Mara continues to take swimming lessons at the Bay Club. She is growing more comfortable with the water and it is certainly helping her build leg strength. She is always excited to go swimming!!
Mara enjoyed the summer by going to Cisco summer camp and a special art camp in Willow Glen. Here she shows off some of her artwork, self portraits and of course, a portrait of Elsa.
Do we have a little Picasso on our hands? Our intuition was right - Mara really enjoyed and excelled in the art camp. Mara never seizes to impress us with her openness to try new things and new places. She embraced the art camp with new whacky teachers and students with no problems. She talked about it every night when she finished.
What's summer without the annual Cisco Take your Kid to work day? Here Mara with her friends Mia and Evan.
We couldn't have been more thrilled to learn that Mara got into Hammer Montessori, one of California's only charter Montessori schools. We just knew Mara would respond well to the Montessori structure and her wonderful teacher Ms Rowlette. We were also reluctant for her to join the 1st grade but she does seem to be adjusting and catching up well, thanks to her teacher.
We could see a difference with her instantaneously - a new found sense of confidence and mental acuity. She walks better and even her eyes (exotropia) are doing better. The new structure has been adjustment for her and us - she is having to learn more discipline and structure.
For school Mara has to wear a uniform. At first Clare didn't think she'd like it, but has to admit it makes life a lot easier getting her dressed in the morning. It's also another excuse for Clare to go out shopping for anything navy blue or white. Uniforms are also supposed to help keep kids focused on their schoolwork - we will see?!
For Nick's birthday, Clare's Mom bought tickets to the local Kuumbwa jazz club. Nick chose an eclectic band from North Africa. The concert proved that the power of music is much stronger than words or any political affiliations.
What a difference a year makes! Here Mara riding a pony at the annual Family Network picnic. The year prior she was terrified of the ponies and this year she made her Momma proud by jumping right on.
What's a picnic without face painting!
Clare's annual women's event was better than ever, with blockbuster speakers like Jacqueline Novogratz from Acumen.org (shown here).
And thanks to Nick, the US' only 2-star women Michelin chef, Dominique Crenn, leaving the women of Cisco in awe of the diversity of speakers and Dominique fearless approach to success in the male-dominated field of culinary arts.
The esteemed panel including a 17-year-old coder.
Some of the amazing women of Cisco.
This year's theme was bravery. Clare's act of bravery? Head to toe animal print, Clare's latest design.
A visit to our favorite winery Le Cuvier in Paso Robles. You can't beat the view or their award winning reds!!
Mara has become quite the celebrity at the winery - she talks to all of the customers and likes to play with the corks in her favorite basket. We were also excited to hear our friend Dianne, one of the wine pourers who has been serving us for years, is recovering from a near fatal stroke.
From the top of Daou winery.
San Simeon: the best kept secret in California! Leave it to Nick to make the most of any trip - the night before at the campfire, he met the producers of Mad Men!!
A shot of the fog from Highway 46.
It was a busy September, first with our trip to Paso, followed by a visit from Clare's sister Liz. We met her in SF. Here a shot of Clare and Mara with the Golden Gate in the background at the Disney Museum in Park Presidio.
A selfie with Aunt Liz before we indulged at our favorite restaurant Coqueta and dropping Liz off of at the airport. A short but great visit.
Then a visit from Clare's Dad. Here Mara adoring her Grandfather at her school.
Sept 10th marked 7th birthday. This was the first year that Mara really understood the birthday concept. She asked for a Jessie - Toy Story themed party, and we couldn't resist! Mara also picked out the venue, Billy Beez. She anticipated her birthday and party for weeks. Whenever you asked her where her party will be, she proudly exclaimed "Billy Beezzzzz".
Old and new friends alike joined the party: a total of 20 kids and 30 adults! It was so incredibly rewarding to see Mara interact with so many of her new friends. A true testament to her adjustment and social development. Our social worker would be proud. Her a shot of Alexandra enjoying Mara's favorite meal, mac & cheese. Alexandra is one of Mara's classmates at Hammer.
Mara with both teachers: Ms Christine (kindergarten) and Ms Rowlett (her new 1st grade teacher at Hammer).
Ms Christine was a celebrity in her own right - the kids LOVE her!!!
Oh, the anticipation of the birthday cake candles being lit.
Admiring her picture on the cake.
Enjoying cake among friends.
The next day, a party another party at Granny's house!
Showing off her new jacket and Frozen calendar.
New outfit from Auntie Linda
Later in September, Clare traveled to Switzerland for a women's leadership development course with IMD. Mara and Nick were on their own for a week, before they traveled to visit Clare in Switzerland for a family vacation during Mara's Fall break. Here Mara entertaining herself while Clare is gone.
IMD is located on the bank of Lake Geneva in the lovely Lausanne. The first day of Clare's trip was a Swiss holiday so she indulged in a spa treatment at the Beau Rivage.
Now that's a grand hotel!
The lovely Lausanne at night.
Lausanne at sunrise as viewed from Clare's room at the Movenpic.
The training included a day with horses up in the mountains. No, it wasn't your typical training course!
Clare's group at IMD - an esteemed group of women including a woman who is working at Nestle to cure cancer with food and a country manager from Heineken.
