Miss Independent

Uh-oh..... Mya trying to undress herself. HELP.ME.MOMMA!

Mimi's In Town!

Mimi Rey came to visit us this week!

I LOVE having my mom around, and the kids ADORE her!

The kids helped Mimi shuck some corn she brought straight from the farm! And what did they find???
A Worm! Somehow, Cici got Mya to hold the worm!

Mya rode on Cici's old tricycle. (I later found one at a garage sale for $2.... she loves it!)

Mya can finally sit at the kids table like a big girl!

The kids enjoyed muffins and a cookie at the Barrington Sidewalk Sales.

Out and About!

We have had such a busy week! We've been enjoying the beautiful weather and taking advantage of the summertime activities.

Arlington Race Track: We met the Korman's at the race track and then headed out for pizza. It's very challenging to get a pic of these 3 ladies... this is the best we could get!

Lake County Fair: Mommy and Mya visited the petting zoo. Daddy said Mya was definitely more of a Wiegman than a Jannusch. She clung to Mommy like the baby goats were 3-headed monsters.

Mya insisted on pushing her own stroller through the fairgrounds.

Daddy and Mya looked at the "neighs." Mya has had a recent obsession with horses. Perhaps she'll be our little equestrian!

This picture is for Auntie Sarah! We visited the sheep barn and thought of her!

Garage Sales: I found this great tricycle for Mya at a garage sale! My loves her "cycle" and spent quite a bit of time "pimping it out" with Dora stickers.

B's Baseball Game: Brady is playing baseball this summer. We went to one of his games. Mya spent most of the game running around and playing at the park.

With her best buddy, Ty Ty.

Who's on first? It's Brady!

Ready, set, go!

Notice her cute baseball outfit! Does she look like her Daddy or what?!?!?

Alpine Fest Parade: Lake Zurich's Lions Club puts on a weekend festival with rides, food, entertainment, and a parade.

Mya loved playing with the rocks while we waited for the parade to begin.

A Day with the Boys!

Mya and I spent a day with the boys while Auntie and Cici went to an American Girl photoshoot. We had SO much fun together! Mya loved every minute of her time with her boys!

First, a few pictures of her being independent and sassy! She HAD to dress herself. We had a great time playing outside. It was SO hot outside so playing in the pool was a must. And we played with the lame-o sprinkler! It barely sprayed water, but the kids had fun anyways!

The kids loved chasing Jasmine around the house. Ty even went under the table to spend time with her! Poor girl just wanted to relax!

What's She Up To?

This summer has already been a whirlwind! We are always on the go.... whether its playing at the park, shopping, swimming, or visiting friends and family. Mya is now 22 months old and has quite the personality!

Mya has changed so much over the last few months. She has gone from my precious baby girl to my vivacious, diva-like toddler. She definitely knows what she wants either replying with a strong, "NO!" or a sweet "O-tay."

She runs around the house loving on her babies. She loves pushing her babies around the house in the baby stroller, carrying them in her car carrier, or wrapping them in blankets and putting them night-night. She is a very loving little mommy.

Hmmmm... wonder where she gets that? ;-)

Mya loves her "colo's." She prefers her markers to her crayons and loves sticking stickers all over her Elmo coloring book. I think we might have a lefty on our hands! This may be a challenge when teaching her to write and cut....but I'm sure it will be fabulous when she is driving down the basketball court dribbling with her left hand or batting as a lefty in her softball game!

Elmo and Barney continue to be Mya's favorites. She looks forward to her carrides because this is where she gets to sit back, relax, and watch her buddies. This time almost always consist of her having her "SNAAAAAACK!" She loves pretzels, crackers, veggie chips, and suckers!

Mya continues to amaze me with her intelligence. She can now count to 10. Occasionally missing poor ole' number 4. Not sure what it is with 4....just not that memorable for her, I guess. She loves working on puzzles and can take them apart and put them back all by herself. She loves reading books. She prefers her tractor book; in which she reminds me Papa has tractors each time we read it. She loves to dress herself, put her own shoes on, and lather herself up with lotion. Miss Independent gets frustrated at times, but usually does pretty well.

Her words! Mya has quite the vocabulary. She is definitely at the stage where she repeats what she hears....which is very scary! She has some phrases that she uses daily. These consist of: Momma/Dadda sit down! Oh shoot! All done! Stop it! On! Off! Push you! Outside! As you can tell, she is very bossy. I used exclamation points after each because she is usually saying each with much "enthusiasm." I am always amazed at her ability to command grown adults to do something. I guess when she repeats herself enough or raises her voice high enough, she can get anyone to follow her directions. Hmmmm.... wonder where she gets that? ;-)

Mya has formed many strong friendships. She loves her kitty, Jasmine. I often find her hugging her, laying on her, feeding her, or chasing her demanding for a "ug" (hug). She also adores her cousins. She requests their presence many, many times a day. I even persuade her to nap by promising an afternoon playdate with them.

Routine.... Many people have accused me of being a naptime nazi. I am ALL about routine and so is Mya. One of the funny (crazy) things we do EVERY day before nap or bedtime is go around kissing things. It began with her kissing he precious cousin, Quentin's picture. Now, she kisses pictures, books, and even her piggy bank. But, the most important kiss she gives is to her Mommy. Nothing like that last hug and kiss before laying her down for the night!

I could go on and on about my little lady. She is amazing yet frustrating all the same. I love her and look forward to her continued growth!

Proud to Be an American

The Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays. Believe it or not, I am very patriotic. I love celebrating our country and the freedoms we take for granted from day to day. I love the parades, fireworks, red-white-and-blue decorations, and socializing with friends and family. It's just a day that makes me happy.

We began our holiday festivities at the Barrington parade. I think it was a bit overwhelming for Mya. She was happiest while sitting on the curb eating her sucker. At least she is waving the American flag with pride!

Mya couldn't take her eyes off her sucker in order to take a picture with Mommy.

The Kuehl kids waited patiently for candy to be thrown.

After the parade, we headed back to our house for a 4th of July party! Lots of friends, family, food, music and drinks!

Oh, isn't she so stinkin' cute!!! Love my little Kylie!

The King and Queen of the pool!

The good Daddies swam in the cold pool with the kiddos!

Workin' at the Carwash

Mya spent this morning helping Daddy wash his new car!

Forget this.... I'm going swimming!