I went outside just now, a few minutes past 11 p.m., to take the trash cans to the curb, and was rewarded for my troubles by a sky full of clouds, glowing pink with the setting sun. Give it a click if you want to see the whole picture.

Yesterday, after saying for years that we should do it, we took the four youngest kids to Lilleputtlandet, described on their site as “a ‘fairy-tale’ summer park with lots of fun and interesting activities”. None of us, apart from Olof, had ever been been there, so we didn’t know what to expect, but it was… Read More Outing

One of the best things about summer is letting the kids bathe outside. You can tell from the look on Brynja’s face that she not only agrees, but has something in mind to make it even better. That something was throwing water in her little sister’s face. Luckily, Yrsa didn’t seem to mind; she went… Read More Bathed in sunlight

A few weeks ago Petra bought this doll at the Salvation Army thrift store for 40 kronor (about five bucks). I can’t imagine why anyone would have gotten rid of it.

What a long, strange day. Last month I made plans with my friend, Leslie, to spend the day with her in Stockholm and bought a ticket to leave home in the morning and fly back late in the evening. Last week, unfortunately, it turned out that Leslie wouldn’t be able to come to Sweden after… Read More Travel

Some time ago, I read on a blog I like about “love bombing” — described as “dedicating one-on-one time spoiling and lavishing your child with love, and, within reason, pandering to their every wish.” The idea stuck with me, and a couple of months ago I decided that come summer vacation I would give Petra… Read More Da bomb

Lydia wasn’t the only one who finished up school on Friday, of course. Tage and Petra also got dressed up and did some singing in the church (and ate a little ice cream afterwards).

Today was the official last day of school, an especially big deal for Lydia , who’s completed her compulsory education and is on to bigger and better things. It blows my mind that this beautiful, confident young woman is my baby girl.

Last Saturday there was a “torgfest” (town square party) in our little town, so after Tage got finished mowing the lawn (with adequate supervision, of course), we got ourselves together and walked over to see what there was to see. It turned out there was a little something for most everyone — Petra jumped in… Read More Family fun