Throwback Thursday. Branden's Elementary School Entrance Ceremony...

Since this is April and for those of us in Japan, we know April means Entrance Ceremony season. : ) I thought April would be a fantastic time to show some Entrance Ceremony's that our kids have had. So I think this month's TBT's should have an entrance ceremony theme. Or "starting school" theme at least. : )  And I think this sounds fun and like a really great idea, especially for those of you, living outside of Japan. Back to the picture. : ) Branden started the first grade in April of 2008. 

Branden now days towers over the kid in the shorts and white socks on the right of Branden. Our right when looking at this picture. The other kid in capris and Branden are pretty much head to head height wise now days and he and Bran are really good friends, the kid in capris. : )  

What did I know about elementary school entrance ceremonies? Not much back then. However from all the shopping malls and suits on kid mannequins. Basically what Noboru said was, every little boy wears a mini version of a "salaryman" suit. Shorts, pants or capris. but think mini "salaryman" suit and you get the idea. I thought that black outfit was really umm. Funeral-y.  Or, I'm not sure how to put it. I didn't really care for it. I wished he would have been able to wear a different color or something. And it turns out for the most part Noboru was right, every boy wore the same boring thing basically. The girls wore really cute different colors and styles of pretty dresses. And then there was Genki. He wore this, this is him from the back. His outfit was so cool. So different. I whispered to Noboru, "I thought you said every boy needed a mini black suit?" He said "they do." I said "apparently not." I said, "I wish I would have known this. I would have dressed Branden differently or at least in a different color." Last thing I said was "Noah's going to wear something different when his time comes, than a boring old black suit." Yep, I was totally in awe of Genki's cool outfit. And the bright side is, I bet he got more than the 1 time only...usage out of it too. : ) 

Noah waiting for the kids to come into the room escorted by a 6th grader. Noah needed to be quiet for the ceremony. Check, he was totally quiet! Good Noah, good good Noah! : ) And yes all the kids were staring, as were all the new first grade parents except Genki's family who knew us already. @_@ OMG! Little story tidbit. The year I first moved to Japan. There was a foreign wife in Japan and was on a group I used to belong to, anyway she was dearly wanting and ready to move back to her home country. I was a Japan newbie. And I had no advice to give, but I have never forgotten her or how nice she was. Her one thing she hated most and why they did move back to her home country the year I moved to Japan... was as a western woman. She could not stand the constant staring. She was shy and the unwanted attention was driving her nuts. Understandably so. Again, I was a newbie. So, never commented on the staring issue, because I had no advice I just moved here. And I at times... years later...every now and then. Think about her, think about how wise she was, she had so much more Japan under her belt at the time, than I did...but yeah..I think of her every now and then fondly...and wonder, how's she's doing. : ) But yes, she is/was totally right. The stares never end, if you are a western woman in Japan. They are just endless. 98% of the time, I don't even notice anymore. But yes, it's never ending. And if you have hafu kids that sort of amplifies the stares to the extreme-o. Especially with Noah who looks super western.   

Hi kiddo. You're doing a good job! Are the kids still staring? Let me see.  Yep, they're still staring. I feel your pain kid...I feel your pain! : (  Oh and that's my MIL right next to Noboru. : )

