So much to write, so little time (cuz I have work tomorrow, woohoo!). Sukkos was phenomanal. Really fun and simchadik.
First days were spent in Flatbush, we stayed at the Price ‘Bed and Breakfast’, in the brand new redone basement. That means that now Aunt Suri and Uncle Meir have 8 bedrooms. And no children at home during the year 
. In any case, the weather was stunnanicious, and even more appreciated the last days when we remembered just how cold it could and does get in October. Tuesday (first day of Yom Tov) was Chayala (Langsner) and Menachem Melcer’s son’ bris. Very exciting. But I was exhausted cuz Shaina Kneidel was gassy and kept us both up for many more hours than it should have been 
. So I took a morning nap with her and we didn’t end up leaving the house until 11:55. Bris was called for 12:15 and I didn’t realize how far we had to walk – from Ave O and E. 19th to Ave J and E. 28. Yikes! And for those who don’t know I am a slow walker. Put the jets on, got there about 12:25 and they had just started the bris. Phew! We managed to catch the name (Zeev Tzvi) and stayed to enjoy the delicious hot kiddush after. What a nice simcha and nice to spend time with all of the Langsners. Even though we didn’t plan on staying for the meal, we walked back to the Langsners house with them (practically on the way) and ended up eating, shmoozing, reading, resting and before we knew it it didn’t pay to go back because we were eating the night meal there too. Thankfully, I brought enough diapers, formula and clothing just in case we decided to stay the whole day. The night meal was also great and the walk home refreshing and enjoyable. Next day we enjoyed spending more time with the Prices and Elimelech and Basy and their kids.
Chol Hamoed I worked but we managed to have a nice evening anyway. We did some errands on Central Avenue, went out to eat at my favorite local restaurant Grill Pointe (you MUST taste their fresh, hot, made-right-there lafas. YUM!) and then spent some time in Cedarhurst Park where Chabad had a simchas beis hashoava. Hopefully pics / videos will be up soon.
Shabbos was spent in Queens with the Kosters and their new baby son. Oh, we never mentioned it! SR and Aharon has a baby boy Sunday before Sukkos. Great timing so it didn’t coincide with the Melcer bris! We stayed in Kew Gardens and enjoyed a shalom zachor (starting to get cold, but the women stayed inside) Adiel did a lot of behind the scenes stuff, getting food and beer, starting zmiros, clearing off, etc. Sunday morning was the bris. This is the second Sunday Koster bris in a row, they know how to make a nice enjoyable Sunday brunch out of having baby boys! His name is Avraham after Aharon’s grandfather. May they have much nachas from him! It was wonderful seeing many friends and relatives that joined us for the simcha. And btw – hes so cute and tiny!!
After the bris, we decided that since we were all dressed up and ready to go and it wasn’t even 12 yet, we might as well do something. Since Adiel didn’t want to shlep to the city, we headed to the nearby NY Hall of Science. Haven’t been there since I was a kid. It was kind of like a date for me and Adiel but we made sure to stop by the 0-2 year old part of the “Preschool Place” so Shaina could have her fun too. Pretty cool place and I hope to go back with Shaina when she gets a little older.
Shmini Atzeres and Simchas Torah were very enjoyable although the weather really started getting cold. Shemini Atzeres we ate at the Baidas (and on Hashana Raba too) and the day meal at the Sternbergs, one of Adiel’s many customers. It didn’t rain at all on sukkos until the end of the last meal, and only a drizzle then. Simchas Torah we davened and did hakafos at Darchei and ate at home. It was nice being home on Y’T and I did a good job juggling the whole cooking on Yom Tov thing with one burner and the crock pot base. Great to come in from the cold and have hot meatballs and chicken soup waiting for you!
Simchas Torah was so wonderful. You can’t imagine what it is like to watch your wonderful husband throw your delicious baby up at “Moshe Emes”. As a single girl, Simchas Torah was one of the worst days for me — what was I doing? Who was I watching dance? Would things still be like this next year? It was a very meaningful time for both of us, as is a lot of Yomim Tovim when we remember the many single years wondering if we’d even get married or have kids. Hashem truly is so good to us and we b’h have so much bracha in our lives! And for those singles reading — may this be the year that your tefillos are answered and may you have a husband (though not yet a child!) to watch come this time next year.
