When pigs fly! ; )

Still trying to catch up here. : ) After we got back from Hawaii. We had just about run out of waffles. And also we didn't buy tortilla chips in Hawaii, we could have but didn't want to take up the needed space in a suitcase. So we ordered from the Flying Pig here in Japan. We did however bring the salsa back with us though.
Just 2 things, well I guess 3, if you count the waffles twice since we ordered 2 boxes. But not much is what I mean. : )
It was the last week of school for Noah and Branden the week we got back. I had Branden's weekly regular clothes hanging outside. And Noah's 5 Summer uniform shirts drying on the far right. And in front of the boys swimming towels was Noah's new madras jimbei drying in the breeze. The Summer festival is now over but at the time this was taken it was coming up. And had wanted to wash it and freshen it up before Noah wore it for the first time. : )

This should have been blogged weeks ago. : ) It's so behind the times now. So, I will disable comments on this. Only because it's an older delayed post. : ) But nothing too major in here anyway. : )

A care package from grandma. Yes pigs can fly! ; ) And prepping for the school picnic! : )

I always have Branden and Noah talk to my family via skype. Every week. And with my dad sometimes twice a week for the boys. And with Noboru's family, I usually have the boys call her one to two times a month. Just to say hello, tell gran what they've both been up to, how's school. etc etc. Anyway, the day Branden passed his swim course and became a #4. Happened to be the same day I was having them call her anyway. Branden excitedly told her that he had taken the compressed course and he was now a level 4. She was quite proud, so she told him, what is 1 thing you want. He told her some Pokemon DS game cartridge. And she wrote it down and said consider it done. That she'd go out, track the game down and buy it for him as a "congratulations for passing swim levels" gift. Sure enough, she found the game and sent it to Branden. The Pokemon magazine? She sent to Noah, she didn't want to leave him out. I thought that was thoughtful.

The magazine came with a dvd. Both the boys were quite happy this week. : ) And yes, as soon as the kids both got home, I had them both call Osaka and call grandma and thank her.

The small Flying Pig order came. My Mother's Day gift from Noboru. : )

The new brand of tortillas from Costco, you know I really like these. Think I'll make the switch to these. And 2 tubs of cookies and cream ice cream.

Dinner rolls (half are frozen in the freezer now), a big hunk of colby/jack. Because we are such cheese maniacs, and a big container of mixed nuts. That's it. Just a few yummy nummy's : )

With Noah's ensoku, family picnic on Friday, I started prep for that, just the day before, on Thursday. Though I did write my list on Wednesday. And I went and pulled out the adults sized obentos I have in the cupboard. We had 3, these 3 in the picture. Not fancy shmancy ones, just generic store brand Cainz ones. That's good enough. But I worried with Noboru being at the ensoku too, would I need to get another obento? Hmmm. I thought and thought about that Wednesday. And on Thursday morning after sending the boys to school, I headed to Cainz and did my shopping just for ensoku stuff. Did not do my weekly shopping, just bought the stuff for the field trip. That way I wouldn't get all side tracked and forget or leave anything off my list.

Yes, by the looks of all the plain white napkins, plain white plates. Yes I am kechi/cheap! ; ) I don't want to waste money unnecessarily if I can help it. The plates, I got the smallest pack with only 10 plates, so that was under 100 yen. The fruit forks, I also only got the smallest pack so that was 58 yen. The napkins 100 yen or 98 yen. The cups, again I bought the cheapest pack I could find, at 88 yen for the cups. As frugally and smart as I could get away for the ensoku, I did.

For ensoku or field trips, and even undokai days. I always make either. Karaage or yakitori. That's pretty common. Sandwiches are also pretty common too. And equally yumm. I decided to make karaage and since I want to actually make my life easier versus harder. I just bought an extra pack and we had that for dinner that night as well. That way when we came back from ensoku and feeling all walked out and dusty and tired and didn't feel like cooking dinner, it would be prepped and ready already to just freshly fry up at dinner time! Phew! I chopped up all the chicken Thursday evening and had it marinate in a big ziplock over night in the fridge with the sauce. Come Friday morning, I was READY, my prep meant I had very little to do Friday morning!