All family's got a school packet... months before school started of what was needed on the first day of school. With diagrams and drawings. You need 2 cleaning rags that have to hang at the back of your child's chair and they should look like this. You need so many little bags and they will have to hang on the side of their desks. I honestly put more pressure on myself then probably any mother at the entrance ceremony that day. Why? Because if we lived in America, I know how to do things, or at least the playing field is level, since the language there is my native language. Plus I went to school in the US and I know how to handle and do things there. However with living in Japan with  the majority of everyone here being Japanese. My biggest worry and fear is that I'll do something wrong, since I am not from here. Screw something up and my kids will get the short end of the stick for it. Does that make sense? I just don't want a gaggle of Japanese mom's whispering..."oh he didn't bring such and such? Awww that must be because his mom isn't...Japanese." In a "poor kid" sorta tone. Do you feel what I'm saying. So, because that is sort of my biggest fear and worry.....I put more pressure on myself. Huge enormous loads of pressure on myself. I never went to Japanese school. Things that might be obvious to the other mom's in my son's class... might not be obvious to me. You know? So, I tell you...I studied the crap....out of that "everything you need to know before starting the first grade at our school" handbook. I mean I stared and studied and took notes.... on each page. I used color highlighter markers. And when the time came, the day of the entrance ceremony... all us parents went into the classroom and the mothers instinctually knew to put all their kids seat cushions/safety headcovers on the chairs. Slide their trays into their desks, etc etc. And thank the lord, I started to do the same...yay!  So studying endlessly...that crazy booklet, writing notes in English on each page for stuff really important that I needed to remember helped. Because, I started doing Branden's right away. Hanging the handmade bags in their spot on the side of the desk, put his coupy and crayon and scissors and pianica in their spots. Placed everything in it's rightful place. Under the watchful eye of my mother in law and all other mom's in the classroom. I did it. The stress was real people, the stress was real! Hahaha. : ) Again though...I just don't want to mess something up and someone think..."well she's a foreigner what did you expect?" So yes...I put unnecessary amounts of stress on myself. practically "stress heart attack" types of amounts of pressure. Branden had forgotten nothing that day or should I say *I* forgot nothing. He brought everything. Shoot...I even brought 2 extra clips that hang the cleaning rags, in case we lost one along the walk from the car to the school. : ) Yes that is SO me. And seriously...I didn't want to take any chances. : ) Our elementary school gave out free child alarms, pictured on all the desks in this pic. That if you sense trouble you pull it and it emits a screeching high pitch sound. A stranger danger alarm. 

There were 4 other toddler babes same age as Noah, that would eventually become Noah's first grade classmates, in the classroom that day, years down the road. : ) The boy sitting next to Branden that first day would end up becoming one of Branden's closest good friends. They were like best friends all through elementary school. He lives in our housing community however he goes to a different JHS. That is the future "Jimbei boy" hahaha. : ) However at this first meeting. They didn't know each other yet. They weren't friends yet. That year they ended up becoming the very best of friends though. And his mom is "awesome sauce", she's a real cool lady, the Jimbei boy's mom. : ) Noah always wants to be right next to Branden. With Branden around, he always feels really safe and part of the club, as long as his big brother is near. We had Branden's randoseru made especially for him from a company in Chiba. Quilting on the sides and really nice blue and silver stars on the front. Our yochien handed out many randoseru catalogs in Branden's final year of yochien. And that coupled with my amazing good "mama friends" from yochien they told me, everything I ever needed to know about randoseru. All or like 98% the kids at our particular yochien bought "made to order" handmade handsewn... randoseru. They helped me a lot... my kind girl friends. We would look through catalogs when we'd go to our mother's luncheons and so their help with the Japanese backpacks was so nice to have. I was really lucky to have such helpful wonderful good friends from our yochien. And heck, by the time Noah needed one. I knew pretty much everything about that already. Chalk that up to experience. : )

Some family shots! Thank you grandma Mitsuko for coming all the way from Osaka, you rock! : ) Everyone ready for an early lunch? : ) Branden's pick since it was his special day. His entrance ceremony. : ) 

Branden was holding my hand super tightly. : ) Noah and his orange high top Converse. And I love that grandma M is so in love with her grandson... that she can't even take her eyes off him, while walking towards the parking lot. 

Branden picked Coco's. Perhaps he was in love with the drink bar. : ) My mother in law ohhed and awed over Branden and Noah during lunch, she was just so happy being able to spend time with them. And Noboru and I meanwhile were like...phew! Aren't you glad we survived today? Yes...we did it! We were like high 5-ing each other once or twice... during lunch. Huge feelings of relief. Oh and funny thing is....so many other family's were also at the small city... nearest our town eating at Coco's too. Hahaha. Perhaps because our town has no actual restaurants? Hahaha. : )  How was I during Noah's elementary school entrance ceremony? Absolutely zero nervousness or anxiety. I felt calm as a cucumber. I felt really zen that day. Complete calm. Branden's first grade entrance ceremony...I was at...more like an almost stress heart attack, type level, ykwim. Meanwhile, Noah's ichinensei ceremony? Complete serenity. I guess...it's just...after going through it once...the 2nd time.. was honestly no big deal... stress wise... at all. No fear of the unknown... because nothing was...unknown anymore. Does that make sense? : ) Anyway...that was this weeks TBT. Branden's elementary school entrance ceremony. : ) 

Our annual summertime "Haunted Elementary School" and fireworks fun...

