Summer Fun in Japan...

The day after we arrived, Branden, Noah and their dad went fishing. I meanwhile cleaned my house in Japan, from head to toe. Unpacked our clothes and put them back into our drawers in Japan for the summer. I snapped this pic of the 3 of them, but they sent me the next couple pics, during their time at the river near our home. Branden went fishing and Noah was looking for shrimp and Noboru just enjoyed being near his sons, so he fished and also caught shrimp too. Gathering their fishing supplies from our shed in our backyard.

The 3 of them needed their special time. Dad and son time. And I know that, plus like I said it gave me time to clean the heck out of my house. 

They catch and release. So no killing or harm was done to anything they caught that day. : )

It was so good to be back home in Japan. I love Japan. And loved living in the Japanese countryside. Such a gorgeous peaceful relaxing place to live.

Love that I didn't miss hydrangea season either!!!

The front of my house in Japan. Wreath on the front door, as always. And just bursting with red pops of color, from all the flowers Noboru planted.

Our backyard. Simple is always best and so we always keep a bright green lawn free of weeds. Nice simple and clean looking. No clutter.

Love that inaka view from our back patio.With rice fields all behind our house.

Noah has always had 20/20 vision. In Japan they test your eyes at school every April, at the start of the school year. His eye exams have always came out fine. Last year though the school sent home a note saying Noah was not 20/20 that year and so we took him to the eye doctor in the small city, nearest our tiny town. And last year the doctor said Noah was right on the line. Where he either could get glasses or not. So we said.. we don't mind either way. The eye doctor asked Noah and he said he would not like glasses at that time. He sees just fine. The doctor agreed. And so we left it. All last summer. All last Fall. Noah said his eyes were fine. January 2018, he said he was fine too. And then the kids and I move to America in April and all of a sudden he says at the end-ish of May 25th or so. "my eyes are starting to bother me and I think I would like glasses now" I'm like "right now???" I said, "we go back home to Japan in about 10 days, if you can wait until then, we can go then. But if it's like serious, I'll take you tomorrow." And Noah said, I can wait. So, Noboru had already known, because we talk daily. And so we took Noah back to the same excellent eye doctor our family likes a lot. And sure enough. The doctor says Noah needs them. His one eyeball is like near perfect 20/20. But the other eyeball is "meh" in vision. Not horrible mind you... but needing glasses and correction. And clearly we're not going to make Noah wear a monocle ala' the Monopoly man, Sir Topham Hatt or the Planters Peanut guy. LOL! So we went and ordered him a pair of glasses. Noah tried on a billion pairs. He found a nice brown plastic pair that he really loved. Everyone in the entire family gave that pair the thumbs up too. 

The kids playing games at the arcade while waiting for the eyeglass shop to make Noah's glasses in an hour. So glad to have that crossed off on our list.

I really love living in a town that is literally surrounded by rice fields everywhere. This was the view from driving back from the eyeglasses shop. 

You know how some boys never learn how to cook. Or learn how to change a flat tire. Or learn how to build furniture or mow the lawn or do handyman type things. Noboru made sure that both Branden and Noah know how to change a flat tire on a car. How to use a jack. He taught them how to build furniture. Hence Branden built our TV stand in the US. They know how to mow the lawn and do regular guy stuff. And the cooking stuff, sure I taught the kids those types of things too. This pic is of Noah my 12 year old mowing the lawn in the month of June. I was in the house getting meat prepared for our yakiniku BBQ. 

Branden was meanwhile busy starting up the BBQ. When our boys grow up and get married, their wives will not complain. They'll actually be so happy. They can definitely hold down the fort so to speak. 

Yakiniku. We had chicken breast. And 2 types of beef. Marinated grilled veggies too. Lettuce for wrapping our meat and rice with. Sauce for dipping our meat in. It was delicious. 

What best way to end a BBQ then with some dessert. This night we enjoyed some Melon soda flavored Gari Gari-Kun. Noboru ate his faster than I could snap a picture of all 4, sorry about that. : ) The flavor of these? Absolutely delicious!!!

Some days were really gray and overcast. Some days were typhoon type days. Some days were rainy days. And some days were "melting to death", type hot days. Thank god for central air conditioning. That way we don't even have to think about it. On the hot days, I would hang out towels. Bath mats. Pillow cases. And in the evenings I would just whack my laundry into our separate dryer.  It was nice for Noboru to have his wife home. He didn't have to think about laundry. It always just magically gets done (by me) : ) And he didn't have to think about dinner. Because I always handle everything. And, I enjoy handling all the home stuff. : )

This night, I made green chili enchiladas. Spanish rice. And a side salad. 

