A Bits and Pieces post from when Noboru was here...

I snapped this pic of Noboru driving right after Noah and I picked him up at the airport. I was originally supposed to pick him up at 1pm. And the plan was, we'd go immediately to Noah's school and pick him up at 2:25pm. And we were even considering first swinging by our townhouse and dropping off his luggage first or not. We were playing it by ear, just depending on our timing. However, as luck would have it, Noboru's flight was delayed. He landed at 2pm. Thank goodness for airplane wifi. So he and I could LINE each other. Considering Noah's a child. And Noboru's an adult. We put our child first. And so Noboru told me, "I'm an adult, I can wait at the airport, go get Noah first and then swing by the airport to get me" FWIW, we have 3 townhouse keys. And Branden has a key always and he knew, to let himself in our townhouse. Since he rides the school bus home anyways. And doesn't get home because of the school buses stops...that they make all along the way, he gets home around 3:10pm. Good thing the kids can have cell phones here at school. So, I texted them around noon and let them know the plan. Noah knew he had to "haul a**" to my car. And he did. He quickly hopped in my car. I quickly hopped the highway. And to the airport we went. Noboru was waiting outside. I parked the car curbside. Hugged and kissed my husband. Noah got out and smiled and hugged his dad. And Noboru jumped in the drivers seat right away. And we actually got to our townhouse about a couple minutes before Branden got there. The boys were both so happy to see their dad. I was happy to see my sweetie pie too.

He brought me, a few extra Cook-Do sweet and sour sauces/packs. Another bag of panko. A new bottle of mirin (for niku jaga). Some sara udon packs. Karaage and ginger. Melting sugar for niku jaga. Three cream stew roux. Another pack of curry roux. Small things yes... but super helpful useful things that we will appreciate when it gets cold and Fall turns into Winter. 

He also brought cookies and snacks for the boys. 

I did mention to Noboru that Branden's backpack has a mesh bottle spot on the outside of his Jansport. Noah picked the size smaller Jansport than Bran's is. And I told Noah his would have no mesh bottle holder. He was fine with it. But, I do notice he wraps his 500ml bottle of water every day in a grocery store bag. Noboru said, not to worry...that he'll bring him some drink covers from the amazing Daiso. And he brought 2. 1 is a back up. This is probably the most useful item he brought. Noah uses the navy blue one every single day now. : ) 

The entire United States is in pumpkin pie flavor mode, now that it's Fall. It's sorta nice to be able to enjoy every little thing available now that I live here. Noboru and I went to lunch one afternoon when the kids were at school. We went for the $5 buck lunch. It comes with a free sundae or you can pay 1 dollar extra and get a blizzard. Of course we had to get  Pumpkin Pie Blizzards.  

The 5 buck lunch, you can get your choice of all white meat chicken strips and fries and country gravy for dunking your strips in. You can also get a grilled cheeseburger if you prefer. Noboru went for the burger. It comes with a drink and also includes a free sundae or you can upgrade to a blizzard. We usually go for the sundae but considering it was a limited time only...we went for the pumpkin pie blizzards. 

Aside from spending the day in Seattle. We mostly stayed in our tiny city of $12,000-$15,000 people. We did go to the next city over and hit Costco though. This is a cart pic. A case of toilet paper beneath the cart. Chicken breast in that box. The chicken breast here is individually wrapped in sets of 2 breasts in each pack. And it comes with many packs. A case of paper plates. Tortillas. A big jug of shoyu (Kikkoman Soy Sauce) and tampons and at night, I will wear a pad for extra protection during that TOM. I think we're all adults here. Just bought basics. Of stuff that can last a good chunk of time. He also filled up my gas tank, while at Costco.

Besides my husband being my best friend. Lunch date. Laugher at each others jokes etc etc. Him coming here was for peace of mind, for him too. He worries all the time, if we're okay. He wanted to make sure my car here is winterized. He washed my car and really scrubbed the daylights out of it. He also took my car for an oil change. He filled up the tires with air. Changed all my filters in my car. Changed my windshield wiper blades. Rain X-ed my windshield.  He did all sorts of things a husband usually does. For his peace of mind and for my mind too. He's seriously so helpful. So wonderful. 

Pumpkin Pie Twinkies. Again Americans love everything and anything Pumpkin Pie flavored. Noboru had some of these too. I was expecting these to not be any good. I was shocked because these are actually better than regular Twinkies. Hostess is also selling some Caramel Apple Spice flavored Cupcakes. I took a pass of those cupcakes. But these Pumpkin Pie Twinkies are the bomb. Also Jack and the Box Pumpkin Pie shakes are out right now too. 