Friday, July 31st was our local elementary schools Haunted Elementary school, walk through at night. Our elementary school becomes a humongous haunted house for the 1 night, in summer! The kids look forward to this, all year long!  Hi kiddo...hi Noah. : )

All these kids were waiting for a scare of their life! By the way...one room on the 3rd floor, had the movie...The Juon/The Grudge playing. And of course, we also had the Grudge girl (in costume, it's really a papa) was also creeping around. Oh we had so many people in costumes... ready to give the kids all... mini heart attacks. : ) But the kids were ready and willing! The kids were so excited being there!

You have to go from scare room... to different scare room. On all 3 floors. And there are people in each room or around every turn or corner, we even had folks.... hiding on the stair wells. While the kids were busy stamping their stamp rally paper. Branden with this creepy mask popped out! Once....when Branden popped out...1 little girl started crying immediately. I felt so badly. But...you know...you go to a haunted house...you sorta expect to be scared. : ) And Bran was safely behind the desk so it's not like... he was near her at all. She just...burst into tears. But 99% of the rest got scared at first... but then got happy....and this kid pictured here. Actually smiled...recognized it was B and wanted to shake his hand! LOL. Which Bran did shake his hand. : ) And he said...hi! : ) 

Every kid brings a flashlight and a drink for themselves. And every kid is asked to bring 1 small pack of fireworks. You know...like a 200 yen/$2 US type pack (Trial, a chain store, even has packs for 89 yen). All the fireworks are all lumped together and every kid gets an equal amount. : )  There was also 1 room that was so scary... you could not enter... unless you were a 4th grader or older! @_@ Noah went through and said...it wasn't scary at all. : ) Hahaha. But then...my kids love scary movies and stuff like that. : )

Also, as you can see, by the chisai towel around Noah's neck. In Japan, in hot summer, people carry around chisai towels. Meaning small towels. To wipe the sweat from your face or forehead or neck. I made sure, I packed Noah his thermos with tons of ice and mugicha. 1 chisai towel with his name sewn on it, in case it gets lost (which is very normal in Japan). And his flash light. : ) I also packed Branden, a chisai towel and a thermos with tea and ice as well. And I brought my own small towel and a little can of anti-mosquito spray. I sprayed it onto the kids at the school parking lot, when we first arrived. And I resprayed the kids... right when we went outside to start lighting the fireworks. Mosquitoes in Japan are pretty aggressive. Oh yes...see Noah's inside shoes. I also made sure, not to forget his inside shoes, because in summer kids bring them home and Noah's were home...but I knew he needed them, so I packed them in his backpack as well. : )  Geeze Louise...was that one heck of a little list... of stuff to remember for 1 outing, or what. Hahaha. : ) 

Even though Branden, is in JHS now. And no longer a student at the local elementary school. He and 2 other boys from the local JHS and 1 girl. These 4 kids, including Bran, help out for this night and that's only because their dad's are in the Father's Club #1 and #2, they have younger siblings. Also...because I would never want anyone to get their nose out of joint and say. "Hey, that's not fair, her older son got some fireworks and he's not a student here!" Granted nobody has ever said that. But just because...I am a "think ahead" type gal. I buy 1 small set of fireworks for Noah to donate, same exact size as all the other kids bring too. And I buy a medium size package of fireworks for about 400 yen, for Branden and if Noah has run out of his fireworks, he can take some from that pack too (kids at the elementary can go back and get extra fireworks, but, Noah only gets 1 good handful from the school and no extras even though he could). That way if anyone ever says anything at all. I can say, as politely as possible..."I purchased these fireworks, for my own JHS child, thank you very much for your concern and for asking, but rest assured, these are indeed his." I always bring the bag they came in from the store and receipt with me too. Again, doubt anyone would ever dream of saying anything or even care, but then again...best to always be prepared. And again, the folks in my town are so nice and lovely, but I do bring the receipt, always just in case. : ) Anyways...I enjoy watching the boys light fireworks with their friends and with each other. : )

Enjoying the fireworks, in rural Japan. 