I also bought 2 packs of treats for Noah's classmates and pals (2 koala cookie party packs). 2 jasmine teas (generic brand, lol) a store brand oolong for Noboru and a straight tea for whomever. Noboru likes the meatballs and eggs in ensoku obento and even undokai lunches, frankly I don't. But I bought a tiny pack of each, so he'd enjoy lunch as well. : )

The bananas are for home use. So scratch those bananas. ; ) Picked up the mini potato salad for the ensoku, no need to make homemade or anything just a small pack from the store was enough. Some fruit, and I was done.

I recalled each kid could bring their own snacks with a limit of 300 yen. I know I picked Noah way way under 300 yen worth. But I knew this was plenty. 1 curry snack, 1 chocolates in a #4 since he's 4. If you recall, I bought Branden's in a #8 for his ensoku. Ha ha ha. a mini donuts and some fruity candy with a toothpick and edible cup/dish.

I went up in the attic and pulled out the picnic basket. By the way. This picnic basket, was only like 600-800 yen at Cainz home, I forget the price, I think I blogged it years ago when I bought it. But it was so cheap, such a good deal. I was at a different Cainz, they had it and I wanted it. Every time I go to ensoku, people comment on it. And it's funny because it's honestly not fancy, it was actually quite a bargain.

Any other bits and pieces? Well, we're going to be going to Guam very soon as a family.

Turkey ordered, and am so ready for Thanksgiving now! : ) And other bits! : )

Well here is a picture I snapped last Thursday while we were at the car dealership. Trying to give you the smallest and shortest version possible is this. Noboru is buying me a new car. Whether it be a new "new" car or a new to me, but used car, we are unsure yet. I being frugal minded like I am, prefer a nice used car. And the reason for getting a new car isn't because we are fancy shmancy pants, lol, it's because right now, I drive a lot. I feel like part taxi driver, part mommy express most times, ha ha ha. Between Kumon, elementary school and swimming for both boys. And errands to the store and such. No wonder I am always on the go on the weekdays. Or motoring off someplace. : ) Anyway the cost to fill the MPV is high, it is... that is no lie, and then well, you know how gas prices sorta went all flipping nuts these past 6 month's right? Meanwhile, it seems my driving route keeps increasing, growing bigger and bigger. Started when Noah started swimming back in July, so from driving 1 kid to swim school every week, I then doubled that route in July, and you get what I mean here. And now with Noah about to start yochien in January, it seems I am driving more and more. With no let up in sight and it certainly isn't Noah's fault, it was just we needed to rethink...what to do this coming January. When Branden was in yochien, he took the school bus to yochien and it worked out cheaper then the gas for me to drive and it was a no brainer. However it might not work with both boys in different schools at opposites ends of town nonetheless and their schedules, so we think I will just be driving both boys come January and I will be one big giant blur on wheels. As I morph into the mommy super express. But we kept coming back to the gas. The gas to fill the MPV is just insane. And with calculations of driving to the yochien starting in January it is only going to grow higher in gas price, since I'll be driving even more come January. Nobo, finally decided in the long run it's cheaper and smarter for us to buy a yellow plate car for me and we'll just keep the MPV for longer distance drives or for airport runs or whatever. The yellow plate car will be my commute car during the week though. There isn't a huge rush to buy immediately, since we have until January. But I think hubby wants it sooner rather then later. So, *sigh*, since last week, we have been researching cars online. Comparing fuel efficiency. Blah blah blah to infinity. : ) We have a few car make and models we like so far, but so far just looking. Just need something clean, low mileage and that's safe and good on gas. With having 2 kids both in school come January. We have a lot to think about. : ) We are indeed transitioning right now from having 1 kid in school, to soon to be having 2 kids in school. I do have a few nerves and fears about if I can handle my schedule come January, gulp, but I guess only time will tell. : )

Anyway, last week sometime I made buta kimchee for the hubby and made chicken kimchee for the kids and I. Used less spice/sauce for the kids, mine was burning hot. : )

On Friday we went and rented some DVD's at Tsutaya! The movie Good Luck Chuck was hilarious! I mean really really really funny! We also watched a few Resident Evil movies. They are not so scary. It is from the video game, but Noah didn't watch them though to be safe. : )

Friday night after supper, we popped some popcorn and had freshly roasted sweet potatoes. And Jasmine tea. In Japan in Fall and winter, we usually eat plenty of roasted sweet potatoes. : )

Saturday morning, made some bacon and sausages.

