September happenings! Getting the boys Fall weather ready! Revamping our living room, currently in progress! Moon viewing and pumpkin spice coffee creamer, good eats, etc!

Okie Dokie, this is going to be a long post, so sorry in advance. : ) This is just some of the happenings and stuff we've been up to around here for September. And since September is almost over, I figured I better get this up. Every Fall and Spring, I post how I am doing with getting the boys ready clothes wise...regarding a change of season coming. So this is that part of the post. Gap stuff bought from the outlet in Nagano.

Don't remember if these were 50 or 60% off. But the total for all the sweatshirts for Branden's and Noah's was like 8,000 or 9,000 yen. And not bad for 5 sweatshirts really.  Noah is a 130cm size, in every shop and store, he's average in height and superly skinny/thin. And Gap pants too, 130cm. So we were totally surprised when we had him try on the 130cm size Gap sweatshirts and they were tiny, they looked like last years size sweatshirts. Like if they shrunk 1 dot or if he grew 1 dot, they'd be outgrown. So that's why we bought the 140cm. 

Noah's color sweatshirts, red with navy words, navy blue with bright yellow words and the brown with red words, the brown goes well with his hair. Hahaha. : ) So those are what Noah brought back from the outlet in Nagano. A nice start to the Fall weather. 

Branden is a straight 160cm size. We also had Branden try on a small man's sweatshirt and the small looked identical in size as this 160cm size. And the medium man's was ginormous on Branden. : )

So Branden got these 2. The size and since Gap sizes here in Japan, are cut a bit slimmer then American Gap clothes, it even says that at the store. So, we felt it was better to get him 2 and get him anything else from Gap US. 

Branden did get new swim trunks though, he can wear any trunks since he's a level 1. And he really liked these. : )  

Cecile online ordering in Japan. I really like their quality of their jeans and jean shorts a lot. I find the jean material, thick not paper thin. They're just made really well. And the prices are wow! So good. I always buy Branden's and Noah's jeans in winter and jean shorts in summer from here. 

Three pair for Branden and 1 pair for Noah. Because we bought Noah 2 brand new pair of jeans in size 130cm in May and he wore them only once or twice, so they're like brand new still. So they both have 3 pair of jeans each so far. Again it's a start. : ) 

From the Gap, thought this shirt was so cool! Loved the color and the tie! So ordered this for both the boys. 

This style seems to be really in this year. Bought this for both the boys. From Gap and used a 40% off coupon.

Loved this varsity jacket. Now both the boys have it.  So again just getting ready for the Fall weather, little by little. 

These 4 Gap sweatshirts in size 12, ordered them in May? Branden's 11 years old. And they still are nice and roomy so he can wear these. So, sweatshirt wise, Branden is doing pretty good. 

This fleece from Gap, also still has plenty of room to grow for Branden. So sweatshirt wise, Branden is doing okay. I think he'll get a pair or two of pants still and some long sleeve tops, a few packs of socks, but that's about it.  

Same for Noah, he also got some new Gap sweatshirts late Spring/ early Summer this year. And so he can wear these as well. So sweatshirt wise, Noah is totally set. I think Noah will get another pair or two of pants and some new socks maybe for both the boys but otherwise they're doing good and when the cold weather finally hits, they'll be ready, clothes wise. : )  What else....

Homework. Noboru helping Noah with his homework. This day, Noah had to read a story and however many times you read it, you could get a stamp for it. He read it many times for Noboru and ended up with a few stamps. : ) And Noah does have a study desk in his room, but he does enjoy doing his homework at the kitchen table, while I cook dinner. And Noboru meanwhile helps with the homework. 

Branden has a study desk in his room too. : ) But again, he also likes to be in the kitchen while I'm cooking. I think he likes the company, which is fine, I enjoy the company too. : )  That day Branden was doing his math. He's really good at math. : ) 

Noboru and I went to Costco one day during September, we ended up having lunch there. I had a slice of combo pizza, Noboru had the 2 hot dogs behind the pizza. 

We each had a Mountain Dew. I love Mountain Dew. : ) 

We bought 2 rotisserie chickens that night and....

Ground beef and cheese. 

Rotisserie chicken tacos. Okay probably not the most authentic tacos, granted. But so freaking good and so easy! Thanks to the rotisserie chicken. We had salsa from Costco, lettuce, sour cream, rice. One plate of slice dark meat for Noboru. One plate of sliced white meat for the boys and I. Sodas. 

Rice and rotisserie chicken. 

Lettuce, cheese, sour cream and salsa. What a great Friday evening, the weekend is here dinner that night! Easy peasy but super filling! 

