Scary!

What a contrast!  Mara's second Halloween experience has been so different than last year.  With her improved communication skills, she told us how excited she was for Halloween!

Her school put on an imagination parade and Mara's classroom dressed up as Bats.

Here Mara picking out her pumpkin at her school's pumpkin patch.  What do you think is going through that little mind of hers?!

Mara has taken a fancy to one of her Mommy's expensive silk scarves (one of the first gifts Nick gave) and uses it as a "cape", wearing it to school every day.  At first her fellow classmates were perplexed but now they think it's kind of cool and talk about super heroes every time we drop her off.  Her teachers like it since they use it as motivation to do all kinds of things - keeping her shoes on, circle time - you name it! Her momma loves it since it shows she has a mind and fashion sense of her own!  Here Mara enjoying her first taste of Skittles, compliments of her Auntie Linda (which was included in a Halloween treat bag, along with some wonderful Halloween books)! Thank you Auntie Linda!

What's the fun of Halloween without the anticipation and planning!  Her excitement was fueled by her friends at school, including her friend Eila whom decided to be Queen Elsa. Of course then Mara decided to be Princess Anna.  Here Mara trying on her costume on the potty (good girl?!), inspecting her gloves and wand.

Much to her Mommy's delight, she enjoyed watching the Charlie Brown Great Pumpkin show (watching it over & over again) and as a result, has become a little obsessed with pumpkins.  She liked that we got three of them, calling them "Daddy pumpkin", "Mommy pumpkin" and "Mara pumpkin".  

Now that's excitement!

Mara lost her first baby tooth!  Not sure who was more shocked: Mara or her Dad, since it fell out after hitting his wedding ring. 

Mara showing off the t-shirt her Granny gave her from South Carolina, the ever present cap and sticky numbers which she has strewn all over the entire house.

 

British Invasion?! Mara sporting a fabulous new frock from Bodem (compliments of our dear friends Rob & Di) and a Harrod's bag that her Momma brought back from her trip to the UK. Thank you Rob & Di!!

 

Mara making cookies with her Mommy.

She is still growing so fast.  Her Mommy still loves to make clothes for her but she has to squeeze them in quick before she outgrows them.  Here wearing a smock that was made from a beautiful remnant her Daddy picked up.  The first time she wore this was on her fifth birthday and she was practically swimming in it.  Mara doesnt like her to have her hair done.  She tolerates letting her Mommy do anything but removes everything right after her Mommy leaves.  Now I can bribe her if I call them "Princess Anna" braids.

Loving her fur vest.

Amusement

We took Mara to Disneyland for one last trip before Kindergarten started.

Mara is still afraid to ride on a horse by herself but does love to go on the merry go round.

At first Mara was afraid of Dumbo but then insisted on riding 3 times!

Then off to the tea cups - thank goodness Mom doesn't get dizzy!!

Mara's first day of school came so quickly!  Here Mara and Clare getting ready to go to school together; Mara complete with her custom designed tiara.  One of the best parts of having her go to school at Clare's work is that we get to drive to school together. 

Mara quickly settled in with the kids and her teachers Ms Christine and Ms Ying.  They say that she is already picking up quickly - practically learning something new every day!

Mara's sixth birthday is on September 10th.  This year we decided to be low key, celebrating with family.  Here Mara celebrating at dinner with her new favorite dessert, ice cream!

We had a birthday party for Mara at Happy Hollow, a small amusement park and zoo in San Jose.  Mara is completely obsessed with the train ride, Danny the Dragon.  Unfortunately the train ride was closed down but that didn't stop Mara from having a ball.  She is one HAPPY kid!!  Here with the family.

Mara blowing out candles with her rainbow cake.

Clare and Mara celebrating together.

Mara's best friend Alessia joined us.  Here they are getting face painting together. It is so wonderful to see them enjoy each others company, despite communication challenges.  Alessia is very patient with Mara. 

Alessia the butterfly.

Mara got a dragon arm painting and then, of course, had to copy Alessia and get a butterfly face painting on her cheek.

