Dressing the kids in the Foreign Service

I have always been a shopper and always liked to be prepared. As a child of the FS, I can still very much recall shopping in rural South Carolina while on home leave as a kid. My mom would buy two years worth of clothes sometimes, planning ahead for holidays and growth.
I have put together some very basic basics for my 10 year old daughter. Nothing fancy but things that will get us through the Embassy Easter party, the inevitable last minute pajama day at school, the family 4th and possibly dress like your home nation day, and of course the last minute swim block in pe, one pieces only please.
None of these items are crazy pricey and all come from the following online stores - Hanna Andersson, Zappos, LLBean, Amazon and Old Navy. Since she is almost 11 we also hit H & M and Forever 21 sometimes. She has a few things that still fit this spring and we will end up ordering a few more pairs of shorts, some capri leggings, a shirt or two and a few more t-shirts. These clothes are quite literally things she already owns or are in the virtual shopping cart. So - plan ahead and happy shopping!

for those who want the deets on these items - all shoes, zappos, bathing suit, dress, shorts, red top - HA, jackets - LLBean, jeans and two tops - Old Navy and watch off Amazon.

In Flight

A lot of people in the foreign service are gearing up to move or PCS as we call it. The above is what I will have in my bag/suitcase. Euro to buy a treat or two as we transit through airports. A  luggage scale is one of the most important items to own. Life changing. A scarf, because I am always cold on the plane. A book in case my electronics die. And finally the most important thing to have in your luggage - sheets! A friend shared this secret with me a few posts ago. Arriving at your new home with some dreamy new sheets to replace the rough welcome kit ones - priceless luxury.

the plane with two elementary aged children

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kids on the plane by kennedyas on polyvore.com

Playing around on the internets and came up with some handy items that I plan to take on our next long haul place ride.  My kids will be starting school soon after we arrive at post, so they will be carrying their school backpacks.  Within will be pencil cases with supplies for school, Lego for the lego mad son and playmobil girl pack for his sister.  Also a sweet Russian coloring book, composition books for writing and drawing for both.  The striped shirts are a handy trick - I have always dressed all the kids in similar clothes or colors while traveling - it helps me keep track of them.  I fear this could be our last move I can easily - on purpose - get away with it.