Remember when the hubby asked me, what I wanted for Christmas? Well, he did buy me the new car and that was my partial Christmas present slash necessity. And then he got me the 2 nightgowns. Well, he said how about some perfume or something. I suggested books. : ) I wanted that Martha Stewart Cookie cookbook for ages! I love Martha Stewart a lot. I think she's fabulous. And so, I was really happy to have ordered this book. Then I chose the book, "Part Asian, 100% Hapa" I love this book, the book has a full picture of a half Asian on every page. And they were all asked 1 question...."what are you" Some answers were funny, smart, cheeky and some down right brilliant replies to the old...'what are you" question. I have been wanting this book forever, they don't stock it in Guam and I have checked 3 times. Didn't have the luggage space in Denver last September. And anyway, yeah I was really thrilled to get this book. Branden flipped through it, and I want my boy's to grow up feeling confident and happy with who they are. They already are, but this book is so cool! And both my boy's enjoyed looking through it and checking out all the excellent color pictures in there. I also picked the book, "Does Anybody Else Look Like Me", a fellow western mom married to a Japanese wrote this book and I like her views and take on things a lot, interesting read. Finally, the book I wanted for Christmas was..."Losing Kei", I remember when this book first came out. And the lady who wrote this book has a blog, as most of you know. I remember when she had her blog originally on Blogspot, I think I commented on there a few times. Then she switched to a different blog addy and I enjoy reading her blog once in a while. She's funny. I enjoy her MIL and laundry posts most of all. But, I had been wanting to read this book. I wanted to read it, because it was a relationship between a couple like many of us are (western wife/Japanese husband), okay they divorced in the end. But, I loved the thought of a book or romance/relationship between an American woman and a Japanese man. So few books like that and for me, I related to a story like that a lot. :D I also liked the idea of the travelling book of "Losing Kei" that has been making the rounds in Japan. That Trisha started off, right on Trisha for that. : ) But, I wanted a copy of my own, one to keep. : ) When I went to Denver, I printed out the book info for the book. And when I went to Barnes in Noble, in Denver, I was very disappointed they did not have the book at the particular store I went to. Believe me, I had one of the guys there looking all over the store for it! So to my disappointment, I left Denver without my copy of "Losing Kei". And when, I decided to ask for some books for part of my Christmas present, it was a no brainer that I would be getting it! In fact it was the FIRST book, I threw into my cart!
My own thoughts on, "Losing Kei" I loved it! I thought it was a fabulous book, from front to back. So well written. Such rich characters and the story was awesome! I tell you this and I am really and truly honest with this. I read this book in 1 day (and that's a big thing for me and tells you how good this is)! I started it last Saturday and I could not...would not put it down! I think I put it down for an hour to fix dinner for Branden and Noah, but as soon as dinner was done, and baths were taken, I went right back to my book! And as I have said, many times before....I am more of a National Enquirer, tabloid magazine reader, Parents magazine reader and usually have no time to get lost in books. But this book was so fantastic it just sucked me right in! I truly enjoyed every moment and page of this book! From her heartbreak with her American boyfriend Phillip. To landing in Japan. Meeting, and falling in love with Yusuke. The ice-cream that melted on the counter (hubba hubba, wink wink). Their marriage. Her MIL! Oh man could I relate to having MIL issues. This whole book just appealed to me so much. I was so devastated when they finally divorced. As I was reading the pages of that.....when Jill finally asked him for a divorce. My own heart was beating as I flipped the pages. I was crushed when they divorced. And I had to stop myself for a second and say to myself...."geeze Gina, you must really be into this book" LOL! When they divorced and she couldn't see her son. I could feel her despair. Again, this whole book was so amazingly well written. When Yusuku in the book remarried, I was a bit sad. And when the MIL had died, I had wondered, why couldn't Jill have just toughed things out. She would