The kids wanted over easy eggs and Noboru wanted scrambled. I had an onion, green pepper and cheese omelet. We all had toast and hubby and I had coffee. I stayed in sweatpants all day long. Might not have even combed my hair actually, whooops! : ) Lazy restful Saturday.

Around 1pm, the kids and I decided to bake some chocolate chip pecan cookies.

Branden was looking at the camera, meanwhile Noah was looking way off yonder someplace! Ha ha ha. They helped, they stirred. Good helpers, good good helpers! : )

Toll House chocolate chip cookies. Oh man. It was also too cold to even play outside on Saturday. The kids have gloves, coats, I asked them, don't you wanna go outside and play? They said..."no way" Too cold. I agree, smart kids, smart kids! Ha ha ha. : ) So we stayed indoors pretty much all weekend. Watched DVD's we have here at the house already and the rental ones after Noah fell asleep.

Sunday only thing I did besides cooking or relaxing or spending time with the family. Is the kids and I went to Nishimatsuya. Branden needed some house shirts. Bought him 4. Conservative amount and the prices are always so cheap and fair at Nishimatsuya anyways. : )

Just the basics. Three stripes and 1 football type style. No big deal really, but he can wear these to play, or under a sweatshirt to school or for around the house, they're cute. Too cold a weather to wear without sweatshirt or coat now though : ) And what else?

* Am going bowling tomorrow/ on November 12th with my 2 friends. Both their kids went to the same Catholic yochien B went to and that Noah is going to be attending. But I am looking forward to my get together this coming Wednesday with my girlfriends. : ) They both have younger kids at the yochien too, so it puts my mind at ease that we will know and have friends when we start back at the yochien this January. Someone to keep an eye on Noah at least hopefully. These ladies are very nice! : )

* Ordered our turkey last Friday. We bought it from the same people we bought it from last year. We bought the 18-20 pound turkey. It is a better deal then they were offering at the meat guy, the Flying Pig and the FBC. So we are quite happy. If anyone wants or needs the link, let me know. I just don't wanna bombard anyone with links if they aren't necessary that's all. : )

*Meanwhile placed an order at Flying pig, bought 9,000 yen worth of goodies, mostly just a Fall shopping order, since I do live quite far from there, but the yummy yeasty dinner rolls we will freeze and save for Thanksgiving. Can't think what I ordered right now, also am a bit pinched for time right now. I'll blog when the order gets here. : )

FBC order also placed, but just a teeny tiny order with them. Only because they had something the other shop didn't. Good we have all the variety of the shops nowadays to order from in Japan. I had 80% of my Thanksgiving things already here at the house that I brought back from America my last trip. And the last few tid bits, I just got online real quick. So, we are eagerly awaiting the 3 orders, the Turkey that will get here next week on the date that we picked, and the other 2 orders. Have a lovely week you guys!!! And I'll try to do my best at bowling tomorrow, ha ha ha! : )

Tidbits from our week this week! (Mon-Thurs) : )

Monday! On Monday morning I ran to the grocery store to do my weekly shopping because on Tuesday it was said that Chiba would be hit with a typhoon. Not sure if it was all of Japan or just our area or what. But in any case, I wanted to get my grocery shopping done the day before, just to be on the safe side. Also the news said it would be raining here both Tuesday and also Wednesday, so I wanted to get my shopping done Monday morning, which I did, thank goodness. : ) So on Monday after Branden got home from school and while he was at Kumon, I decided to bake some chocolate peanut butter chip cookies.

Got my stuff all mixed and such. : )

And before I knew it our house smelled like fresh baking cookies. I managed to get them done and then went to go and pick up Branden from Kumon. Here is a pic of some of them cooling off on various unmatching plates, lol. : )

This recipe made a lot, it made 2 and a half dozen. Of course they're long gone by now though, ha ha ha. But they did last until Friday afternoon though! : ) They were good while they lasted, sigh. : )

Tuesday mornings breakfast. Nothing special really, just a quick typical breakfast I make for B. I want him to have enough energy throughout the day. And especially days that he walks to school, he really needs a good big breakfast. However Tuesday he didn't walk, ha ha ha, but it's okay he needs a good breakfast, good for brain power, lol. Don't want his stomach rumbling during school. : ) Just an egg, bacon, rice and some peaches and some OJ. : )

On Tuesday, I received the Gap package that my dad had sent us. Thanks dad. : )

What is this? 2 swim suits for B. Noah got his swim suits already. : )

Size 6 and 7. Good he'll get plenty of usage out of these, and he won't even be age 7 until the last week of October, so he'll get a good 12-18 mos usage from these. Not bad! : )

Tuesday nights dinner, we had kimchee nabe. It was perfect especially with a wild typhoon outside and it being an absolute freezing day and so gray outside! : )

My serving. Not pretty, but oh man was it great! Today with the way the weather was, I was thanking my lucky stars I did my grocery shopping the day before, phew! : )

There's Noboru slurping down there! LOL.

