. Yep we had July 3rd twice. ; ) The day we left Japan was also July 3rd. We picked up our rental car and headed to the hotel, check in time is usually around 1-3pm, but luckily they checked us in that morning. We had emailed them in advance telling them we'd be early and if it was okay, they said yes. : ) We stayed at the crew

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-7698520645853081462011-07-01T11:35:00.016+09:002011-07-02T07:56:43.240+09:00

Last Friday, Noah had his first time ever over night trip. He's never slept away from us before. : ( You know, when I was growing up, in America with my family. It was normal stuff for all us grand kids to go and stay at my grandma's for an over night. Usually all us girls would go and another time all the boys would go. Or they'd all come and sleep at my house or we'd all go and sleep at one of

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-64565064503159637702011-06-26T23:59:00.004+09:002011-06-27T00:52:36.110+09:00

I mentioned about a month and a half ago that we were happily busy with planning our Summer trip. But didn't really talk about it anymore after that.I guess now is as good a time as any, to share the details. : ) Our family of 4 is heading to Honolulu Hawaii next week. For a full week of fun in the sun! We've got a rental car. We're staying at a really nice hotel. It's honestly all we've been

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-80760771666732305072011-06-26T16:51:00.004+09:002011-06-26T20:14:20.563+09:00

My dad and Noah around 2:20pm, we had just gotten home after being out all day. My dad and I, had went to lunch, we had tantanmen and deep fried gyoza. Then after that, we went to the Daiso and spent a good hour there. And then we even picked the boys up a donut pack (those mini donut ball kind) before heading to pick up Noah from yochien. The Lightning McQueen bag Noah used for swimming at the

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-40772751211725397432011-06-25T16:10:00.006+09:002011-06-26T10:10:31.460+09:00

So what's everybody been watching lately? : ) As you know, we rent dvd's from Tsutaya Discas (4 a month) They do offer 8 a month and we tried that first, but 8 was too many for us. 4 is the perfect amount for our family. The last 2 from May, were these 2 choices. Noboru loves Jackass. A show that used to be on MTV. Just a handful of guys who would do pranks and stunts. Many times really wild or

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-85922340501104057352011-06-24T09:53:00.006+09:002011-06-25T07:30:24.784+09:00

In the Summer time our yochien really tries to make the most of the Summery months. And let the kids have a lot of fun as well. : ) Last Monday, Noah brought home a note, it said to bring some comfy clothes that they could get a bit dirty in, because they will be playing in the dirt. Filling up water guns and other various water squirting type instruments. Making mud pies and you know enjoying

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-43712906648139880682011-06-22T14:30:00.001+09:002011-06-22T14:32:42.372+09:00

This is what Noboru got this year. All the kids at yochien made their dad's faces. If you recall, Noah also made my face at Mother's Day and was pretty spot on. Noboru ohhhed and ahhed when Noah presented this to him this Father's day. The portrait Noah made. The orange shirt card. And the 2 homemade felt coasters he worked really hard on at the yochien all last week. : ) Noah was so proud to

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-77920529694181780782011-06-22T14:08:00.000+09:002011-06-22T14:08:18.074+09:00

Summer is nearly here, or is here. We will start eating about 99% of all our meals in the kitchen now that the season is so nice and the view of the rice fields are so pretty. Also, slightly weird thing to admit, but I love my table cloth, it's basic and simple but I love it, I found it at Macy's while in Guam last year or maybe 2 years ago. The only thing I dislike is our family often gets food

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-62753780339345192072011-06-21T09:55:00.001+09:002011-06-21T10:03:01.339+09:00

If you guessed, my dad, you guessed right! ; ) Like I said I was tracking his flight the whole time. Since the whole day before. Everything went fine. However the plane that was supposed to leave to Guam the day before, because of airplane trouble. Didn't fly basically. So all those people were delayed a day. And now you had 2 planes full of people all trying to get on to the flight my dad was

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138523.post-73126322611218336122011-06-20T18:07:00.000+09:002011-06-20T18:07:38.483+09:00

Saturday after breakfast. Noboru took the boys fishing again. Not very far. Just about a 5 minutes (at the most) drive from our house. There are a lot of canals near the rice fields. And they have a favorite little area that they go to often. Here's Noah Saturday fishing! Branden also fishing and having fun. Branden caught about 8 fish. Black bass. Noah caught 3. He's getting really good. When

Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02427544303742999100noreply@blogger.com