Hitting the double digits...Happy 10th Birthday Branden

Alrighty so you know what I did Wednesday morning. I went to that music concert. : ) But, that was also Branden's birthday. October 26th. Branden finally hit the big 1-0! The double digits. Very exciting. Huge milestone for him. Anyway, for starters we had asked Branden the week before, what would you like for your birthday dinner? Would you like me to make something here at home, or would you like to go out to eat? It's your choice. Sometimes we go to Capricciosa for birthday's but we've also gone to the Hard Rock Cafe a few times before as well. I think though... with us just recently going to that Capricciosa knock off/copy cat place recently in Hakone, nobody was really wanting to have it again so soon. And with us not going to the HRC after undokai. I think Branden was craving that and so he asked if we could visit the Hard Rock Cafe for his birthday. And both Noboru and I said...absolutely...done! So, at 3pm, I picked up Branden from school and we went home, he switched shirts from that navy and white rugby shirt he wore during his music performance to a regular shirt. And we headed to the HRC in Narita City. We started with an appetizer. The four of us munched a small nachos. Enough for a good snack but not enough to ruin our appetite for our meal. So perfect size for us.
Happy Birthday Mr. Dimples. : )
Then came our meals. Branden did an..I'm about to eat this fry pose for this picture. LOL. : )
I had the chicken fajitas and Noboru had the fish and chip platter.
It was all decorated for Halloween.
Then after our meal, they came out and said they would be singing for Branden soon. So, we switched seats. We put the boys on the other part of the table. And next thing you know, they interrupted the music and said in English....we'd like to interrupt and tell you we have a very special birthday boy here today and his name is....Branden! The entire restaurant clapping, a medium crowd not dead but not totally packed either. They showed his face on all the screens around the restaurant, poor Branden was beet red. Noah in this pic just watching everyone. You know when it feels like the entire restaurant is turning around and looking at you. @_@ : p Yeah that was the feeling. It was all in good fun and they did ask Branden would he like a birthday shout out?! He did say yes. And he did go to school the next day and tell all his classmates so I know he did enjoy it. : ) It was really fun. A nice way to spend a quiet little birthday with just us 4. Plus the nice clapping folks and staff at the restaurant, they were very cool.
The boys enjoying Branden's free birthday ice-cream sundae.
The birthday cake. You know, ever since Noah's super cool birthday cake. I really wanted to try something special for Branden's birthday cake too. I have been quietly watching countless videos, reading so many "how to's" and everything you could imagine. I have a rectangular cake pan and a circular one. I had decided to make it a circle 2-3 weeks ago, during one of my early morning treadmill sessions...the ol' what shape should I make the cake decision I had been debating about. So, I have been ready! Then....so I mentioned to Branden last week, for your ice-ream cake would you like me to use strawberry cake, yellow cake or chocolate cake and what flavor ice-cream? Your choices are...I can buy the big gallon size of vanilla and use that or I can run to Baskin Robbins for special flavors. What do you think? Branden said..(imagine my surprise.) "Mommy if you don't mind, I'd just prefer a birthday cake from Baskin Robbins" @_@ Trying really hard to hide my shock. "Ohh ohh okay, if you're sure honey, it's your birthday." He said...well you know this is my 10th birthday and all. I smiled and said sure not a problem. Later that night when the boys went to sleep and Noboru was home, I told Noboru. You know..I sort of feel he was doubting my ice cream cake making skills. :P We had a small laugh. In a way I was sort of disappointed/sad I didn't get my chance to try to make one. But then again it was his birthday after all. I did go to the Baskin Robbins in Narita and ordered him his cake though while I was at the Narita Mall on Monday.
Ten candles. White cake and strawberry cheesecake ice cream. I have to admit it was absolutely delicious.
Happy Birthday Branden. You are so loved kiddo! : )
Grandpa sent him a Birthday card and 10,000 yen.
And grandma Mitsuko sent this package.
It was a really great book on the earth lots of pictures. And some cash. My mom also gave me that big lump some and wants me to buy Branden something. And also both the boys something at Christmas from that. So, Branden will get to pick a few things.

All in all, Branden had the birthday he wanted. A nice family meal just us 4. Some birthday well wishes at the restaurant. And to finally get back home wind things down and enjoy some birthday cake. It was simple. And really fit our family to a T. Happy birthday Branden, and finally you are 10!!!! Never to be a single digit again. Onwards and upwards as they say. : )

Updates and bits, before we leave Japan tomorrow! : )

So on the evening of July 7th, Noah's birthday. After Branden's school and Kumon, we hopped in our minivan and headed to Narita mall. Boy has it been nicely revamped btw! Anyway, we arrived a bit earlier then our reservation was for, so we walked around the mall a bit. We stopped off at this store that sells home stuff. I am about to change over my kitchen table cloth and runner and floral arrangement. Will be doing that this summer. So, I went in here and found some flowers I really liked a whole lot. I plan to come back here and buy them in a few weeks.

