My New Norwegian Home

Diapers in Norway are cheap. They're about four times cheaper in Norway than in the United States. To give you an idea, I pay around 20 kroner for a pack of size 2 Pampers diapers - about $2.50 USD. I can also buy a large box of Pampers for around 60 kroner - $6.85. When I travel abroad (even to Denmark or Sweden) with my youngest daughter I bring extra packages of diapers so I don't have to spend any extra. Cheap diapers ensure new parents can afford them and babies have healthier skin on their little bottoms. Not only are diapers cheaper in Norway in comparison to the United States, but all throughout Europe. Which leads to diaper smuggling. Yes, that's right, diaper smuggling. Diaper smuggling is actually a thing. People actually come over to Norway to buy diapers and smuggle them back to their home country to sell and make a profit. Yes, it's illegal to not declare goods over 5000 Norwegian kroner and yes, people get caught crossing the boarder and fined for diap...

I survived another November in Norway. November is by far my least favorite month here. It's grey, dark, wet, cold, all things uncomfortable. At this time I'm beginning to feel stir crazy. I feel like a fish swimming around and around a fishbowl. You get the point, November is not my friend! By December the Christmas lights are out combating the darkness, I'm in the Christmas spirit and only listen to Christmas songs. Don't anyone dare change my P7 Klem radio station in the car because we are FALALALALAing the entire drive! I love Christmas in Norway! We're up north so the environment is already Christmas-y, the Norwegians are set on making everything koselig (cozy)  like their lives depend on it, there is  julemarked (Christmas market) on the weekends, we bake cookies all month long and partake in Christmas activities.  I love Christmas more so now than when I was a kid. Partially because I now have my own children and seeing how fun it is for them makes it fun...