Preschool

Our little Gracie had her first day of preschool Monday 8/23/2010.  She will be going Monday's for 3 hrs in the morning.  We had an orientation for her the week before, so these pictures are from then. 

I am sure she will just love going to school. She picked out her backpack herself.  A pink Dora backpack beat out the Princess and Barbie backpack.  I think the backpack is bigger than her!

As I was trying to tell her about preschool she kept asking if Zachy is coming too, and then I would tell her that only 3 year olds go to preschool.  When we met her teacher at orientation that was the first thing she said. "I go to preschool because I am this many (she holds up 3 fingers), Zachy doesn't cause he's this many (holds up 1 finger).  It was so cute.

Melons, melons, and more melons

We have a bumper crop this year of Watermelons and muskmelons.  I think we have picked like 25 muskmelons and still have about 10 left in the garden.  Watermelon are just as abundant.  They are just starting to ripen, but there is over a dozen out there.  I think all the nice spurts of rain and then heat, then rain, then heat has did the job perfect.

Gracie and Zach are probably going to have nightmeres someday of eating melons.

And oh, are they good.  We haven't had a bad one yet.  We have been giving them away to everyone we know, so if you wants some you better come get some!  I am sure we will have enough to continue to share!

Entertainment from Willie

So our latest thing to do with leftover food from supper is feed it to Willie... of course for a few moments of entertainment for us. The kids get such a kick out of this and of course Marty and I do to. Willie is 7 1/2 years old afterall, so I think he does pretty good to keep up with his youthfulness of doing "roll-over" tricks! As much as you annoy us dear Willie with all your barking... we do enjoy you sometimes too!!

Puzzles

One of Gracie's favorite activities is putting together these giant puzzles of Elmo and his friend, Betsy (Her name is really something else, but we can't pronounce it so we call her Betsy). Usually we do it together or some adult is helping her (Grandma, Daddy, or Me). The other day she had all the puzzle pieces laid out on the floor and kept asking me to come help her put it together. I couldn't come right at that moment because I was doing dishes or something so I told her I would be right there. Well, it probably was like 20 minutes before I went over to help her and by that time she had Betsy put all together already. She did it ALL BY HERSELF! I was so proud. She had already started on Elmo, so I just thought I would continue to go about my business and see if she could get him together by herself also. To my surprise she did him too. She put them both together without any help! I was double proud.

Maybe all three year olds are putting puzzles together and I really shouldn't be so excited... but non-the-less I thought it was pretty great she figured them all out.

GOOD JOB GRACIE!

I thought I should throw a picture of Zach in here too (don't want to play favorites you know and talk about one kid and not the other)!

Zach gets such a kick out of putting change in his piggy bank. When I give him some coins he knows just what to do. Maybe by the time he hits college he will have enough in his piggy bank to pay for it!!! Gosh, I can only hope! (I better be finding a lot of spare change).

Sweet Corn Season

That beloved time of year has arrived in MN... SWEET CORN SEASON!!!! Oh, it tastes so good. We have gotten a couple of meals out of our garden and then the blasted raccoons thought they would take their turn in our oh so delicious sweet corn patch. Needless to say we now have none. We will have to revert to buying it from the road side stands. Zachy's first time eating 'Corn from the Cob.' He really did quite well.
Gracie on the other hand has mastered the talent of eating 'Corn from the Cob.'
She surprised us and got all kernels off and asked for seconds.

Oh dear raccoons you better stay away, cause if we ever catch you in the act I am certian we will shoot you.... (if only we had a gun!).

Lake Vermillian 2010

Last week, July 24th to July 31st was the Annual Sohre summer vacation. This year again the destination was Lake Vermillian. The families that were able to make it this year were the Hodgkins, the Dalys, and us (the Malecek's), oh and of course Mom and Dad. It was a GREAT time. Having kids, makes it a bit more challenging, but still lots of fun. The temperatures were great for the most part. We spent lots of time outside. Fishing wasn't great, but our faithful Sunny Hole gave us a meal and then we caught a couple of Bass off the dock.

We had lots of activities during the week and the pictures below are the just the highlights!

Marty trying to show Gracie how to fish!

We had a few crazy boat rides... look at Gracie's crazy hair!

Vacation always includes a couple trips to the ice cream shop!


Katie, Zachy, Gracie, and Paige went to the park as the older kids went Mini-Golfing.

We had a few bonfires.

Christy, Katie, Paige, Maesee, Wendy, Dad.

Roasted a few marshmellows.

Ted, Jason, Gracie, Mom, Spenser, Paige, Maesee, Wendy.

Lots of bonding time with Grandma and Grandpa and the Aunties and Uncles.

Playing in the water was the highlight of the trip for the kids. They were in the water every chance they had. We had a little ran on Tuesday, but I think they still were able to swim in the afternoon and then Friday it rained all day. Zachy and Katie.

Margoe and Gracie.

Gracie building a sand tower.

Sand was moved and moved and moved some more!

Maddy, Paige, Maesee, Margoe, and Gracie.

Margoe, Maddy, and Gracie.

Gracie.

Zachy.

Lots of Grilling and GOOD FOOD!

Gracie and Zach.

All the kids: 9 total, ages 22 months to 9 years old!

Front row: Carter, Spenser, Maesee, Maddy, Katie, Margoe holding Zachy.

Back row: Paige and Gracie.

Our for Pizza at the Vermillian Club.

A visit to the Bear Center in outside of Ely.

Zach and Marty.

The week always goes so fast. It is always so much fun to spend the whole week with my family since sometimes it is months in between visits. Coming home seems so lonely!

Thanks for a great week Sohre Family and Thanks for helping Marty and I with our kids!

Kids

So much stuff going on this summer. The kids are growing fast and are enjoying the summer.

Our little Gracie is getting so good at being in the pool. We are just amazed at how well she does. She absolutely loves jumping in and doesn't mind at all that her head goes under.

Zach is getting really good too. No video of him on here yet, but he is getting comfortable with his lifejacket also and has learned if he kicks his feet he stays afloat. He is all about "I do it," so he constantly wants us to let go of us so he can do it himself. He is becoming quite an independant guy.

We have switched Zach's crib to the toddler bed just this week. We are on night #4 and he is doing great. God has blessed us with good sleepers for naps and bedtime!

Gracie had her 1st dentist appt this week too. She did so good. I wasn't sure what to expect but they did the polish, brushing, flossing, and the flouride treatment. She did a great job of keeping her mouth open the whole time and she got a good report... to troubled looking areas. She tells others "the dentist tickled my teeth to get rid of the germs." So adorable.

This weekend is the trip to Lake Vermillion for our summer vacation with some of my family. A whole week in the cabin by the lake going on boat rides and just having a good time. We are getting so excited to go. (To bad we have to do all the packing and organizing before hand.)

Malecek Weekend Fun!

Two weekends ago, July 10-11, the entire Malecek gang was out to have some fun.

We had a blast. We spent lots of time in the pool, had good food, chased bubbles, sat around the bonfire, ate s'mores, and even a wathced a fireworks show!!

We can't wait till next years Malecek Summer Fun Weekend!