They really had a fantastic assortment of everything I was looking for, that I can sorta mix together and get a nice arrangement for the ol' kitchen table, lol. Can't wait. However better not think about that for this week. Ha ha ha. But it is on the back burner. : )

We went into the Hard Rock and got a pretty good seat. In a private more secluded type spot. I loved where we were sitting. We ordered an appetizer of nachos. Those were actually really awesome! Noah had the chicken strips meal. Note, see the plastic cups? We actually left them at the restaurant this time, lol.

Branden had the cheeseburger combo! : )

I had the chicken fajitas! : ) And Noboru had the fish and chips! : )

Yup, the tortilla was right, that's where we were! LOL. Winks! : )

They gave us all these beanie babies. The blue ones were 4th of July ones, lol. A bit after the fact, right? Ha ha ha. : ) But the kids love all that stuff so we lugged those darn 6 beanies home. The kids favorites are the green ones, go figure! : )

After our meal, they brought a complimentary ice cream chocolate sundae it had a brownie in it! I had a bite and it was good! Both the boys split that! Don't wanna leave either kid out. And when it's B's birthday, he will share his with Noah as well. : ) The entire restaurant dimmed their lights. They made a huge announcement saying it was Noah's birthday, they even put his face on the TV monitors all around the restaurant. He was actually watching his own face in this pic! LOL. You know how loud and nice the wait staff sings and claps? They got the rest of the people eating there....into clapping and singing. It was so much fun! Noboru was clapping in this pic. And they sang Noah a happy birthday! They even made him a pin with all our faces on it! It was cool! And a great way to spend a low key family birthday for our youngest son!

So happy, after being serenaded by the whole restaurant! Ha ha ha!

We went home, and our little family of 4, went into the kitchen, all his presents were wrapped sitting and waiting. We pulled out the cake from the freezer. And got the coffee going!

I opened the card from my dad! Noah's grandpa. His card was lovely.

He kindly gave his grandson $100.00 Thanks dad, very much, I know I already told you, but seriously thanks again! We love you so much! : )

We then, turned off all the lights and we sang Happy Birthday to Noah.

He blew out the candles, made his wish. And we turned the lights back on!

Now he got to open all his presents. : )

I think by the big smile on his face it's obvious he really had a nice and wonderful birthday! All of us enjoyed it. It was just a small little family affair, none of our neighbors knew of his birthday. None one, other then just our little family of 4, our extended families and just you guys reading this, all you virtual aunties and friends, ha ha ha! Yup, a quiet but happy birthday! : )

Wednesday, we went to swimming school, same as usual! And today they were doing a testing day!

Here the woman coach was giving Branden some last minute pointers. This was before the test at the end though. This was a practice before the test.

The swimming was without any safety floatie things at all. Just going back and forth in a few techniques.

And he did it! Branden is now a level 8 now! We are so proud of our Branden. Also, regarding ichinensei swim lessons. It is also broken down into levels of swimming. Meaning how well your kid can swim will determine what level they start at. The beginners level are called the tadpoles (at our school). And most of the kids fall into that class. And I think that's okay because by the time they reach 6th grade they should be good swimmers, so no worries. Also, though the highest level of swimming is the dolphins. And of course all the different levels in between. Branden is a dolphin at ichinensei. So he's in the highest swimming class at his elementary school for first grade. So, we are proud of him with his swimming all the way around. : ) Hey nothing wrong with being a proud parent, when your kid achieves something. So, anyways, good for B! : )

And introducing the newest swimmer of the family! This is Noah's swim card! He begins swimming lessons July 19th! For the first month, he can swim unlimited and take unlimited amount of classes before switching him over to the regular swim course. But yup, he's now a member of the swim club! Swimming lessons for the next 3 years *at least* for Noah! Go get em' my little 3 year old! : ) His class will be just for 3 year olds and 4 year olds! And with his *just* turning 3, I will worry about him a lot at first! : ) We already bought him his swim cap! And for the first month he won't need to wear that dreadful swim uniform. The first month he can wear his regular swim shorts. But after that he has to switch to the uniform.