have been free after the MIL had passed away. Again, though these sorta questions and stuff that come to mind only show and prove how wonderful this book is and how much I truly loved it. Because the book is perfectly written, I wouldn't change a single thing. And sometimes stories aren't meant to have picture perfect storybook endings, so I loved the realness of this and I did love the ending and the ending was a good happy one, granted minus the marriage.: ) But yeah, it honestly was just such a fantastic read, I had thought about this book even days later. This book is fabulous, you guys, as I am sure many of you already know. It's a flawless read! I am even thinking of bringing this book with me for the airplane in Guam in 7 days. Because it's really so good, this is something I can definitely see myself reading more then once, that's for sure.! I really really loved this book a whole lot! Anyway, I just wanted to say what a fab book it is! : )
Baked a plain yellow cake this week. Could have frosted it, have a few containers of Pillsbury chocolate frosting and such in my pantry but ehhh. Sometimes just a nice simple yellow cake with no frosting at all is best. It was a good thing to munch on though. Especially with a nice hot cup of coffee. : )
Made some niku jaga one night. Maybe on Sunday night? It was really good. Such a nice hot simple one pot meal type meal. White rice on the side as usual though. : ) 
Otoshidama: We got the boy's otoshidama in the mail on Tuesday since Monday was a holiday in Japan. In Japan at the New Year kids usually get money from family members. Since Noboru's family comes from Osaka. We didn't get to see them. : ( But we did have the boy's call grandma Mitsuko and actually also Noboru's grandma too. Mitsuko had held onto the money that was for Branden and Noah and she was kind enough to send it on to the boy's. They ended up with 22,000 yen each! So about $220.00 US for B and $220 US for Noah. So not bad at all. They actually did pretty well for themselves regarding otoshidama. Anyway thought this might be interesting for those of you not in Japan. Sorta cool to learn about different stuff like this huh? : )
In other news this week! Noah moved up to another level in swimming this Tuesday! He's too little to be a number! He's only going through the flowers right now. He is now a sunflower!!!! As you can see in this picture! Awww! : ) But he's doing really good with his swimming lately and I think he's going to be an awesome swimmer like his older brother! : )
I think it was Tuesday, that I made sara udon/chicken chow mein. All white breast meat, lots of veggies on a bed of crunchy noodles with a side of white rice! It was so good! : )
You might see this bag and you might think trash. Cut up paper bits, should be discarded! However, I see this and I see a MASTERPIECE! A real work of art! : ) As the sensei wrote in black marker on the corner, it was indeed Noah's. It was his first time he had ever used scissors at the yochien (he's used kid ones at home before but first time at school) and she saved the bits he cut up! And kept them for me in the clear envelop! Awww! This sensei is sentimental! She is a total fluffy heart! And I think she rocks! :D In all honesty though. We have known this sensei, since she was hired at this school. And she used to ride the bus home with Branden and Genki every single day. So we've known her for a good 2 and a half years! She's known Noah for a good 2 and a half years too! She remembers when he was really little and I'd walk him up to the bus stop and he'd be sitting in his stroller. And I have always been so friendly with her and she has always been so friendly with our family. It was just good luck, I guess that she turns out to be Noah's sensei! Ha ha ha! She is a lovely sensei though. Very kind, very considerate. And she literally tells me everything. She tells me daily reports on how Noah's doing, every afternoon when I pick him up! I am glad, I have that close kind of relationship with the sensei though. Tuesday, when I picked up Noah. She told me, "today Noah was playing with a puzzle" And she said a few more things. And then on Wednesday she told me, she took him outside in the morning and he slid down the slide. And then she said he played blocks in the afternoon. Oh and funny thing....Noah had been calling her..."coach" since that is what he was taught to call them at swimming school. But on Wednesday she told me...today was the first day he called me sensei!!! She was all excited and happy! And I was like...oh yeah? And then Thursday, she said, they