Also this Monday I did the whole typical things I do on Monday's, both kids in school. And then did Kumon drop off and pick ups and Branden also swims that day too. And then yesterday (Tuesday) after Noah and Branden got home from school we went to Costco Makuhari. Which means another post right there. Gah, I am getting behind. With the Noah picnic post and the Costco post. Plus I think I have another bits and pieces post to get up. Plus the Shaon Kai post has to come up too (I'm a memebr of that). We've already had our 3rd meeting yesterday. I missed the first one though (my drivers class was that day and I could not change that obviously). But so much I want to say about that. Plus there's one more thing on my mind about the other kid who lives in our town and his mom (nothing bad of course just thoughts I've been thinking about). The only other kid who will be going to the same elementary school Noah will go to next year. And I wanted to talk a little bit about that. OMG! So that's about 5 posts I need to get up.
Also I have been ranked #4-6 this past 5 days on that workout website. I think with Summer coming the girls have really picked up the pace. Which is good because then they make me pick up the pace too. So a positive snowball effect maybe? : ) Anyway I don't wanna fall behind. So, I am spending a bit more time each day on that.
Plus would you believe I will have 2 back to back observation days next week? Branden's is June 1st and Noah's is June 2nd. So there will go even 2 additional posts for next week. @_@ So, I think if I don't blog soon, I will really start falling behind. Plus Noah needs to switch to his Summer uniform June 1st, I better not forget that. I already have that marked on the calendar.
And we also have vacation plans forming as we speak. Hotel is booked. And would you believe another post for that more then likely. @_@ Gomen gomen (sorry)
Anyway...today Noah has a half day. And I meanwhile am hanging laundry outside this morning. And dying my hair after I get the laundry out. @_@ And my hair has to be done before Noah gets out at noon. ; ) Plus (if all this stuff wasn't enough ha ha ha) I need to get myself to Cainz after picking up Noah from his half day today to get weekly regular type foods. Hmm. With my schedule today I don't see me getting up any of those posts yet. Or being able to flip through those 100 or so odd pics from last Friday's picnic. I'm getting there....just not quite there yet. ; ) Hopefully tomorrow I can just find 2 hours to sit in front of the computer and get a few posts up.
PS, laundry is now outside (check!) and my hair is now dyed (check) though I am wearing pants and a bra (no shirt yet because I'm still deciding, lol.) @_@ And have to put my makeup on, blow dry my hair and run it through the flat iron. Yikes I better put a move on. No time for a spelling check or even a brief read through on this. Hope nothings really out of whack with this post, if it is, I'll change it after I get back from getting Noah and the grocery store. Plus Branden gets off at 3pm today (an early day) and Noah swims today as well. Yikes, busy busy day for me today.
So Tuesday, Noboru was off work that day. And the kids didn't have any extra curriculars that day so we sort of decided a few days before that, that would be our day for going to Uniqlo. So, anyway the day was very warm here in our area of Chiba. Though the sky looked dark all day, with very heavy looking clouds....almost like it would rain at any minute. Though it didn't. So after picking up Noah we came home and waited for the time when Branden would get off school. So, since he got off that day at 3:45pm. We all went to the school pick up area and waited there around 3:20pm. So with Noboru, Noah and myself in the car all of a sudden it started raining. Small little drops at first and then the rain just picked up and up and up. It was by now raining buckets and we could barely see out the front window. All parents were in the lot. And also waiting. Then around 3:35 we got those keitei/cell emails from the school saying they are on a thunderstorm warning and to pick them up from the front of the school now! So, we started the car and basically got ourselves to the front of the school. Which is about 2 blocks away from where we usually pick up the kids from. Where we were just parked when we got emailed by our cells from the school. You can tell which parent also got the message because you could see parents start driving away in droves and some still stood at the place....perhaps some got the message to their phones a bit delayed. We got ours pretty quickly and we we made it to the front of the school.
See this line of cars in front of us? There was an even bigger line of cars behind us! It was raining really crazy. The windshield wipers were on their fastest setting.
The wait was a bit long. But understandably so.
As our cars were coming up the hill and around these flowers to basically make a circle in a culdesac type way. All the teachers stood at the window and some kids shouting who's parents car they see. Luckily I stand out and my red car also stands out. Because they had Branden standing along the side when it was finally our turn to pick up our child.
