Our Friday afternoon at swimming school! : )

What a busy day. Nice day, but busy nonetheless! We informed the swim school that he is now to go twice a week for the summer and so we filled the proper paperwork out for that. And we went upstairs and found a seat. With Noboru off work today, he got to enjoy the swimming class with us. Here is one of the coaches and she is clapping and cheering Branden on! I really like that about swimming class in Japan. They tell you how to do it. They do want you "spot on" that is true, but they also really praise your efforts and cheer you on every step of the way!

She was making sure his underwater swimming was right. And she made him go back and forth a few times at it. I could see by her gestures she would say "make your arms a bit straighter" or do this or do that. And then she would praise him when he got it right. Meanwhile we looked on. And she knows we look on too. Some parents watch their kids and some don't or can't. They will just drop them off and come back when it's time to pick them up. I think it's personal choice and again whatever works for each family. But, I like to watch, so I can see the progress of his swimming. And that way if the coach has to discuss something with me, I know what she is talking about exactly. Or if he wasn't paying attention, for example I will tell him, pay attention better next time. Or I'll say..."wow you did so extra good today, let's go get that ice-cream" although we get ice cream every time though, ha ha ha. But you know what I mean.

That's Branden in the bright neon green kids Speedo goggles. I like the bright color, so I can pick my kid out of the swimming pool super easily. Boy does that help! Ha ha ha. : )

Noah and his buddies! These are Noah's Friday swim school buddies. Different kids from his Wednesday swim buddies of Noah's. All these kids have an older sibling in the pool. Noah's brother is B, of course. The little boy also has an older brother. And the cute little girl has an older sister in the pool right now. These 3 amigos, if you will, play their butts off every Friday (we swam Friday's last summer)! Next year at this time though, Noah and the little girl will be in swimming class on their own though because they will be 3 year olds next year. However, the little boy has a bit more of a wait. That's okay though they are all still good pals! For what it's worth, I've known that little boy since he was a new born last year. And now he's walking, granted wobbly walking but he is walking just the same. Every time he sees me, he wobbly walks right over to me! : )

For Friday there's about 4 in the same level Branden is in give or take a few. So it's no easy win. They are all at the same exact level. Coach had them race this way. And Branden lost, he was 3rd, you can tell by the glasses. He looked up at the window and we smiled and put up a #1 hand. And we smiled. He smiled back (playfully of course). And then the coach had them race back the opposite way.

And Branden won! Again you can tell by the green goggles. Again it's all for fun. But it helps the kids. With every race for fun, they are getting stronger arms, better upper body strength. Good cardio. Plus the coach cheers everyone on, whether they lose or not!

There was Branden turning around, looking at the coach and she clapped. Plus none of us parents really cares who wins upstairs at all, we are all friends upstairs anyways. But it gets the kids excited so it's okay! : )

Now another technique. he has to lay half face in the water, on his side. She is bending his body to the right position. Giving him the ol' pep talk.

She tells him by her gestures, "scissor feet" move your feet like scissors! Branden does exactly as she says and he has it! We watch from the window.

See the coach extended her arm like that? She is reminding him extend your arm like that!!! And then he did and she clapped for him when he got it right again. She had him do about 4 or 5 reps of these, until he got it exactly right.

And here he was coming back the other way. Scissor feet and all, lol! He has it down pact now! She will test him on this again next Wednesday I am sure. : )

Now the back stroke. She didn't like his lean back position here. LOL.

So, she had him do it properly one more time. Here he is face up against the wall and then he bent his head back yet again and she shook her head, yes! And he went for it!

She told him what he did right. Praised him for it. Told him what he did wrong and she coached him through it. She really is a fantastic coach.

Noah taking a drink from his apple juice and to grab a snack before returning to playing with his friends again. He also got a quick glimpse of B in the pool before returning back to his buddies.

