Throwback Thursday...

June 2010! Noah was 4 years old. About to turn 5 the following month. And as you can see my happy smiling 4 year old walking up a hill. Wearing his summer kindergarten uniform, it switches from winter uniform to Summer uniform June 1st always. : )  Noah had just gotten out of yochien for the day. And we had to quickly make ourselves to Branden's elementary school for Observation Day. The 3 of us showed up to support and cheer on Branden that day! : ) Let's go Noah! : ) 

All kids had their clay/play dough type things they made on display outside of their classroom. This was BrannyB's. I really liked this a whole lot! This reminded me of a person who had fallen into a volcano? Or maybe like..remember that movie The Ring/Ringu. Like a person is emerging from the water well from that movie or something. Yes, I have a very active imagination. Bran's sculpture reminded me of a whole bunch of stuff! So yep...I totally dug this a whole lot! Very cool! : ) 

My little shy one, taking a peek into his brother's classroom but also staying quite close to daddy. And yes we forgot Noah's inside shoes at the yochien. It happens folks. I'm human. I'm most certainly NOT perfect. And when you are trying to get yourself from school A to school B. By a certain time...well you know...it happens. And that's okay. : )

We barely had time to get to Bran's school by the time we were supposed to. So, there was no time for Noah to switch clothes. But that's okay, there were 2 other little yochien aged kiddos in there visiting too and 2 from hoikuen. From different yochien's mind you. So the other kids coming from other yochiens were in their uniforms too. The hoikuen kiddos were in normal clothes. That's totally fine. And yep all the younger brothers and sisters are all in Noah's class now. The 4 or 5 kids younger siblings visiting that day... same as Noah was...are all the same age and in the same class as Noah is now. : ) And they're all super good friends. "Ready to enter Bran's class, my little cutie pie?" Let's go! : )  

That super genki zipping around... flash of orange was a 3rd grade Branden!

Don't let the ball drop! Hahaha! Us parents had fun getting to watch the kids running all over in teams/sets of 2....  trying not to drop these balls. Noah was laughing! We 3 really enjoyed observing Branden's class that day! : ) 

Go kids go! : ) 

Bits and Pieces...

I have a movie and lunch date with my 2 really good friends today, we're going to see Money Monster. We're meeting up this morning. And I thought since I have a tiny bit of time, I can do a short little bits and pieces of what we've been up to. : )  A few weeks ago, I made some Rice Krispy Treats for the kids. You know just some American yummy goodness, for when they got out of school that Friday! They both love Rice Krispy treats so much and were so happy as soon as they got home that day! : )

What else. Ahh this day, I was running errands for most of the day. But, I did have time to make a quick dinner, I make dinner 99.99% of the time, hahaha. I usually make a salad or some corn on the cob, what have you...you know what I mean. But this day, was a bit busier. However, I did preset the rice that morning. And I did come home, and cut any fat and funky bits off some chicken breasts. And oh...I forgot to tell you. I have been on a kick lately of using...that Yoshida's sauce lately. How long have I been on this Yoshida's sauce kick? About 3 weeks. I started off by buying a small bottle from Cainz. A chain here in Japan. And I knew they sold a big honkin' bottle at Costco in Japan. But I didn't want to buy a big bottle at first. However we loved that sauce so much! It's the original one. Oh my gersh...you guys... it is so good! That's what I used this day. I skillet/pan fried my chicken breasts. My chicken marinated in the sauce for 30 minutes or so and so did the button mushrooms too, which are in the picture too. We all wrapped our chicken with the flat lettuce leaves. It was so good. I have been making this about once a week. And I was at Costco yesterday and I did take the plunge and...bought the big giant sized bottle of the Yoshida's sauce. Anyway...this meal...just a quick fast simple meal, but a really good one. : )

Made a batch of brownies last Friday. Was it last Friday? I think so. Anyways...usually on Friday afternoons, I will make some dessert for the fam bam. 

Pizza Huts been having sales lately especially if you pick up. We picked up some pizza 2 weeks ago? Our nearest Pizza Hut and Dominoes for that matter are in Narita City. But it's not too bad a drive. We had pizza and a family movie this night. It was awesome! 