Noah slurping down as well. Branden looking at all this slurping madness going on around him! Ha ha ha! : )

Wednesday! On Wednesday, we once again found out that yes indeed "Pigs do fly!!!" Well, at least in Japan they do. LOL. There's a shop in Japan called the Flying pig, it's online and in both English and also Japanese, so it's helpful, but you can get anything/mostly anything from Costco shipped right to your door and so we ordered and Wednesday morning was my time, I chose for it to be shipped. I figured, Makuhari is just so darn far for me and if this saves me a whole day driving there and back, this will just be easier for me. Maybe this summer, I'll take the long drive to Costco, but not now. Just been too busy in my own neck of the woods for that lately. But in any case I did get my goodies. Yay! : )

What's in here? Well, not so much of anything really. Bacon, sausage, frozen broccoli, tortillas, and lean ground beef. again, not much.

What's in here? Well, let's see...

Prego pasta sauce, I prefer make my own and for most part I do. But, I'm human and heck, I get tired just like anyone else especially with 2 children and driving them here, there and everywhere. And sometimes at the end of the day, I'm spent! I'm downright exhausted and if I lived in the US, I'd surely be driving through a Taco Bell or an Arby's some nights, lol! But since I'm clear out in the middle of nowhere in Japan (not complaining but), I sometimes have to cut corners and if it helps me on my tired as hell days, then I'm all for it. : ) So Pasta sauce, also got those delicious dinner rolls. Einstein Bagels. Popcorn, garlic spread mix, and cascade dishwasher liquid. Again not so much, but a few things to comfort me, ha ha ha. : )

Oh bless you Einstein Bros. bagels. In all your wonderful chewy glory! Ha ha ha. It really is funny how even the smallest things like this can delight a person living overseas. : )

So many wonderful recipes for the garlic spread. I honestly make a wicked garlic shrimp on my own. I wonder how using this would compare. Hmm, I think I might try this out with shrimp in a few weeks. Just give this recipe a go, is all. : )

That settles it! I am making garlic bread tomorrow and trying this out! : )

I got 6 plain bagels and 6 cinnamon raisin bagels. And as usual, I froze 3 of each, so they'll last longer and I have the other 3 of each in my fridge, but I find myself eating them quite a bit since Wednesday though, ha ha ha. : )

Wednesday night's dinner! Philly steak sandwich for Noboru, and Philly chicken sandwiches for the boy's and myself. : ) I use the tiniest bit of yakitori sauce. Such a small amount you can't make the taste out. If you can tell it's yakitori sauce, you used too much. : ( Ha ha ha. Oh and the 2 bigger chicken pieces on the left of my cutting board are for part of Branden's obento tomorrow (field trip). They will become karaage tomorrow. : )

See I already added the sauce but it's still light colored, so not much sauce was added at all.

Some melted cheese and it's time to eat! : )

Some nice french bread from my local bakery.

Some crispy french fries. Last time I blogged this sandwich, I made it with a baked potato, that works too! A very simple and really good sandwich that can be made in Japan really easily. All the ingredients can be found locally.

Thursday! Branden had his first ichinensei class field trip on Thursday! They went down to a bokujo! A farm/ranch of sorts, this one in particular is a dairy farm, but they also have slides, and horses and such. But the main thing for this one is the cows, and they sell a lot of dairy products like cheesecake and they also make a very good ice cream. So Branden was stoked about going to the bokujo! And I did all my getting prepared for that ahead of time, as usual. LOL. We got him a bigger boy thermos with a cup, after having seen what the other kids all had been using in our area. I knew what kind to get. And we let Branden pick out the character and design he wanted, and this was the one that made him happy, so it made us happy too! So, come Thursday morning, I had put ice into it and some nice iced tea as well. (at our yochien they always said to bring oolong tea only and we always did and that was fine, no complaints about that at all) this school, said to bring whatever. So, we sent B with just straight iced tea, sun tea type tea. And lot's of ice. : )

As usual, you have to name everything and thank god, we made our own self adhesive sticker via the computer in tons of different sizes, so now I just gotta stick them on whatever needs a name tag, lol. So the new thermos got a water proof name tag on the actual thermos itself. I also wrote underneath it with a school marker his name on the bottom of the actual thermos itself too. LOL.

