Veterans Day...

Sunday, November 11th. Was Veterans Day here in the United States. Raising both my boys in Japan. I felt like I did a pretty good job of raising them about their American culture. Since they were being raised in Japan and getting Japan culture daily. We had backyard BBQ's and stuff on the 4th of July. We had Thanksgiving every single year. But now that we're here, I see how much I left out. Granted....I did my best. I'm not perfect. I did my best. But yeah, with living here. They're getting a strong American influence daily. They're now learning and celebrating things, I often fell short teaching them. So, it's just interesting to me, seeing what my kids are learning. How their world view is perhaps changing a bit. Here and there. Case in point, Veterans Day.

All last week, I was getting messages from Noah's middle school. That any parent or grandparent that was a veteran. Were welcome to show up on Friday November 9th to be honored. They would have an hour long assembly Friday morning from 8am-9am. And the kids would be out of school early in honor of Veterans Day. 10:50am Friday for Noah. And Branden's high school let out last Friday at 11am. In honor of Veterans Day. And the kids in our school district were off school yesterday Monday, again in honor of Veterans.

Kids were asked all week to show up on Friday in something red, white and blue. To show support of the veterans during the assembly. And every kid who wanted to get their face painted in our American flag colors were...gladly painted by teachers. All the boys were given this design and all the girls had a different style painted on their faces. I was curious all morning, how Noah was enjoying his very first Veterans assembly.

Remember, every single morning, Noah starts school. He pledges allegiance to the flag of the USA, along with the rest of his class and school.

I waited in my car Friday morning at 10:50am. And a happy Noah hopped in my car with very patriotic face paint. I asked him, "how did you like the assembly today?" He said he loved the assembly. And they thanked the veterans for all their service.

The kids also loved having a 3 and a 1/2 day, extended weekend. 

Bits and Pieces...

Today's just a little... bits and pieces type post. Do you remember a few posts down, I mentioned that I was looking for 2 navy blue twin fleece blankets for B and Noah's beds for both their rooms. And I found them, some really nice Tommy Hilfiger nice navy blue ones for a super cheap price at Marshalls. Anyways, I was also looking for 2 chocolate brown fleece blankets in size twin too, for the couches in the living room. That way, they protect the couch material, plus they make the couch extra warm and cozy. So I have been looking everywhere for chocolate fleece blankets. And couldn't find anything local. So, I found them on Amazon. They were around the same price as the navy blue ones. The color was a dead on... exact match. As for quality? The brown ones are thinner than the ones I saw at Marshalls. But, they do protect the couch and they are cozy to lay on. One thing I liked was the free shipping. But one thing, I didn't care for was... that if you order 2 you didn't get free shipping. But, since I was concerned if the color was a match. I bought just 1. I got free shipping and I was happy they were a dead on exact match in color. 

Can you see the chocolate brown fleece blanket on the couch? It's a perfect match in color. And the thick fleece black blanket I brought from Japan and bought at Sanki. Love the quality of the blankets at Sanki. Anyways, just a little way...that we're slowly getting prepared for winter and the colder months. I still have to order that 2nd chocolate fleece blanket from Amazon. 

I also bought each of the boys a pair of super cheap (price) but super good quality sweatpants. See it says, feel the softness? Inside the sweatpants... it's so warm and fleece-y. They were like super cheap. Noah's is a size mens small. And fit perfect. Both of the kids wear them in the evenings after school and on weekends. They're also a slimmer fit, these are a more flattering more stylish style than the olden days type. My kids love them. A definite...happy Fall purchase. 

$195 dollars. Yep, Noah went on the Tommy Hilfiger website and confirmed that's the rate/price, if ordered online directly. Noah needed a new winter coat this year. We've been checking everywhere. In Japan, it's Uniqlo. No questions asked. He loves those coats. Because they're thin yes, but super warm. Versus American coats being super thick. Like the Michelin man. Yes, we have Uniqlo in the USA and yes I can order online. But I am unsure of Noah's size and won't buy, without us having a try. When we were looking for birthday sweatshirts for B. Noah was also in the men's department looking for a thin winter coat. He kept saying...nope...nope...no way. He did the same thing at Burlington Coat Factory when Noboru was here and it drove us both nuts. But again...at least he knows what he wants and knows what he doesn't. He saw this. Grabbed it. It was super thin. See it says packable? On the label? There's a little carry bag same as the Uniqlo coats too.

Clearly I'm not gonna spend near $200, because I'm not insane! The coat was a fair...near Uniqlo price at $59.00. I'm comfortable with a coat costing under $65. So, this fit the bill. Noah tried it on. It was perfect. Thin, but super warm. Room to grow. Finally! Noah's winter coat saga was done. As a mom, I was elated. Because that means, I am free. No more coat hunt. Phew.