Noah enjoying his dinner that night. 

Three cheers for the weekend! And three cheers for easy but yummy meals! : )

With summer on the outs. And Fall here to stay, for the time being. Summer stuff is cheap right now. These were on sale for super cheap, and so I bought them. Lemon shave ice syrup. Hiding in my pantry now and if for some reason some one feels like one this Fall or winter, well I'll have it on hand. And the expiration date is longer then a year away. So, it'll get used. 

Slices of pork, not too paper thin, but not so thick it was pork chop thickness. Ginger pork type thickness. 

This ginger pork sauce is so good! It has pieces and bits of ginger and everything. 

Marinated in this pan all day in the fridge, wrapped with plastic wrap of course. Dinner that night, we had broccoli and a side salad and rice with this. It was so good. 

And this was on a Saturday of another week during September. We said, let's have pizza. So to Costco Inzai we went. 

One pepperoni pizza and 1 combo pizza. That was a great way again to just enjoy a Saturday night with the family here at home. 

Also picked up some made in Chiba rice at Costco. 

We had tiramisu all that weekend also. Hmm, what else have we been up to. 

We went to Ikea. Love Ikea. Our couch, coffee table, TV stand, book case, basically every dot of furniture in our living room comes from Ikea. Our kitchen table comes from Ikea, as does our corner white cabinet in the kitchen also. Branden's bed comes form Ikea, as does his night stand. Hmm, yeah 98% of all our home furniture comes from there. So of course we love Ikea. : )  Anyway, I read this blog of this wonderful family in America and they recently moved house. However, they got right to business and started decorating their house ASAP! Picture frames, artwork on walls. I mean it looks fantastic. And well, it got me thinking. My house is clean. However as far as decorating it goes, I have not. : (  I really have zero excuse why. But if I were to try and eek an excuse out... I'd say this. When we first moved to this house we had built. Our first year was spent trying to put the basics in it. Blinds for every room. Couch, TV stand, kitchen table. And so on and so on. That stuff costs a lot, if you want nice pieces. And so it took a full year to get everything just right. Then you add on, things like enrolling Branden into a new yochien since we moved. And if you've ever enrolled into a yochien in Japan. It can cost about a thousand dollars easy. Entrance fees, monthly fees, uniforms (summer and winter and they are NOT cheap), backpack and summer and winter uniform, okay I just said that, hahaha. Plus Branden started swimming, Kumon. yada yada yada. So many other details and expenses. I'd like a trip home or to America once a year, you know what I mean. So money went for that. And no wonder the decorating of our house just always got put to the backest of back burners. : ) So anyway, years have passed. No longer do we have any expensive yochien monthly fees. Etc. And well, so after looking at that family's wonderful blog. It got me thinking. "Gina you should do it now" This is the time. And so all September, I decided what I should do. Should I try and do each and every room all at the same time? @.@ Yeah I don't think so. So I decided I will go and do 1 room by 1. Slowly and nicely. I will start with the living room. So the first week of September, I looked at online sites like Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma. Pier 1. Ikea online. Nittori. I mean I have been really looking. So yeah that's why we went to Ikea. 

We went to the Ikea in Saitama. Saitama prefecture is far for us, but we don't have to take a highway (fees) versus if we went to the one in Chiba, (near lalaport) where we would have to take a highway or be stuck in traffic forever. And went to the Costco right near it to grab lunch for the drive home. I had a Mountain Dew and chicken sandwich. Noboru had 2 hot dogs again. : ) I enjoyed going to Ikea on a weekday. It wasn't crowded at all. 

The typhoon, where we live was nothing. It lost it's punch before it ever got near our house. But apparently it hit Saitama sorta bad. Look at the field, it's under water! 

Goal post under water.

Goal post under water, just said that but.... only a tiny tip out of the water, bike path wiped out. Tree with water to the top branches. Wow! Because our area got heavy winds but no heavy rains at all. Anway...

Gold mirror for the genkan area. Okay okay, I did get this for the genkan/entry way versus the living room. But, to be fair, we both saw this online and measured the area here at home and we knew we wanted this. 

Out with the old seat cushions and in with the new identical seat cushions. 

Living room stuff and this color matches perfectly for our TV stand area. 

Picture frames for the boys bedrooms, liners for the kitchen and pot holders, because my potholders were so old... they were against the law or against something! Hahaha. They needed a changing. : ) 

Drawer and cabinet liners.

Alright you caught me again! This was for the bathroom and not the living room. : ) Bathroom mat. I want 1 more of these! And a towel hook for over the door. And suction cup hooks for my face sponge when I shower. 

Towel hooks for over the door. 

