First, I want to thank you all for your kind words and thoughts about Moa. It’s a tough loss to take, but there is comfort in knowing that we were able to send her on her way in peace instead of in pain.

Today is a day that the four younger kids have been anticipating gleefully for weeks — Olof and I less so. We’re all piling in the car shortly and taking a road trip down to Uppsala, about eight hours away. The kids are very interested in seeing where I’ve been spending so much time this past year, and I think it will be fun to show them the university and also some of the city. It will be a quick trip — we’re going down today, spending two nights, and coming back on Sunday — but I hope they’ll have a good time.

As for me, I know I’ll have fun, not least because I’m slipping away from the family tomorrow evening to see Pet Shop Boys in Stockholm! The concert was announced just a couple of weeks ago, long after our trip was planned, and honestly, it’s not ideal timing. Still, it’s one of my must-see shows, and I (obviously) have a very understanding husband, so I bought a ticket. I’d be a liar if I said that wasn’t the part of the trip I’m looking forward to most.