Another time we took the whole family to Dairy Queen too. We all had the 5 buck lunch and sadly the Pumpkin Pie Shake was no longer sold anymore. So we all had a sundae. Bran and I,  each picked a peanut butter sundae. Noah picked hot fudge and Noboru went with strawberry. It was just the best, us 4 all being together as a family again. But we also know.. that the kids getting this opportunity at an American education. They're lucky. They're so fortunate to be getting this education. These experiences. They were in Japan in their younger years, when a family should be intact. Now that they're older, they are open for an American education. And American dances, like Homecoming. And driving school. And American style school lunch. And Fun Runs. 

The week before Noboru left. I went to the driving school. I filled out all the paperwork. And talked to the folks there. And got Branden all signed up for drivers ed. He's in like... a 6 week driver course. He goes Tuesday through Thursday, 4pm-6pm. He also has 6 hours/6 drives with the instructors in their Priuses. They have quite a few. A parent meeting was required. Noboru and I showed up for that meeting. He wanted to go... because he knew he wasn't going to be a part of it, so he just wanted to attend the meeting. Noboru told me later. In Japan he handled all the paperwork and all the meetings (although, I went too), all the official stuff. But he finds it cute that in America, although he fluently speaks English. He doesn't feel the pressure to have to handle *it all*. Does that make sense? It's sort of cool and nice for him to just... get to sit back. Sit next to me and say..."the wife is handling it all. She's got this" And yes, here, I got this. Friday October 12th. Was a "no school day" and so the 4 of us went first thing in the morning to the Motor vehicles department to get Branden signed up for his driving permit. He was omitted from taking the test at the DMV because he took it at the state approved driving school, he's attending. So, Noboru and Noah just got to relax and sit in the chairs at the DMV. Mama (me) I handled it. Bran and I took a number. The place was dead. We went right up. You need to prove American citizenship or that you have a greencard or something. I was prepared. I had Branden's American passport. Branden's American birth certificate, his social security card. I had my state drivers license. And he needed a parents signature of consent. Next he went up and took a picture at another window/area. And next, he went and did an eye exam. And she gave him a paper permit that is good for a year. And the hard permit looks just like a license but it's oblong, up an down versus how us adults licenses are. As soon as he had the permit in hand. It was not even 9:10 am yet. We went to the Costco parking lot. And we gave him his first driving lesson until 10am. When Costco opened. After shopping at Costco, which took us only 5 minutes tops. I already knew what I needed.

A bulk amount of pumpkin spice bread. 

And a case of 24 chicken flavored Cup Noodles. That's it. Then we went to the movie theater parking lot and he drove for a good 30 minutes. We placed an order for Wing Stop and they wouldn't be ready until a certain time, so it gave Branden more time to practice driving.

Hunger Games reference here. Instead of "May the Odds Be Ever in Your Favor"..."May the Wings Be Ever in Your Flavor"...I swear...Americans have the best sense of humor. Noboru asked each of the boys, the day he arrived. What do you want him to make sure... gets done while he's here. And Branden said, "that I get registered for driving school." And Noah said, "I hope I can try Wing Stop" lol. Noah loves buffalo wings and that was the only thing on his wish list. Adorable, Noboru thought! So he said, to the both of them, done and done! So I ordered them on my cell. While we were driving with B in the movie theater parking lot. And then we went to get wings. Noboru and Noah are the biggest wing fans, I have ever seen. They truly love buffalo wings. 

Noboru taking a pic to send to his friends in Japan. : ) At Wing Stop. 

We let Noah pick which flavors, since it was his wish to eat there. Noboru helped him decide. I personally am open to any flavor. They picked garlic parmesan and original. We drove home and had these for lunch. Mission accomplished that day. Bran got his drivers permit and Noah got to try the wings he'd been dreaming about and hoping to try. Noboru and Noah weren't blown away by the wings sad to say. Oh well, at least he got to try. : )