This is a night where so many families and kids have so much fun, in our tiny little town in the Japanese countryside! A haunted elementary school, plus some fireworks to end the evening with! : )

Noboru, spent the night in the gymnasium with the other Father's Club dad's and all male teachers and the head (male) teacher and (male) principal. He said, they all ordered food and everyone drank. Noboru said, the gymnasium was SO hot that night. They all slept on gym mats, but they all had an absolute blast. : ) I'm glad Noboru has close friendships like this and I'm glad he stayed the night! Because he needs to have fun too! The kids and I, ate supper before the haunted school began. We had baked chicken paremsan and pasta. We 3 left half of our meals, in the fridge wrapped in plastic wrap and we just nuked the leftovers when we got home. We came home....we 3 took turns showering because we all smelled like fireworks, we all were sprayed down with mosquito spray, so we all needed a good soapy hot shower. Hahaha. After that...we all ate our leftover chicken parmesan and pasta. And watched TV. : )

Since, we have been back from Guam...our family has gone to the beach in Japan (last Friday), we had just the absolute best day at the beach, we brought a nice picnic lunch and everything and even went out to Jolly Pasta later, that same night. And today, I took the boys to the movie theater to see Jurassic World! Such a great movie! : ) I am trying my best to catch up the blog. But, we also want to enjoy summer too, I'm sure you all understand. : ) But, I am trying, my best. : )  Oh goodness, I think my favorite TV show comes on tonight, Scream, is the name of the show. Yay! And we're having karaage, rice, corn on the cob, a simple salad and fresh fruit for supper tonight, the fried chicken should be done shortly, so I better hurry and post this. Have a wonderful night everyone. : ) 

Summer homework in Japan...Branden's science experiment and Noah's experiment (Robo Bug) and handmade coin bank and 2 diary entries!

The weekend before school started. Branden's JHS shoes drying outside. And Branden running one last test with his science experiment. Science experiment on the right of the shoes but also on the patio.  : )

One chocolate chip inside the make shift solar powered oven. Think something along the lines of a tiny micro "Easy Bake Oven" : )

Noah meanwhile, had 2 diaries to write. Drawing or pictures had to be added. This particular diary was about our family vacation to Honolulu, Hawaii. Noah shared 4 pics and glued them on his diary. I noticed last year when the summer diaries were displayed along the walls outside of their classroom, lots of parents really enjoyed looking at the pictures of both Branden and Noah's diary entries, so we opted to add pictures again this year. Noah wrote about the Dole Pineapple plantation and boogie boarding on the island of Oahu. : ) 

Noah's 2nd and final diary entry was on our 2nd overseas trip of the Summer holiday... that we took to Guam. He wrote about the movie he saw, "Guardians of the Galaxy" and the delicious handmade pizza he ate, at our favorite Italian restaurant on Guam. Pictures also included and Noah did draw a little picture of an airplane on that diary entry also. : ) 

Noah's science experiment. Each 3rd grader and older at our particular school have an option of a science experiment or to draw a poster. Noah was excited to be able to do the science experiment this year. His Robo Bug, complete with Fanta orange can. : ) It moves and walks and is quite cool! Noah made this all by himself and he read all the directions in English. I think he did a pretty good job on this. : ) 

Science experiments of course, need a name sticker, that way there's no confusion...whose this belongs to. This is indeed Noah's science experiment. : )

Also, you could make a homemade coin bank...or write another poster yet again but this time on traffic safety. Noah opted to make the coin bank. The first week of August, both the boys brain stormed about Noah's coin bank. And they came up with a plan. The plan was to make a homemade Minecraft coin bank out of clay. Okay so that was the plan. So, I drove both the kids to the nearest place to buy some clay. And let them have at it basically... in the kitchen. However, the Minecraft block was actually harder to make than originally planned. The clay was meanwhile...hardening and getting harder and drier by the second. Becoming almost not able to move. I said, add some more water..make it more pliable. However it was nearly a goner. And as a last second..sort of by the skins of your teeth...type idea...they asked to have my omiyage onsen container, I had just received from the grandma next door. I was planning to save that cute onsen tub container... to put hair ties in it. However the kids needed me..the clay was hardening by each second...so long story short...this base you see right here...is/was the onsen container from the grandma next door (I did love that container, but I frankly love the kids more, so I gave them that cute onsen container no questions asked). They quickly formed the clay around the omiyage container. With probably seconds to spare... before it dried completely. And well...there you have it. This container bank was complete, before we went to Guam (but unpainted). Noah painted it, the day after we got back from Guam. So...not the original plan for the coin bank they had in mind...granted, but it is an acceptable coin bank nonetheless. Noah smartly painted the bottom...a nice summery watermelon design and the inside a watermelon design too. I thought he did a great job. : ) 