made finger paints and they got an impression of his hand, yup she gives me the whole skinny on everything, lol. Noah also tells me every detail as well like when he told me, "sensei got some green paint mommy on my shirt but the sensei wiped it all off!" Ha ha ha. I said...oh yeah? Busted! Ha ha ha. Just kidding, she wiped it all off, so no worries. : ) And today when I picked him up, she told me he colored most of the day and then she read the class a story, when I peeked in the window he was sitting on the floor with the other little kids captivated by the book the sensei was reading to them. Also, I want to say....how there is like 2 teachers per class and 1 helper. Well, the 3 new kids, including Noah. They are having a sorta 1 sensei who always stays with them and is helping them transition. And the sensei we know, is the one who is the one helping Noah make his transition. She sorta sticks with him the whole time. Gives cuddles. She said she thinks that next Wednesday will be his first day to have lunch at school. So, I guess that means his transition period is nearly over. They're all really happy with how well he's doing. No tears, no cries. Just doing really well. And the other little boy and little girl? They are also doing super! The little girl is completely doing fine and adjusted. And the little boy is doing wonderful. So these 3 are going to indeed do just fine. : )And they really are very caring at this school. Anyway I am going to save Noah's first time he ever used scissor clippings. For when he's older. : ) 
The clothes from the Gap via Expat Express got here for the boy's! 
Two pair of shorts for Noah. 
Noah's exactly 3 years 6 month's old. So he's 3 and a half. For his tops, I just went ahead and got 4T. Smarter that way and can get more usage from them. However not even an option for his shorts or pants. Because he's got such a skinny waist and booty. This kid has literally no junk in his trunk at all! :D Ha ha ha! So, a 3T will fit him forever as far as his shorts go! Green shorts were on sale.
I loved these shorts because I love that shade of green a lot. And I liked the faux plaid double waist band in these shorts. And they look so soft and comfy.
Got this sweatshirt because it went to well with the shorts.
All his tops, sweatshirts what have you, we got in size 4T.
Long sleeved top with a nice periwinkle blue Gap logo with that same green color lined around the edges.
I thought this would look cute with the green shorts. Very basic and still comfortable. Maybe a pair of sandals or Crocs and a floppy hat come Spring or Summer.
And if he wore this on an airplane or went to Disneyland or anyplace and it got chilly, he would have the matching sweatshirt to just zip up.
This long sleeve orange shirt you can sorta see. Love the #'s stitched on each arm. And I figured a sweatshirt in orange would be good too.
Same thing...if he got cold at least he would have a matching sweatshirt.
And another mix and match short that goes with orange obviously. A short sleeve orange T shirt with the brown bear logo. The 2 short sleeve tee's with bear logo's were also on sale.
Two more mix and match green tops.
All tops 4T.
I loved this speed buggy type car on this top. He can wear this with the green shorts or with some jean cargo shorts or whatever. It can be mixed and matched with a lot. This was on sale.
And last mix and match for the green is a short sleeve with gap bear logo. There will be a bunch of different ways to wear those green shorts now. I imagine he will get a lot of usuage out of the green elements this Spring and summer. And he has a bunch of orange as well and so he can mix and match a lot of those orange things too. And he also will be wearing a lot of yellow too, so again he can mix and match the yellow stuff with other yellow things. Lot's of yellow, orange and green for Noah, as always. : )
Two last tops for Noah! One retro Superman top and one bright and yellow top.
This one is cool, because it's got the...hang loose hand, lol! And it says...Cool Dude! And the color is great. 4T. So he'll get a lot of usage from this. This yellow hang loose/shaka top was also on sale.
These Junk Food Tees at Gap in the US are pretty cool. I got Noah 1 and B got 2. They're pricy though...so Noah got his in a 4T and B got his in an 8. That way they'll get more usage from them. Plus kids grow like weeds so I'm not worried. : )
Superman! And I like how it has an almost faded sorta look to it. I can't wait to see Noah in this one this summer! : ) With some shorts and a pair of Crocs. : ) This Superman top was on sale.