With hot sudsy soapy water and my wash rag, I scrubbed all 4 chairs. Boy were they dirty! Yikes! : ) Threw the old cushions away, they were used to the end. We got our money's worth. And replaced them. 

This on the left is a disinfect/cleaning the drum of the washer button.... at the laundry mat. I always press that. It's free. : ) Before I put the blankets into the washer. 

400 yen. 

Dead as always. I always do my blanket washing on non rainy days. I am here every week, washing every one's bedding, our king size comforter is squished in our washer at home, and here I can throw everyone's bedding in 1 washer. I went in the car to wait. 

Rice field view out the windows. : )  This is in my actual town. 

Love the sign in English, they bought their laundry baskets from America clearly, it says California on the sign. : ) And my tiny red car out the window. Threw the blankets into the dryer. Threw a few dryer sheets in there. And then brought the blankets home. I sure do love fresh clean sheets and blankets. : )

DVD stand, but might not end up using this in the end, I'm not sure. Also look at how messy these dvd's are in this pic! Every time you open the door one falls out! This is why this living room needs a much needed reshuffle in the organizing part. 

The words on this are right, I do like this because it is compact and slim, but again, I might not use this in the end either though. But for now, it's fine. 

The problem here is, there should be pictures of my family on this left wall here in this pic, not a plain bare wall. So that will be changed and picture frames will go here eventually. And problem 2 with this picture is the dvd's behind the glass doors. I don't want them visible. Which also leads me to think I don't want the dvd's in the slim stand visible either. So this has to be changed. You'll get a better idea what I want in the pics below. 

Okay, you see this center part of the TV stand? It looks perfect enough to me and I am happy with it. The baskets or storage I picked the color of the baskets/storage blends perfectly with the stand, it's not a stand out color or noticeable. It just blends so well, with the stand color and the black dvd player on the top shelf you can barely see. So no neon signs blaring glaring type decorating and I like that. However the problem is what's happening behind the glass doors. Sure the dvd's are neat and tidy now. However, you can see what they are, that they are indeed dvd's and lots of them. And I'd prefer not. I'd prefer they be there but not obvious. Look below and see what I mean. 

Black shelf with perfectly matched black boxes that store the stuff. This pic is from Ikea's website. I like this pic because they still have their stuff but you just can't readily see what it is. Again like the Ikea website says, "hiding in plain view" and I agree with that totally. I prefer leave my dvd's there, but not make it so obvious..."hey these are dvd's!" If you know what I mean.  And again I like the color of the boxes match the shelf! To me, that looks classy! 

Another shelf idea from Ikea. Black shelf with black baskets and boxes to store the stuff. That way the contents aren't screaming at you...DVD's here. Or you know what I mean. I want my dvd's there... but I don't want to hit you over the head with the fact I have dvd's there either. If that makes sense. I'd like them stored in a basket or something. 

Again bigger stuff on bottom. And smart to put some stuff not want seen in the baskets. 

Now this is the color of my furniture exactly! In fact that book shelf at the left in this pic looks almost like a dead ringer to mine. I like how they have magazine folders on the bottom row in brown to match the book shelf and 2 brown boxes to match also and I love how they have 3 baskets on the top shelf. It all matches together and the matching looks really good. Just a really well put together room, versus hodge podge and mismatched looking. Nothing screams at me when I look at this picture, it just matches quietly and it looks really good. This is sort of the route I am going to go. I'd like to organize my living room a lot better then it is right now. With boxes and baskets that match as close to the TV stand and book shelf as I can.  I want a living room we all feel comfortable being in. We feel relaxed in. 

I have had 6 of these baskets for the past 7 or so years. I think I'll need a few extras maybe. 

And maybe these. 

I'm not going to throw my magazines in the trash, but perhaps I can hide them in this magazine file in the book shelf so it doesn't scream..."Hi I'm a US Weekly!" : )  Again though, I am going to do my living room slowly, nicely. I want to do a quality job with it... so I'm not about to rush it.  But I am happy that I at least started on it. Finally, right. : ) 

This lamp base and lamp shade is what I think I will get for my living room as well. Because it would go perfect with the navy/denim and white striped couch we have.  And I love the price. Under $20 US for a lamp and shade. : )  But again, I am not in a race and I'm not in any rush. I will try to get my living room and genkan./entry way done by December 31st. And then after that, I will start with the kitchen. But, I do have a lot of good ideas. And I do have a good eye. And I do know what I want and also what I don't want either. So, that is a good thing. : ) I also don't want to spend a fortune either. I think moderately priced is good. 