The Cisco cohorts.
Once the training was over, Nick and Mara flew out to visit. The journey proved challenging coming over: from lost suitcases & iPhones, to passport issues to Mara's recently found phobias of bathroom planes. Nick was a trooper to brave it all on his own.
Mara did prove through it all to be a world traveler.
Our first day together we visited Clare's friend and instructor Ginka and her family. We had a delightful day, enjoying lunch at her flat.
The view from Ginka's terrace was mind-blowing. Unfortunately it wasn't a clear day, but beautiful nonetheless.
Once lunch was over, we walked down the hill to the Olympic museum park. Here the happy family together.
Mara, Ginka and Clare at the Olympic garden park.
After Ginka's, we took a short train ride to Montreux, the world famous home of the Montreux jazz festival.
Our lovely grand hotel the Montreux Palace.
Our hotel at night.
A midnight swim
Some close-ups of Mara reading at an outdoor cafe. As Clare says "my precious girl".
Switzerland is amazingly kid friendly -
everywhere we went were playgrounds and things for kids to do & see.
Mara walking down the street of Montreux
A walk in Montreux to get some breakfast.
Mara making new friends.
Nick Mara and Freddie Mercury
A boat ride to Chateau de Chillon
The chateau is a medieval castle
This monument with over 1'000 years of history, has always inspired artists and writers, from Jean-Jacques Rousseau to Victor Hugo and Lord Byron, from Delacroix to Courbet.
We told Mara we were visiting Frozen's Arendale.
Mara praying in the dining room?
Cooking together in the dining room. The Chateau boasts countless rooms and is now the home of a winery!
In its current state, the Castle of Chillon is the result of several centuries of constant building, adaptations, renovations and restorations.
The dungeon
One of the castle's famous arches. We spent the entire time there looking for Anna and Elsa.
The moat. The rocky island on which the castle is built, was both a natural protection and a strategic location to control the passage between northern and southern Europe.
Mara trying on armor at the giftstore.
Mara and Mom admiring a coat of armor at the gift store. If it wasn't so damned heavy and expensive we would have bought it! A great Halloween costume, eh?
Selfies in the inner courtyard.
One more close-up of the castle as headed down to the boat.
Waiting for our boat ride back to Montreux.
A view of the Alps from the castle.
Mara and Clare together on the boat enjoying wine cheese and some Dora game.
Some of Montreux esplanade fabulous modern art.
The garden outside of the Montreux palace.
Close-ups of Swiss flowers on the esplanade.
Mara enjoying the sunset and Montreux's esplanade.
The Girls in a moment together.
Lake Geneva at sunset.
The Montreux Palace at sunset.
Crystal clear Lake Geneva
Couldn't get enough of that sunset!
Montreux is as "rich" in its beauty as its opulent guests. It oozes the rich & famous.
Once we got back to the hotel, we enjoyed a cocktail in the Montreux cafe bar at the hotel. We were astonished to see a young man accompanied with his eight wives.
Train ride to Gruyere and the Chocolate factory.
Cailler was one of the first chocolate factories to open in Switzerland. A great tour and museum on the history of chocolate and that factory, ending with unlimited chocolate samples?!
The last climb up to Gruyere. Mara impressed us both by hiking up the steep hill between the train station and the mountain top village.
What's a trip to Switzerland without some yummy fondue! Fondue in Switzerland is only served with bread and potatoes, along with gherkin and marinated small onions.
We were blessed to stay at the house of some of Clare's friends from IMD. Best mattress and shower we had on the entire trip! Here Mara enjoying breakfast with the family: Carolina (5), Lara (9), Max (10), their nanny Vero and Clare's friend Stephanie.
Mara thoroughly enjoyed herself with the girls, especially going to sleep in the bed in Carolina's room and visiting Carolina's school. Here the girls together in the car.
Saying hello to Carolina.
We also met Clare's colleague Isabel and her kids Scarlett and Marco. Coincidentally they go to the same private school as Stephanie's kids!!
Mara chilling with her new buddies in the spider web.
With Marco on the merry go round. Not only did Mara enjoy making new Swiss friends, they also inspired her to push herself to try new things. There's nothing like a little peer pressure!
Driving back to Stephanie's house.
The breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps rom our train ride to Gstaad.
We intended to take a train to see the Matterhorn, but opted to go to Gstaad instead.
You never grow tired of the stunning landscapes.
Mara at the train station. Mara's favorite of Switzerland? Lake Geneva and playing with her new friends.
Enjoying lunch outside in Gstaad
Switzerland's cow brigade?
One of Gstaad's grand hotels.
Exploring the streets of Gstaad.
The weather in Switzerland was really mild but did get quite chilly up in the mountains.
The upscale village of Gstaad - filled with high-end shops!!
Never get tired of looking Swiss landscapes or their beautiful flowers.
Clare experimenting with a selfie
Mara waving her Swiss flag which she described as the cross. The Swiss government would be so proud!
Gstaad's ski slope.
A rare family shot together.
Mara enjoying some of Gstaad's art.
Some shots of the happy girls together enjoying Gstaad and our last day in Switzerland together.
Train ride back to Geneva.