A nice pair of yellow jammies for Noah in size 4T for next winter for Noah! : ) And they say....CHILL! Ha ha ha. : ) These were on sale. 
Hmm, Noah seemed to get more Spring and Summer stuff, meanwhile Branden seemed to get more stuff for next Winter. I didn't plan it like that. For starter's everything in Branden's size 8 size, although he's technically only 7 years and 2 month's old right now. But that's the size we're getting for him now. Anyway a bunch of stuff in size 8 was sold out. They didn't really have many short sleeve or light weight long sleeve tops like they had for Noah. Meanwhile they had no real sweaters or anything for Noah next year either. So, no worries, I could just get what they had and make do like that. So, For B, he mostly got winter stuff. However B will be getting a good amount of Spring stuff in a few month's. Probably will just drive to the Gap at Chiba New Town for his stuff. Plus he has a great deal of Ralph Lauren tops we got in Guam not too long ago, so he's doing pretty okay. : )
Got this really thick fleece zip sweatshirt. For Branden in size 8. It was on sale and he can wear this to school next winter.
I like the little rubber logo on the sleeve. Also you can see how thick this sucker is! He will be toasty warm next winter with this one!
2 pair of PJ's for Branden in size 8. Rugby big thick bold stripes. These are really going to be cute PJ's for him next year. And again on sale. The after Christmas sales were killer! They were so good!
A cream colored size 8 zip up sweater. This was really unusual because the inside of the hood had a cool design.
He can wear this to school next winter too. And I liked how the numbers on the chest were in orange. LOL. And the inner hood part I really dug a lot too.
3 tees for Branden. Wish they would have had more available in the after Christmas sale. Oh well. : ) 
The Beatles! Who doesn't love the Beatles? Everyone loves the Beatles and everyone has their own favorite Beatles tunes! My mom always played the Beatles among other stuff. And I have played them a lot too. Branden knows the words to about 7 beatles songs by heart. And Noah knows, Yesterday and parts of Michelle! : ) I will enjoy watching my son wear this, this summer! : )
The Super Friends! LOL! Another retro vintage looking tee! I can just imagine my kid, wearing a pair of flip flops this summer and a pair of cargo khaki shorts with this. Maybe heading to swimming class or having an outside BBQ with us at home! I dig this shirt a lot! : )
Yup size 8 again!
A nice color. This is for B.
And mom these next few pics are for you, since you and your gift cards at Christmas paid for the majority of this stuff. The boy's say "Thank you grandma" The sweatshirt is a little baggy but hey, nothing wrong with a slightly baggy sweatshirt. And I fold the sleeves no problem.
Awww! : ) Can hardly believe he's in yochien! Do kids grow in no time or what?
The size 4T top fits him almost better then those size 3T shorts, even with a simple fold of the sleeve. Even in this pic, those shorts look nice and roomy, ha ha ha! And the length on them! Yup, considering his body frame, it was indeed right to get the 3T bottoms and the 4T tops. But he's such a sweetheart! A really really good boy! : )
Dinner on Wednesday, pork chops (American style) rice a roni and broccoli)! Also, I have been walking every single day. What I have been doing is, Girl Japan and I have been emailing each other via our keitei's daily (from morning to night tracking each other's daily progress throughout the day), working out at the same time. So exercising together, even if we live far apart. But it's been helpful in that we have been inspiring each other, cheering each other on and giving each other the drive to get our steps in each day! But yes, I have still been walking treadmill everyday! I feel so healthy and so proud of myself you guys! I truly have been working my butt off! Literally! Ha ha ha! : )
Now it's time for the end of my post tid bits! : )
How Noah's handling school? He's doing and handling it flawlessly! No bumps or hiccups to speak of at all. And believe me, I'd tell ya if there were any, but there's none. He's a little trooper!