This is the towel rack I put up last week in the bathroom area upstairs. It's really cute. And at $4 US, the price was more then fair. : ) 

You remember the 4 storage areas underneath the dvd player. Well, 1 is for the Wii-motes. And the other 3 are for my fave dvd's. This section is more along the lines of some John Hughes movies (Pretty in Pink, Some Kind of Wonderful) and also some coming of age movies (13 Going on 30 and Never been Kissed, etc) and some 80's movies (Flashdance, Valley Girl). 

Oz, as in, The Wizard of Oz, Return to Oz and Oz The Great and Powerful. : ) Twilight section and Pitch Perfect.  

Terminator section, The Hunger games, White Chicks, Bridesmaids. The Help, Ted, Harold and Kumar, The Host. The Last Samurai. Again the dvd's are there....it's just... they're just hiding in plain sight is all. And I'd like to do that with the ones behind the glass also. 

Three Diary of a Wimpy Kid, 4 Ice Age, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Monsters Vs Aliens etc. 

Holiday dvd section. Again I do manage to keep things in a good little way....that's not the problem.... it's just I don't want the dvd's to be obvious anymore. A Christmas Story, Christmas Vacation, Elf, Charlie Brown Christmas. Etc. Anyway...not too much to say on it except...my living room is currently, a work in progress with regards to organizing it. Moving along....too much living room talk.  : )

We had curry one night and everyone had really good salads. With cucumbers and cheese, and we also had a few slices of pineapple each. 

Noboru and I went to lunch one afternoon. we make a point of going to to lunch together once a week while the boys are at school. To stay connected and talk. Enjoy each others company.  I had pizza and he picked ramen, we were at a food court type place. 

Fall to me, means pumpkins and apples. Apple pie, apple crumble, apple cider with a cinnamon stick, oh remember how good that was. : ) And pumpkin ice-cream, it was seasonal. Also, pumpkin flavored coffee, and last but not least, pumpkin pie. When I think of Fall, I think of apples and pumpkins. I just can't help it. : ) With Fall, here it sure was nice to get a nice care package of pumpkin spice creamer. Every morning, I have 1 cup of hot coffee. A nice pumpkin spice latte type coffee. It is so good. And makes me really happy Fall is indeed here. : ) What else....

Tsukimi Moon Viewing.  This moon viewing stuff is pretty popular here in Japan. And some fast food places even have special moon sandwiches (with an egg). Mc Donald's and KFC does. Anyway last week, Noah came home from school and his one and only homework assignment was to view the moon. All his classmates would also be moon watching that night also. I remember it was last Thursday night, because the boys swim that night. They ran home from where the swim bus drops them off and Branden, and Noah and myself went outside and watched the moon for a while. : ) It was beautiful and round. And I wish I could have captured a better picture, but oh well. : ) 

Noah with his binoculars! Hahaha. In our backyard. : )  Anyway Noah went to school last Friday and he said he and his classmates and teacher had a nice fun talk about the moon. : ) 

I know, I am a long ways away from starting in on the kitchen decorating, but I am already starting to get a few ideas. There is a big plain white wall behind where Noboru sits in the kitchen at dinner time. And right now, I am unsure if picture frames will go there or if this will go there. This wall organizer. I like this but I worry if it will look too cluttery. Hmm, but on the other hand I love that this is white and that this would look really good there. So either family photos or this wall thing. Hmm. Anyway, I've got a long ways away before I should be thinking kitchen decorating ideas. But it is at the back of my mind.

Anything else to add? Yesterday the boys had the day off from school. It was a holiday here yesterday. Autumn/Fall Equinox. Any day where I don't have to wake up at 5:30am, is A-okay by me. And a day off of school is still a day where the boys could play tennis at the tennis courts, just up the street in our housing community, with their friends yesterday and play a little remote control cars with the kids on our street after lunch. : )

The boys have field day/sports day/ undokai this coming Saturday. Undokai is a pretty big deal here. Half time performance. Grandparents and extended family usually show up. We usually go just us 4 though because all my family lives outside of Japan. : ) And Noboru's family lives in Osaka, well except uncle Jun and he's working hard so we wouldn't ask. However though, this year my dad's coming to cheer both Branden and Noah on. So, my dad's flying to Japan this Thursday. And he'll be leaving the following Tuesday. So, a nice visit we'll be getting this week.  So between preparing and making sure the boys are ready for undokai and getting ready for my dad coming this Thursday. Just a lot going on here at the moment. Plus I'm slowly (it's about time) getting the organizing of the living room under control.  Undokai obento means I will yet again be going to Costco Inzai this week, probably with my dad. : )  Hmm, either Thursday evening or Friday, day or evening.