In other bits and pieces Noboru bought Branden his first cell phone. It's called a Kodomobile phone. Basically it means it's a kids phone. For those of you in Japan, with kids in elementary school and enrolled in other extra curricular activities this must seem normal. But I imagine my family in America probably just fainted right over just now! I can just hear them now, "a phone for a 6 year old?!" Ha ha ha. Honestly when Branden was age 3, and he entered yochien someone mentioned to me about their older child having a phone. I thought, a kid having a phone? Absolutely no way. I don't think a kid would have the responsibility for that. Blah blah blah. It didn't make sense to me at all. Errr....okay add 3 years and now here we are Branden is age 6 and like they always say,....... never say never!!! I am *not* recommending anyone to buy one either. I only can share with you our families reasons for getting one. For starters. When Branden started Kumon back when he was in yochien. We realized that Kumon doesn't have a start time or end time. Kumon is open for example for us from 3pm to 8pm, your child can go anytime that day during that time. And they may leave when they finish the appointed homework. Okay, so often many times, I found I was waiting in the car for 15 minutes. Or having to run up the stairs and see if he was ready yet. Finally, I just started handing Branden my phone. On the manner mode obviously and when he was finished, he would walk out to the hall and phone me and say, "mommy please pick me up" and by the time he put away all his folders and work and got more new work, I was waiting downstairs. So, for the past year Noboru and I have been alternating giving B our keiteis. And that's been fine, no complaints at all. Then Branden's little friend, Saya-chan has her own phone. Since April we've been observing how responsible this little girl is with her cute little pink phone with girly stickers on it. When she arrives Branden's house, she'll call her mom and say, "I am at Branden's kun's house now, I'll call you before I leave." or she'll call her daughter on her cell. So, yeah it has been something we had been thinking about a lot. We know Branden's responsible, we know he's a good kid. He's not like one of those destructo kids, that destroys everything in it's path, yk, what I mean. LOL. And the final straw was on Tuesday Branden got off school early. Somehow Noboru misread that and we had no idea. Branden was unsure if I was going to pick him up, he shoulda walked home (clearly I was unaware of the earlier pick up time that day). But he ended up wisely going back to the sensei to the school. And they phoned us and I drove and got him immediately. I was angry at the hubby. But forgave him, hey he's human. But we concluded, if B had the phone, he coulda called us and we coulda easily just told him, "go ahead and walk with the kids today" or, "I'll be right there, stay right there" that sorta stuff. So anyway for our family we decided to get him a phone. We were sorta 99% swaying that way to begin with and with the mix up the other day, when he got out early and stuff, it gave us that tiny push we needed. It was the best idea for our family. So yup, now we are a 3 keitei family. : )

It has a light reflector, it has a GPS tracking devise in it as well. He wants to decorate it with stickers. I told him he could put 1 Spongebob sticker on it, but that's it! Ha ha ha. : )

Kid phone. : ) Anyway now when he plays on a weekend with friends, we can call him to come home or to see where he is. Next tid bit......

One of my girlfriends, our sons went to the same yochien together and we see each other at swim club every week. Anyway she brought me some fresh green beans and a carrot, she said she got everything from her garden! I thought that was very kind of her! Hmm! Seems that once I start getting more zucchini, I will start packing up some fresh zucchini's for my friends in return!

And in other last minute bits! : ) Today July 10th, at around 4:50 am, my dad flew out of Guam for the last time. He is going home. Going back to Colorado permanently ( I know I briefly mentioned that earlier). He's thrilled and excited. Meanwhile we will miss him immensely on this side of the world but, we know it's what he must do. So, anyway, he flew from Guam to Narita. From there he was in transit and could not leave the airport and even I could not even see him

since he couldn't leave the international transfer area ykwim. He had to catch his next flight. His flight left to the mainland at around 10am this morning, is when I think he left Japan. So he's already left Japan and should be in the air until tonight Japan time! I am sure he'll be jet lagged but he'll be happy once he gets over that! : ) We love you so much dad!!!! : )

