twelve.

week twelve of fifty-two.

This is the most appropriate pictorial depiction of the seven days:

If anyone reading this also follows me on Instagram, I apologize for the repeat image, but I'm honestly surprised that this is only the first time I've done such a thing. Love Instagram.

A great friend made me a set of chalkboard mugs for Christmas. I used to just use them to write my name on them.. or someone else's name... or cheeky phrases. Recently, I took the more practical route and started counting.

And yes, I realize this "photo a week" project is dedicated to life through the eyes of my children, but today I'm being real. This is what real looks like, kids: you are wonderful, exhausting, enthusiastic, exhausting, energetic, exhausting, glorious little people. Enter coffee, stage left. Wise person told me 

"Parenting: if you are not exhausted, you are not doing it right." 

eleven.

week eleven of fifty-two.

Today's photo comes to you on the heels of an epic weekend with some very dear friends.

They were our very first next door neighbors. 

Great, great, great neighbors.

The kind that not only let but encourage you to use the hot tub in their backyard 

and invite your friends park in their driveway when you invite too many people over. 

Though we have both moved on from our first houses in Duluth, 

we all hold onto a tinge of sadness that our wee ones are not growing up next door to one another. 

They see one another just two or three times each year, but have become fast friends. 

All of them.

Ages 1, 2, 3 and 4.

It is a joy to watch each of their little friendships develop. 

The two oldest are conversationalists who are passionate about flossing their (and each other's) teeth.

The middle two enjoy hide-and-seek more than the others.

And oldest and the youngest giggle and have an affinity for crayons and breakfast cereal. 

And the grown ups get along pretty well, too. 

ten.

week ten of fifty-two.

2013, through the eyes of my children

Miss Ingrid's new favorite {heavily branded} children's character is Dr. Seuss's Cat in the Hat. 

Lucky for her, Dr. Seuss's birthday is celebrated around the Fox Valley at various children's events.

Her much-anticipated meeting with the big Cat was met with some unexpected apprehension:

This is as close as she would get! Perhaps she was a little starstruck..

nine.

week nine of fifty-two.

love, baby Ingrid.