Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween to everyone! You would think that, living in Switzerland, we don't have a real Halloween. (Rob would prefer it this way. He does not like the "pagan" tradition.) But that was not the case this year. Last Saturday, the girls dressed up for the annual Stake Halloween Carnival (put on by the Americans, mostly). I was busy running a booth most of the time, but Rob took the girls around to do lots of games and crafts and they had a great time. Here they are with their friend Kelsey (the cute little Dora). Mariah is Tinkerbell and Anna Claire is Ariel the Mermaid. Interestingly, Mariah decided to cut herself some bangs to look even more like Tinkerbell just before the carnival. Surprisingly, bangs look cute on her and she didn't cut too much, so no harm done. (I just hope she doesn't try this again.)

Anna Claire and her best friend Ella both decided to be mermaids for Halloween. This is Anna Claire doing "Aaaa--aaa--aaaahh!" just like the Little Mermaid did when she gave up her voice.

My two cute Halloween girls -- Tinkerbell and the Little Mermaid. This was taken in our yard. Aren't the leaves beautiful?

Tyler was our little "Woolley Lamb". He looked so adorable in his costume -- but it was a bit too hot so it didn't last long.

Mariah can't help smooching this chubby little lamb.

On Halloween afternoon, we celebrated a bit at a friends' house. We tried to gather all the kids for a picture, but Tyler wasn't too thrilled at being nearly dropped.

"Trick or Treat"

We live near a bunch of international people, so last year I bought candy, hoping some kids would come trick or treat. We waited all night and nobody came. It turns out that kids did trick or treat in our neighborhood, but they skipped our house. This year, I took initiative and sent flyers to all our neighbors with a pumpkin drawing they could hang on their door if they wanted to give out candy. It worked well. Lots of the neighborhood participated and it turned out to be a wonderful mini-version of the American trick or treat tradition. Afterwards, everyone came over to our place for pumpkin cookies and spiced cider.

Handing out candy this year! Hooray, lots of kids participated!

Heaven

Today, Mariah and Anna Claire had an interesting conversation on the way to church. Mariah announced to all of us, "I'm going to heaven." Anna Claire told her, "Heaven is really far away, it's way up in the sky." Undeterred, Mariah responded, "Well, then I'll jump!"

Roman Polanski -- the Swiss got it right.

Okay, so I really need to update this blog. But I can't help but add my two cents to the whole Roman Polanski arrest scandal. People here in Europe -- even here in Switzerland where he was arrested -- are aghast that America has the audacity to extradite an internationally acclaimed figure for a crime he committed three decades ago. The French Culture Minister said, "There's an America we love and an America that scares us, and it's that latter America that has just shown it's face." What? It scares the French to see the American justice system treat everyone equally -- rather than giving preferential treatment to those who are internationally acclaimed directors? Frankly, it scares me that the French think that a person can be "excused" from past crimes just by being a famous director.

Maybe in France famous figures are above the law, but not in America. If we exempt people from our justice system just because they are "famous" or because they committed a crime long ago, we would be violating the blind justice upon which our system is based. Polanski broke the law. He drugged a 13-year-old girl and raped her. It doesn't matter how long ago it was or even whether the girl has now forgiven him. Would Roman Polanski want Charles Manson to be allowed to remain a fugitive after killing his wife and unborn child -- just because he happened to be famous? I presume not.

Obviously, the fact that Roman Polanski has lived a decent life after his crime (and the fact that there may have been judicial misconduct) can be examined in his sentencing hearing. But he must face the justice system before that determination can be made. Thankfully, Switzerland is finally making Polanski face the consequences of his crime.

I had thought the French believed in equality under the law -- Liberté, égalité, fraternité.

But that legacy of the French Revolution seems to have been forgotten here. Fortunately, America has not forgotten.

Another thumbs up for Switzerland and the good ole' USA.

First Day of Kindergarten!