And yet even another bigger girl came to play and what did they do? Well they all thought it would be fun to go check out the tape covering the electrical light socket. But all us parents put a stop to that. And then they quickly lost interest in that and started playing another game. After swim school, and buying the kids each an ice-cream, we went to the grocery store. Why? Well, because there has been talk of a big typhoon coming to Japan. Now, I went to the grocery store a few days ago and got a weeks worth of food already and I am well stocked up. But with the constant talk of a typhoon. Some say it's going to be really bad. That it will come to Chiba on Saturday and now there's talk of a delay of it coming on Sunday. In either case, I ran to the store with the kids and hubby in tow to get an extra loaf of bread, English muffins, carton of milk, a box of Kirin straight tea, 2 apple juices, 1 orange juice, 2 bottles of Qoo Sumomo momo, a bottle of water, extra batteries for our flash light, 2 candles just in case of power failure. Batteries for the small Spongebob stereo, so we could at least have music if we lost power. Fresh fruit, we bought a quarter of a watermelon, grapes, stuff for salad, bananas, and even though we have about a weeks worth of food to begin with like I said, we bought these few extras just in case, all heck, really does hit the fan with regards to this typhoon. Though I am crossing my fingers it will lose it's strength like the lady at CNN said it would. Oh yeah and Noboru bought a big thing of charcoal, because he says if we lose power, we can always cook food on the grill outside, rain or not. LOL. So we are set, I guess/hopefully. Pics we saw on TV, of what happened to like Okinawa scared us because they really got hit hard with it. I hope we don't get hit too hard. Oh man! : )

Our Friday morning and the pulling of the dashi for the natsu-matsuri! : )

Today, was a sorta practice run for the "real day" of the summer festival/natsu matsuri. They invited the kids from Branden's yochien to come and pull the rope or dashi, if you will. I'm sure you in Japan don't need an explanation, since you already know. But for other's not in Japan, I'll try my best at explaining. See, that giant Japanese float in the background (for lack of a better word here)? Well it is quite heavy. Think heavy wood wheels and extremely old statue type thing. Two ropes are in front and you pull it. Usually adults. But today, our yochien/kindergarten got to do this. They did this last year as well. Branden was the one in this pic, wearing yellow shorts, the new PE uniform. I wish they were all wearing the same uniform. However Branden went through that growth spurt a while back remember, and that white outfit does *not* fit properly anymore and since they only sell the yellow one now. Then that is the way it has to be, unfortunately ha ha ha. However one other boy is now wearing the yellow one as well. So now there's 3 total wearing the yellow uniform, phew, at least he isn't the only one! : )

Noah got a kick out of watching all of those "big" kids pull the dashi/rope. The kids were screaming.....Wasshoi!!!! (Sp?) Even, I was screaming...wasshoi!!! Though I am a bit nerdy and I admit that. I was just really having a blast, I can't help it! : )

There they are giving it a good pull.

On the day of the actual festival. There will be a large number of those huge floats. And what seems like millions of people all packed like sardines all trying to get a good look at them. So, it was sorta nice for the kids to be able to participate and pull the dashi without the crowds of all the people on the real day.

All these yochien mom's in the background are all very very nice. All our sons swim together as well. Also water canals all around with boats of people looking on.

Hey, here is a boat right now as a matter of fact, ha ha ha!

Group photo! This is Branden's class. And that is his teacher with the black t- shirt in the background. She is a really super teacher! Branden adores her. He really likes being in her class. She likes him as well. She has never had a complaint about Branden either, she says he is a good student and good athlete (obviously we just had a parent teacher conference the day before, ha ha ha). In fact all the kids really like this teacher.Noboru and I also really like her a bunch ourselves. Very helpful lady. She will be Noah's teacher eventually, ha ha ha. Good thing we all get along so well, huh? Ha ha ha. Phew! : )

Close up shot of the kids! : ) And my day isn't over by a long shot. Now I have to run home, prepare lunch. Throw another load of clothes into our dryer. And then we are off to swimming school. Today we are going because we have to make up for B missing last weeks swim lesson due to us being in Guam. I also am increasing his swimming lessons during this summer to twice a week, versus just once a week. I figure I will be keeping my little guy as active as I possibly can this summer versus just being bored. I'm also enrolling him in Kumon. Many of you know, I have been debating about sending him or not sending him. After of about 6 month's of deep thinking about it. I searched online and found they have Kumon in the US now and I read their homepage in English, boy did it answer a lot of the questions I had about it. All the moms talked highly about it at my yochien like I said before, saying it is giving their kids a little boost in their Japanese writing and reading. Noboru does help him and he does have study books in Japanese here at the house. But, I think Kumon is something our family can benefit from. Granted every family is different and as it should be, but for us we think Kumon can help us prepare for when B starts the first grade next April. So, he will be going to swimming twice a week for an hour and a half each time. So 3 hours of swimming a week. That's not too much, but enough for him to stay busy and hopefully pass to another level by the end of summer. And twice a week, he will go to Kumon for an hour a night. Again not hours upon hours of study, but enough to give him a head start for next year, we are hoping. Plus most of his days will be spent in the backyard, playing with his brother or swimming in our little plastic inflatable pool just having regular fun anyway. Or frog hunting, or playing with the kids in the neighborhood. So it's not like he will be all stressed out or anything. But yeah, we have an assessment appointment for July 23rd or 24th or something. And then after that, he will begin Kumon from that week.

