I love the end of November

Here's why I love this time of year. First off, my birthday has come and gone. No fanfare. Just a really awesome necklace from the kids and Ryan.

And baking for the Thanksgiving gut-busting-stuff-yo-face-with-carbs-roll-me-to-the-car event.
I was in charge of dessert. Or I was told to make PIE. And seriously. It was my mother who bossed me. She does that.

Then there's the shopping-palooza that I love to do the night after I stuff my pie hole. I know......I know...people bitch and fucking moan about Black Friday. But truth be told. I love it. I love the shit out of it. I get to hang out with my mom and sisters. I get good deals on things that I want to purchase. And one interesting thing you may not know, is that in MN, when you're standing your ass outside. In the middle of the night. In the freaking frozen tundra. You're not alone. And those other folks, 9 times out of 10 are super friendly and fun to talk to. I've stood in line and have met some really fascinating people over the years. I've laughed with strangers and bonded over the "crazy ass, who brought their baby, in an umbrella stroller, at 2am, in the freezing cold, to get a 50" LED tv for $349." Seriously people it's good shit. I love living in MN.

Oh and Claire did the robot. In a box. She made to look like a robot. And she "powers down" in the end. That's just classically good shit right there.

After the food/shopping fest, we decorate the tree and get the house ready for Christmas. Yeah yeah...I'm early. I always set things up the day after Thanksgiving. After I've slept for awhile. Because chances are I've been up for over 24 hours and need to sleep. But I also love, so much, decorating the tree with the kids.

Last year my kids decorated the Christmas tree all by themselves. But their OCD having mom "fixed" it once they went to bed. I mean...there were open spaces y'all!

But this year. Not so much. They did an amazing job. It was covered. All open spaces were filled. Multiple times over. I didn't even know we had this many ornaments. But we do and we have left overs! LEFTOVERS!!!

Last but really not least, everyone this time of year is wearing sweaters and fuzzy boots. I mean my favorite outfit. I like to be covered up head to toe. It's a comfort thing. (But I dont' like to be cold, and I hate hot so that's something to think about.) Claire is no exception. She thinks she's 6 going on 16. Ryan has other ideas about this decade jump in attitude.