In the news, tabloid or Hollywood type news. Miley Cyrus and the Hunger Games guy, Liam Hemsworth. called off their engagement. I wonder if it had anything to do with her performance at the VMA's last month or so. : ( What else. Cory Monteith being honored at the Emmy's. In the "In Memoriam" part seemed to cause a bit of a stir. I'm so glad James Gandolfini and Jean Stapleton were honored. I think I read, Jack Klugman's son was not thrilled Cory was added and yet his father was not. : ( I'm glad Cory was honored but I also wish they would have included Jack Klugman too and some others, so I can understand both sides. Meanwhile is it so? Is the Bieb's really back on with his ex girlfriend before Selena Gomez? lol. I thought I read that somewhere last week. Also, good thing Kanye shared a pic of North West, on Kris' talk show, now the paparazzi seems to have backed off some. : )  Anyway that's all for now. : ) 

Between now and the next 12 days, I will be going back to Ikea and trying to finish phase 1 of the living room. lol. : ) I will try to have my TV stand done 100% and the book shelf done 100%, baskets and storage, magazine files etc. Once that's done, I will start thinking about which mirror for the living room, I have picked it out and am 99% sure but want to be 100% sure before buying it and also where and how many picture frames. Lamp will probably go last but am not sure, have to get phase one done first. Which means a trip to Costco to get my pics developed in 4x6 sizes for the frames. I do know one thing, I need more life put into this room, possibly some plants too. And possibly some 5x7 frames too. But a start is still a step in the right direction, so phase 1 has started. Goodness only knows how many trips to Ikea I will be making in the next 2 month's. And Nittori. There's something I would like from Nittori too. Anyway I have talked your ear off enough for one post. Sorry it was so super long this time, but on the bright side, now at least you all are all caught up. : ) 

A swimming trophy and reaching level 1 for Noah!!!

Noah received his swimming trophy September 9th! When he tested and passed level 2 and became a level 1! All of us are so happy and proud of Noah! It's quite an accomplishment, if you really think about it. : )

August 5th, Noah tested and passed to a level 2. He was only a level 2 from August 5th to August 9th! Hahaha. So a very little time to be a level 2. From level 2 to level 1, you need to swim a medley, back and forth a few times and show quite a few different swimming styles. When he reached a level 2, he knew he could do the medley. It's just basically every move he's been learning since age 3, and so he felt ready. And I knew Noah could do it! However, I did sew level 2 onto his swimming cap and then onto his bag. 

And then August 9th came.  And he did it! : )

You earned this kiddo! We're so proud of you Noah!

Noah's silly pose!

One happy kiddo! : ) 

Noah's very first swimming lesson ever! And according to the date and time stamp on this, this was taken, July, 19th, 2008. At 3:40pm. The swimming levels type swim club start at age 3, at "our" swim school. Sure they have baby swim class. But I wanted Noah in the flowers and numbers type levels, so I waited until he hit age 3. And as soon as Noah hit age 3, July 7th.  We went the next day and signed up Noah on the spot. They had a campaign/deal, that said he could swim all summer long as many days and he could without swim uniform. And then at the end of the summer, they would give him the swim trunks and bag for an even cheaper deal/price then usual. So we signed Noah up for that. Branden already swam for that swim club. All that summer, I would drive both the boys. And I would watch Noah through the glass window upstairs. He was so small and so young, you guys. Very nervous to be away from us. So he would wave at Branden and I through the glass every time he'd get nervous or unsure of himself. Poor thing. : ) Some days it felt he waved at us abut 50 times. : ) And by gosh, that's okay you know! And every time he'd look up, I'd wave and smile real big and give him the thumbs up sign! Branden would give him an Ultraman pose, I remember and wave and smile also! Sometimes he'd have a very worried face or look like he was on the verge of tears, but only out of nerves. But Noah never cried. He just waved huge amounts because of those very nerves. He wanted to make sure we were still there, we weren't going to leave him and we were watching. ; )

Noah took to water so fast! Both Branden and Noah have a complete and total love for the water. Which is a good thing, since Noboru and I love the water too and enjoy spending beach time or pool time. So having our boys have a love of the water like that is really great. As time went on, Noah waved a little less and less.  When he was 4 or 5, he would wave about 10 times during 1 lesson still. So it did dwindle. And even now, if I go watch the boys, Noah will still wave a few times. Way more waves then Branden will though. And that's okay, it's just Noah! : ) And I still smile and wave. : ) 

August 15th, 2008! Is when Noah received his swimming bag for the very first time and his first swim trunks and swimming cap!

