Apparently on the day after Thanksgiving, stores open early and there are all sorts of bargains for the early birds. 

I don't have any firsthand knowledge of this, because I am usually not a  person who is likely to be found during a busy "shopping day."

Generally I like to get all of my shopping done at one place (like a Target or a K-mart) on an off-day.  Snowstorm days or weekdays are usually better than facing the weekend crush.

Today was different however.  Our friends Rob and Yukari came to visit us from Chicago.  Since they were only to be here for one day, (and they wanted to visit the Mall of America,) we had to go on the day after Thanksgiving.

Fearing the worst (crowds, traffic, etc.) we went.  Surprisingly enough, it was a really nice day.  There were more cars and people than normal, but it definitely wasn't a bad day at the mall.  We had lots of fun.  We even bought a few things for ourselves!  (I even got to meet my friend Ngan at the mall.  I understand that she likes shopping, so she was a "likely find" out there.)

Me, My wife, and the baby at the mall.

Kazuko, Rob, Yukari, and Kenny.

Kazuko, Yukari, and Kenny.

Kenny got to eat some dipping dots.  He was a bit surprised by the cold at first, and then he liked them.

Kenny played with a little lawnmower at a farm-themed store.  It was cute!