Throwback Thursday...

This pic was taken June 21st, 2011. Grandpa was in Japan visiting us. And has always enjoyed walking the kids into school or going with me to pick them both up from school. We had dropped off Bran at school already earlier that morning in town. Now we were both dropping off Noah at yochien in the small city nearest our town. Grandpa kindly walked Noah into school and handed Noah off to his most favorite teacher in the whole wide world... the Yayoi-sensei. Noah wearing his summer uniform. In Japan the kids have a summer uniform and a winter uniform. Bran's high school, even has a summer and winter uniform too. Hahaha. : )

Anyway today is Thursday. It's raining here, ever to lightly and only off and on at times. But we're still going to BBQ as soon as Noah gets home from elementary school today. Bran is home already. You know...this week is all half days for Bran. It's just going to be chargrilled burgers, hot dogs. Fries. Super simple tonight. Tomorrow we will be far from town. We'll be at Bran's school for our parent teacher conference thing. I can't wait for the weekend to be here. Can't wait! I'm not cooking tomorrow night, as I said yesterday. We're 80% leaning towards Domino's. And 20% leaning towards a sit down restaurant. Who knows. We'll decide tomorrow. And gee whiz... I hope we can find Noah's plain navy pair of swim trunks for shogakko/elementary school tomorrow evening, plus Bran some shorts for summer!

About 10 days ago, I ordered my dad the cutest t-shirt from Esty. An extremely witty couple sentences on the shirt are what made me know this was perfect for my dad. Picked the color, and everything. Showed the kids and Noboru, they all loved it and thought it was perfect for my dad too. So I ordered it. The very next day. It was made and shipped. It arrived in Guam this past Monday. My dad loves it and had a laugh about what it said. It's what my dad received this year for Father's Day. I know he got the shirt a little too early. But when you order things from overseas and it's actually hand made... you have to order early because sometimes things can take longer to get made or shipped. I totally understand that. But this seller was fantastic and sent it at lightning speeds! So am super happy my dad received it and loves it. A little too early for Father's Day. Yes...maybe. But that's okay. : )

Bits and Pieces...

Time for one of my fun little bits and pieces posts! I love doing these, because it's like a fun mix of different stuff, different topics, and can be about different people in my family. So fun short snippets. : ) What have I been making/cooking lately? This was about to become cream stew. I made this... the same day Noah had his Observation Day and emergency drill at the local elementary school. 

Another evening, I made a ton of sweet and sour chicken. We're talking a huge bag of bell peppers and other veggies from the local farmer's market and 6 chicken breasts! This was most definitely a perfect amount for a hungry family of 4!!!

I know this was on a Sunday. I don't remember the exact date. But, Noboru had a fun reunion/"get together" dinner that night with the other Japanese guys who lived in Hawaii (about 15 showed up, but 2 couldn't make it), the guys who were all sent there by the airline and this group of guys, is still close to this day. And it was so important for Noboru to go and have a good time. So that night I knew it would just be the kids and myself. So, I threw us a fun little "party" here at home. I made pizza dough from scratch that morning. I sliced up all the veggies for my pizza. And in the afternoon we went and bought ice cream and any other snacks the kids wanted for movie night. 

If you're in Japan and you make your pizza at home... try this sauce as your pizza sauce. It's the best for pizzas if you live in Japan. I have tried every jar/and bottle of pizza sauce and pasta sauce under the sun and hated every pizza sauce there is and believe me I have tried them all. But this one which is technically a pasta sauce...however it's the best for pizza sauce. It tastes 100% homemade and delicious as a pizza base. It's tomato and basil. The basil does this one right. There are other flavors. 2 or 3 others and I tried them too and they simply don't work for pizza. This one does though. So...just trying to help but yeah...if you do make pizzas at home...try this one. It's truly the best sauce for pizza if you live in Japan. : ) And don't try Ragu on pizzas, it's good with pasta... but it tastes like sh*t on pizzas. It's horrible! This one though...truly the best for pizza. 

One Costco sized large pepperoni for the kids. And one personal sized hand tossed for me with pepperoni, mushrooms, onion, bell peppers and jalapenos for flavor and kick! After supper we watched Fools Rush In. : ) 

Noboru's drone. 

This haircut is awesome. And Ingrid was kind enough to leave a thumbnail pic... so that others could take this pic to their own hair stylist if they wanted. And I am grateful because I did take this pic to my hair salon. And I got exactly this. An asymmetrical lob. Shorter in the back and gradually longer towards the front. It's modern, it's classy, it's stylish and chic. And I love my hair. I got mine cut exactly like this, last week. And it's super easy to take care of. And if you're cooking or cleaning the house... you can just clip it back in a clip or tiny pony tail. So practical and easy to take care of too. : ) And looks a bit more modern than a classic bob. : )

What else...I made homemade from scratch peanut butter cookies last week too. I made enough dough for 3 dozen cookies. 

These are what I am growing now. The Million Bell. I am hoping they grow quickly. And so these red ones will be hanging in my hanging baskets on my front porch. 

