By mommie2zs in Binghamton-University, Rochester, Family, Yessa, Buster, Monkey, Love — 30 Sep 2025

Rosh Hashanah-September 2025

We aren't Jewish, but I am grateful for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year celebration. Binghamton recognizes the Jewish Holidays, and Buster and Yessa decided to head home for the 5 day break.

They've been back at school for a week now, so I am finally ready to write about their visit home with the joy and enthusiasm it deserves. Having them home was so wonderful and comfortable, it took me a day or two to get my equilibrium back.

They brought the bus home on a Friday night, and we picked them up downtown a little after 11 p.m.

Mocha was so happy to see everyone getting home.

We considered going to 8:30 a.m. CrossFit on Saturday morning, but we were all tired from the late night, plus Yessa came home with a cold, so we decided to have a relaxed morning, which meant the kids slept in, and I headed off to work at 11 a.m.

While I was away, Buds and Yessa cleaned out and reorganized his office.

The space feels much more open and cozy for visiting, plus they created a perch in the corner for a second visitor when needed.

Some of the crew walked down to pick me up after work, which made me smile.

There was a lot of hugging when they were home to fill up my hug meter.

Saturday night Buds and the over 21's went to an event downtown as part of Fringe Fest while Yessa and I watered the community flowers down the street and visited.

Sunday was our designated day for apple picking! I worried about Yessa's cold, but she woke up feeling slightly better, and very determined that we were going to have a gorgeous day.

We chose Schutt's Apple Mill for this year's outing, and it worked out well. Apples, flowers, a cider pressing area, ice cream, a big gift shop with a little "Vermont Country Store" vibe. It was perfect for us.

We checked out the gift store before and after apple picking.

Cider doesn't get any fresher than what we bought that day.

The family huddle as we decide about heading over to pick apples. Great shot, Yessa!

The apple picking area made your life easy. You pay for a large or a small bag. Wander out into the orchard and pick from the designated areas. They had some fun displays and games set up, too.

We needed one final apple for the day.

One of the orchard displays brought back Buddie childhood memories.

After picking all we wanted, we headed back for a few final purchases, then home.

The rest of the time was a mishmash of studying, working, organizing, and hanging out.

Overcrowded, disorganized closet before.

Explaining to Dad that he cannot keep the 3-year expired weed gummies he forgot he had in the closet.

Trying on jeans from the early 2000's, and declaring them too "straight-legged."

Trying on the suit made by Buddie's grandfather, which Buds was wearing the first time we met.

You never know what you'll find when cleaning out a closet.

One night we watched Spiderman, the newest version. Buds and I saw it at the theater, loved it, and wanted to share it.

Two more fun things happened while the kids were home.

We got to tour the home that will house the crowd for the 2026 Gem-Fest. It's here in Rochester, and it is gorgeous.

And the kids picked out their pumpkins.

Except for Yessa's cold, it was a perfect time, having them at home.

On Wednesday morning, we loaded up their clean clothes, pounds of groceries they decided to take back, had one final family photo, and drove to the west.

We stopped for lunch in Syracuse at "Half-Price Sushi." Super cute downtown area we all three enjoyed walking through.

We got them all unloaded and settled back in their spaces on campus, then Yessa and I had a run to try the "Cupcake Wednesday" vegan cupcakes available in the dining hall right by her.