Two large pepperoni pizzas and 1 large baked potato wedges/baked fries. 

Anybody in Japan try these yet? These are pretty good. I like the basil ones, they also sell a cheese one. But Japan sometimes makes cheese taste so weird...so I didn't buy that one. I like this basil one. Think along the line as crunchy breadsticks. Also they are thicker than regular Pocky. 

I bought blotting papers recently, about 2 weeks ago... gee is everything from 2 weeks ago or what, lol. These Shiseido ones from the drugstore. I don't really like these ones at all. And won't ever repurchase these ones.  For the record. I love the ones in the US, the Clean and Clear blue ones. I love the Target knock offs of those ones too. I like the Face Shop ones a lot. I also had a favorite Japanese kind, I bought about 5 packs of those a few years ago and slowly using those. And I used my last sheet. And so went and bought new ones. So, there I was sitting in the blotting paper row/aisle. And thinking...wow this store only sells like 6 different kinds? Was I at a store that just had slim pickens'? Or what. I don't know, probably so. But out of the slim choices they had. I thought...Shiseido...a brand people trust. I trust. So, why not. Turns out. Meh. These remind me of toilet paper seat covers. Same paper 100% exactly. Same same same. Also, every other blotting sheet I have ever used ....1 sheet was enough to blot my whole face and I have never needed a second blotting paper in a row. However these ones...I always need to use 2 blotting sheets consecutively. They just don't blot enough in 1 go. And again every time I pull one out to blot...my mind always thinks..."toilet seat cover" paper. Same color, same look, same thickness. It's weird. Plus they don't do a good enough job. I am going to buy a new pack this coming week. And see, if I can get a better result with a different brand or type. : )

7-11 is selling a choco mint ice cream on a stick. It's so good you guys. If you are in Japan. There is a lot of buzz on this one!!! I have had 3 of my fellow foreign mom friends email me the past 7 days, lol! It's *so* good. I have bought everyone in my house 1 already. Maybe if you are in Japan, you may want to check it out, if you haven't already! Yumm. 7-11, chocomint icecream bar on a stick. Be on the look out!!! : ) Also...Starbucks has a Cheesecake Frap that is also getting lots of buzz in Japan lots of buzz.... and everyone says it is super good! I haven't tried that one yet... but I may go and get one tomorrow! So in a nut shell. 7-11 chocomint icecream bar...be there or be square... and Starbucks Cheesecake Frap!!! : ) Okay...time for me to finish doing my makeup and get ready for my fun day out with friends. Have an awesome day you guys! : ) I'll catch up again real soon! : )

A mountain bike for Noah...

Noah has outgrown his bicycle we bought for him in the first grade. Which is totally fine. He got 4 full years of usage from it. He rode his bright yellow bike every single week. He absolutely loved his bike. However, I noticed little things here and there. For example he had been slowly putting the seat up height wise... higher and higher until it was stretched as high as it could go. And it had started to even still look a little bit short. Example 2, I started to notice his group of 5th grade friends and classmates who would come to play with Noah.. started to get bigger/larger bikes. First 1 friend changed their bike, then I started seeing 2 and 3. And lately it seems by now about half of his friends have larger bikes. Half still don't. But yeah, just something I filed at the back of my mind.  Don't get me wrong, with 1 older kiddo, we most certainly have a spare bike for Noah, in the perfect bigger size. However, I hadn't had Noah make the switch because well...honestly? I wasn't sure Noah was big enough to handle the bigger framed bike. Lucky for me, I had taken a ton of pics when Branden made the bike switch and after checking out those pics to refresh my memory of what age Bran was....turns out...he was the same age Noah is now. I smiled when I realized Bran actually switched to a bigger larger bike in the 5th grade too. Same grade Noah is right now.  Branden isn't using that bike and actually gave it to Noah with his blessing! : ) So when I snapped the pics of my chili that day. That was the same day Noboru was doing some bicycle checks on the bright orange-ish yellow colored mountain bike that used to be Bran's... but is now Noah's!  Here is Noah eagerly awaiting his "new to him" bike.... passes daddy's bike inspection. : )  Wearing his Old Navy American flag 2016 shirt. GU shorts and his Asics sneakers with laces. His eyes were fixated on his new (to him) bike. : )

This bike is practically brand new. It's never been in the rain or got yucky and rusted by the harsh weather elements. It's shiny and new and mechanically sound. It's fantastic. It's a cool mountain bike. Noboru checked the chain, perfect he gave it the green light. He filled some air in the tires. 