My little one, you look so unsure! Your mama, was and is so proud of you. And she knew you could do it and you did it! : ) And I knew you could Noah! Even way back then! : )

Two swimming bags. When Branden was downstairs in the water swimming, Noah would be with me upstairs. And when Noah was downstairs swimming Branden would be with me upstairs doing Kumon homework or having a snack or playing with his friends upstairs. 

Snacks I'd pack for the boys at swim school. Pretzels, granola bars, and peanuts with the clip. I'd bring water or juice box also. : )

This is how little Noah was when he first started swimming, you guys! Age 3. And he is now 8 years old! Still just as silly as ever and very kind. He is much more confident now as he has gotten older, but I still see those twinges or moments when he's still just a little unsure or a little nervous perhaps. Anyway you did it Noah! And we sure do love you! : ) 

Typhoon

A typhoon is supposed to be heading our way. Now, for the most part where we live meaning the location of our town.... about 97-98% of the time they lose all their power by the time they get to us. By the time they get to where we actually live in our town, they are downgraded to just “tropical storm” or what have you. : )

However, I get emails from the US Embassy, since myself and the boys are registered there and my email is also registered with them. I registered with them online years ago. The reason I mention this is because, I get helpful and important notices and information. Anyway I received an email from them a couple days ago saying a typhoon was coming to the Chiba area and to be aware. @_@ So, not sure if it will actually lose it’s punch by this time it gets to our area again, as usual or if it will actually hit us medium to hard. Gee, I really hope not.

When. It was originally expected Monday/tomorrow. Which is fine because as I said in my last post, Branden and Noah don’t have school tomorrow since it’s a holiday here in Japan. Respect for the Aged Day.  However the new updated weather news as of, this morning, it said it would come somewhere between this evening and also tomorrow as well.  So sorta between this evening and tomorrow is when it should get to us,

What’s the weather right now? It’s raining. Light to medium type rain. So, it’s not here quite yet. But you can definitely tell something is definitely brewing weather-wise. : )

Not to worry. We do have flashlights, candles, and a lot of food in the house, just in case the storm is a doozy, I really think it will mellow out though by the time it gets to us though...but famous last words right? Can never be too sure either though.

Today’s plan? I have a nice medium sized piece of beef, I cubed and then skillet fried and it’s been in the crock pot all morning. We’re having beef stew with lots of veggies tonight. Some rice if you want and I’ll also buy a loaf of French bread today too from the bakery, I'll run there real quick and come straight back.  The boys are playing Wii, as I type this. Also good thing is, yesterday was a nice sunny day because I washed their gym clothes, sneakers and inside shoes and school stuff basically outside. I knew it would be raining today so I made sure it got done yesterday. Today I have a load of underwear and socks of everyone’s in the dryer here at home, as I type. : )

Anyway, for friends and family back home or anyone reading, I just don’t want anyone to worry. : )  Hear typhoon on the TV or online news and go, gee I hope they’re all okay. We're all okay. It hasn’t hit us yet. I hope it’s nothing. And it just eases on by, like it usually does in our neck of the woods. But, we’re also getting ready in case it’s bigger then we hope too. Oh yeah, just remembered, I better go and take the wreath down off the front door. That’s all for now. : )

Update just now as I am about to post this. It is officially coming down HARD! The rain is going stir crazy right now. It should mellow out in a bit hopefully so I have time to run to the bakery. Catch you all on the flip side, after it’s over with. : )

Commercials

Anyone have any favorite commercials right now? These are a few of mine. This first one cracks my family and I up, every time we see it on TV. At first, you assume they have a teenage daughter in the house. The dad's coffee is rippling and everything, because of the loud music! : )

This one cracks me up too, because well he's just so happy and excited! Meanwhile, it seems everyone is for the most part, blowing him off! MikeMikeMikeMikeMike!!! What day is it Mike!

This one came out during the 2013 super bowl as one of the new commercials. And it just got me so much during the super bowl! You see him raise this Clydesdale horse, the day the horse leaves and then the man sees the paper and goes to see. You can sort of tell by his face, at first, he thinks, well, the horse forgot me. And then he didn't. The horse remembered! Anyway, it still gets me every time, I see this, even now. : ) And the song they chose for this was perfect too.