Last weeks Costco cart pic(s). 2 packs of chicken and 1 pack of lean ground beef. 

Same cart... but on top of the raw meat in the basket part of my cart was a rotisserie chicken (for taquitos) and mozzarella cheese for Italian and buns for burgers. And a new hose from Costco for the plants and grass.

Our lunch date last week. Noboru and I went to the Ohsho before hitting Costco. 

Mid shop when we were in Inzai last week. My drink of choice to keep me hydrated is the clear tea. It's delicious btw. And Boss Coffee is always in a can... but now some are in bottles. And Noboru likes this one. : ) After lunch we went to a few stores and then went back to our tiny town. 

Baked ravioli happened. Along with salad and garlic bread.

I make a good breakfast every weekend. Saturday we had blueberry pancakes and crispy American bacon. Sunday I made omelets, skillet fried potatoes and toast. I decided to take pics on Saturday. About to throw the blueberries into the pancake batter. 

Choice was either syrup or whipped cream and blueberry topping.

Yep, leisurely big breakfasts on the weekend rock!!!! 

My lunch yesterday. I have been eating salads for lunch like 3-4 times a week. Just a quick pre-made salad from the store and a half of this amount of Mini Stop crunky chicken. Some shredded cheese, some black pepper for taste and some salad dressing. And I'm full until supper. The kids always come home and find the chicken in the fridge and finish it. : )  Which is totally fine. 

Last nights dinner. Baked chicken parmesan on top of pasta.

Anyway, today I have an early lunch date with my husband.

Also...this whole week is parent teacher conference week at Bran's high school. So all kids at the high school get out at 11am-ish. Every day this week. Because the teachers have conferences after lunch non-stop until the evening with parents. Our parent teacher conference is this Friday. So after our meeting Branden will be getting a ride home with us. But every other day this week Bran has been getting home around lunch time. Which is so nice to have one of my son's home early. The only down side and I don't see it as a down side really but...I won't be going to Costco this week. Because Bran gets off so early...I swing and pick him up at the train station and we have lunch together. However....I usually do a huge shop in Inzai city... once a week. And this week with B getting home so early. I simply won't make it back to my town. Which is more than fine. I will just do my weekly shopping in the small city nearest me... for this week instead. It's totally fine. And Noboru and I will go to lunch much closer to home today... which is good. So...today is my big once a week shop. And after wards we will go for a quicker than usual lunch. Because I need to pick up B. And I did make 1 extra chicken parmesan last night and have pasta in a Ziploc in the fridge. So Bran's lunch today will be chicken paremsan on top of pasta. He will be so full this afternoon! Hahaha. : )

I am making tacos tonight. Lean ground beef ones for the family and chicken ones for me. Tomorrow we are BBQ-ing in the backyard. Just char-grilled cheeseburgers, hot dogs. So super simple tomorrow. And then Friday...we have Bran's conference at like 9:30am. We 3 will have to grab lunch someplace afterwards. And then rush back to our town to make sure we're here for when Noah gets out of school. After Noah gets out of school Friday.. the family plan is...Noah needs that school swim outfit. So Noah needs plain navy school swim trunks. He starts swimming soon-ish and we need it. And meanwhile Bran will be getting a few pair of shorts at Uniqlo. So Friday looks busy-ish but not stressful type busy. Iykwim. More like...enjoyable. Getting out and about. Type busy. : ) I'm also thinking we might either have Dominoes for supper. Friday night or we'll eat out someplace. But...since I'll be gone from home all day and evening this Friday...I can't cook. I usually do. But, I don't think it's practical Friday night. So we'll have to think of something. : )

Noboru is taking the boys for a hair cut this evening. And that's about it really. Talk with you all later. : )  Have a fantastic day. I will be having Indian food for lunch today. Yum. I can't wait. : )

Gap and Old Navy clothes shopping. Still trying to get ready for summer...

You know, Old Navy left Japan. However I am lucky in that I can have the stuff shipped to my dad's condo and I actually brought this stuff back from Guam when we were there a few weeks ago. I love the maroon/wine colored tee on this top and I thought the message on this, was super cute and positive too. So, I was glad to have ordered this. 

This has famous American landmarks from the east coast all the way to the west coast. 

This is probably my favorite thing I ordered for myself this season. It's a very thin summer lightweight sweatshirt. It will be perfect n early spring and Fall too. And the flamingo is so cute and summery and it's just as cute in person... if not cuter! I love this so much! 

Olive green/army green cargo shorts for Noah. He loves these and we brought these back with us from the package that was waiting for us at my dad's. 

This you saw already. A rashguard and swim trunks combo from Gap. 

We are beach and water people, so my kids need swimwear every year. 

They came out with even cuter rashguards and trunks too. So of course, I had to. And these I ordered and got them 50% off. So I felt good about making a wise purchase getting it 50% off like that. So this rash guard was waiting for us a few weeks back too. This is from the Gap. 