Anna Claire went to her first day of kindergarten today. (They start here at age 4.) It was sort of bittersweet for me. I'm so excited for her to begin this new phase of her life. However, I found myself feeling all the stress I felt everytime I went back to school. I thought that phase of my life was over. Am I going to feel stressed again for the next 18 years?

Anyhow, getting Anna Claire into school this year was a major coup. She missed the kindergarten cutoff in Canton Zurich by 8 days. (It's different in every canton.) However, she fell within the alloted 2 month period where parents are allowed to petition to request early admission. I went through the petition process, which included filling out a questionnaire, passing a doctor's exam and going to a meeting where they asked me why I wanted my daughter to be admitted to kindergarten this year. I was told that all they were interested in was her size and motor skills -- and she passed these exams with flying colors. (If your child is a genius, that doesn't matter.) Anyhow, I received a letter informing me that Anna's petition was denied, but giving me no reasons for her denial. Well, being the feisty American that I am, I was not going to accept no without an explanation.

I returned to the school office, this time with a translator, so that I could make myself very clear. When I asked them why she was denied, despite her good doctor's exam, they hummed and haahed and didn't really respond. Then I asked them if any Swiss children born in May were denied. Well, the answer to this was no -- only foreigners had been denied. They had clearly denied my daughter because she was a foreigner and they assumed she couldn't speak Swiss German. Well, I told them what I thought of that -- "This is dicrimination against foreigners." "You never even evaluated her Swiss German, you just assumed that she understands nothing because she is foreign, and ignored the fact that she has been attending a Swiss German pre-school. Moreover, nothing in your regulations says anything about required language abilities." And finally, "We pay just as much tax as everyone else in this town and we deserve equal treatment." (A little play on the American 'no taxation without representation.')

Well, most likely due to the shock that someone actually dared question their decision (which most Swiss would never do), the school officials finally gave in and agreed to re-examine Anna's case. The compromise is that Anna gets to go to school on a 6-week trial basis. I'm crossing my fingers that everything will work out well.

The moral of the story is that one should never underestimate a feisty American. We don't just sit back and let things happen -- we fight for our rights. That's why people either love us or hate us.

Ciao for now.

Up the Ventoux

Today, the whole crew of cyclists headed up the Ventoux (except me). I got in some great cycling earlier in the week and was too much of a chicken to take on the Ventoux. But, Rob, Jack, Jo and Hannah headed up.

Here they are, on their way.

Making that last push to the top. I've done this stretch before, and it is downright scary. No tree cover or grass and strong winds.

Rob decided to take a photo of the photographer! Photographers place themselves on the route, take photos of the cyclists and hand you a business card with a website so you can buy the photo if you want. Pretty good business.

Hannah's almost there!

Here come Chris and Jo. Chris and his wife Becky met up with us in Provence. They also came for the tour. Chris is an avid cyclist. Becky is too -- but not when she's 5 months pregnant.

Rob and Chris at the summit. Wondering why Rob is in none of the other photos. He was cycling up and down the mountain taking pictures of everyone else. Yep, he's in such good shape that this summit is nothing to him.

Provence: Avignon

So, I told the whole crew that Avignon is a must see, if you come to Provence. However, it was crowded and hot, so I'm not sure that the others viewed this place as so wonderful. But I still love all the history rooted here. It was the home of the popes during the Medieval ages after they fled Rome and the place is brimming with scandal and history. The papal palace itself is an enormous monstrosity. Even though it is stripped of all its jewels and former glory, it was well worth the visit.

The plaza in front of the Papal Palace.

Chilling out after a long day of touring. I wandered the Palace with Tyler in a baby sling. When I took him out, he was dripping with sweat. Dad Steve held him out in front of a giant fan and that was the highlight of Tyler's day.

Tyler, chillin' with Grandpa.

Woolley boys.

Mom Judie and Johanna standing on the banks of the Rhone.