Given the upcoming picnic this Friday and Wednesday's plan of my going grocery shopping in the day. And plus Noah swims Wednesday evening. It was pretty much known we would make our way to Uniqlo rain or no rain. So to Narita city we went. Still raining buckets by the way. We ran inside the store because we didn't want to be out in the rain any longer then we had to. Once inside we looked for the few items we were looking for. As memory serves, jean shorts for Branden. Qoo shirt for Noah. Polka dot shorts for me and jean shorts for Noboru. You would *not* believe it. They did not have one single thing we were looking for! It was unbelievable! All that way in the rain!!! @_@ We found Branden's shorts. They were sold out in 150cm completely and had a 140cm. We had him try them on anyway. But they were a bit too small. And we don't want him to outgrow them in a day. Or to be uncomfortable and feel restricted or a get a tummy ache with wearing them so we said forget those. We moved on to the Qoo tee. They had it. In every single size, then the size we actually wanted! Go figure. They had it in 110cm too small! They had it in 140 and 150cm. Forget that. We tried a different shirt to check sizes and after checking knew he'd need a 120cm. We even asked if they had any in the back and they didn't. So there that went. Next was Noboru's shorts. They had the plaid shorts but no jean shorts for men at all! Which was a little weird since they're online. @_@ Anyway he tried on a pair of plaid shorts he liked, but they did not have his size. What was with this store? It was really unusual to not at least find 1 thing we were looking for at all? So, last was me. I walked all over the women's department to find the polka dot house/comfy shorts. I walked it twice because I didn't want to ask and then the sales lady show me. And me feeling like wow...I didn't look there. So I wanted to be sure I looked everywhere before asking for help. Even Noboru and the boys looked with me. And we did not find them. Finally Noboru went and asked her. Do you have the black polka dot roomwear shorts for ladies. She looked for them but didn't find them. So she asked another lady working there. And so she went and checked on their computer. And said they get things online first and so they won't be into the store for a few more weeks. We thanked her for her help. And then we basically just decided even if we went to a whole other Uniqlo it wouldn't guarantee us we'd find everything we were looking for. Plus with the heavy rain. Plus with it now about dinner time. We decided it would be smarter for us to just order online. That way we wouldn't be driving from store to store looking for each item. It could be done in one fell swoop. So, we decided to go to Saizeriya for dinner, so we left Uniqlo and headed to dinner. However us going to Uniqlo was not a wasted trip because we at least knew the sizes we needed now. So that was sorta worth us going there anyway.
Noah had pasta, and salad. Branden had pizza and salad and I had pasta and salad. Noboru had some creamy spinach thing, some pasta and a salad as well. We all had the drink bar. Then we stopped into Naritaya on the way home. I ran in by myself while they waited in the car. I picked up some Juices 20%, so more like a water then a juice. Anyway I picked up peach juice, apple, grape and some Chorus water and milk. And left. It was now just barely sprinkling rain. The rain was growing lighter and lighter. We made it home. Everyone took showers and Branden didn't have any homework. The boys went to sleep. And I stood awake watching something I forget. But Noboru and I did order the things from Uniqlo online though. They should be here May 22nd.
I'm still at it. Tuesday I was #1. However as of this morning I am knocked to a different spot and rank. And my numbers are different/fitness minute have changed/increased too. Then what is pictured.
Twice a year, our town has a massive recycling day. It happens the same time of year, every year. And if you have any discarded clothes, books and whatnot.... then this is your day to get rid of it. This was for the whole town, not just our housing community. And all the stuff makes it's way down to the local elementary school Branden goes to. So that morning, I started seeing my neighbors put their discarded items in front of their house. "The boy next door's house had collected lots of card board and wrapped it in twine. At Ayumi's chan's house.... they had a whole heap of comic books all nicely stacked and wrapped up. And if you couldn't make your way down to the actual school. There would be a mass pick up and basically volunteers would be driving through out all the streets collecting all the used unwanted things. Now Noboru had to be at the actual elementary school to help because he's in the "Father's Club" for the elementary school. And all their members were to be there and help. This picture taken Saturday, Noboru took with his cell phone. All the teachers were there according to Noboru. And some mom's were also there. Noboru said he heard some mom's say, not many people showed up today. And Noboru's best guess was about 40 people total were helping at the school. I was at home during this hour and doing laundry. And baking that 2nd lasagna that the family had requested I make. ; ) So that's where I was. Noboru said a lot of the mother's were actually taking the clothes home, which is good that they get a second chance