Today was the end-of-school to-do over at the church, and it put me in mind to make a junior version of What Not To Wear. I could not believe the outfits I saw on some of those little girls. Seriously, we’re talking grade school kids in knee-high lace-up leather boots with skirts cut up to there and off-the-shoulder, midriff-baring, plunging-neckline tops. What are these girls’ parents thinking?! The following outfit is not unlike many that I saw on pre-teen girls this morning:

Need I mention that this is an event for which the children are encouraged to dress up? I’m honestly baffled by what passes for “nice” in the minds of some of these girls and their parents.

I’m pleased to report, however, that all of the girls in Lydia’s class were dressed appropriately. Not even one of their outfits was wince-worthy Here they are, all gathered in the park after the parade and singing:

They’re such a cute bunch of kids and it’s so much fun watching them grow up. I really love that they continue in the same class for their first four years. Here they are last year — they were such babies!

Since we’ve come home Lydia and I have been spending the day getting ourselves packed and organized for our trip to Stockholm. Our flight leaves tonight at 7:30 and we won’t be home until just before midnight Monday night. I know we’ll have a lot of fun, but I’m also feeling nervous about leaving Tage for so long, even if he will be with Olof. This will be the first time I’ve “really” left him … last time I was gone for only twenty-four hours, so even though I spent the night away from him, I didn’t go too long without seeing him. These next couple of days will be the first in his life that I haven’t seen him. That makes me a little bit sad.