$59.99 With room to grow. Certainly couldn't find a more patriotic coat, by an American designer. And that was just...coincidence. 

Loved the quality and the detailing.

Noah is going to be quite stylish this winter. 

If you watched the Blacklist, then you will recognize this actor as being Elizabeth Keene's husband. How many times has he disappeared and or died and came back to that show? Anyways. I was talking to a good friend of mine on Skype , she's in Japan we talked about 2 weeks ago. Like the day after Noboru left. Anyways, she was saying something about the Blacklist. And how he's gone from the show, I watch the Blacklist too... but she was expecting him to come back again. And I...not wanting to spill the beans. Said...ughhh. And I didn't elaborate or add to it. And she is the type that doesn't really care. You know...some people go all mental if they find out a spoiler. Like it's their only existence to life. But some people don't really care too much. But still...I didn't say. Anyways...she said. Give me the goods. And I was like. You wanna know? And she's like yes. And I'm like...seriously? And she's like...stop girl...I'm serious. Spill. So...anyways. And don't read further...if you don't wanna know. But...I told her. He's the star of a new TV show right now. It just came out in September. It's a hospital drama. It's called New Amsterdam. It's on NBC. I told her, I saw 2 episodes and I liked the show. But, I have something that comes on at the same time. So, I am not a regular watcher of this show, but I think this show is popular. 

I love these garlic herb potatoes. They are mini white and red potatoes, they come with a seasoning pack. And in a tin foil pan. You add a blob of butter or olive oil. And sprinkle the herb mix. They also come in other flavors. It's weird but, I grew up eating potatoes or pasta as our staple side. Very seldom did we ever have rice in my house growing up and when we did, it was Minute Rice. LOL. And then I moved to Japan. And rice became my main side for dinners. And at first, I hated that. And then I just accepted that. And after many years, I mixed things up and made a lot of western meals. But, still..rice was the main side dish for the majority of our meals. When we moved back to America. I suddenly had many other side dish options and I was stunned. Anyways, I'm slowly going back to my original ways. And it's comforting. I'm starting to really love this. Yeah....I'm starting to really get comfortable with my life back in the USA. 

Love the already marinated seasoned herb chicken at Walmart. Roasted herb potatoes, good ol canned peas, oh how I missed the flavor of those and cresent rolls. A very easy to pull together meal. My kids love this meal, it's actually one of their favorites. But then again...they've had this American mother their whole lives. LOL. Their meals are becoming more and more western. We have white rice somewhere between 3-4 times a month, depending on what I cook. But, I still do make Japanese food too.  

There is the regular Chef Boyardee in the red or orange cans and now there's these. Premium throwback ones. And I've been slowly stock piling these. Just 3 cans a week. And keeping them in my food pantry. That way, they're a quick weekend lunch for the kids. 

One thing, I'm really having a hard time is...is being motivated to bake. Cooking? Yes of course... I cook 6 days a week. But baking. It's hard for me in the US to bake. Because there's just so much already offered at every grocery store. So many cheap/affordable baking that's there. For starters at Walmart they sell individual homemade pies, they taste like some grandma made them with love. And they have blueberry, apple, cherry, pumpkin, peach and they're 50 cents each. @_@ So again...why should I bake when you can buy a damn good pie for 50 cents. They sell bread pudding that is OMG...heaven. Pumpkin muffins. The most heavenly coconut cream pie. They sell regular size pumpkin and they also sell sweet potato pie. So many cookie flavors...I even forgot about. I find at the store and for super cheap. Again...it's hard for me to get motivated to bake... when it's so readily available. Does that make sense. In Japan...I baked every week in the Fall and Winter, out of necessity. Because no store close to my house... sold such delicious and such cheap baked goods. Hopefully...I can motivate myself to bake. So, again just keeping it real.

I have delicious 3 pounds of fresh seedless sweet mikans in my fridge, and 3 lbs of honeycrisp apples in my fridge too. And I buy fresh packages of fruit weekly like blueberries or fresh sweet raspberries.

I seldom buy anything for myself. But, I bought myself this cute navy blue sweatshirt from Old Navy. My clothes size have gotten one size smaller, since I moved here. I seriously think that's because of the lack of rice. 

One Sunday, I bought a $4.99 rotisserie chicken at Walmart. And I sliced all the meat off. Only half was sliced in this pic. And I made a quick and easy chicken noodle soup for a Sunday. It was delicious. The kids ate the entire pot of this hearty delicious rotisserie chicken noodle soup.

I also have been stockpiling fruit cups and jello cups. My kids love these. I always have a variety in the fridge here.My kids eat a lot of fruit here. Fresh fruit, fruit cups. They're delicious. Noah especially likes to toss the mikan fruit cups in the freezer and eat them...just like they were shave ice. 