Building a fence! : )

After we got back from Guam, we sorta jumped right back into the swing of things. We have been wanting to do a few small improvements here and there to the landscaping and yard and such. So we went to the local hardware store, or DIY if you will. And got, lumber, hardware and whatever else and Noboru built this fence this week. It took him just 2 short days from start to finish. Including the dry time the concrete base had to dry. And he did it all by himself. We wanted to get it up and done before the weekend typhoon we were expecting came. We will be painting it ASAP, but with typhoons and harsh rains and such. We will have to wait painting it, until we get a forecast of 2 sunny days in a row and as soon as that happens then we will paint it. Noboru wants a white picket fence. Because he wants the fence to match the metal fence in the backyard. Yet we are also considering staining it to the same color as the front porch. Hmmm. Decisions, decisions, huh? But anyway that is one reason we were a bit busy this week. Fence building. Plus we have been getting ready for the summer festival at Branden's school. We both have many things they asked both of us to do. So we have been quite busy. I've been making art cutouts for summer fans (you know to fan off the heat with, lol), Noboru is going to be selling hot dogs at the summer festival and between us both we have just been a bit busy with the fence and the summer festival volunteer duties, we've both been assigned. No complaints though, it is going to be a blast! We're all looking forward to it. Also, I have been on a hunt for the boys' jinbei's (sp?) for this year. We found an adorable one for Noah, rather quickly online, but Branden's was a bit trickier to find. Well, only because we are a bit picky, but we found a really nice one and so I'm happy about it. All, I have to do is buy their Japanese sandals to go with their jinbeis. Some of the sandals are wood, some are tatami looking types (I prefer these kinds), so many choices. Ha ha ha. I love it though because I find choosing the outfits for their Japanese summer outfits really fun! : )

A belated happy birthday to my little Tanabata boy, Noah! : )

I've often seen fabulous moms who share pics of their kids on their birthday, from when they were wee little ones up until the age they are at the time of their birthday. I've never done this before but I have always wanted to, because it's a cute idea, sorta reflecting back if you will. So I thought I should try it this year. : )Noah, looking at this picture today. I remembered what you were like at this age. I was flooded with happy memories. The pic above you were about 10 weeks, old, I believe and this pic you were about 12 weeks old. I could find out for sure, but it's about that. You weren't a crying whining baby. You were a good baby. Quiet. Observant of everything around. And you were most attracted to the sound of Branden's voice at this age. Clearly you adored your brother even at this age. : )

This was our old bedroom from our old rental house. Noah, you probably won't even remember that old house. Branden does though. But you were too small when we moved from here to this new house. But here you were doing tummy time. Noah, your face looks the same to me, even now. You just look older now, but still pretty much exactly the same. You always have that Noah, Noah look to you! It's the eyes, that's how I can always tell.

The last Fourth of July, you still weren't quite 1 year old yet. A few days short of it actually!

You were just 1 year old. Last July actually. At the Narita Bukujo/farm thing.

Another pic from that Bokujo. A smiling slightly sun blinded picture of a happy Noah-chan.

In the beginning of August last year, at a summer festival. You looked so handsome in your jinbei.

At the end of August, playing with your very good buddy, Kazu-kun!

In October, at swimming school. Playing with your brother's winter school hat. You have always been so silly and fun! : )

At your brothers private Catholic school, waiting for him to get out of school. So you played around waiting for him to get out of class. And yup, the shirt just about says it all. : )

In October again, I believe. What a truly happy child you are! Sweet personality and so kind. Very kind eyes!