This was another BBQ outside night. I made chargrilled cheeseburgers and chargrilled chicken teriyaki sandwiches. We also had macaroni salad and potato salad too. And we also had fresh corn on the cob. 

A pic from our dinner that night. I made yakisoba, sara udon (chicken chow mein for you Americans), I made beans and pork green chili. I made tacos. I made chicken parmesan. Chicken cutlet and also karaage. All sorts of different things. 

In Japan usually every summer they sell choco mint everything. And I love it. We try them all every single summer. This year we saw this. We all tried it. The kids liked it. But, I didn't. Which really surprised me, because I usually can like everything. This for me was too minty. 

This night, I also made chicken teriyaki bowl with mushrooms and with some steamed broccoli. I just really love cooking every night. Or most nights. I do like to take a break every once in a while though. : )

These Country Ma'am cookies, they have been selling for about...5 years every summer? We love these. They taste amazing.

Anyways, I will make more Japan posts. And then I'll start with the U.S. posts too. The kids start school this coming Tuesday. We went and picked up Branden's school schedule Monday August 20th, picked up Branden's Chromebook Tuesday evening. And Noah's school schedule we picked up on Thursday August 23rd and we went and met all of Noah's teachers. Both the kids took their school photos already on their "schedule pick up days" And basically we've been just super busy. So, that's why I haven't had too much free time to sit on the computer. Noboru will be here visiting in about 4 weeks too, which we all can barely wait. 

We're leaving tomorrow...

Noah had been receiving little messages his final week of school, from his classmates. Noah was so liked and loved from his classmates. The one in pink ends with..."my best friend" That was absolutely from his very best friend. And after graduation day... the gang of freshly graduated 6th grade boys would ring our doorbell every morning to play with Noah. They came to play every single morning, until the day of Noah's classmates entrance ceremony for Chugakko/JHS. Noah had a lot of good friends. For that, he was so very lucky. 

This letter really "got me"..."Noah, thank you for 6 years, it was a short time being with you, but it was fun. It's sad that we cannot go to the same chugakko, but I will be cheering you on from Japan. Good luck in America"

The day of the actual graduation. 3 received flowers. The teacher received flowers. And Noah received flowers. And the other boy who is not moving, but instead he will attend a different JHS in Japan. Only 2 kids from our local elementary school are not attending the local chugakko, Noah because he is moving to the United States. And another little boy, because he will go to a chugakko in Ibaraki. The rest will all stay together... at the local one and only chugakko in our tiny town. Graduation day....Everyone wore their JHS uniforms. Except for Noah, he wore a gray suit. A slim cut one and he looked so...super fly. Everyone commented on the day of the graduation, how absolutely cool Noah looked. His hair was all nicely done. Noah, truly dazzled on graduation day and because everyone else wore dark navy (local JHS) or black (Ibaraki JHS) and Noah wore medium gray, it was hard not to keep all eyes on Noah, the day of graduation. Even other parents mentioned that too.

Because Noah is moving to America, everyone in Noah's class made this special project for him. It's a hard material. with everyone writing...a favorite memory or...wishing him luck in America. Pictures of the class together. This was so cool. Noah can look back on this keepsake, years from now and remember how truly amazing his classmates in Japan were. 

Because the day Noah graduated it was raining. All grades stood in the hallway, as the 6th graders walked passed and gave them all "five" as they passed. So many of the younger grade kids were crying. So much picture taking. This was after the graduation ceremony. Then us parents and kids went back to the gymnasium to take pics. And as we were about to take a group photo...the ichinensei sensei/the first grade teacher came running into the gym with a little boy ichinensei...shouting..."Noah-kun....Noah-kun" And the photographer stopped... we all stopped smiling and posing. And she apologized. And in front of the entire graduating class....the little boy held these highlighters in his hand and he and his mom made this gift bag espeically for Noah. The first grader started crying, because well... he's only 6 years old, but he said as he cried..."Noah-kun you were the nicest to me, during my first year at shogakko"."I will never forget you"..everyone the entire graduating class and parents all stood and listened. I started to get watery eyes. Noah went over and thanked and hugged the boy. And the first grade sensei walked him out of the gym. Seriously, you guys?!!! How amazing....to have such an affect on someone. You are a good egg Noah. But...we always knew that. : ) 

Branden. His classmates made him this photo album. Each and every page is freakin' amazing. The teacher gave Branden a picture in a frame of the 3 ichinensei boy/male high schoolers. 10th grade high schoolers. Branden received so many letters too and 2 mechanical pencils from classmates and treats too. 