The inside of the lid, Noah painted yellow... every inch of this bank was painted. It came our pretty nice, in the end. : ) 

And the lid...with Noah's name. It's very colorful, very cheery and perfect for a summer coin bank. Slot for coins also fits up to a 500 yen coin, we tested it! : ) 

I think it came out really really nice actually. Not the original coin bank they both have envisioned (Minecraft bank). But nice nonetheless. : ) Noah took this to school, yesterday/Monday September 1st, first day of school. Same with his Robo Bug! : ) And his diary entries and all his finished homework. : )

This was the final test day for Branden's science experiment (Saturday). He tested first at the start of August...1 chocolate chip, 2nd he tested a marshmallow (my idea) and our nearest drugstore only had Calpis stuffed marshmallows, hahaha, so we conducted test #2 with a Calpis marshmallow. 3rd test we used a tiny bit of that Kraft processed cheese, you know...the kind you make grill cheese out of. lol. And this final day, we concluded with a chocolate chip yet again. Sort of full circle on his test ingredients. We also used a new piece of tin foil on the bottom each time. Branden went outside, and left each thing outside for 20 minutes, took notes of his findings and then left for an additonal 20 minutes.. so for 40 minutes total...meaning what was the current temperature that day, was it sunny or overcast. Did the ingredient melt fully? Partially? That sort of thing. He also wrote 4 pages on his science experiment...with diagram and findings and conclusion at the end. Also, Branden put this gray tape over a lot of his science experiment...really tried to not show it was from a kit. I mean granted..he won't deny it's a kit...but he didn't want it to SCREAM...kit kit kit, either though. : ) His dad and I thought that was a great idea especially now that he's in JHS. And for the record our JHS, same as our elementary does not say...kits are not allowed at all. 

Really attracts the sun rays with this piece, right here. 

Again trying to give it that...homemade look. Even though..it is not. : ) 

Saturday, we had gathered up all Noah's stuff and put it into his nice fresh clean elementary school bags, got him all nicely packed up. That's what you see right here on the table in the background. We also made sure Branden had all his stuff all nicely packed up too. Oh and this other piece goes to Branden's experiment also. 

All summer long, we stayed up late and later and woke up also later and later. Branden was going to bed around 11pm-ish during Summer break. Noah was going to bed around 9:30pm, sometimes 9:45pm which is super late for Noah. So all last week, I made sure Branden was in bed by 9-9:30pm and Noah was in bed by 8:45pm. And made sure we all woke up last week by 7:30am. Sometimes 7:15am. I just didn't want a huge time shock for us all. Because...before last week, we were sleeping and snoozing in until 9am most days. However...when September 1st rolled around. OMG! Waking up for me at 5:15am, was so unbelievably hard yesterday. The sun wasn't even all the way up yet! @.@  I had shuffled myself down the stairs. Had a nice hot coffee. Turned on my computer, read my emails...didn't reply but that's only because my brain didn't kick in 100% yet...and forming sentences that actually made any sort of sense would have really been pushing it around the 5:25am mark. Went to the kitchen started scrambling some eggs, frying up some breakfast sausages that I keep in the freezer. And went and warmed up some pancakes in the microwave. The boys had been packed up since Saturday (2 days before) so no real mad rush Monday morning. Just everyone in our house was superly sleepy. It rained Monday, so I drove both boys to school. I worry on rainy days Branden will skid on his bike and be killed or something, plus the 2 schools are like literally a 1 minute drive difference.. so almost no difference at all. Plus Branden could lug all his stuff in my car versus his bike. Same for Noah. Dropped the both of them off, where they both needed to go. I went home...I was wearing, house shorts, a house shirt, and a headband and flip flops. It was not cute Monday morning, I tell ya. : ) I did brush my teeth though and combed my hair at least. I went home, washed my face, put my makeup on, very simple, primer, concealer and powder foundation. Some EOS lip balm. I did flat iron my hair, looks so cute flat ironed and it's such a wreck all wavy and lion-like. I put on normal shorts and a normal shirt. Did some light house work. And I was tired...I was seriously exhausted and it wasn't even 10am. Me waking up that early was just...kicking my butt. I wasn't used to it.. at all. Noah was to get out of school at 11am, usually about 5 mins earlier, since I know this school already. So, I needed to stay awake...keep the eyelids open until I could pick up Noah. Branden on the other hand had undokai practice until 4pm, which worried me, because he swims Mondays and Thursdays and the bus picks them up at 4:22pm, so while he did make the bus on time and all, I was worried. I picked up Noah at 10:50am...we went to the bakery, to pick up 2 loaves of bakery bread for ham sammies. We also went to a DIY house goods store to buy some plastic boxes. And then home. I fixed Noah a ham sandwich and myself one too. Noah had no homework. I told Noah..."honey let's go take a nap" He's very easy to get along with so he did...we both took ourselves a 2 hour nap. And boy did I need it. I woke up and went and picked up Branden. I did make Branden a sandwich so he could eat on the swim bus, and also packed them some chocolate chip bread sticks. They went to swim school. I know they were both exhausted. Me too. 