I'm really iffy if I shared this pic or not. But, I wanted a spoon holder, for when I'm cooking. But the trouble is...sometimes it's a spatula or wood spoon and I needed something bigger than a smallish spoon holder. I saw this at the end of September. And it brought a smile to my face. And I use this daily now.

At $3.99. Love this.

Fall flavors are everywhere. Pecan pie M&M's.

Pumpkin Spice rolls. Again, I'm starting to really appreciate being in my home country. Being surrounded by foods, that I grew up with. Flavors that I was raised with. It's sorta cool. It's very comforting.

I snapped this pic one afternoon before Noboru came here. I zipped to Great Clips to get myself a haircut. It was my first haircut... entirely in English in 16 years. I take my kids here every 2 weeks. But, wow...it was so fun getting my hair cut in my native language. I hadn't had my hair cut since March 2018. After my cut, I zipped to Target to grab lunch. Since Pizza Hut's inside. 

A drink and a personal pan. This particular day...I had such a spring in my step and I was like...I am so glad I am living in America. Yeah...I'm adjusting...big time! I'm creating a life here.

Like I said, I haven't had a haircut since March 2018 and I haven't had a hair straightening size March 2018 either. And my hair is naturally wavy. Not curly. But yes...naturally wavy. I could have gotten it straightened at the end of July in Japan. But, I made a conscious decision to go back to wavy. To own it! My mom always threw my hair in hot rollers on important days like picture day, since I was in the first grade. I distinctly remember her putting kleenex near my ears and forehead if a roller was near there. LOL. Hot Rollers tamed the wave and created amazing volume. And so since I'm going back to wavy...I bought these super fat 2 inch hot rollers. And I love this set. 

Karaage pic. 

I am glad that my tastebuds didn't change so much with living in Japan. Because I love these. With teens in the house, I try to keep healthy snacks like fruit in the house and also junk food type snacks too. It's a balance for them since they're kids/teens.

Anyways, any current news? Well, I made lasagna this week. Beef stew last night. Last night, was parent teacher conferences at Noah's middle school. He gets fantastic grades. So, I wasn't really expecting to hear anything major. But each teacher basically said the same thing. He's an extremely respectful kid. He's super polite. He's smart. He's kind. He does all his assignments and work. If a parent wanted to speak to the teacher, they could. It was 7th grade teachers in the library. 6th grade teachers in the gym. And 8th grade teachers in the school cafeteria. So, depending on which grade is where you went. I went to the library. Spoke to each teacher. We parents all made lines and spoke to the teachers. Teachers had laptops and looked at their grades and notes. I brought Noah with me. And he heard the feedback himself. It was from 4-7pm. We dropped B to driving school at 3:50pm and zipped to Noah's school. Talked to all Noah's teachers. And were home by 4:50pm. Some lines moved quickly and some lines took longer. I'm glad I went. Tonight is going to be crazy. Because I'll pick up Noah from school. We'll wait for B to get home. We'll have supper. I made Japanese beef stew last night (already said that) and we will have leftover beef stew tonight. So we'll quickly eat dinner. Drop Bran at driving school. Noah and I'll run to Target to get some stuff for a poster Noah's working on in his langauage arts class (English class) And then after B gets out of driving school at 6pm, I'll zip us all the way to B's high school. Conferences are from 4-7 at his high school. I wish we could attend earlier. But, B has driving school. And, Noboru wanted Branden to be there and hear the feedback and I agree. So, I just hope we can get to the high school in a quick and timely manner. Now that daylight savings time happened and clocks fell back on Sunday. It's pitch black outside so early now. So, I imagine I'll be driving in total darkness to the high school, this evening. : ( Conferences are optional. And since their grades are good, I debated going to them. But I think I should totally go. And Noboru agrees. I don't want it to look like my kids have parents... who really don't care about their progress. Do you know what I mean? Because we do. We do care about the progress they're making and we do care about their grades. 

Next week is Branden's final week of driving school. And tonight, he and his classmates are taking their written part of the test. @_@ He has his 4th drive with instructor this Saturday. And his 5th drive next Friday. And the 6th drive will be his actual driving test. But that won't be until closer to Thanksgiving or past Thanksgiving. 

I did vote. As you all know, I vote every single election. I was a registered Colorado voter the entire 16 years I lived in Japan. I did that online. And I voted for the first time in this state. I registered to vote last Spring when I applied for my drivers license. In this state, you don't go to the voting booths like in Colorado. It's strictly mailing in your ballot. I mailed mine last Wednesday. I voted for every democrat, I could. 