How am I handling both boy's going to school? Honestly? It's hard! One kid going to school is okay. But trying to balance both the elementary schedule and the yochien schedule at the same time is proving hard! Frankly it's been kicking my butt all week! I have NOT got my groove with this yet at all! Granted, I have not messed up or made any mistakes this week. And for that I am pretty happy. But somehow it isn't second nature to me yet at all. It's going to take me some time to get adjusted to the 2 kid 2 school juggle. But I have faith that I will get it down! I mean, I got adjusted to both the yochiens and I did okay. I got adjusted to Branden in elementary and we did okay. And so, this is just going to take some time too. : )
TV Talk: I have still been watching, Ghost Whisperer, Cold Case, Desperate Housewives on Lala, The season 1 finale for Veronica Mars was wild, huh? Still enjoying Hannah Montana every night with the boys. But I am loving Weeds a lot and Fat Actress a lot. And I have gotten into the show....Cashmere Mafia this week too! It's a great show! I can't wait until American Idol starts for us in Japan! I know my dad's been watching it in the US already! I also am a convert to the show, 2 and a Half Men! So funny! And I can't wait to start watching, Samantha Who with Christina Applegate. It's looks good!
Was very sad to hear that Ricardo Montalban had died! I liked and admired and respected Ricardo Montalban so much! I grew up with watching him on Fantasy Island! Man, he rocked that white suit every week! He was a classy guy! Seemed like a very good soul that guy!
Bummer! : (
Vacation to Guam is in 7 short days! Yes, we leave next Saturday! I have a funny story about this. You all know where my hubby works, my bil also works there too. Which is really unusual but anyway. So, while hubby was working on say Tuesday night. Noboru was flipping through a Guam brochure in Japanese. And his coworker says. "you going to Guam?" Noboru says, "yes the week of the 20th or so" And then the guy says...."oh yeah that's right you and your brother must be going together" Talk about a lightning bolt moment for Noboru! He said..."what???" So when he saw him that evening, he asked Jun. They were both shocked and surprised. Neither of them knew the other family were going! Noboru got home and told me.
How do I feel about it? I'm so happy! I love my bil Jun a lot and my sil Satoe a lot too. They are really sweet, kind people. And my niece is a sweetie pie. So, them going is no problem for us. And Noboru meanwhile said, they actually seemed really excited by us going to be there too. They have their own stuff to do and we have our own stuff to do too. And we drive in Guam and they take trolley's. But we will try to have a dinner and a breakfast buffet with them though. And maybe a little pool time with them too. Our trips are overlapping though. They arrive Jan22nd. We arrive the 24th. Meanwhile they leave the 26th? And we won't leave until the 28th. Anyway it's going to be sorta cool! I told hubby, good thing that man mentioned it. Otherwise we would have run into each other by total accident somewhere and went....wwwhhhhhatttt? Ha ha ha. They've only been to Guam once before, and this will be their first time of staying at the Hilton. But believe me...with me getting used to both the boy's two school routine. I could REALLY use a vacation!!!! I really and truly could, you guys!!!!
Tomorrow January 18th is Noboru's birthday. He will be 37 years old! : )
Ipod nano is back and working just fine! Got all of my songs back on there as well, so glad to have that before our trip!
That airplane that crash landed in the Hudson river? What an awesome pilot! And glad everyone made it off the plane alive and well.
Singer Boy George was sentenced to 15 months in jail for falsely imprisoning a male escort and basically handcuffing an escort to a wall? I loved Culture Club way back in the day. So, wow! : (
Have a wonderful weekend you guys! I am just going to enjoy my weekend, be a lazy bum at home and enjoy my family to pieces! And for hubby's birthday tomorrow, I am going to be cooking him a very special quiet little family dinner here at home tomorrow. The four of us will enjoy it. And of course we will be having cake and ice cream as well. : ) And next week, when we are in Guam, I will take him to a nice restaurant, while we're there and celebrate that way too! Yay, exactly 7 days from now, we will totally already be there, I can't wait! Anyway have a lovely weekend you guys! : )
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