I made dinner while the boys were both at swim school Monday September 1st. Again...I was just going through the motions of cooking. Semi sorta like a zombie cooking a meal. I was wide awake just...really dragging butt all day and evening long. I definitely didn't feel like my usual self. Made the rice to go with supper. The boys came home and we ate. Branden had 4 math pages to do (homework). And he has a big test September 2nd. Today. How weird to be given a big test 1 day after school starting, hahaha. After dinner, I sent Noah upstairs to shower, Branden meanwhile did homework and I meanwhile put the dishes in the dishwasher and wiped down the stove. After Noah came down, I said...go upstairs to sleep kiddo. Noah asked if he could wait for Branden to finish his homework. I said okay. And I went and showered 2nd. When I came downstairs with night gown and towel on my head the pictures below are what I saw. : ) 

Noah had tried very hard to stay awake for his brother. But he was just exhausted, physically and mentally. At school all day, and then 2 hours of hardcore, competitive time type of swimming. I watched Noah for a bit while he slept. I felt so badly for Noah, trying so hard to stay awake for his big brother to be done with his homework. Branden meanwhile finished his homework, but he went and showered.

Noah also sleeps usually with his little tongue almost popping out. Mouth wide open. : ) Noah was dead to the world, poor kiddo and Branden went to sleep in his room after he showered and was out to the world too... shortly there after. Noah, I carried to his bedroom, so he could sleep. MeanwhileNoboru was at work...but I was exhausted...so I went to sleep, must have been dead asleep too, because I don't recall when Noboru came home or went to sleep. In short...I think this week will be a week for us to get used to this new school schedule. Yep...this week will be our adjustment period. Time to get used to waking up super early and going to bed early too. 

These are the 3 plastic boxes I bought to help me finish my closet once and for all! What's happening in my closet is...I have 2 different sizes of clothes in there. I can't tell you how many times this past year, I have been in a mad rush and pulled out a pair of size 6 jeans (US size) and  had to fold them back and find my size 8's. I'm also stubborn and so, I didn't really want to put those size 6's away. And I really do see me using that size again...so throwing them all away permanently would be a waste of money too. So, Instead today and tomorrow, I will go through everything in my closet and I will put everything size 6 in a plastic box. There is a whole lot to pack away. And while it kills me to pack it away. It drives me nuts to pull out pants or jeans that are the wrong size. So...this way...I can pack everything away and put these boxes in the attic. So, when I finally do size down...I can swap sizes and stuff just a whole lot easier. Hence all the salads and stuff lately. Still doing my morning lap around my housing community and stomach crunches 3 times a week too. So....until then. These clothes have to go away....it will certainly make grabbing an outfit much easier. My closet will be done by next Monday or else. And the only reason I say next Monday, versus this Friday...is because I have a hair appointment all day Thursday. And I have undokai prep Friday...so I am just trying to be realistic...and I think as long as I make a promise with myself that it will be done by Monday, September, 8th, I can actually achieve my goal without feeling strangled by said goal either. So a realistic for me date/day. : ) 

Pic from this morning...stripey Ikea bath floor mat. Branden and Noboru's bath towel (Noah's and my towel went into my nightly load in the washer that I toss in the dryer at night, I usually do a load every night and since Branden was in the shower while I started the laundry last night his towel had to be washed this morning versus last night, same with Noboru's towel)...Branden white JHS shirt and his PE gym shirt. And 3 pair of jean shorts of Noah's and 1 Uniqlo navy house shorts of Branden's. It was brought into the house around noon today and then I went and hung both Branden and Noah's comforters outside from 12-2pm...just chilling under the sun. : ) First sunny day in a week. : ) So wanted to take advantage of it and toss out both of the boys comforters, while the weather's nice.