There are 2 movies that are coming out in December that I want to see. Aquaman is a must! And Bumblebee looks cute. And since my kids watched all those Transformers movies. I figured...what the heck...might as well finish this series up. Although it's probably long from finishing up. But ykwim. November, which is right now... has many movies. The Queen movie Bohemian Rhapsody came out, last week? I want to see that. Also, that Fantastic Beast movie is coming out next week. Also that movie...A Star is Born with Lady Gaga came out 4 weeks ago? I know this is the 3rd time this movie has been made. The original. And then the 2nd one with Barbara Streisand. And this one is the 3rd remake of it. So, eh. I'll skip this one, but it has rave reviews. So, I'll probably skip The Girl in the Spider's Web that just came out and skip A Star is Born. The remake of the Grinch, I'll skip too. Only because having seen the cartoon a million times. Plus the one directed by Ron Howard...made with Jim Carey. That was good. So this one, I'll probably skip it. Although Benedict Cumberbatch is the voice of the new Grinch and he's always brilliant. The Nutcracker and the Four Realms isn't for a mom with 2 sons, it would probably bore all 3 of us, to death. So, maybe we'll just see...Bohemian Rhapsody, this month and maybe Fantastic Beasts 2...maybe.  

Flu Shots...

Last Monday, October 29th, as soon as the boys got out of school. I zipped them to our nearest Walgreens, so the 3 of us could get our yearly flu shot. In America, mostly everywhere gives out "same day" flu shots. Meaning you do not have to make an appointment or anything. They accept almost every American health insurance and you pay nothing as long as you have your insurance card. We do have health insurance here in America and so, I took all our cards. I did debate about going to get them done at Costco, Rite-Aid or Walgreens. Costco was a no, only because they're farther from where we live and that Costco is always so super packed. Like insanely packed. Rite Aid and Walgreens are fine and both right across the street from one another. But it honestly came down to....who I trust more. I grew up with Walgreens always being around. Don't get me wrong Rite Aid is totally fine and stuff. But, it's just Walgreens has been around in America for *ever* and ever. I did call beforehand, while we were waiting for Bran to get home on the school bus. And they said, yep it's easy...just go and get your flu shot. And I was like cool. And so we zipped there around 3:15pm. I went in and since we're first time customers, they quickly and nicely put all our information in their system. And 5 minutes later, we got our shots! Didn't pay a single penny. Since it goes through the insurance and they took all the info from our insurance cards. Just super easy. Anyway, just glad that we are now protected from the flu this year! Peace of mind. : ) 

Noah's Fun Run at his middle school...

The first week of October, Noah brought home a note from school about the upcoming "Fun Run." Since this is America afterall, and we respect everyone's individuality. You do have a choice if you would like to join the Fun Run or not. It's not mandatory (a must!) if you would *not* like to participate in the Fun Run, you can go to study hall and just read quietly. Get a jump start on your homework. Again it's entirely up to you... if you would like to participate or not. I asked Noah, "would you like to join?" And he said, "absolutely!" Second question on the note was. Since the Fun Run will be so close to Halloween, everyone is invited or encouraged to wear a costume during the Fun Run. Again, you are free to wear a costume or not. It's entirely up to you. Nothing is mandatory. I asked Noah, if he wanted to dress up? He said, he thinks it sounds fun to dress up and wear something fun. I couldn't agree more. And since Target was having a sale, buy 1 costume, get one 50% off last week. And considering for Halloween too, both kids schools...encourage wearing Halloween costumes. So, I asked the boys who were with me at Target. To each pick out a costume if they wanted one and they both picked the same exact thing. They both wanted to be hot dogs. With bun, mustard and relish. The whole bit! So if that's what they both wanted to be this year? So be it. Done and done. Got such a great deal on their costumes. Noah will be getting to wear his 3 times. For the Fun Run, for Halloween at school on Wednesday and for trick or treating. Bran will wear his to school on Halloween day. And he'll wear his when we walk Noah around to do trick or treating. Bran's too old to get candy this year. So, we'll both take Noah. So last Friday was Noah's Fun Run. It was also the last/final day of the schools first quarter. So his first period teacher brought 2 dozen Krispy Kreme donuts, a huge fruit platter. Chocolate milk and juice. Noah apparently thought a class party... just for ending the first quarter was pretty cool! Again, he never got to experience anything like this in Japan. 

I'm just sharing a few pics. The Fun Run was held during the final class. So, if you participated in the Fun Run, you could be excused for your last class. That means Noah was excused from History class, last Friday. Nearly the entire school participated in the Fun Run. On the left of the School Bus Parking only sign. You see one fast running hot dog! That's Noah! Aww, go Noah go!!! I was sitting in my car. I was the first car/parent to arrive. And I saw the kids exiting the building in costume. Keep in mind, I lived in Japan for the last 16 years, so I was so excited seeing the kids in costume. I immediately without even thinking... left my car to watch. It was exciting for me. Seeing Noah get "American school" life experiences like this. Makes me just realize even more so... living here is so worth it and so right for us. When I see first hand. Wow...he's getting these experiences that he would *never* have gotten in Japan. As an American mother, yeah...it makes me so thrilled getting to see my kids get these types of experiences.

