I’ve realized, in my annual rhythms, that November tends to be a planning time. There is the immediate need to plan the holidays — the various activities, gift lists, and more. Through hard experience I’ve also realized that it’s best to plan my two post-Christmas babies’ birthday parties in November as well (turns out every kid with a holiday birthday wants to book the popular places for the first/second weekend of January! If I wait until mid-December they’re often booked.) It is also time to ...