And Noah also received these super cool green and navy pineapple swim trunks too to go with the rashguard above. So Noah has two swim sets and he can just wear whichever one he wants. 

This is a basic tee... black with white striping... I also liked the feminine curved edging at the bottom. And I have since worn this tee with jean shorts and my black low top converse. 

And yep, the tops were waiting. And I'm so happy and I'm ready for Summer now! 

This is even cuter in person. I love this much! 

Noah's 2 pair of army/olive green cargo shorts. Just making sure my little guy gets summer ready too. 

This swimsuit looks so cool! Will be perfect when we take our big... once a year summer vacation! 

I also went to Gap in Inzai, a few weeks back during the day while the kids were at school.. after stopping at Costco. All those Gap employees know me and they also know/recognize my kids at Gap in Inzai too. LOL. We are always super polite and shop there often.... so that's why. Anyways..Bran has new sweatshorts/house shorts from the Gap that we bought in Denver last summer in a size bigger. And he loves them! They fit perfectly. But Noah had no house shorts/comfy sweatpants shorts. So...I went to Gap in Inzai and found 2 pair. And they were 40% off. Wise and smart shopping at 40% off.

Noah basically is all set summer clothes wise, except I will be buying him a new swimsuit for school (they have to be plain navy blue or black, I always pick navy blue.) And maybe some summer shoes. But other than that, he's done. Bran has everything too, except he needs more summer shorts. But the clothes shopping is winding down and that makes me happy that we're almost done. Phew. That way I won't have to think of clothes shopping... until we start thinking about stocking up for Fall. : ) 

Fishing with dad...

Noboru loves to fish, his dad took him fishing when he was little. And he likes to take our boys fishing too. Branden usually always goes, but he happened to have a test coming up, so he stood home and studied. High school tests are not nearly as severe or serious as JHS tests, but he still wanted to do well. Noboru and Noah were just about a 5 minute drive from our house. They went from 11am to 3pm. He always tells Noah, no shorts, no open toes shoes, because of possible snakes. No snakes spotted this time, though... they have seen them there plenty of times. But they're all used to it. They just enjoyed the afternoon of some dad and son fishing. Noah caught 2 fish and Noboru apparently only caught 1 this time. They don't kill the fish... they're just caught and then released. They had a lot of fun though. And I meanwhile prepped for dinner. And lazed on the couch while they were fishing. But then to be fair...I am superly busy during the weekday and I am all about that relax and chill life on my weekends. : ) I still cook and do laundry and stuff though obviously. As soon as Noah came home... he went straight to the shower to clean up! And I immediately tossed their clothes into the washing machine.  : )

Anything new to add? Yep. Noboru has been wanting a drone for a while. Anyway... he bought one and has been enjoying it and loving it so much. And he goes outside in the backyard for about an hour each day... since he got it and he flies it all over the rice fields behind our house. The kids enjoy watching it fly. It has video and Noboru has been makes videos of what his drone sees. He keeps them just on his laptop... but the kids and Noboru have been having a blast watching the videos and Noboru has been loving his drone. : )

Anyway, I am so glad today is Friday and that the weekend is near. I look forward to the weekends so much! I'm heading to Costco and a bunch of other grocery type shops today. So, I better hurry up and head out. Have a great weekend everyone! : )  

Throwback Thursday...

Happy Throwback Thursday everyone! Here's just a random hour captured in time. It's from May 2010! Even though today is June 1st. I did go back and look through May for my TBT this week. I can also see on the pics that followed that I had green chili enchiladas baking in the oven as I sat outside watching the hubster play with our kiddos. Just a nice simple game of some catch with a nice soft (Anpanman) ball because they were little. What do I see when I look at this picture? I can see the rice fields growth... looks pretty much the exact same for how the rice looks... right now. They look like baby rice seedlings sprouting out of the water...exactly like in this pic. I see the kids goofing around having a ball in the backyard. And as *you* can clearly agree from the post I posted earlier today of our backyard BBQ from last Saturday... they pretty much are JUST as silly and play around in the backyard in 2017, as they did in 2010! So back to the TBT pic...Bran throwing the ball to daddy.

Noah throwing the ball to daddy too.

I love how when one has an itch or a problem they both bend down and check it out. And it's funny...they still look after one another like this even now days. LOL. 

Love every minute...every second of your youth! Even now...I am *still* telling them both the same thing. 

Daddy was always there. And so was mommy too. And yes...even now. : )

Hope they can catch your ball!

Whoops Noah decided to do a cart wheel instead. Gee that just came right out of the blue....hahaha. Kids are so cool and unpredictable like that and that's okay. Silly kids! : )

What a truly happy childhood. And I can see that net in the background that my kids go and catch zarigani with every summer! Which of course zarigani just means crawdads/crayfish.

And now days... my kids still love being outside in the backyard dabbing and balancing a badminton racket on their lips and faces, lol. My point is...they still love to have fun and that makes me so happy!!! To the moon and back kids...to the moon and back! : )