This one is a little old, but it's still hilarious. It came out in 2012, but it's just so darn funny. Anyway, have a great weekend everyone! : )
 

Going to the movies (Star Trek Into Darkness) and lunch with my good friends

Tuesday, of this week September 10th, I went to the movies with 2 of my closest girlfriends. We first met at yochien when our children went there, so we've been friends for quite a long time. I met one when Branden was going to yochien and wow Branden's in the 6th grade now and my other friend, I met when Noah started yochien. So yeah we've known each other for years and they both have 2 older daughters both 7th graders who go to the same school and same class even, and we all 3 just really click well together. So yeah wow... we've been friends for a very long time.  The week beforehand, I got an email saying basically, "hey let's go to the movies next week and have some lunch afterwards" And I was like "cool, see you both next week" : ) So the plan was to go and see Star Trek Into Darkness. I keep wanting to say...Star Trek Into the Darkness. @_@ Anyway. ; ) I clearly really want to add a "the" in there. : ) Anyway. Here's the movie poster for that. 

See, for us in Japan, it barely came to the movie theater September 2013. : ) And under the date it does indeed say Star Trek, in English. : ) Anyway the movie was so good! There were funny parts, and then there were many "have you at the edge of your seat parts" After the movie we headed to lunch, Saizeriya. Cheap lunch specials and drink bar, and none of us had to leave until 3pm anyway so we could have a nice long chit chat. The movie started at 9:50am let out around 11:40-50am. So we sat at Saizeriya (Italian chain restaurant) from about noon to 3pm. : ) We caught up with each other... how every one's been doing since we last got together. Gardening. Anyone planting anything for Fall? You know that sort of thing. We talked about the Tokyo Olympics 2020. Psy Gangnam style and Gentleman. LOL. Benedict Cumberbatch (who played Khan, the villain/ the bad guy in Star Trek Into Darkness) and the fact he is so easy on the eyes. : )  And they also talked with me about junior high, a bit. I am a little nervous about Branden entering junior high next year. And sure, I don't want to stress too deeply or dwell now, especially since it's a half year away and all. But the fact is, they are my sempai's. And not only do they have experience going to a Japanese junior high themselves, their daughters are going right now. So, they see it from 2 different ways/perspectives, from a "having done it themselves" perspective and also are currently doing it as a mother having a child in it now. Where as I was educated in America and so I have no experience about junior high here at all, that I can draw upon, if that makes sense, so I am going to be going in uncharted territory and they are so helpful to me for information and trying to reassure me, but they are also super honest too and they tell me how their daughters schedule this summer was very tight and I appreciate their honesty, because I really don't want to be blindsided either, if you know what I mean. : ) Anyway....we also all want to see another movie together. A new one with Matt Damon and Jodie Foster in it called, Elysium. We saw the trailer for it and we sorta said we should go and see that. It comes out in Japan last week of September, where as it's already out in the US. : ) It looks good though.

Anyway, that's about it for now. I do have a misc type... bits and pieces post coming up soon. Today is Friday and I am glad the weekend is here. Plus this coming Monday, there's no school. Yay! 3 day weekend very much appreciated. I have the laundry hanging outside. And the treadmill is calling my name right now. So, have a fantastic weekend everyone! : )

Back to school for both of the boys and Branden’s science project this year

This picture was taken last week. Last Monday, first day back at school, September 2nd. 

This was Branden's science project for this summer 2013. Branden made a volcano that could ooze out "lava"

Close up! The white plastic holder actually came from the Daiso/100 yen shop. It is/was a bottom piece of a dish drying thing.  We bought 1 square of fake grass also from the Daiso and cut it to give his project a little something extra, you know what I mean, I hope. : ) People running for their lives cut outs and a sign that reads "dangerous" dundundun.... came with the volcano kit. And the dirt came from the empty/vacant lot next door and Branden also took a few rocks to add. Branden's project won first place for his entire school this year so he was pretty happy about that. : )  And besides the $12.99 kit, everything else either came from the Daiso or the empty lot next door. And he did work hard and he did it entirely himself, though, Noah and I watched and gave our opinions on his "lava". : )

In September we worked on what combination made the most foamy type "lava" and he worked that out pretty good. While Branden was washing his hands, I also did quickly jot down on the ziplocks what he finally came up with, that way if he needed to perform this in front of his class, which yes he did. : ) Branden could do it no problem. Also after watching a few volcano eruptions on Youtube, we all decided it was best to add the coloring to the vinegar beforehand, that way it was already done. Some videos we watched they added the food coloring after and we saw lots of white foam and the color came out after the foam. So, after running a few experiments and run throughs, Branden did think it was best to add the coloring to the vinegar and I totally agreed. It came out like real lava, by added the food coloring beforehand.

Baking soda. 2 scoops, hahaha. : ) 

We really enjoyed this kit and the next time I go to Guam, I will buy a few extra different kits to keep handy. I know Noah will need these for his elementary school summer projects also. : )

All of the instructions are/were in English and both the boys have no trouble reading English at all, so I just sat and watched. Kinda of exciting actually, to watch. : ) 

About to start painting.