There were also 4 American girls and 1 American boy right on Noah's heels too. But again...if you want to run okay. If you prefer walk. I'd say, 90% of the kids walked. And hey... that's okay too. Because they still walked their field for the entire final hour anyway. On the intercom it said, if you run 4 laps you get a free Powerade drink. After Noah got a Powerade drink, he walked slowly the rest of the Fun Run with his friends and just "kicked it" and enjoyed. I saw him talking a mile a minute, with 3 friends of his. Watching them all interact. And laugh as they walked around the field. At least twice a week, Noboru tells me on the phone when we talk on LINE (although we talk daily)..."he is so glad they are getting the chance to go to school in the U.S. Nothing can compare to the education level they're receiving and the friendships that are forming and the experiences, they're experiencing." I agree too. 

There were some Sully's from Monster's Inc. There was an *udderly* magnificent cow. LOL. The principal...he was Mr. Incredible from the movie The Incredibles. 

Just walking, relaxing all the kids. And funny...because I got out of my car. Another mom got out of her white truck. She started talking to me. Her daughter's a 6th grader, she was worried the mom said.. that her daughter was wearing a costume in the morning and nobody else was. I mentioned that, Noah told me.. that his friends were taking their costumes to school... but weren't going to change until right before last period. So we were chatting about that. She said, she'll have her do that next year. And we both enjoyed some friendly chit chat. But, not wanting to sound like a "know it all" I told her...I honestly wouldn't have known about that either. So we had a nice chit chat. And then another mom came. And another. Just about 4 of us... were enjoying watching together. 

Most kids wore "easy to move around in" costumes. Ykwim? This adorable dinosaur, stole my heart. Number one... it was so incredibly hard for this adorable dinosaur to move around. But, I must tell ya, he gets an A+++ for effort. You couldn't do much beside waddle in this costume because of it's shape. It was a very fit kid, just the design of the costume. But I loved the costume though. Also... you know how when you fall facing forward. Common knee jerk reaction is to... stick your arms out to brace your fall, right? This dinosaur had the little itty bitty arms that dinosaurs have (the costume, his arms were normal obviously, but inside the costume). It couldn't be helped really. I worried about this adorable dinosaur as he went around the field the entire time. I kept thinking..."Ganbatte!!!" You can do it! Whatever you do...please don't trip. Be safe. This dino was my favorite of the day. So adorable. I am thankful he did not fall, his arms wouldn't have been able to brace his fall. He was safe. I was relieved. But...I was just charmed by this cutest dinosaur costume.  And also some kids opted to wear no costume and that was fine too.

How did I feel about the Fun Run? Noah loved it. I loved it too. I appreciated that as luck would have it, I just happened to get to school a tad early...granted I was hoping to see the tail end of it. But was glad I could see it completely.

Having experienced... 2 kids worth of shogakko/elementary school "marathons" in Japan.Which for us Americans, means Cross Country marathons. Shogakko marathons were not optional. There was no choice. You did the marathon. You don't like it? Tough! Suck it up! Gaman! The kids at our elementary in Japan... also had a full month at our elementary school of "marathon practice" every single morning.. before school started. Also, our school did give out medals, so there were winners and there were losers. And the day of the actual marathon. Our town always held it in December. Weather was like 32 degrees F which is freezing. Kids must wear a short sleeve gym shirt and shorts. Regardless if the empty rice fields had ice. Or the little canals in town had a thin covering of ice on them. Kids had to tough it out. And run. Regardless if they were so cold...that their muscles and joints were getting frozen solid.. like the Tin Man, without his oil can. Sure they would do warm ups... before the run. But after a month of stressful marathon PRACTICE daily. My kids honestly started to hate it after a while. B was also a slow runner, but a fish in the pool and top speeds. Noah is fast with running and swimming. But by the time he got to the 4th grade...and the month long "practice daily" for marathons... he started to dread the marathons. I could relate because... I would have hated the marathons too. Talk about sucking every drop of fun out of everything.

Now my thoughts on the Fun Run. The kids had fun. Actual real heartfelt fun. There was no practice fun runs... the days beforehand. No month long Fun Run mandatory practice. They ran the day of...and that's it. There was no... 1st place, 2nd place, 3rd place. There were no winners. They all were winners because they all got an hours worth of exercise. They got to wear costumes which I noticed made the kids have even more fun. The teachers and staff wore costumes too. The whole school had just... a fun....run. Noah did not dread this Fun Run. He was actually looking forward to it all week. And when he got into my car after the Fun Run. He was beaming. He was telling me a mile a minute...."mom, I had so much fun" Did you see my friend blank? He was a cow. Did, you see my friend such and such...he was a....

