Eskimo Kisses and Newspaper Hats
May 22, 2007
Walking into the Queen of Spain’s Kingdom on Thursday night, weary from traveling, I was instantly put at ease by my lovely hosts. As I walked over the threshold of the front entrance, I was embraced by the love in their home. I could feel the warmth of family everywhere.
(art by Jackson, age 4)
We had a quick nightcap and headed to bed. The next morning, I got to meet Jack and Hala. Jack and I built an incredible race car ramp thingy and Hala was content to watch us play on the carpet from the comfort of Mama’s arms. I couldn’t believe just how much snuggling Erin and Kaiser manage to get in with their kids. They are literally all over them, hugging and kissing and little “I love you Mommy and Daddy” voices echoing through the air. My boys are not snugglers and so I have to admit, I was already missing my two rascals, very much.
(Jack helping Daddy clean the garage and pretending he works at a fast food place. When I ordered a pretend poutine, you should have seen Jack’s face. And Kaiser’s too actually. I guess my American friends didn’t ever hear of it. For those who don’t know, poutine is french fries, topped with gravy and cheese curds. Basically a heart attack waiting to happen.)
These babies of Erin and Kaiser’s are absolutely incredible. Jack is a creative little guy who never stops moving (hence my blurry picture). He smiles easily and is constantly singing or dancing or making up little games. He is a loving little boy who was happy to learn a new song with me when Kaiser was BBQing dinner. We sat on the ground on the back patio, clapping and singing like two little kids. Next thing I know, Kaiser and Erin have joined in and we’re howling away the lyrics to Bob and Doug MacKenzie’s 12 Days of Christmas. Jack thought it was pretty funny that there would be a beer in a tree ~ and of course, sang right along once he learned that part.
Hala made my ovaries ache. Her voice like peppermint candy, the sheer size of her loving little heart and the constant affection she pours on her family had me thinking very hard about coming home and having Daren reverse his neutering. A few times this weekend, we were sitting around listening to music and she would just bop bop bop in Kaisers’ arms. She held her pink princess sippy cup to mine after I got her “pink juice with ice,” looked right into my eyes and said, “Cheers!” Soon after, it was her eskimo kisses that had me wrapped around her finger. She even told Kaiser, “Maybe I love Karen.” If I could have brought her home with me, I would have. This coming from a woman who never wanted a daughter. Oy.
Erin and I laughed like 2 little girls all weekend. I’m pretty sure Kaiser’s eyes hurt from rolling them at our incessant giggling. But who could help but laugh at some of the family fun that could have been, if only we’d had enough newspaper?
The cat looks enthusiastic about it, no?
I don’t need no steeeenking newpaper hat!
Erin and Kaiser are two of the most loving parents I’ve ever met. As I watched them work as a team with the tasks like feeding the children and getting them ready for bed, they both took the time to stop and listen not only to the children, attentively and with so much love I thought my heart would burst, but to each other. They really have a solid hold on what love is and I’m so inspired to have had the chance to spend time with their amazing family this past weekend.
The weekend went by so very fast, and between all the amazing cooking (thanks Kaiser!) and the wonderful deep talks and silly laughs we had, it really made for a memorable weekend. I love these two kids, and their kids, with all my heart and it was really hard to say goodbye.
May 22nd, 2007 at 8:47 am
Reading this made me so happy. I am glad you had such a lovely visit, and so happy to read that Erin’s family is so beautiful (as I thought they would be). It must have been so hard for you to leave! I probably would have packed them all in my suitcase and taken them home with me!
May 22nd, 2007 at 9:22 am
Awww! This is the sweetest post. And it’s about the Royal Family that I love. Erin is someone I adore so very much. Her little ones are so darn cute it makes my heart fill with love. And the Kaiser, well, I only know of his comments at the Spain blog, but he seems like a cool guy.
I’m so happy to hear your weekend was great. I’m still jealous. I bet you two made your bond even stronger. It’s so wonderful to have soul-friends, right?
May 22nd, 2007 at 9:51 am
Lies. Lies. Lies. We locked her in the garage all weekend and gave her a mop and bucket. She slaved with the kids-they aren’t allowed in the house.
Ok ok, I guess we DO kinda like eachother. And Hala says ” I DO Wuv Kay-wen Mommy, I DO I DO!”
So there.
xoxoxoxoxxo
May 22nd, 2007 at 10:00 am
That’s sweet and all, but what I REALLY want to hear about was how you and Erin walked around naked all day drinking martinis and margaritas. More importantly, I want the photos.
May 22nd, 2007 at 11:28 am
How sweet is that! I’m so glad you had a good time!
May 22nd, 2007 at 11:30 am
Oh..I forgot to mention..I actually knew what poutine was! Rachel Ray made them on her show a few months ago and OMG…they looked like the yummiest things in the world. heehee.
May 22nd, 2007 at 12:31 pm
w00t!
May 22nd, 2007 at 12:55 pm
I tried to comment and got some crazy error code:
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May 22nd, 2007 at 12:55 pm
Hi, testing your comment box.
May 22nd, 2007 at 1:08 pm
May 22nd, 2007 at 2:27 pm
Thanks to Buster Baxter, I knew what Poutine is. For those of you who are thinking WTF…yes, I am crazy..the Dr told me so. My daughter loves PBS! I’m glad that you had fun with the Queen and her family.
May 22nd, 2007 at 2:28 pm
the error is a large one this time…
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May 22nd, 2007 at 2:35 pm
May 22nd, 2007 at 5:28 pm
I can’t believe with all the BOOZE you guys consumed you didn’t make the cat a newspaper hat.
I’m totally disappointed.
May 22nd, 2007 at 9:47 pm
I had to laugh when I saw your post as I laughed last night when I was reading that issue of Family Fun! Hehehehhee! Good grief!
Have a great week! Great post!
May 23rd, 2007 at 12:33 pm
Reading about how Erin and the Kaiser actually listen to each other and their kids-I am not surprised by that at all! Erin talks tough, but I know she is a big mushball when it comes to her family
I’m so glad you had a great time-you deserved it! Your toes look faboo, and I’m personally relieved that you didn’t get the Brazilian. There are some places on a woman’s body that should never be bruised, ever. OUCH!