and a second home. Someone said.....if anyone finds a 140cm, let me know. And she did indeed find many items to bring home. And a lot of the mother's said these are in good condition. Anyway I think that's honestly a very good idea if people can recycle and it can get a second owner. And if not, go to the burnables, but this way it at least gets a second chance. And I think that's cool. And by the way, I went through mine and Noboru clothes last week and we've had them all set aside and we donated like 2 huge big bags full of clothes and sent them there when Noboru first got there. Branden's clothes I can never give away though because we also recycle them.... except they go to Noah as you know.; ) And Noah's clothes go to my very good friend from the yochien who has a younger son, so even his clothes get a second chance and a second owner (because not all Noah's clothes are from Branden). : ) But Noboru's and my clothes went. The ones we no longer needed. Hopefully some of our old clothes got new homes. Anyway it felt good to do that. Noboru came home from the recycling thing. Jumped in the shower right away and changed clothes. He was with us for the afternoon. And at 4:30pm, the limousine bus would be picking up the members from the Father's Club at the front of our housing community. Noboru started walking down the street and through the park. They all went to have dinner in Narita. Men only. Just the Father's Club members and the male teachers and principal from the school. Maybe about 30% of Branden's classmates father's are in the Father's Club. Mana-chan's dad is in the Father's Club. Kouiki's dad is also in the Father's club. Last year, the kids who are now second graders. We heard last year not one father joined. : ( But this year they have new members. In fact 1 boy who lives right near us. He's a new ichinensei this year. Anyway the men bonded over their meal. They also talked about next year, if anyone has kids who will be entering for next year. Three of the Father's club dad's also have kids who will enter next year. Noah will, Kouiki's little brother also and some dad with a little girl will also be entering. At 9pm, Noboru phoned me, saying they were now going to go to a 2nd location and if he could go. I said absolutely. Go and have fun. He rarely goes out like this. Working for an American company they really don't do this. So this was his chance and I said go. All the father's called home and all could go but 1. Poor guy whoever that was, lol. Anyway they all got home around 11:15pm because they had to be home before the last train stopped running. And I knew that. ; ) He came home, he had so much fun. Our bonds in this community get deeper and deeper. And I do think it's good for our kids. They see our kids and know, "oh those parents are really involved" Their mother (me) is always there for the observation days and did the PTA. Their father is in the Father's Club. Anyway, you know what I mean. They know us. So anyway...that's what Noboru did Saturday night. And what did Branden and Noah and I do? We had the lasagna I baked in the afternoon and in the evening, we played Wii bowling for 2 full hours. We had so much fun bowling. Then I sent the boys up to shower. And then we threw in the Transformers movie (definitely part of having 2 sons, lol) and we had popcorn and watched that. ; ) And then Noah went to sleep. He just zonked out. So he was upstairs asleep since 8:30pm when I carried him upstairs. I then switched it over to American Idol when that started. I let Branden stay awake until 9:30pm. Noboru phoned me at 9pm. And told me about the 2nd party. Branden finally zonked out. And I just sort of relaxed for the night. I stayed awake for Noboru and when he got home he was so happy. So smiley. He told me all sorts of funny stories. The Father's club is also wanting to fly away and have an overnight stay in either Guam or Korea. @_@ This would be next Fall sometime. I said if they plan it, he should go for sure. Noboru went up and showered. I asked if any of the father's smoked. And oddly enough, he said none of the father's smoke. And neither does Noboru. He quit smoking, when was it? Was it 3 years ago? I forget. 2 or 3 years ago. Anyway he had a blast with his fellow Father's Club dad's. ; )
Sunday, meanwhile for me. As you can see my now May fitness minutes. As of last week, I had 825 minutes. I now have about 1,000 fitness minutes. And for the club I'm in, I'm ranked #2. Though it does switch daily, sometimes I'm #1, sometimes #4, it just depends. I love it. The ladies on there inspire me every single day to keep with it. And hopefully I inspire them right back. And I've been going strong since January 10th. And I know this is a life style change. I look forward to exercising, yes I honestly love it now. Where I used to dislike it. When I went to lunch with my girlfriends Rumi-san and Kaya-san 2 weeks ago, they both commented how much thinner I am now. And I was honestly really happy to hear that. I think my body has totally changed. And it's still changing even now. Every morning after I get the boys sent to school and while the laundry is in the machine, I start doing my treadmill. Start doing some crunches as well. I do that Wii fitness Jenny Mc Carthy thing that I love and I'm still doing the dvd's. 6 days a week, about 45 minutes to an hour each day. I make the time, because I like the changes I see in my body. Anyway...switching gears here.