And yes, even the cup itself. Just in case there's a cup mix up, this way, his name's on it, problem averted before it ever started! Ha ha ha! : )

New backpack for field trips, we got last month, thank god, I remembered ahead of time. Phew! : )

Ultraman leisure sheet. The thing you sit down on. And the note always says your child can buy no more then 300 yen worth of snacks. So B also went with his little ziploc bag of snacks for sharing and munching after he eats his obento first though! : )

Note also said to bring wet wipes and then just regular mini tissues. So, I sent B with the antibacterial moist wipes and some Ultraman tissues too. And yes, again we have to name label everything, lol! So those had to be bagged and tagged as well, lol! : )

Ham sandwich, on a mini yeasty Costco dinner roll. Yk, I have made these before a hundred times, I'm used to making obentos.: ) 100% mozzarella cheese and miracle whip. Very simple sandwich. : )

Branden's obento for his field trip at the farm! 1 mini ham and cheese sandwich. A very minuscule amount of fries, 1 homemade karaage (remember the chicken I cut it from last night? LOL) I only used 1. And 1 steamed, buttered and salted and peppered broccoli. And some fresh crunchy grapes. Now the grapes we just eat with our hands, but since I was unsure how he should eat them around his class, to be on the safe side, I sent him with a mini disposable plastic fork looking pitch fork type thing, lol. Very simple, basic obento. Not fancy but an okay lunch for B.: )

Thursday morning, all packed and ready to go and enjoy your field trip today sweetheart! I gave him a ride to the school that day! Actually, I gave him a ride to school, Tuesday through Thursday, ha ha ha. And also picked him up too.

Okay, time to drive you to your field trip, let's go! : )

Thursday, we got the top part of Branden's swim outfit. Thanks dad for sending this to us! : )

Orange base and white palm trees! : )

Thursday afternoon, after Noah and I walked down to pick up Branden. Both of the boys tried on their swim suits!!! : ) Ham it up for the camera boys!!!! : ) Ha ha ha! : )

Branden you are growing so much baby doll! I can barely believe it! : )

Yup my 2 silly ones are pretending to fly! Flying like super heroes they are!!! Ha ha ha! They changed their bottoms to their 2nd pair of swim shorts! Go boys go! : )

Let me guess.....and ultraman pose again? You silly kids! : )

Finally Noah you got the peace sign right! Gee whiz! Ha ha ha. : ) I will be saving all these pictures for you two for when you are older. I will show your future girlfriends, fiances or wives the pictures of your ultraman poses and the whole bit! : ) Can't wait until Friday!!! TGIF for tomorrow!

TV stuff I've been watching lately? Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives, American Idol, Dexter and Nip/Tuck. I also enjoy catching the Hannah Montana episodes when I can. Ohhhh forgot to ask if anyone has seen that new show on Fox???! It's about beauty queens or whatever. It's called Pageant Place! Miss World is the lady from Japan, then there's a Miss Teen USA, Former Miss USA, who I think is bitter enemies with the other girl) and a few others. I only caught 2 episodes so far. I sorta like this show, but I'll have to catch a few more episodes, to know for sure. I can see a lot of cattyness and rivalry from these girls though especially since the beauty queens have to live together and share an apartment together. And one of the girls, boysfriends seems like a real pill!!! Ouch! Ha ha ha. As for movies, I think I've seen the Joy Luck club about 4 times this month so far at least, lol! Such a good movie though. And St. Elmo's Fire seems to be playing on AXN and all over the place too, caught it on Cinefil too. Ha ha ha, so I have been watching that quite a few times too. And I also caught Castaway. Oh yeah and I had never seen the movie High School Musical before. However I saw it last week for the first time and it's actually a pretty good movie. I doubt I will run out and go buy the DVD or anything, or be a big fan or anything. But yeah, it was cute! And I'm glad I saw it. : )