I mean no disrespect to the Japanese marathon at all. I have had 2 kids who experienced Japanese marathons all 6 years for each of them. I noticed most kids and not just my own either...but seriously for a lot of them...they didn't really dig it at all. But hey. That's the way it is in Japan. And I accepted that. I know many of my friends' kids didn't enjoy the marathons either. And I "get it." Noah's lucky in the fact that he got to experience 6 years of Japanese elementary school marathons. And on the other hand... also get to experience an "all American" Fun Run too. For many people they only get to experience 1 way of living. Either just a Japan way. Or just an American way of schooling. But for Noah to be able to draw on living in both countries. Being schooled in both school systems. It's very cool.

Anyways, today is actual Halloween here in America. We will be going out trick or treating this evening. The 3 of us. 

How is American middle school and high school going?

One of the most common questions that I get from absolutely everyone is, "how are both Branden and Noah doing in school, now that they're here in the United States?" My Japanese friends back in Japan want to know. My "fellow foreign mom friends" back in Japan are wanting to know too and will email me and stuff with questions. Long time blog readers who still remember how to get a hold of me before my email address changed... but if you and I emailed/talked often then you were most likely one... who got my new email before it changed, so the handful or two of you who have my new email... have also...sent me a message and asked, "how are the kids doing in school?" My family in Colorado are curious and even Noboru's family is curious too. I usually just keep it short and say "they're doing great" and leave it at that. But, I do also understand most of you have literally watched the boys grow up. And so, I'll be a little more detailed about it in this post. That way you all can just read it here. Then you will be all caught up and know. : ) I snapped this picture  May 4th, 2018. I receive emails from both Noah's middle school and Bran's high school here in the US, the same way I used to get the school emails in Japan too. That way any events that happen, I'll know immediately and I can make sure that I'm there. That, I show up. For any event, I will 100% be there. On a Thursday, I got an email inviting all us mom's of this middle school to attend and enjoy coffee and donuts with your middle schooler. It landed on a Monday. This was Noah's first event and he was a little nervous and truthfully, I was a little bit nervous too back in May 2018. But, rain or shine. Come heck or highwater, I will be there. And so I woke up, showered at 5:30am that Monday morning. Put my makeup on, did my hair. Got dressed by 6:20am. And we were both there by the 7am,  donut start time. Krispy Kreme donuts and Starbucks coffee. Kids were given milk. All for free, I might add. I gave Noah, my donut because it was just too darn early for me to eat anything. Coffee on the other hand, I am always ready for. So, I enjoyed a hot cup of coffee. Spoke with Noah's teacher. Another school person came around and took our picture. It was just from 7am until 7:30am. I'm so glad, I showed up.  I will *always* be there to support both my kids. 

This picture was taken at B's high school. After we got back from Japan, we had to be at B's school twice. Once for schedule pick up and school pictures were taken the same day. About half of the kids brought their parents. Which made me glad I showed up. Plus, I had to pay for the pictures and pay some yearly school fees anyways. Noah went with us. And like 2 days later, we 3 needed to go back to B's school yet again. Notice Branden's school is so brand new looking and nice and modern.

This day also at Bran's school, this was a "parent meeting" a mass meeting held in this auditorium, kids were invited too. And this was also the day your high schooler picked up their laptops/Chromebooks. Also, important to note. In May/June. The wrestling coach wanted Branden on their team, he had spotted Branden in a gym class wrestling around with his friends before class started and he thought Branden would be a perfect fit for that. However Bran, was also considering joining the boys swim team too for the new school year, Fall semester. I told Branden he can join whatever he likes, as long as his grades stay strong. He has since joined the swimming team for his high school. Not the wrestling team, sorry wrestling team. I think it's a good idea he chose swimming, because both my kids have been swimming since they were age 3 (Noah) and 4 (Bran). So, they've swam forever. I did tell Branden it would be a great idea for him to join student council/leadership his senior year. And he agrees. Because I personally was in student council all 4 years in high school and I also was a cheerleader in high school. So, American high school stuff, I know.  

We also had to go to Noah's middle school twice too. Once to pick up Noah's class schedule and for him to take his school picture. And once for an evening "ice cream" and Open House night that followed. I snapped this picture of Noah around 4:50pm, the evening of the ice cream party and open school. School lets out at 2:25pm 4 days a week. 1:25pm Fridays. And the icecream party started at 5pm. This gave us time to go home, I made dinner. And then we went back to the school for ice cream and the Open School.  

Inside Noah's middle school. Such a fantastic middle school. 