So Sunday morning. I quietly woke up first. Had a cup of coffee and went through my emails. Replied to some and saved some for later that required a little extra thought. Logged onto Sparks. And see I was knocked to #5. My one friend left me a message, good night (since she's in the US) #5. Gah! : ) They don't do that to be mean. It's totally the opposite, they do that to inspire each other. So, I took that challenge. So since the rest of the house was asleep. I got my headphones on and hopped on the treadmill. So, I walked for 30 minutes. Then I did 50 stomach crunches. And went back to the computer and logged my minutes. Which switched my rank. So, I left her a funny one back.. but since she's in the US. I said.."I know you're asleep, sweet dreams" Sinecrely #2 (Now I know I have blogged something similiar before but we do this all the time with each other, it is a big motivator for us). Then I went and hung the laundry. And the kids woke up. And I made them some breakfast. And then I started cleaning the house. I decided to clean all the downstairs windows and all the downstairs blinds. It took me about an hour to an hour and a half but I got it done and they came out so nice. Then I went and cleaned the downstairs toilet. Wiped the walls down in there also and, wiped the floor down, scrubbed the toilet. And washed the toilet mat and hung it outside to dry.
Sunday's clothes drying away.
Every one's bath towel freshly clean and 1 toilet mat (which washed all by itself in the washer and on the lowest water settting and on the quick wash cycle) all the way on the right. Branden vacuumed the stairs for me before he went out to play with Noah and the boys from the neighborhood. And Noah meanwhile cleaned the shoes in the genkan and cleaned his room which had toys all over the floor.....but for now it's nice and tidy again. Phew.
Branden had an ensoku/class field trip last Friday. They went to "Tokyo Sea Life Park". He brought home a list of all things needed on Monday last week, and so I wrote the list in English for myself so, I could pack the things during the week. Which is what that paper is in the pic. Leisure sheet, so I packed our "Finding Nemo" leisure sheet we got from the 100 yen a few years ago. Tissues and wet tissues. Chisai towel, handkerchief. 500 yen worth of snacks. Given the on again off again rain showers, we also were instructed to pack them a rain coat for just in case. Which that is exactly why, the yellow raincoat in the plastic bag in this pic. Though it never rained. It still was peace of mind he brought it.
Mario's face in chocolate form. ; ) And other various snacks totally 500 yen. Friday morning, I woke up and packed both the boys the same obento more or less. Branden's was bigger since he's older. And Noah's lunch was smaller, but things inside were basically the same. ; ) Just made it easier on me is why. The kids wouldn't be coming back from their ensoku until 4:10pm. The limousine bus was going to drop the kids off at 4 different locations/areas and if you didn't live near any of those locations they'd just drop the rest off at school. They dropped off the kids who live in our housing community as their 2nd stop. So Friday, I did my regular things during the day. At 1:40pm went and picked up Noah from yochien. Then we came home and he "helped" me make dinner. @_@ And then at 3:55pm, Noah and I started walking through our community, made our way passed the tennis courts and to the front of the community itself. We stood and waited meanwhile my mom friend came who also has a kid in Branden's class.
This is Noah from last Friday, he wanted to ride his bike to pick up his brother! ; ) Once there, the "jinbei boy's" mom came and we chatted until our kids got there, she is so nice. The big huge bus pulled up. And the kids from this housing community got off and the rest stayed on the bus. The "boy next door's" mom was at work. And the grandma next door went and picked up "boy next door's" little brother (a 3rd grader now) time conflict boy do I understand that, I really do. So, Branden, Noah and "the boy next door" and I walked home together, heck I don't want him to have to walk all by himself, besides the more the merrier. The grandma met us along the way and we chatted a bit about what a nice warm day it was. TGIF, as they always say. I was so glad the weekend was here. Just time to relax, kick back and do nothing. ; ) Anyway that was Branden's ensoku from last Friday. Noah has his ensoku this coming Friday and us parents are to be there. So now I am getting ready for ensoku all over again this week. : )
I often get mailed Nissen catalogs (like probably most of you do ;) or if I have a spare minute I'll log onto their online shopping site. Anyway when I got the catalog in February, I liked these rain boots right away. In Japan we get an actual rainy season as you know and so rain boots actually do come in handy living here. I have a pair of light blue ones now with bright red cherries on them. But I'd been wanting a simple but feminine new pair. And when I saw these with the polka dots I liked them right away and the price was pretty fair. I can't wait for a rainy day now and will wear mine with a couple of jean mini skirts and khaki cargo mini skirts that I have, on those hot steamy rainy days. I'm going to look for a new umbrella this coming month and hopefully I can find a nice one with stripes or polka dots. : )
I didn't have a birthday type birthday celebration for myself this year as you know. Not that we ever really have huge massive parties or anything, we're more the quiet family type party. But given the earthquake and given the fact I was in Guam, it just seemed like...I don't know how to word it. But it just seemed to change things. However, Noboru did get me that portable dvd player from Target while we were in California. And he also bought me the 2 newer seasons of Everybody Hates Chris. I didn't have these seasons. And this is just one of the funniest shows out there. Now the show is over. But yeah a hilarious show. Anyway I got season 2 and 3. So, all through March and April, our family has been enjoying these. I would say season 2 wasn't nearly as funny as season 1 and 3. But they are so good. I will try and get the final season sometime this Summer.