Each little envelop has another message for Branden from his classmates and friends. Again the amount of time spent to make this. It just made me realize how loved and liked my kids were in Japan. 

As for me, my doorbell hasn't stopped ringing either. Gifts from my friends. People who I was in the kodomokai with, PTA with. And just friends/parents who we... clicked well with. Yes, we did have a good life in Japan. We were extremely... well thought of. Well liked. And we will most definitely be missed. And we will miss you all too. So much. 

We went and got me a 5 year re-entry permit. This is so... that I won't lose my permanent residency. Because I am a permanent resident of Japan. As long as Noboru is in Japan, I will keep my residency here (paperwork-wise). This 5 year re-entry means I don't have to come back to Japan within 12 months. Because if I didn't have a re-entry, then I would risk losing my permanent residency, if I couldn't make it back to Japan by next April.  Though, I am planning to come back to Japan this coming July. But again, you never know. 

I have nicely stored all my kids special clothes in our attic.The other good stuff, I gave to friends with younger kids, as my kids outgrew them. Our attic is now empty now. We painstakingly went through everything. I told the kids, they could keep only 1 box worth each. And to keep only their most special items. They also saved all their artwork, school work and stuff in 1 art folder. 

Why has my blog been so quiet? One day we threw out 20 bags of trash. It pains me to call it trash, but you know what I mean. And another day... we tossed about 15 bags. Noah's room is bare, with just a bed and a nightstand with a lamp. Bran's is the same. 

No more magnets. It doesn't look like a family or little kids live here anymore. : (  And after tomorrow, that will be true.

Anyway...the house is now decluttered and done. Noah has 1 huge plastic shell suitcase and so does Branden. They hold their clothes, their swimming trophies. Noah's stack of running medals. Their report cards, which are needed to enroll in school in the states as well as their immunization records. Their most important things that were special they're bringing. They've all said their good-byes. We plan to come back to Japan in July, like I said and bring/lug back more stuff to the US. Either that or Noboru will come to us in July. Either way, the stuff we need to bring is in a plastic clear container marked...KEEP. And Noboru will either pack it into a suitcase or we'll fly back and bring it ourselves. And as soon as Noboru gets his green card, he will move to the US too. Could be as soon as 6 months and as long as 18 months.

Ohhhh....I also wanted to mention. Branden's JHS classmates messaged Branden. They said we heard you're moving, they all keep in touch. They all got together for a "good bye" dinner for Branden at a nabe place in the little city nearest our town. That was last week. They also made Branden a photo album too. It was amazing. These friendships and ties... that my kids have with their friends, will be everlasting. Meaning they will see each other. For surely when Branden hits age 20, he'll come back to our town on "Coming of Age Day" And I'm sure when Genki gets married, Branden will be there, cheering and clapping. And when Branden gets married to his future wife...I am sure Genki will be there too, cheering and clapping too. So these friendships will be a lasting one, I know.

Anyway...as I said, we fly out tomorrow. We have to find us a place to live. Find me a car. I have to get an American drivers license ASAP. Get car insurance. Get the phone, cable, and internet turned on. Take both Branden and Noah to their future school's and pre-register them and get them their assessment tests done. That way come the Fall semester, they'll be ready. Noboru has 3 weeks off work, to help us get settled. Tonight I will pack up my computer. My external hard drive.... the thing that holds all my family's pictures will be in my carry-on. So, if you don't hear from me in like 1 week or 2 weeks. All is fine. We're just creating our new home and place over there.

On a personal note. These past 2 weeks, have been insanely busy. Stress level on a scale of 1-10. They've been about a 12, almost every single day. But right now....now that all the busy... is frankly done. Now that....we're all packed. We've said all our good-byes. My stress level is a 1. My happiness level is a 12. I'm ready. I feel so content right now. I'm *so* at peace right now. I can't even fathom how lucky I am... to be getting this chance to move back to my home country. No more having to stock up my suitcase. To lug stuff back to Japan. Target and Safeway everyday now... if I want to. And yes...sometimes *it is* those little things that count the most of all and finally after 15 years. Everything will finally, be at my finger tips anytime I want now, wow. And it's so freaking surreal. And I'm just being 100% real and honest here. And yeah...I'm so happy. And I'm so ready. So good-bye for now. I will catch up with you all. Not sure when. But you know me...I will catch up... as soon as the time allows. So just be patient and understanding. Thanks for continuing to take this journey with me.