The ones who braved the roller coaster.

Mara seems to be afraid of loud noises and screams.  She opted to not try the roller coaster (despite Alessia being on it).  But we got her to try the frog hopper!

And at last, getting to hug Danny the dragon!

Mara told Danny that she was turning 6 and Danny said he was turning 8!

It doesn't take much to make Mara happy and a birthday celebration with her family and Danny sure does the trick!!

New "Firsts"

Mara's first face painting (on her arm) at a carnival at the Cisco daycare/kindergarten.  She started the program early August as a transition to joining their specialized, accredited Kindergarten program.  She LOVES the facility and her new learning environment.

Mara also got to attend her first "Take your kids to work day" at Clare's work, her first official visit there since arriving here in the US.  Here with the other kids.

Here posing with two other beautiful smart women: Clare's colleague Karen and Sarah (Clare's friend Maia's daughter).

Mara playing in the fountain with her friend Alessia in Willow Glen. That night she also met the mayor of San Jose, Chuck Reed!

Mara's first visit to the ice cream shop!

Counting with Alessia.

Mara visited Roaring Camp in the Santa Cruz Mountains to attend the Thomas the Train festival.

Mara with Thomas the Train.

Mara and Clare's first selfie on the train ride.

Playing with Bubbles at Roaring Camp (Bubbles are her current favorite).

Roaring Camp historic store fronts.

Mara making friends with the waitress at a local sushi bar (who proceeded to give her a cute t-shirt and mango ice cream for free!).  Note Nick's frustration in the background - not a good daddy day ;-)

Mara posing in her new dress that her Auntie Linda gave her.  Mara is doing great with her potty training - she now goes on her own.  Now if we can only get her to flush and wash her hands!!

 

Mara and her Dad winning a blow-up toy at the Los Altos Art and Wine Festival.  What a contrast between this year and last!! She has grown so much in a year and this year, was able to enjoy the kiddy attractions.

 

 Mara is walking a lot more, but does tire out quickly.  We have now resorted to piggy back for transportation.

 

Mara is now learning how to ride her scooter which should be good for her balance.

In her last days of summer, Mara and Nick have been visiting the SJ Children's Discovery Museum and Happy Hollow a lot.  Here her playing with the sand exhibit.  She loves to explore and try new things.  Her dexterity is getting a lot better.

Here Mara playing at the Chicka Chicka Boom Boom exhibit.  Mara was obsessed with this book for a long time but has since moved on (but not so much that she didn't want to stop and play!).

Riding the train.

First selfie with Dad.

Mara is still a little afraid of rides.  She did try the bug ride at Happy Hollow but quickly realized that she didn't like it and made them stop the ride.

She is okay in riding the swan on the merry go round.

We had a lot of fun going on vacation with Nick's sister and family.  Here Mara enjoying a night out at the restaurant.

Here Mara receiving her first secret from her cousin John. 

Mara's current fascination is with bubbles.  Here her enjoying the bubble machine in our new outdoor dining area.

Mara even got to experience the new 49er Levi stadium open house.  Here her enjoying the view!

Mara and her award winning smile will quickly become a 49er fan favorite!

Mara enjoying her first corn dog and enjoying her last days of summer before she starts Cisco Kindergarten.  We are so happy and feel so lucky for her to take advantage of such a great program: 7 to 1 ratio of kids to teachers, breakfast/lunch and snack and built in daycare.  It will be a great solution to a special kid that clearly doesn't fit the mainstream or special ed programs. 

And our final shots of us re-adopting Mara in the United States.  Kind of a crazy procedure but the extra precaution will help ensure that Mara has full liberties in the US and no one can come back from Georgia (or its sovereign state) to claim that our adoption never happened.  Even after a year of having her, it still made us emotional to know that she is officially our daughter!!

Celebrating One Year!!

Hard to believe it's been a year since we brought our angel home, but here we find ourselves enjoying Mara's one year anniversary BBQ celebration and 4th of July at home as one big happy family!!  Need we say more???