Provence: Roussillon and Swim, Swim, Swim

We made a crazy trip this morning to the russet red town of Roussillon. Rob and the Maddens biked there, while I drove with the kids and Grandma and Grandpa. Unfortunately, our GPS got turned around by a detour and we ended up driving for hours through twisty roads. Grandma Judie was not too thrilled about this, as she is prone to car sickness. But the views of the town were worth it -- warm reds and oranges set against the summer greenery. We ate crepes at a fun little upstairs restaurant and then Rob, Uncle Buck and I rode the 50+ kilometers back through the rolling hills. It was a long haul for me -- but definitely worth it.

Mariah peaking through the door.

Hello, Sunshine girl!

Anna Claire and Grandma.

Go Team Madden!

Back at the cottage, the girls had a blast splashing around in the pool. It's cooling waters were a nice respite from the glaring sun.

Tyler watching all the fun. When can I swim, Mom?

Look at me, Mom!

Provence: Chateaus and Panoramas

Today we visited a beautiful castle in a town just 20 minutes away. As you can see, it is heavily restored. But romantic to imagine it that way!

Mom Judie and Tyler and me.

The view from the castle.

This is it! Mont Ventoux. The giant peak towering over the rolling hills of Provence. And a cyclists' heaven and hell.

Provence: Encore Bonjour!

We are doing it again! We love it so much that we've returned to Provence. Only this time we came with Rob's parents and his Uncle Buck, Aunt Jo and cousin Hannah. Provence is hot and humid this time of year -- but couldn't be more beautiful. I thought this lavendar basket captured a small glimpse of the sights and smells we enjoyed.

On the way there, we stopped at a little town so that Rob could register for his bike race. Anna Claire and Mariah participated in a summer favorite -- riding the carousel. Aren't they darling?

We are staying in the tiny town of Flassan, right at the base of the famous Mt. Ventoux. The house is quintessentially Provencal, adorned it brightly painted colors and cheerful flowers. And it even has a swingset. Don't my girls look like they belong in the Provencal sunshine?

Here is Rob, getting ready for his big race. He rode the Etape du Tour, which is a race that follows a stage in the Tour de France. Only this year, the stage included the grueling Mt. Ventoux. Rob powered through it, but came back a bit dehydrated from the heat. Go Rob!

Daddy relaxing with his Mariah.

Dinnertime in our Provencal kitchen, with Buck, Hannah and Grandma Judie.

Trip to the Zurich Zoo

We headed to the big zoo in Zurich for the first time today. There was so much to see, we could only cover a small of it. But the girls had a great time seeing (and imitating) the animals. I had the most fun taking pictures of them.

Mariah, Anna Claire, Mom and Tyler (always obscured by the stroller bar, poor guy)

Watching the tiger. "Scaaaawwy" says Mariah. But she can't get enough of the thrill of it.

After watching the gorillas, Anna Claire decided to do a little hanging herself.

I had the most fun watching the kids watch the animals. Everything is a thrill to them.

Check this out, Mom!

My little pink princess.

Sisters!

The Three Musketeers

Our kids are really starting to enjoy each other -- Tyler too! Here they are on Mariah's bed having a group snuggle.

Of course, both girls are always trying to hold Tyler. He's not too thrilled about this.

Because we were gone for the 4th of July, we celebrated at home a few days later by making red, white and blue cupcakes from a cake mix that Mara sent. Thanks Mara!

La Marmotte!

Happy 4th of July! We celebrated the day in the French Alps -- at Alpe d'Huez. Rob finished "The Marmotte" for the second year in a row. It's a 174 km cycling event covering 4 enormous Alp peaks. Here is Rob the masochist, ready to start this 7+ hour event.

While Rob is off biking, I'm checking out the beautiful view from our hotel room.

The best part of the day was getting to meet up with some friends from Morges. Anna's friend Nicole spent the day with us. Her father, Duncan, also did the race.

We spent the day at the playground and bouncy castle. Lot's of fun!