Another thing I didn't have time to mention. Was see how flat Branden's seat cushion/earthquake cover is? Flat as a pancake! The light blue one. Considering a kid sits on them every single day for school, they keep getting flatter and flatter and flatter until they're practically paper thin. They only bring them home twice a year at the most. And sure I launder it and lay it in the sun. But it still was flat as a pancake. So, finally I said to myself. He needs another one. I mean he really REALLY does. Online I found them pretty cheap. And I liked the gingham pattern. So over Spring break, I made sure to switch Branden's seat cushion/earthquake cover. As you can see it's way fatter, fluffier and longer even.
So in the mail the covers came during Spring break.
Since Noah will be ichinensei next year and given we were paying shipping already for Branden's. We went ahead and got Noah his for next year as well. It is now sitting high up in his closet.
My dad got me a bunch of dvd's for my birthday as well.
I picked 4 older movies. Meet the Parents, Dragon The Bruce Lee Story, Sleeping With The Enemy and Not Without My Daughter. And I also picked 4 new ones. Though one was being shipped all by itself. Let Me In. Due Date (So hilarious a lot like Planes Trains and Automobiles) and The Switch. I loved the Switch.
As the box says. The best horror film in 20 years. I really liked this movie. But I think saying it's the best in 20 years was a bit of a stretch. This was actually a remake of a foreign film.
This was the 4th newer movie I picked. The name just gets me!
And though just because I haven't been sharing recent purchases. It doesn't mean we haven't been getting the boys ready for Spring and Summer. Because as usual we have been. And I've also been getting myself ready as well.
Noah's stuff.
Branden's stuff.
Branden got one polo top with rugby stripes and another rash guard.
Noah got this argyle polo top, a cool new hat and striped shirt and a plain white tee.
I picked two Summer dresses and a pair of comfy shorts in medium and a sweatshirt and a tee with the American flag on it.
These 2. And it's hard to see what they look like so below are the pics from online.
Just a pair of comfy house shorts, and old navy sweatshirt that says Old Navy on it. I can wear this on walks through out my neighborhood when I go for my walks. And a basic American flag tee and a basic black polo top.
While we were in Senbayashi in Osaka, we got Branden this thermos.
The tops I picked out for Mother's Day. I picked a yellow top and a bright pink short sleeve top and a navy top.
We also have still been getting both Branden and Noah ready at the same time.
Wind breakers. These were the cutest ones I've ever seen. With the turquoise polka dots and everything. Noah's was 990 yen and Branden's was 1,090 since he needed the bigger boy size.
120cm for Noah.
150cm for Branden.
And jean shorts, we got them identical ones. Since they're a pretty cheap price and good basic shorts.
150 for Branden.
And Mr. skinny butt and waist got 110cm and would you believe we still had to cinch the waist with the size strap inside the shorts. @_@.
I like how they're different shades of blue, so nobody thinks they're wearing the same ones 2 days in a row. ; )
And as you know I like Japanese tees for the boys. We had these shirts last year and wanted them again this year too.
Size 130cm for Noah. In my opinion these tees in particular run a tad small. So that's why we went with 130cm.
Love the kakigori ones the most.
We had this same exact shirt last year.
Different flavors of shave ice syrup.
This orange tee with the shave ice. So cute.
This one is very cheerful too. The price for 2, since they came in a set was a really good deal. ; )
The cutest windbreaker for a boy.
Also a store in Narita started carrying fresh pasta. We had this recently, oh man it's so good. I will be buying this again. And it was not a bad price at all.
Bought our weekly jasmine tea at Hanamasa.
And then at Cainz, I got some of weekly breakfast things. Yogurts, bananas lots of pancake cereal. We also have lots of eggs for breakfasts in the mornings. Not me, the kids. : ) I prefer yogurt. Though the kids love yogurt a lot as well.
Strawberry bread, this is so good. Toasted with a little butter in the mornings.
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