Noboru and I stood out front, I was outside smiling thinking my baby...has crossed another milestone! He outgrew his bike from ichinensei and is now onto a bigger cooler bike. A mountain bike. Noboru was outside too but he was busy listening....listening to sounds of a quiet bike. And making sure there are no sounds of a bike in distress. Hahaha. He had Noah go back and forth and switch gears and stuff. And all was fine. The bike got the daddy seal of approval thumbs up and green light. : ) Noah's been using this one ever since. Now we'll have to figure out who we can give his smaller bike to. I'm sure we know someone who would like it or could use it. : ) 

Rainy season means hydrangea's are in season. I love them! So, glad there are 2 on our street. 

This new bigger mountain bike suits you Noah! So yep, Noah's made the switch about a week ago and he's been riding this a ton ever since! : )

Throwback Thursday. Family Vacation Honolulu, Hawaii 2013...

Since it is June, I thought this weeks TBT could come from our family vacation we took also in June, just a few years ago. We usually take a family vacation every summer and it's usually to Hawaii. This was the year 2013 and our family once again hit the island of Oahu for some much needed rest and relaxation and some family fun. And this time was super nice, because my mom flew from California to spend the week with us in Honolulu. Back to the pic. Just about to head from Japan to Honolulu. The seats in first class to Honolulu are these really big slanted type seat configuration. The window seats... just have 1 huge seat and it is slanted. The seats fold all the way down to beds or comfy recliners. They're so comfy. And a huge screen for watching on demand movies and a nice side table with reading light and plugs to charge tablets and stuff. Of course we book ended the boys. Noboru was in the first seat, then B, then Noah and I was last. That way we always kept a watchful eye on the kids. : ) 

Enjoy your flight kids. And I will do the same. And I'll also be keeping my eyes on you guys. : ) 

Dessert cart. Yum! After a full course meal. They wheeled the dessert cart around. There are a few desserts to choose from and also a huge cheese and fruit platter.

I picked a strawberry sundae and watched Oz the Great and Powerful. And a whole bunch of other movies too. 

We spent many many days at the beach. Fave beach? Kailua! : ) Noah and also Bran boogie boarded. I did too. My mom enjoyed the beach a ton and so did Noboru. 

We always bring a lunch and plenty of drinks with us. And a whole lot of sunscreen.

What lucky kids! The luckiest! : )

My mom doted on both Bran and Noah most of the days and in between eating her salad, she also found time to sit and drink her Perrier and read her book of the month. That time it was Fifty Shades of  Freed. Those are her reading glasses. 

Summer vacations are for eating meals slowly. Creating lots of fun memories. Eating, talking and laughing! And enjoying some very fluffy blueberry pancakes, crunchy bacon, eggs and hashbrowns and sipping good ol' American coffee!

Going to touristy places...because you can! : ) And it's fun! : )

Because grandma gave each of you a disposable camera and told you 2 to takes lots of pictures from your vacation. And you both did. And there is Noah taking a picture of his lunch that he was just about to eat! I love this! : ) 

With hat...

Without hat and both wearing their new shark tooth necklaces...

Dole Whip pineapple deliciousness!

Anyway that's today's TBT from 2013! : )

Chili update, plus 6 new Hatch chili plants...

Happy Monday everyone! Thought I'd give a little update on the chili's. Raining cats and dogs here this morning! : ) Anyway, last year we ordered Hatch's chili's. These originate from Hatch, New Mexico. They were sold out this year. However no worries we ordered 10 Big Jim's as you know. Plus we are growing 8 jalapeno plants too. Anyway, we have still been checking their website once a week. Just because. : ) Anyway, out of nowhere, 5 Hatch chili plants were for sale. We both decided to order them. So we did and they arrived in this handy dandy little box right here. However, they sent us 6!!! 1 for free, how cool! : ) 

This is a whole heck of a lot of chili plants this year. 3 different types and varieties. Jalapeno, Hatch and Big Jim. We can hardly wait. Anyway that is the tiniest shortest update ever! Oh and we have since transplanted the 6 Hatch chili's.