Gap USA, online was having a 50% off sale. We urged Bran to pick some sweatshirts. He didn't want any. @_@ Noah picked 2. Also Old Navy was having a sale, 1 sweatshirt in particular was $10, for just that 1 day. Noboru loved the price so much. We 4 all hopped in the car and drove to the bigger-ish city and Noboru got that sweatshirt, so did Noah and he wanted to buy Bran the same one too. B didn't want that sweatshirt either. It's a zip hoodie, gray and the navy blue wording says simply Old Navy. I thought what a good basic. So did Noboru and Noah but, you know Bran is getting older. He's a teen and I do respect his ideas. On what clothes he'd like. So Noah did get 3 sweatshirts. 2 Gap and 1 Old Navy. Noboru just wanted to make sure the boys were going to be warm in the Fall and Winter months. : ) 

Noboru was here for 3 long wonderful weeks. We were looking for a navy blue warm cozy fleece type winter blanket for each of the boys beds. We checked Walmart and Target first. No navy blue fleece blankets there. But we found them at Marshalls. For super cheap. Cheaper than the prices at Walmart. 

Super high quality by American designer Tommy Hilfiger. And only $16.99 each. 

They are a nice thick weight. And super super soft. I washed them both and put both on each of the boys beds. Definitely warm enough for Fall. Not sure how winter will feel around here. But if need be, I can always zip out and pick up another at Marshall's. But for Fall weather, they're plenty warm.

We also picked up a warm fleece blanket for my bed too. They had one at Walmart for $26. But Marshall's was just cheaper. And the quality is better.

We all have T shirt sheets and pillow cases. Because they're so soft. And the color of my sheets is this pillow case on the left. I actually took this pillow case with me to Marshall's because they had so many different shades of gray, that I didn't wnat to buy the wrong shade, so I brought my own gray pillow case and doing that... made sure I found a dead on match and look. How the pillow case matches my fleece blanket. 

Loved the price. I did wash it and tumbled it dry. And my bed is so cozy now. Again though, perfect for Fall. I have never lived in this state before. I have never experienced winter here. If I were to guess, I would say their winters are mild. Just like my area of Chiba was. I do not think it gets like serious winter here like Minnesota does. Or Alaska does. But again, I have no winter experience of this state yet. Plus keep in mind.. all townhouses and houses in America have central heating. So, again, I'm not sure if 1 warm thick weight blanket will be enough plus our comforter too. Or if I will... start of December run out and buy more blankets? Again, I'll find out. : )

Noboru had take out pizza 3 times. What, I do is I cook dinner in America 6 nights each week. Every Saturday we order pizza. Depending on who is cheaper that week. We order from either Papa John's or Pizza Hut. The first weekend Noboru was here, we had Papa John's. The 2nd weekend Noboru was here we had Pizza Hut and the final weekend Noboru was here we had Papa John's. Pizzas run around $7.99 for a 2 topping pizza, size large at Pizza Hut and size extra large at Papa John's which is about the same size of a Pizza Hut large. In Japan, I cooked dinner just about 7 nights a week. So for me, it's sort of wonderful to get a break from cooking once a week.  And sure we could hit Wendy's or Taco Bell or KFC or whatever. But we mostly just go for the pizza.

I was really sad when Noboru left. But, we accomplished a lot while he was here. We winterized the kids a little bit more. We winterized the beds. We winterized the car. We got to have that amazing important family time. And he'll be back here in January. The kids and I... are just quietly living here. The kids are doing so well here. Halloween is this coming week. They both have their Halloween costumes already. Branden did enjoy his homecoming. Branden's driving is improving little by little. Today is Branden's birthday. He turns 17 years old today. Can you believe it? He has his second scheduled drive with his driving instructor this evening at 6:30pm. And after an hour of driving, he drives himself to our townhouse. And the instructor then drives back to the driving school. We went out to an early birthday dinner when Noboru was here. A place of Branden's choosing (The Red Lobster) he also got birthday money from grandpa in Denver and from us too and got to pick out some new clothes. I do have an ice cream cake here. And we'll have a quiet little family thing here at home, just us 3. Tomorrow the kids and I are going to the movies too. We'd go tonight, but B has his driving lesson. So we'll go and enjoy a movie tomorrow. How is the weather? Yesterday and today feels really cold. Up until yesterday... it felt really warm in the daytime and cool at night. But yesterday was a gray day all day, low heavy clouds and while I was picking up Noah at middle school yesterday. And it's been raining off and on, ever since yesterday. It's still gray skies and cool. The wind is starting to have a bite to it.  

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. : )

Noah's final Observation Day at our local elementary school in Japan...