There were so many huge variety boxes of ice cream from Costco. Noah had 2 ice creams. And Bran had 1 ice cream. I had no ice cream. I just didn't want any. : ) After that, we 3 went from class to class, following Noah's daily schedule and each class lasted 10 minutes and we heard from each teacher and what the kids will be learning this year. Again, I firmly believe... it is so important for the teachers to see firsthand which kids parents are active participants at the school. In one class there was only 2 families present. Us and another family. And in English class there were just 3 families, us being one of them. And in science class... a ton of families showed up. And in gym class a huge amount of families showed up. In math class about 6 families showed up. Etc. It varied.

These are Branden's grades and classes he's taking this semester, as of right this second. Branden, has straight A's. He currently has a 4.0 GPA. This is the highest GPA in America to have. I have asked Branden to bring up that Geometry grade from an A- to a A. His dad has mentioned that too. But honestly? His grades have always been straight A's whether he's in Japan or in the U.S.

These are Noah's grades. He has straight A's except 1 B. We are not too thrilled about the B. But having a 3.8 GPA is actually pretty freaking amazing. I did ask Noah to ask his history teacher, for extra credit homework already. She asked Noah why? He said, because my parents watch my grades daily online (you can do this is America now) and they're wanting me to bring up my B to an A. He said, she smiled and said there's still plenty of time to bring up his B to an A between now and December. At least she knows we're watching his progress daily and we care quite a bit about their grades. So in a nutshell how are both Branden and Noah doing in American school? Honestly? They're crushing it! Because my kids are 100% true bilinguals. Native English speakers, same as me. And I sent them to English Kumon since age 3 in Japan, because I wanted them to get English from me at home, plus an outside place too, where they could study English near others studying English and working on the technical stuff too. Plus, I bought those American school...whole year curriculum books from Amazon USA and had them sent to Japan and they did those since kindergarten, all the way until the end of 6th grade. They were cheap in price and useful. Plus I would have THEM read to me daily. Mama (me, I already know how to read) I would have *them* read to me. For practice. So, I always knew they were basically right up to their grade level in the US. And believe me! That didn't happen by osmosis or by itself. Hafu kids being raised in Japan are NOT automatically bilingual. And are not automatically native English speakers. It takes diligent hard work. They (my kids) heard Japanese language the second they left our front door in Japan. So we kept this English insulated bubble inside our house. And that just happened to work for us. You know, I often have had deep discussions with my fellow foreign mom friends, the ones I'm really really close with. The question we have dove into while at Starbucks many of times is.... What qualifies as a true 100% bilingual. Or native English speaker? We all have very different opinions on what *we* feel qualifies. What we would discuss over coffee... is accent. We would have lively fun debates "that if your kids have a thick Japanese accent, can you still be considered a 100% bilingual?" or a native English speaker? I say, absolutely not. But then I'm more so... the honest Simon Cowell or Gordan Ramsay of the group. Having raised 2  100% bilingual kids in Japan, (2 native English speaking kids in Japan) I find I am very opinionated on the subject. I'm not going to "Emperor's New Clothes" anyone. And my group of foreign mom friends were split meaning half said no too, and half said yes.  Again this deep conversations were fun and it was always great to see our respectful but varying opinions. What about "what if you... have to translate English that your friends or family is saying to your hafu child...can you still call them 100% bilingual?" Again, I say, absolutely no way! Nice kids, but 100% bilingual?, I don't think you can call them that. And again, this particular question mostly every person agreed and said no! They would not consider that kid a 100% bilingual either. And most certainly not a native English speaker. It was always nice meeting up throughout the years and chime in and talk about something important to us all. In a supportive manner. And get food for thought, from each other. What, I personally consider 100% bilingual and also a native English speaker... is when an American person who has zero connection to my family (meaning they're not going to say it to be nice)...such as a flight attendant or a person working at Target, can have a 100% conversation with Noah or Branden. And they, meaning the person, can't detect any Japanese accent from my kids... other than a strong American accent. And they don't realize my kids came from Japan. If you can blindfold yourself and hear 3 American teens speaking and not be able to tell *which* kid came from Japan. Then I would consider your kid, a 100%  true bilingual. And also a native English speaker. And if you blindfolded yourself...seriously... you could not tell the difference between *my* kids speaking and any random kid in the U.S. So when I say my kids are true 100% bilinguals, and native English speakers, that's what I mean. The only accents my kids have are American ones. Meaning they can have a 100% fluid conversation with my kids. You don't need to dumb down the conversation for my kids or the vocabulary. To me...that's what I personally consider a true 100% bilingual. And native English speaker. And my kids have always been that. You don't have to dumb down the Japanese or the English. My kids speak Japanese as much as Noboru does and English as much as I do. My kids didn't need to join any ESL class or remedial classes at all, when we moved here. Because of their native English level, they were able to join regular classes according to their grade. Which is kind of really remarkable really, when you think about it. Also if you see the schedule, they don't call English class...English anymore. Like they did in the old days. Doh! They call it Language Arts. And because Noah is a 7th grader, he's in LA 7. And advisory you don't get a grade, you go there, before first period every Friday. 