It wasn't difficult at all and he actually had a great time making this. 

A close up of Branden's new glasses they're sorta like tortoise shell frames. Sorta cool. : ) 

Volcano is looking good Branden! : )

Let's see, what else. Both Branden and Noah needed to show up with 2 new cleaning rags. I buy the 3 packs from Daiso and since neither of them would dare take the pink, : ) I always keep the pinks for cleaning the house hahaha. : ) Also name writing pens, they need for school. And the other pack I keep for home use for writing their names on their inside shoes, etc type stuff. And tape. 

I also made sure all of Branden and Noah's stuff was freshly washed and dried. Seat cushion/disaster cover. School bags and gym clothes got a refreshing. 

Inside shoes were washed and sun dried. They were ready, come September 2nd! 

Pencil box was filled with new pencils. Gari gari glue and Noah needed a few extra paints. And that was it. September 2nd we were ready for you! : ) 

The first week back to school has been good for the boys. Thankfully, uneventful. They were happy to see their friends, the ones who don't live near us. Oh yeah, Branden brought this order form for sewing class home. All kids in his class with be sewing gym bags, this Fall! They had to pick one of these. The kids were excited which to pick. Branden picked the Piko one in this picture. And so that's been ordered. So the teachers wants every child to sew a gym bag. But also she asked them to choose another item on the order form and that choice was entirely up to you and your parents of course. Genki is making a pillow pictured here. And he will sew it at school all by himself. So he's excited. So 2 sewing projects for each of the 6th graders this year.

Branden meanwhile picked an apron pictured here. He picked the blue Piko apron. Because our school cooks a lot. And there are so few boy aprons for older boys. So I think he picked a great 2nd project. So now the 6th grade class is awaiting their sewing materials to come in. The boys also had English again their first week back at elementary school also. And that's about it. On the starting school front for now. We're in the swing of things now. : ) 

Our Last Hurrah of Summer! Heading to the Movies to see “Man of Steel” and Summer Wrap Up

School was set to start for the boys, September 2nd, Monday (Labor day for us Americans) So, Sunday, September 1st, I took both Branden and Noah to the movies. Every 1st day of the month, it's only 1,000 yen per each person. So it is the cheapest day to go to the movies in our area if you would like to go to the movies. : ) I checked the movie schedule online a few days earlier, in hopes that something was playing that we'd enjoy. Man of Steel, was showing. It would play in English (Japanese subtitles) at 9:20am and at 3pm. The rest of the showings would be in Japanese (dubbed.) So, we decided to go to the 3pm showing. We also bought our tickets the day before since you select your seats at this movie theater, and I just so happened to be in the area anyway since I was buying meat at the cheap meat store which is right near the movie theater anyway so I was happy to get the tickets beforehand. So, we picked our seats. Which is a good thing because it was a little packed. Not packed like sardines type packed. But about 40 people were in the same movie as us, and I was glad we picked our seats beforehand. : )

Noboru was at work. The boys homework was long done and finished... gee a month beforehand or so (math and Japanese packets were done in July and the rest was done first week of August including diary on Guam and what have you, though they did write their daily "tweets" it was a 2 line blurb each day (Noboru calls them "tweets") (they're just really good at self study since they both had been in Kumon since age 3, so they excel at that part really well actually, sorry don't throw tomatoes or anything ; ),  anyway so no worries. Weatherwise, it was a gray day and sprinkled when we came out of the movies. But, I just wanted to wrap up summer in a fun way for them. : )

Summer wrap up! All in all, I think our summer was a good one! Noboru and I both, tried our best to make sure both Branden and Noah enjoyed it! : ) In America summer begins in June, where as here it begins in July. But I’ll include June as well. We went to Guam and also Honolulu, Hawaii in June as a family.  We took the boys to see Monsters University in June.  In July, I took the boys to Guam to visit with grandpa and to see, Turbo and Despicable Me 2. Our family had a family stand/booth selling hot dogs and lemonade at the summer festival this year, Branden and Noah loved working that with us! They did also pull the dashi this year also. They enjoyed fireworks and a haunted stamp rally at the elementary school this summer. : ) We took Branden and Noah to the wave pool twice and had a picnic there, both times. We had a handful of summer BBQ’s in the backyard. Family dinners at the table with lots of talk and laughter. Countless family movie nights at home. We baked and also cooked together. Our entire family went to cheer Branden on at his swimming competition. We went to Nagano for an over night trip and some onsen fun. : ) And on our last and final day, I took both Branden and Noah to the movies to see Man of Steel! Where we had a large caramel popcorn and large melon soda. : )  Anyway, that was our summer 2013 in a nutshell. : )