Anyway, since my last chili post, I was very happily surprised to be contacted by 2 different people asking me for more details of the seller. The people we buy our chili plants from. One by a fellow foreign wife living near Osaka. And one by a lady in California. Her sister just moved to Tokyo and plans to open a taco shop and needs a good place to buy chili plants from... for her homemade delicious tacos. : ) It always makes me very happy to help out anyone! And for any of you also reading and in Japan that might also like to grow some. Let me give you the link. Also, I don't often put links on here because I don't want it to be like...I'm pressuring someone to buy chili's. I'm not. Or like I'm saying..you should buy from here. It's not like that at all. Which is why I seldom put links. However since 2 people kindly asked. Absolutely no problem and I better put the link down right now. I do hope this helps someone. : ) Chili link.

Sneaker shopping for Noah. And shopping at GU for both the kids...

We have still been getting both the kids ready for Summer. Clothes-wise here and there. And Noah had 2 pair of  sneakers, he had been using. Here in Japan at elementary school you *have* to wear sneakers. No flip flops or you know... slide on Vans type of shoe. They need to be regular sneakers. Why? I have no idea, but it's a school rule. : ) Anyway, Noah needed a new larger size. So we went and bought Noah a new pair in size 23cm. 

Asics is a good brand... popular both here in Japan and in America. Name brand, really good shoe. And this is the same brand Noah wore the last time too. 

In Japan they have/sell shoes with velcro straps for kids. Because kids have to take their shoes off and on, at school a bunch of times in a 1 day since they can't wear these shoes inside the school building and have to wear special inside shoes. So they must switch back and forth between inside shoes and outside shoes tons of times daily. So in Japan velcro is simply easier. Meanwhile in America, kids put their shoes on once in the morning and they stay on all day long... unless you need to retie your shoe. So much easier there. However, Noah being in the 5th grade now... asked to get sneakers with laces this time. Fair enough. This was about the age Bran switched to laces too. So, we said no problem. And so he got a pair of Asics with laces. Bright green laces at that. Cool. : ) 

GU is a sister store of Uniqlo. And they have really cute stuff at GU. If you're in Japan you really  may want to pay GU a visit for affordable cute clothes! We love everything and anything America of course. So we picked up this cool Marvel Captain American T-shirt for Noah to wear to school. Or wear anywhere. : ) It came in white and blue too, but I thought the black looked richer and it just looked nicer in black. 

Only 690 yen. About US $6! GU's prices are so amazing. And considering kids grow so fast! This is such a fantastic store! We bought this in size 150cm for Noah. 

Shorts for Noah for 990 yen. Size 150cm. This is the largest size they have for kids. 

A very nice basic color, to wear to school or out and about.

Socks for Bran, these are "dry" (see it says GU dry) to keep your feet dry and are antibacterial.

In cool funky zany colors. These are super low socks you can't even see them... when he wears his slip on shoes. 

We bought Bran 3 pair of undies and the super low socks are on the left of this picture. 

We also bought Noah some socks too. 3 pair for 290 yen. That is super cheap for kids socks. A great deal. 

At that price we bought Noah 9 new pair of socks, 3 packs. 

Bran really wanted the red pair of polka dot undies, and I happened to be in Narita the next day. We bought our stuff in Inzai. Anyways since I was in Narita city the next day, I just popped in to see if they had Bran's pair of undies the other location/store was out of. And sure enough they had 1 last pair and I snatched the last pair up for BrannyMcB. And I also grabbed a pack of undies from GU for Noah. Because I know how he likes that bright aqua blue color. 

I also threw in a new pair of house shorts for Noboru in my basket. 

And some basic socks for Ru too. Because I know he doesn't like colorful short socks. Hahaha. : ) Anyway that's enough for now. Just little by little... bit by bit, again...we are getting there ya'll. Summer ready soon. : )