At the swimming school, yet again, being as silly as ever. Knowing you! Ha ha ha! Here you were modeling your brothers swimming cap! You sure know how to make us all smile!

Aha, you are now getting even bigger. This was taken in February of this year, we were in Saipan.

You look the same as you did when you were just a wee little thing doing your tummy time, ha ha ha. You were about 19 month's old at this time. Just as kind and sweet and silly as ever!

And now here you are, at age 2. Wow, my little Noah honey. I have watched you grow and grow and I have enjoyed every single minute of it.

I often ask myself what will you be like when you grow up? What job will you have?Who will you marry? Truth is, I don't have all the answers. But I'm just going to enjoy you being a little kid for as long as you are one! We love you and adore you to bits Noah. So glad we were blessed to have you. Happy second birthday Noah! July, 7, 2007 : )

Beach days! : )

We spent many of our days playing at the beach! Branden learned how to snorkel this time and he loves it and is really good! Noboru snorkeled and I absolutely love snorkeling myself. : )

Rinsing the sand off at the showers near the beach.

I absolutely adore this picture of Noah! Granted Noboru looks like he's being blinded by the sun or whatever, ha ha ha. But I am framing this pic of Noah! I'm also going to frame the first pic of B on this post, with the pic of Tumon Bay behind him as well. : )

My smiling gorgeous son! : )

Pool days! : )

Branden sliding down this slide! He really likes this slide! So, do I though! : )

Grandpa (my dad) obviously loves this slide as much as the rest of us! He's going to be 60 years old on August 3rd and he's yet to slow down, he keeps going strong! Ha ha ha! : )

The view of this pool is amazing. I sat up against the edge of this thing and I just relaxed and checked out the beautiful view. It was awesome! I also swam laps, raced Branden a few times back and forth. Ha ha ha.

There goes Branden, 5 years old and already swimming under water like a fish! Ha ha ha! : )

My dad and Noah. : )

My dad and both the boys! : )

My dad cruising the water slide, ha ha ha! : )

Noboru and the boys hanging near the baby pool, taking a breather for a while! Meanwhile Noah-chan looks on as grandpa comes cruising down the slide! Ha ha ha! : )

Grandpa and Branden, the sliding duo, the sliding twosome! : )

Talk about, one heck of a splash landing, ha ha ha! We swam half of our days at the pool and the other half of our days at the beach and in the ocean. But *every* single day was spent in the water! Splish splashing around as a family! : )

Our room at the Hilton! : )

Okay, I usually share a pic or two of the hotel room we stayed. Just to share the whole feel of our trip or whatever. I swear you all, who read this blog must be experts of the Hilton hotel in Guam by now, ha ha ha. Just kidding. Again in my defense, we do not stay here because we are all fancy or hoity toity or anything, because we aren't ha ha ha. Nor are we aiming to be like, Snooty Mc Snooterpants or anything. To be fair, we stay here because my hubby works for NWA, this is the hotel where us airline employees and families can stay for on the cheap. We stay for like, $69.00 bucks a night and so we stay here for that reason. We are.... the cheapskate family, always loving a good bargain, ha ha ha. : )


Every single night, we hit a conbini to grab some snacks. First night, we hit the regular grocery store and got a 12 pack of Lipton brisk iced teas. A two liter of Mountain Dew. A box of juices with straws for the kiddos. And nuts, carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, yum! Chips and a few more snacks. And so after a first day of checking into the hotel, swimming a few hours and having dinner with my dad, we ended our first night watching TV and munching some snacks! : )


Our balcony, but on the islands they call it, a lanai! : ) But whatever you call it, we loved it! We sat on here a lot, whenever we were in the hotel room that is and just sat watching the ocean! I would go out in the mornings with a cup of coffee and sit on the lanai while the kids were still sleeping and just watch a few early bird swimmers. We'd (Noboru and I) also sit out here at night after the kids went to sleep and we'd just sit and chat. It was pretty nice! : )



The ocean view from our balcony! : )



I can see a few people swimming or walking along the beach already and it's barely morning still.

It was a very peaceful view. A nice quiet park down below and beach and ocean elsewhere. Also that park closes around 5:00 pm. So there wouldn't be a single soul parked below in the evening. So when we would sit on the balcony it was always just so quiet, well unless you count the sound of the wind. Ha ha ha : )