Anything else to add...not really. I did call and make a hair appointment for myself for this coming Thursday to get a hair straightening...Japanese thermal reconditioning hair thing and a tiny trim, since I just got a nice cut recently anyway. So that is this coming Thursday. Friday, like I said, I have sports day/undokai/field day preparations. Basically get the lunch stuff bought and prepped. Chicken for karaage cut and marinated, macaroni salad made or potato salad made, whichever I decide. Just that type a thing. Most of all...I'm looking forward to my hair appointment because my hair has been so wavy and puffy and just...not behaving at all. The Japanese thermal hair straightening makes my hair like totally different hair, super straight and sleek and not puffy at all. So...I am really looking forward to that, this coming Thursday. My appointment is at 10am, first appointment of the day and I need to pick up Noah at 3pm Thursday so...I do have a set time I need to leave the hair salon by (2pm)...to head back to my town. : ) Which is why I need the first appointment of the day. : ) Alrighty...that's enough for now. : )

Also, Branden was given a math workbook, an English workbook, science and social studies workbooks too... to be completed during the summer break, the amount Branden was given was like double if not triple the amount he was given in 6th grade. Noah was also given a workbook containing Japanese, math, and various other subjects to be finished during summer break as well. Plus Noah was expected to write daily tweets on a big paper, jotting down what he did each day. Branden also had daily tweets to jot down too. : ) So anyway...it just gives those of you... not living in Japan, a round about idea of the crazy amount of work load the kids are expected to complete in summer. Not to mention you need to log how many times each day you brush your teeth. Did you complete your daily goal, if so... give yourself a double circle. And at the end make a graft as to how well you think you did. Have your parents write a summary about how you did. : ) It is a lot...an awful lot of homework kiddos get here. It's almost like...break? What break? Hahaha. The main subjects part of homework...the kids knocked out in July. Meaning Math, Japanese, English (for Branden) and those types of core subjects were knocked out in July. The tweets they did daily. And the experiments they did at their leisure...meaning when we were in Japan and could do it. Anyway...hopefully this just gives you all...living outside of Japan... a peek on summer homework here in Japan.: )

Swimming has already started at the local elementary school and local JHS...

Good morning everyone! : ) I'm currently working on my post on our trip we took this past weekend (it was amazing), hope to get it up soon. In the meantime this post is super short and I can get this little sucker up in less than 30 minutes, so I am gonna just put this one up first. : ) Swimming at the elementary school and JHS has already started. In Japan, the kids swim in the warmer months at our local elementary school and JHS.  We went to Xebio, which is a chain sports shop, the one we go to is in Narita just to get any last minute items needed before swimming at their school. We went here a day or so before Noah's swimming competition. Hold on let me go and check the date of this pic, okay just checked and we went to Xebio on June 14th, 1 day before Noah's big swimming competition day, because they were to start swimming that coming week. 

Every June before swimming at the local schools start, I have the kids try on their swim stuff from the year before to check...does anything need replacing? Does everything still fit? For Branden, his swim trunks needed replacing. And although in our local elementary school the rules are, needs to be basic navy blue swim wear or black... with name on it. The JHS note said anything black or navy was fine, not the baggy regular swim trunks though, you know the fitted kind and he doesn't need a great big name tag on the front anymore, go figure. Hahaha. So since he needed replacements we went and bought him this type so they could serve a double purpose, meaning they could be worn at the local JHS for swimming and also at the private swim school they swim for. We had him try on about 6 different pair, and we finally picked these ones. So in short... they can be worn at the swim school and at his JHS, and no name sewn on the suit needed/necessary at our local JHS. So perfect that he can use for both places. Which is much nicer than having to buy 2 separate pair. : ) 

Branden got a Nike swim bag in the first grade and currently he has been using this amazing Ralph Lauren swimming bag for the past year and he loves it! However, being a 2nd child, we haven't bought Noah a swim bag...ever! @.@ Poor kiddo! Hahaha. He has been using Branden's old Spongebob swim bag. And yes while Branden was a 6th grader last year, I did have to do lifeguard duty last year 1 day if you remember and sure I checked out every one's swim bags and such, because they were right there. And I made a mental note...that I better make sure to buy Noah a new swimming bag...everyone was using a sports type like this one! : ) So, this year we did that. 1 Nike swimming bag for Noah. Bought and done! : )

Not sure why this pic came out sideways, I'm sorry. : ( But anyways the zippered bottom part is for putting your wet swim trunks and rash guard in it. But since he took this to school and it was dry obviously, I packed his flip flops in there, but just for the first day. : )

It has a nice cushy diagonal strap.

