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???

Graduation

We've struck an arrangement with Mara's Friend Alessia's parents to swap baby sitting.  Here Alessia at our house for dinner.  The girls had a ball in the bath together.

The girls also had fun making pizza!

Mara enjoyed visiting her Granny in Santa Cruz and listening to the ukuleles. 

After 10 years of living at our house, we finally ripped out the 50-year old ivy and put in a new fence!  Not only has it opened up a significant amount of space in the yard, it is really beautiful!  In addition to the fence we've laid stamped cement, bought beautiful outdoor furniture and a pool for Mara!

As part of CA special ed, the state is obligated to provide transportation to and from school.  They didn't have room on the bus, so they arranged for Mara to have her own private driver to take her to school in the morning!! Here Mara with her driver Omar.  (Yes the irony of how far Mara has come in less than a year is staggering: essentially living on a couch in a one bedroom apartment to being driven to school with her own private driver!?)

Mara graduated from pre-school!  Although she was in special ed pre-school for only a few months, she learned and developed so much.  Her teacher Ms Christa was amazing and Mara loved her, not to mention her friends Bella and Santiago.  Here we've captured of the special moments of her graduation with her proud Mama.

Mara's friend Alessia turned five and threw a Frozen party.  Mara was so excited to go to her first birthday party!

We finally had a breakthrough in potty training with Mara.  Her Dad was so proud he rushed out and bought her a pair of Dora shoes that light up when she walks.  The shoes have become her fast favorite (despite being a little big).

Mara's walking has become so much better!  No doubt it's the combo occupational therapy she receives at school and her new pool!  Here her walking at the SJ Children's Museum, chasing a bird.

Mara loves anything Dora - even when she's sleeping!

We like to call this one "the wicked witch of the west".

Look familiar?  A shot of Mara at the Rose Garden, nearly 6 months after the shot we took of her when she first arrived.

Mara sporting her new summer wardrobe.

Wearing Mom's glasses showing off on the potty.