Last Thursday March 1st, was Noah's final Observation Day as an elementary school student. And on a more important note, it was also Noah's final Observation Day in Japan PERIOD. So a super special day for us and him. Observation Day was for the last class of the day, for all 6 grades. Two weeks beforehand, Noah told me that his 6th grade class had planned to bake cookies the day before Observation Day. Something us parents and our 6th grade student could share together. And a week beforehand the 6th graders were deciding, if the final Observation Day should be us watching and observing class or if we should go and play some dodge ball in the gymnasium. They voted and decided we should play dodge ball. So that's what we did. March 1st, at 1:20pm us 6th grade parents met outside the school gym. Our 6th graders were already waiting for us inside the building. Important to note... this is the day we all paid for their elementary school yearbook. 22,000 yen/ around US$200.00 We paid, got our receipt. And entered the gymnasium. Living in rural Japan, with a town population under 5,000 people. Our school has just one 6th grade class. And only one 1st grade class, and only one 2nd grade class etc.  36 kids total for the 6th graders. We split the kids in half and had 2 dodgeball games going at once in the gym. I've known these parents since Noah was a first grader. Remember since our town is so tiny, our town doesn't even have a yochien. There is 1 hoikuen in our actual town, but both Branden and Noah went to a yochien in a small city nearest our town. And some of the parents, I have known since Branden was in the first grade too. So, for me...when I look at these pictures. I see parents that I am really fond of. I see people who we have enjoyed undokai/sports day with  for 6-9 years, if they were also fellow parents from Branden's ichinensei too.When I see this picture, I see Noah. I see my husband and I also see my friends and Noah's friends. 

The biggest of smiles and best of laughs. My husband and his friend. They are both in the Father's Club. This man in red has 2 daughters. His oldest daughter was a classmate of Branden's since they were first graders. And his middle daughter is Noah's age. We have been close with this family for 9 years. Living in rural Japan, your relationships with others... especially if you raise kids here. Your bonds are tight. Your friendships are close. Noboru being originally from Osaka and me being originally from America, this town just welcomed us with open arms and an open mind. Friendships like this are truly priceless. And the "helper" teacher in the background in gray, I adore her so much! She's fantastic. 

Let's try not to get hit with the ball!

Noah's main teacher in the gray pants and blue sweatshirt. 

Noah having such a great day! He loves dodgeball.

The 6th graders sang a graduation type of song for us parents. They all did so wonderfully. 

Noah is part of the Baking Club, so he had to get to school extra early, the day before and make the dough with the other 6th grade baking club members. And then at regular school starting time, the rest of the 6th graders met them in the cooking room. Our school has an amazing huge cooking room. And they baked cookies until lunch that day. After the kids sang... they passed out the cookies to us parents. The note sent home the day before, said for us parents to bring our own drink. Noboru and I each brought a bottle of tea and Noah had ice tea in his thermos. 

One bag for the 6th grade child and the other bag with note attached, was for their parent. Noboru and I munched on the cookies Noah made for us. They were delicious. It was a very good idea to bake cookies. Teachers have the best ideas! : )

This note attached to the cookies was written to us from Noah. It says, "For 6 years, thank you for supporting me" Truly such a fantastic note. Such appreciation from my son. Thank you Noah! I will always continue to support you and also your brother too. I love you both so much. So anyway, that was Noah's final Observation Day.

We also had another event, which was basically a "Good bye to the 6th graders event," where all grades sort of celebrate the 6th graders. There was an emotional slide show too. In Japanese it's called, Rokunensei o Okurukai. We had that yesterday. March 5th. I enjoyed all of it, but I admit I cried when they showed the slide show, of our kids starting out as little "pika pika ichinensei" And show pics of our kids, throughout all 6 grades. And by the time, we hit the 5th grade, I was crying. Many of us parents were. So were the kids. Noah graduates March 16th. Right now, because the 6th graders will be graduating soon. Noah goes to school 20 minutes early in the mornings now.... all 6th graders are right now. They have been practicing for graduation since yesterday and this will continue until the day before graduation. Also right now because Noah is a 6th grader and also spring break is almost upon us, Noah has a very irregular schedule right now. He gets out of school right now 2pm most days, but some days it's 11am. So his coming home time right now is shortened now. And as for Branden, he has high school tests this week and next week. So he is getting out of school at 11am for this week and next week. I feel with their irregular schedules....I really have to stay on my toes. And be sure to check and double check *both* their schedules every single day. March is proving to be a busy month for our household. : )