Noah's, "good-bye to the 6th graders" a farewell celebration type party, that the entire school had for them...

I'm so delayed posting on here. I'm so sorry to Noah most of all, because I put Branden's final 6th grade events up in a timely manner. And as for Noah...it's just...we're moving. So his posts are delayed by weeks. I'm so sorry Noah. And things in our house are hella busy. Yesterday, I went and renewed my drivers license. We've been busy talking with real estate people, in the state we're moving. We have our eyes set on a few cars that...we will probably buy 1 of those cars for me, to do all my driving in, in the states. Which means emailing absolute strangers about their cars. "Any problems with said car? Is it a clean title? Have you ever had any accidents in said car? Or do you know of any mechanical problems with said car?" Of course we will go and see a few in person and test drive them, look them over ourselves plus take them to a mechanic to look them over, whichever one we decide. In short. I have been calling the US on the phone a lot to talk to our real estate lady. Hoping we get the place, that we love and would like to rent. Not phoning anyone, about cars but emailing lots of emailing. Plus the purging of things in our house. Holy smokes...things are busy. Plus regular life too, you know what I mean? I'm still cooking dinner nightly. I went to do the weekly grocery shopping yesterday too. I feel like I've been on a hamster wheel... for the past 5 weeks straight...seriously. I'm not sleeping well. And in the day time, I'm busy *all* the time. Stressed out to the max...would be the freakin' understatement of the world!!! So just wanted to give that little real life update, before I start this post about Noah's "farewell celebration". Monday, March 5th, our school held a great big farewell celebration to all graduating 6th graders. In Japan it's called a "Rokunensei o Okurakai" And only 6th grade parents were invited to come and watch. All other grades from our local elementary, put on performances for the 6th graders. Sang songs for the 6th graders. Teachers sang songs. There was an emotional slideshow. Basically our school wants to show their love and support to the graduating 6th graders. Letting them know...just how very important each and every one of them were to the school. That they will be missed immensely. And good luck in JHS. It started at 9:30am. We were seated and I snapped this picture at obviously...9:33am...

All the boys from 1 class. Cheering and talking about how much they will miss the 6th graders.

The 2nd graders came out. And sang a song for Noah and his classmates. It was really sweet of them.

For the most part, the 6th graders just sat as audience members and enjoyed. Enjoyed the songs, the singing, the little comedy type skits. Us 6th grade parents, enjoyed it too.

This one grade had a few kids who love to dance and so the handful of kids from that particular grade decided to do a dance. They were really good. And I loved that they incorporated the school gym uniform too! Definitely showed some school spirit!!! Which I loved!

Another grade. So many classes said..."we will miss you!!!" To the soon to be graduating 6th graders.

I watched from the parents seats. And I saw Noah in his yellow sweatshirt sitting and enjoying the performances. I saw some of his classmates wiping tears.

These first graders came out. Remember...Noah and his classmates escorted them last April, on their entrance ceremony last year... when these kids were pika pika ichinensei last April. And Noah and his classmates would go down to the first graders class and help them prepare every morning. For a solid month, the 6th graders would go and shadow them and help and support them. They even went and sat with them for lunch. Two 6th graders each day, last year would go down and have lunch with the new first graders. Noah went down and ate lunch with them last May 2017. So...all the first graders were out. And these 3 speakers said..."thank you for helping us every morning!!!!" "And thank you for having lunch with us"...."thank you for helping us this year"....Many sitting 6th graders were crying at this point. I wiped away 2 tears. I held tough and didn't want to cry. But the sentiment was so sweet. 

The 6th graders stood. And all the first graders deeply bowed. It was deeply respectful and sublimely kind. Best first graders ever!!! So kind!

Then the teachers all spoke. And they also legit... sang for the 6th graders. Again...we live in rural Japan. With a town of under 5000 people. I am not sure... how schools handle graduation in the heart of Tokyo. But I do know how we handle graduation in rural Japan. It's with great love...community...it's takes a village type love, ykwim. And tons of celebrations and good cheer. You will most definitely know...you are loved...graduating in rural Japan!!!