And in other news, our travel plans changed a whole lot. Let me catch you up. First off we are going 2 places versus 1. We are leaving to Denver in August and leaving to Guam for 4 nights/5days in July. We leave tomorrow Friday July 11th very very early in the morning. Noboru got only 5 days off work for July, so obviously flying to Denver then would be out. This was a small bummer! However silver lining is, he is taking 14 days off in August, so we will get actual more time spent in Denver so that's the actual good thing. But the only tiny sad thing is, we have to wait 3-4 more weeks. However, going to Guam for the next 5 days helps me tons. Because I can get to eat all the yummy food, we can snorkel, and swim and slide down slides and when I get back to Japan, I will feel refreshed and recharged and then the next 4 weeks won't seem so bad of a wait! So, it's not so bad. Besides, I waited 2 and a half years to go home to Denver, 4 more weeks, I can handle. And the beach in Guam is calling my name anyway. : ) And honestly, you guys know how busy I have been with B starting ichinensei, all those PTA meetings, the observation days, and even the fun observation Sunday, lol. And running here and running there. And the whole drivers license fiasco study marathon that was. And honestly......5 days, 4 nights in another bed, and 5 days of no cooking or cleaning for a change. My gosh that sounds like a real dream to me right now. I could really use the break you guys. I really could! : ) So, anyways if my blog gets a bit quiet, it's because I am gone. I'm off walking on a sandy beach someplace, not thinking of my computer and not thinking about PTA meetings, lol. I need this type of time off once in a while, to destress, relax, kick back, sit under a big umbrella, my straw hat, sunglasses and a nice frozen drink with umbrella in it. : ) I'll get back next Tuedsay night, but more then likely won't be turning this computer on until Wednesday. Anyway, our suitcase is all packed and it's in the genkan already for our 6:30am leaving of the house tomorrow. The carry-on is 80% packed, we have the portable DVD player, yes we bring this even though we have those mini TV's in front of each seat even. The DS lite is packed and charged. Camcorder and my digi camera is packed in the carry-on. I will get some last minutes snacks after I pick up B this afternoon otherwise it looks like that's it for us. Have a good couple days the rest of you, will miss you all and catch up with all of you when I get back! : )

Okay, today we all had total burn out! We took a needed break today! : )

Still more yard work to be done. Tons actually! But this morning when we got up, we were just fried/exhausted to say the least! Just thinking of the backyard and the work we needed to do, made us wanna cry, ha ha! And we also needed to go and buy some black loafers for Branden's entrance day, so we headed to the mall today! Besides all the sod has all been laid down. It's mostly all done back there now, except the trees and flowers and stuff. So, we deserved the break! And we actually *needed* the break! So we hit Narita mall. Narita mall is nothing special. There's no cool shops like Chiba Newtown. It's just the basics, only reason we head there is when we need either Kaldi or the Hard Rock Cafe, ha ha ha. Otherwise we go to other malls. So, we bought Branden's black loafers and some black socks. I ran into Kaldi and asked what's up with the Crisco. She told me and the hubby they don't carry it anymore, she even made a phone call. Hmm, I am beginning to wonder if Noboru was right about what he told me, he read about the Crisco thing. Hmm. Ah well. I found a Japanese one I like now anyways, I was just checking to make sure, was all. : )

We let the boys play some games. And they had fun!

Noah was so lucky! He won so many coins! Ha ha ha! : )

We decided to go to the Hard Rock cafe for lunch. We haven't been there since Branden's undokai/sports day. And with all the work we'd done this week, we felt like, we really deserved some Hard Rock Cafe!

Since it was lunch time, I had a sandwich, I had the chicken club. I asked them to add some cheese on it for me. I chose provolone! : ) The sandwich was delicious, the fries were crisp.

Kids split a kids chicken finger and french fry meal. Because it was lunch, I knew they wouldn't finish one by themselves. Now for dinner sure, but not for lunch!

Noboru had a burger combo! It was nice to just unwind that way! And again, given our week we had, we felt so rewarded, ha ha ha. : )

And after our lunch at the Hard Rock, we went upstairs to the food court and we each got some Baskin and Robbins ice-cream. Branden had that popping shower one in the kids size cup. Noah had hazel nut chocolate, and I also had hazel nut chocolate but we had ours in a cone. Noboru had cheesecake ice cream, ha ha ha. It was a needed rest day and my god, we needed it! Plus we got his shoes and now he's ready for the entrance ceremony completely. So that's nice. : )

This was my ice cream, obviously I had a few licks, sorry! : )

And a quick pic of Noah on the way home from the mall. We were in the parking garage is why the outside looked a bit dark, but it was indeed day still. Branden was napping the second we got in the minivan, ha ha ha. So no pic of him, since he was in lalaland, sorry! : ) We went home and relaxed the whole rest of the day and night, we had dinner. And showers before American Idol started. And we just enjoyed watching American Idol with our trusty bowl of popcorn, ha ha ha and then some TV after that. We just really enjoyed Saturday! Why? Because we will be going back to the back yard work on Sunday yet again, ugh! Ha ha ha! And I also gotta make sure the house is cleaned before my MIL gets here on Tuesday, but I'm sure it's fine, but I wanna make sure at least. And the last minute things to make sure B is ready for elementary and so, these next few days, will be sorta busy too. I'll post my American Idol thoughts and post very soon! I have many things I wanna say about that as usual, ha ha ha. Just give me a day! You all know how crazy this week has been. Ah well, in a few days things will calm down and we will welcome that calm! Ha ha ha! : )