Put his name on the bag, on the tag and another spot real tiny. 

When you see the kids swim, you see a long row of flip flops outside near the pool area and it is hard to track your own shoes down in the sea of flippies, very understandable. So, to help...I write Noah's first name on his actual flip flop (both shoes), that way in case his name sticker falls off, it's still on his shoe. 

I also use water proof name stickers on each flop flop, which have his first and last name on each flip flop. And I think this makes it easier for Noah to find his shoes, besides he knows his flop flops have the green skateboard motif from Old Navy. : ) 

His swim suit goes here wet and that's why there are air vents on this bottom part of the bag...so his wet swim stuff gets air and he bring his swim gear back home the day he swims, I wash it right away and hang it out to dry outside and then pack his bag all over again for him to take back to school. : ) 

Noah's Adidas swim trunks are in size 140cm so they didn't need replacing this year, but next year, yes we will replace them. He also uses a rash guard. Both in navy blue. Also starting from this year they want grades to wear the same color swim cap. Last year and years before it was, you could wear any color swim cap, so Noah always wore this yellow one (easier to see in the pool, I think). However this year all 1st graders must wear a pink swim cap, all 2nd graders must wear a yellow swim cap and all 3rd graders must wear green and so on. 

So this year it's green. I made sure Noah was all nicely packed and ready to start swimming at the local elementary school. Made sure his name was written on the green swimming cap too.

Meanwhile, also wrote Branden's name on his flip flops too. 

Also put on water proof stickers on Branden's flip flops as well. Packed up Branden's Ralph Lauren swim bag and made sure he was ready to start swimming too. Also for what it's worth....when I was in the US or ordered online at Ralph Lauren, this was year ago...so I forget where...but as a free gift they gave me a free plastic swim bag with the huge logo on it. It was weird to get that because...it was something we could actually definitely use since we are water people and a swim beachy type family. So...yeah... best free gift ever for our family! And Branden loves it and his classmates, teachers have asked him...where did you get that?!!! He tells them honestly... my mom got it as a free gift with purchase.  : )

Since the week of June 16th both Branden and Noah have been swimming at their elementary school and JHS. There are different levels in swimming at elementary school and JHS. Range from kids who can't swim and just splash around but like to have fun with balls and enjoy which is fine.... and also a bunch of different levels all the way up to the highest level. Both Branden and Noah are the highest levels of swimmers at their local schools. So their swim lane is nice and challenging for them, and they love it! Noah is swimming with 3rd and 4th graders this year at the elementary school. And there are 5 or 6 kids in the highest level. Noah is the most experienced also out of those 5 or 6 kids, I know because I sat there for an hour while on life guard duty last year watching. Noah said...the principal has come by watching the 3rd and 4th graders swim and I know he wishes Noah were in the 4th grade already so he could represent for our local elementary this August... but he's still too young this year since he's only in the 3rd grade, maybe next year if Noah decides he wants to. So June and July are so fun for Noah for example because he swims 4 times a week, twice at elementary school and twice a week at the private swim school he swims at. Every week he tells me, "I get to swim 4 times this week!!!" So he loves it! Branden too, he swims twice a week at the JHS and twice a week privately in the evenings with Noah, plus he bikes to school 3 times a week so he gets tons of exercise and he loves swimming. Summer is both of their favorite time of year because of swimming. I am so happy for the boys to get to swim 4 times a week and they'll swim like this 4 times a week until they go on Summer vacation/break. : )  

At the local elementary school and also JHS we get weekly 1 sheet updates, these are supposed to be weekly class news... of what the kids did that week. This one says up above..."pics of swim class, looks like they're having fun!"...Here is Branden and his classmate, yes they are in the same grade and same age. Branden is much taller and much more muscular than that kiddo. Branden may not be the tallest kid in his class but he's certainly not the shortest. He's a good height and he's very muscle-y. Noboru says he has a swimmers body from all his years of swimming. : ) Anyway just a quick update..swimming at the local elementary school and JHS has started and they love it...now they can swim 4 times a week. Being in the pool is their thing...the sport they love most. They are so in their element when they are poolside. So they're both *really* happy right now you guys. : )