A picture of our school frozen on the screen. And teachers spoke...and then they sang. And parents were crying. They 6th grade kids were meanwhile... I'd say 40% of the 6th graders were crying too. Kids from other grades were crying too. 

The 6th graders sang 2 beautiful songs. About getting older and growing up. This would be the last time this specific particular group of kids would be all together again. Ever ever!! This was so bittersweet for me. Looking at all these sweet amazing kids...that I've known since they were age 6. Full circle moment... for sures!

Then they sang their final song and then we wrapped things up with the slideshow. I told myself. Do not get emotional. Do not cry!!! But yep...I cried...I cried like a baby. 

Yes that's Noah in his bright happy yellow winter coat from the Gap. It had snowed and all the new first graders went outside to play in the snow together. Picture on the left. And in the summer they all played on this jungle gym. Just my eyes seeing all of these kiddos at age 6 again...on the big screen. All us parents were like...awwww. Yep... our kids as ichinensei.

When they were 4th graders. And they had a performance. And the teacher sent a note home...everyone wear a white top/t-shirt. I noticed the pic on the right, I could pick Noah out of the front row right away. And all the other little sweetie pies...that I have watched grow right up...with my son!!! So...super nice to see a blast from the past pic.

Farming on the right. Because well obviously... these kids are indeed growing up in the countryside. And the pic on the left is of Lily-chan on the bars....and all the other kids about to twirl around on the bars too.

Their 6th grade... over night stay. 

First person I picked out of this picture was Lily-chan. She's such a beautiful girl, flat out gorgeous and I always notice her immediately. This pic is blurry, so it's safe. She was in the pink shirt on the front row but more so... in the middle of the first row. And I always notice Noah immediately too because he's so western looking... and as white as chalk, as we all know. So, I zero in on Noah in his yellow sweatshirt immediately too. And I really adored this principal on the right hand side of this pic. He was so nice. He is no longer principal there. But he was very chill. Next thought of mine was...wow they were all *so* small and little and innocent and adorable.

Ninensei. Second grade. I remember blogging about the pic on the left. Noah brought home a note. Said all 2nd graders were required over the weekend to "make their own" fishing pole. The rules were that... it could *not* be a "store bought" fishing pole. It had to be homemade. And preferably from items already at your home. But you could spend money on it, but not more than $1.50!!! #1...I thought the idea and concept as a whole was brilliant. Talk about waste not, want not. Noboru and Noah went to the nearby farming DIY. It smells strongly of farming chemicals in the store, but also sells laundry soap...and sells veggie plants and flowers. Noboru and Noah picked up a green gardening stake....a long green one...it was like 78 yen or so. They used that as the fishing pole/rod. And that was all that was spent. Noboru lent Noah some fishing line...since Noboru fishes. And they sat on the front porch putting it together. Father and son. Noah was so proud. And that Monday...all ninensei went to school with their fishing poles. And after lunch, they all walked by the near-by creek. And the teacher and the kids spent the rest of the afternoon fishing. They brought their zarigani boxes/crawdad boxes, filled up some water in them. Not too much. They also sketched the surrounding tanbo (rice fields) and crawdads and the creek. They had a nature class and art class for the final 2 classes outside. The pic on the right is where their grade, was having a performance and asked all kids in class to show up wearing their yukata or jinbei. Noah wore his jinbei. : ) You know...watching this slideshow...I was reminded how fantastic and amazing...and what wonderful life experiences that my child got to experience... getting to grow up a country boy in the Japanese countryside. The sense of community. How much we value our children here. We do a lot!!! The sense of safety. Just watching this slideshow. Plus the music that accompanied said slideshow...and yes...I was crying my eyes out. 

My shy pale one on the right. Both of these boys, have older brothers, the same exact age and grade. So we have known them forever...and they have known our family...forever too. : )

These are pics of the slideshow. I chose to record this as a movie, versus take pics. 

And their final group photo as 6th graders. The 6th graders all filed out of the room and high fived all us parents. It was such a wonderful way for the school to say...good bye to the graduating 6th graders. This all happened on March 5th. The good bye celebration. I have to still get up Noah's actual graduation day. And I will. But it will be delayed. Because again...things are just really hectic here, right now. In a months time... everything will be over with. And we'll be in the states. But right now. I just have a hundred things to scratch off my list.  This is a positive move. It's a blessing and a good thing we want. It's just...wow moving is tough. It really is. : )