Here is a pic, that I snapped one morning to send to Noboru on LINE. Just Noah getting his Jansport all packed up before school. Super stylish hair.

An American high school football game, that Branden went to. They're both settling into their American lives really well.

Bran had a hot dog during the game.

This is Branden and V at their high school football game, 2 weeks ago. She is really interested in Japanese. She reads Japanese and speaks Japanese. I'm so impressed. I feel she is a good girl and quite pretty. So how are both my kids doing in school here? They're having zero problems. They have tons of friends. They have excellent grades.They're so truly deeply happy my kids. Branden is about to start driving school soon. This part scares me!!! Ha ha ha! : ) By mid November Branden will be a licensed driver! Yikes!!! LOL. : )

Isn't she pretty? This is V, again. I will be coming back here tomorrow and take down the girls pics. 

Meanwhile, Noah's just barely in middle school. But a group of boys hang out from time to time. His good friends, all made a plan to go and buy a dozen donuts and some drinks and go and kick it...middle school style near the school. Noah asked me 2 days beforehand. He said, "mom can I go?" "I really want to go" LOL. I said, "of course you can go Noah!" And so, he snapped this pic for me, as 2 of the bunch rode their bikes to the donut spot. A few others walked, it's about a 2 minute walk from the school. 

Noah sent me this pic, I blued out his friends face, so this pic can stay. He gets off school at 2:25pm. I told Noah he could stay until 3:20pm. But he messaged me at 3pm and said..."mom please pick me up" LOL. Middle schoolers don't stay out so late! Ha ha ha! A lot of kids in America are drinking this ICE drink. This was Noah's drink.  Bran says his high school friends do too. @_@ I have not drank one yet. They went on a Wednesday to get donuts. Noah was invited 2 days later on Friday to meet up back at the donut place. They made that plan on Wednesday, I told Noah, he could go too. : ) 

This time a girl from the 7th grade joined them too. Hence her pink girly sweatshirt and girly Jansport backpack. : ) And of course a group of boys went too. They went and had some snacks. Hung out for about 30 minutes before they all had to be home. I was there and picked Noah up. : ) So how is Noah doing? Noah's doing so well. He has so many friends, I  told Noah too. I want Noah to join student council next year too. For his final year of middle school. And I want him in student council in high school too and the swim team too, same as his brother. So how are they doing? They fit in extremely well here.

This picture has a sorta funny story. I was in my car picking up Noah one afternoon. And I heard a girl as she was about to get on the yellow school bus..."byyyeee Noah!!!!" And just her stare. Made me think. Does she like my son or what? LOL. Again, my kids are only with me temporarily...until they grow up and leave me after college and jobs. I know that. But yeah...She popped her head out the window and watched Noah get into my car. And then the next day...as Noah was walking to my car...I again see this very pretty slim girl approach Noah and hand him something. He got in my car and I said..."what did she pass you?" He said these fruit snacks. LOL. I asked Noah, "does she have any classes with you?" He said nope. She seems to wait for me sometimes but always tries to talk to me in the halls between classes. @_@ I told Noah, she likes you. Hahaha. 

For Branden's English class, the kids needed to decorate their comp book. He was told on a Friday. And Saturday, we went and found this magazine and Bran decorated it himself. This is the front of his English comp book.

And the back. He got an A on this. : )

On Open School night at Noah's school, the English teacher said she wants her kids to do 10 minutes of quiet reading every Wednesday before class starts. She said this will foster a love of reading for her class. I agree. So, I went to Target with Noah the very next day. We went to the middle school section for books and Noah is now reading the Hunger Games. LOL. : )

Anyways, I am writing this post not to show off. I'm not like that and ya'll know that. It's just since April. I have been asked honestly about 15 different times..."how are my kids doing in school." Just saying..."they're fine." Really isn't saying much. They're both doing *extremely* well. One kid has straight A's, that's Branden. My other kiddo (Noah)... has straight A's with 1 B. And a 3.8 GPA and a 4.0 GPA is actually quite amazing. Considering they have had no schooling in America before that. Socially, they have zero problems, they fit in immediately. They both have tons of friends. Bran's in the swim team. Both kids will be joining student council next year too. Bran is having a hard time deciding between which beautiful blonde he will invite to the homecoming. Noah goes out with friends sometimes after school... because I know friendships are really important. And Branden attends high school football games often. He attends 2 a month. So about half the time. If he's not at a football game, he's out to the movies with friends too. Hanging out with friends at Dairy Queen or wherever. And he's about to start driving school.

Anyway, Noboru has just landed in Sea-Tac. So, he's in America right now. He will be here for 3 long weeks. Until October 16th. Which is so important for us as a family to spend time together.