I want to enjoy my daughter and her family over Succos. But she doesn’t see what she’s doing to the family

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ne of the best parts about marrying off your children is when they come back to visit. And then all the sleepless nights and petty fights disappear, poof, and it’s just you and them, in the kitchen, singing and reminiscing about old times.

In case you were wondering, yes, I’m excited that my eldest, Tehillah, is coming in for Yuntiff. Succos is my favorite Yuntiff; I love sitting in the four walls, surrounded by my children’s artwork. With Tehillah coming from Los Angeles, and Dovi back from Eretz Yisrael to start shidduchim, everyone will be home first days this year, and I plan to enjoy every minute. Especially the catch-up with Tehillah, cooking and chatting, coffee and babka in the succah while the men daven, and shepping nachas over the world’s cutest kids.

I take a sip of my coffee and consult my lists. My eyes don’t want to work this early, but they don’t have a choice. “Mortifying” reading glasses on (thanks, kids), and we’re in business. Tehillah and co. will be arriving from Los Angeles in about an hour; they took the redeye, they’re renting a car at the airport, and I just need to make sure everything is ready. I have most of Yuntiff in the freezer, but my boys polished off quite a bit before and after Yom Kippur, and with it being Erev Shabbos, we need to hustle.

Here’s what you need to know about me: I don’t patchke. Show me a recipe that has more than four steps, and I’m out. But I do enjoy a nice Yuntiff seudah, especially for Succos. Luckily, I have teenage daughters. Yaeli and Devorah loooove patchking. I’m not sure why; maybe it gives them a sense of purpose? All I know is that if I say, “Did you see this recipe for beef jerky-wonton-sushi-macarons” they’re all over it. They found a few things in the latest magazines that they still want to make, but for today, when we need to work on the succah, welcome a family of five after an all-night flight, and get to Shabbos on time, we’re sticking to the basics.

I take out the mixer to start on the challah, and I almost don’t hear the gentle knock on the front door. But the next thing I know, my beautiful daughter and her wonderful family have tiptoed into the house, looking exhausted but so happy. It is so good to see them. I also find it impressive the way they have taken over my pristine den in a matter of ten seconds. Diaper bags, carry-ons, food bags, and a YOYO stroller are now covering my cleaned-for-Shabbos living room. But focus, Shoshy, your kids are here.

We hug and shep and share and then Nachshon goes off to find a minyan, and I show the boys the fancy breakfast I’ve laid out. They shrug shyly and then dig into the cereals and yogurts I purchased in their honor.

Tehillah yawns so I send her upstairs for a nap with the baby and corral the boys into the playroom and wake up nine-year-old Uncle Moishy to watch them while I return to my dough.