Knowing how all kids, the world over, love to blow bubbles. Our kids really love them as well! So when we were in Guam a few weeks ago, this is one of the things we brought back with us. It was actually Noboru's idea. So, all week long the kids have been using this. It's really neat, a non spill bucket and we can refill it with bubbles we buy in Japan! And it has 3 wands so the kids won't have to fight over just having 1 wand, ha ha ha! I'm sure my fellow mommy's know what I am talking about because that really could trigger something. But with the 3 wands, it's a non issue, phew! And the wands make bubbles in cool shapes, so it's super cool! : )
Our extremely well used pool! Have had this for a few years. We will probably replace it next year! But it still works, so it's all good! I have mentioned we have been spending a great deal of time in the backyard now that summer is here. So, I thought I better post *what* we are actually doing back there! Ha ha ha! Nothing major or anything. Just having fun in the privacy of our own backyard. Here's the boys blowing their bubbles! They do this every single day provided it's not a rainy day! Yup, the rainy season is still lingering here in Chiba. Ha ha ha.
Blowing more bubbles! Good thing we have about a 1 or 2 liter size of extra bubbles, lol! I imagine we will use them with summer here and in full swing! : )
There's daddy talking with Noah, there! For us, one thing we love about living in the country side here. Is that there is just so much greenery and so many trees and hills around, that there's always a nice cool breeze back here! A really nice way to spend the summer for the boys! : )
We are planning to buy new patio furniture and stuff this summer! Hopefully we can find something we like. We'll have to check out Costco and the local DIY's, to see if we see something we like. I also want to put some nice flower pots on the terrace as well. Sorta splash some color in there.
We also want to lay down some sod/grass. But with the large size of our yard that is going to be expensive and in Japan it's even more expensive then it is to do in the US. So, it's going to be quite costly. Gulp. But, we will do it. But so far, we are thinking....when. Hmmm! Ha ha ha! : )
I also think we will eventually have privacy bushes put up on both sides of the backyard. Just for some extra privacy, is all. But we will leave the back view that shows the rice field wide open forever. Because we love that view! Again though, all this stuff takes time. We will do things slowly a bit each year! : )
The boys giving their "cheesy grins" face, yup, they are nerds! Ha ha ha! : )
Noah, talking and smiling at daddy!
Noah, waving at daddy! : )
Noah, kicking his feet! Yup, he loves the water just as much as his brother does! He starts swimming lessons next July, ASAP! LOL! Ha ha ha! : )
Branden being a silly billy! And Noah submerging his face in the water and blowing bubbles and actually and honestly, he can hold his breath under water without pinching his nose already! : )
Noboru, puts the slide into the pool. And the kids love it. They can slide down that thing all day long! We were just watching them as we sat on the patio. We were also BBQ'ing at the time as well. : )
Branden sliding down! With rice fields and lot's of greenery and nature all around, like I already said. Plus there's bunches of those big giant Totoro type trees around where we live as well. Very refreshing with lot's of nice breezes and plenty of fresh air ! : )
Branden making a splash, literally, ha ha ha! And next it was Noah's turn! : )
Old blankies put down so they won't track dirt from their feet into the pool. Also, yes that's our dinner on the bbq, there. And same as usual, we don't get all fancy or go all out. We BBQ, every week, sometimes even twice a week. So we don't make a point of it being all super duper special or anything. We just figure we have to eat dinner anyways. We might as well make/cook it outside since we are hanging out there to begin with, which makes sense. Tonight we had baked potatoes, veggies (onions, button mushrooms, bell peppers) chicken, grilled and marinated yakiniku style. And we also had beef. So we had yakiniku basically for dinner. And it was awesome! : )
Here's my meal that I ate. What do we have here? Well, we have, marinated grilled chicken, grilled onions, and mushrooms and bell peppers, baked potato with butter and salt and pepper. Lettuce leaves for wrapping the chicken and rice. And a nice Coca Cola with ice for washing it all down with. Oh and extra yakiniku sauce for dunking my chicken in with. Yup this is what we were doing on Saturday folks, simply staying home as usual, hanging in the back yard again and having another yummy BBQ! : )
Noboru ate tons of yakiniku. Had himself a beer, geeze, he was all set! And there's Noah, shoveling the beef and chicken into his mouth right there! The kid sure likes to eat!
There's Branden eating all his food. He had to have a second helping of everything. He was just starved! Hmm, must have been all the running, sliding, and splish splashing he was doing in the back yard. : )
Aha! Caught him! My husband smiles and laughs and is silly all the time with the boys. However, whenever I click his picture. He always gets this straight poker face. Most people in Japan do this, I notice, they seldom smile for pictures, hmmm. But anyway, I got him here! In his natural state....smiling and joking with Branden! Ahhhh, what a good kind silly daddy he is! : )
So anyway get this, after dinner. The door bell rings. Hmmm, who could it be, we wondered? Should we answer it? Ha ha ha. Noboru finally checked the TV monitor and noticed it was the secretary at Branden's school. We went out onto the front porch and she came bearing gifts. She brought out this box and handed it to me. And I thanked her. Again, we really weren't quite sure of why she was there, so we were all a bit like. What the heck? Ha ha ha. But, I was very polite and thanked her and stuff. Turns out, her brother was running for an election in our small tiny country town and she had hoped Noboru would vote for him. Was this a bribe, I thought? Nah, it couldn't be...errr, could it? Is this legal in Japan? Many, many, things,I was thinking in my head as I stood standing on the front porch holding this box. Still smiling by the way, I might add. She then handed Branden a box of kabuto mushi. She said, she knew he likes them. Branden was beyond thrilled! She then said to Noboru, "so this is your house" "Wow, it's so beautiful, I had no idea, " For what it's worth, she is one of the ladies who picks up Branden in his school bus in the mornings and she really has never seen our house before. You can tell she was genuinely surprised about the house. She reminded Noboru to go vote and she left. Very nice lady by the way! : )
Fresh melons is what she brought for us.
This is what they looked like inside.
She brought Branden 8 kabuto-mushi!!! However, the box was slightly broken and when we left to go and buy a bigger plastic box for them, when we came back 2 of them had escaped! So Branden, now has 6 kabuto-mushi.
Her brother was elected by the way, she called us the next morning to let us know! Ahhh, things really do run differently in Japan, don't they? What might seem different to me, might be perfectly normal and acceptable in Japan (or maybe not). Ahh, who the heck knows or cares anyway! We did enjoy the fruit and are still enjoying it now even. And Branden really is happy about those kabuto mushi. Anyway that is how we spent our Saturday! Just thought I'd share! : )
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