Damian & Katerina = How To [vil-helm] #108

Alyce is growing up fast, getting into everything, and learning new things, with a mission to discover all the cool things in life, and having fun along the way. Damian's birthday was a surprise party filled with laughter, old stories, and delicious food, thanks to Kat's planning, and he's grateful for the love and connection from family and friends that made his day special. As the snow melts, the family is excited for walkies, warmer weather, and new adventures, but also dealing with the mischief of Dapper and Alyce, who have a disturbing hobby of chewing on plastic, and enjoying the simple joys of life, like the sunshine.

Tiny Tales from Alyce's Weekly Wonders

Hi everyone, it’s me, Alyce! I’m almost 15 months old—can you believe it? Time flies when you’re having fun! Mom says it’s like I’m growing so fast, and I think I’m on a mission to get bigger and learn all the cool things!

So, guess what? I’ve been getting into everything. Mom and Dad think the kitchen cabinets are safe, but not anymore! I love opening them and finding all sorts of treasures, like the pots and pans that make the best sounds when I bang them. And then there’s the island—oh, I love running around it with the biggest smile on my face! It’s like a never-ending game of catch me if you can, and I’m always the fastest! Dad always says he’s running out of time to keep up with me, but I’m just getting started!

Now, let’s talk about food. I’ve been adding more and more to my list—avocados, corn puffs, soup… all the good stuff! But there’s one thing I’ve found really fun lately: beverages! I know what they are (of course I do, I’m practically a pro now!), but sometimes I like to spit them out just to see what happens. It's so silly! Mom and Dad just laugh, but I’m really working on it!

On a more serious note, something happened this week that gave us all a little scare. I had a moment when my swallow seemed uncoordinated. It reminded Mom and Dad of some past episodes, and they were a bit worried. But I’ve been feeling so much better since then, and I’m eating everything I love—maybe even more than ever! I just want to keep discovering new food and doing all the things I love. Hopefully, that was just a one-off!

Oh, and don’t even get me started on how much I love playing with Boujee and Dapper. We’re like a little pack, and when they’re not sunbathing in the window or lounging around, they’re chasing me and playing tag! I really can’t wait for the next adventure with them—maybe another trip soon? I’ve been thinking about that last camping trip, and I loved every second of it (especially sleeping in the cozy tent with Mom and Dad).

Thank you for reading about my little adventures. I’m growing fast, and I can’t wait to see what the next few months bring!

Lots of love,
Alyce 💕

The Joy of Unexpected Gatherings!

Hey Vilhelmians!

Let’s talk birthdays! Ah, another trip around the sun and somehow I still feel like a kid at heart (just with a questionable back and the kind of wisdom you get from having a toddler). This year, I envisioned a peaceful Saturday in pajamas—think coffee, maybe a crumpet,, and a healthy dose of my “relaxation station” playlist. Sounds nice, right? Kat, however, had other ideas, because surprise!

It started like any other weekend morning. Alyce woke me up with her daily dose of sunshine, we made breakfast, and the dogs were in full-on cuteness mode, which, let’s be honest, is a full-on distraction. Kat casually mentioned a quick trip to pick up something from Facebook Marketplace, and I snuggled back into my comfy zone, ready for some quality chill time. About thirty minutes later—the first “surprise” struck! In walked my niece Kim, who basically burst in like a confetti cannon shouting “Happy Birthday!”

Then, my sister showed up, quickly followed by my best mate Moe, his wife, and my brother Everton. It was suddenly a whole party! I was touched (and slightly terrified). I guess I’m officially the “old man” of the family who now gets surprise parties? I might start hanging a "Surprise-Free Zone" sign on the front door. I mean, between heart palpitations and all that delicious cake from Kat, my heart can only take so much!

The afternoon was filled with laughter, old stories, and—oh boy—an impressive raclette lunch. Seriously, if you haven’t tried raclette, I highly recommend eating cheese until you’re in food comas. Also, I can assure you that Boujee and Dapper were all too happy to soak up any leftover scraps (thanks to their expert puppy-dog eyes).

As I reflect on another year, I realize I’m not just a smidge older or wiser—more like just patient enough to handle Alyce’s 5:30 AM spontaneous karaoke sessions.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who made my birthday so special! Your calls, FaceTime chats, and messages warmed my heart more than coffee on a chilly morning.

To quote someone much wiser than me “Life's greatest surprises aren't grand gestures, but the quiet moments shared with those who know your heart."

Here’s to more moments filled with joy, connection, and those unexpected surprises that make life truly remarkable!

Catch you all soon!

Woof Woof! 🐾

Ah, les amis, the snow is FINALLY melting! Yes, you heard it right, finally! We can feel the warm air creeping in, and honestly, we’re not sure whether to celebrate or shed a tear. The backyard, once our majestic kingdom, is now a mere shadow of its former self, slowly turning from a winter wonderland into a muddy disaster. C'est la vie, as they say!

But let’s not dwell on that for too long—because with the melting snow comes a magnifique new era: WALKIES! Yes, the time has come for us to strut our stuff around the block, sniff the neighbors, and remind everyone who the real kings and queens of the neighborhood are. It’s like a royal parade every time we leave the house, non? But wait, there’s more! With warmer weather, we have high hopes for multiple walks—et plusieurs, if we’re lucky—before it gets unbearably hot and we end up with paws that are too warm to even think about stepping on the sidewalk.

Now, there’s something I must address, something very serious, and I trust you will take me seriously on this: Dapper and Alyce, of all creatures, share a rather disturbing hobby. I mean, REALLY disturbing. They both—yes, BOTH—enjoy chewing on PLASTIC! Vraiment, plastic! Do you understand the gravity of this situation? Dapper, with all the wonderful toys at his disposal, has decided that the most exciting thing in life is... a plastic bottle. Alyce, of course, has an excuse—she’s teething, poor little thing. But Dapper? The sophistication of his palate has clearly gone out the window. He’s more interested in Alyce’s puree pouches than in the squeaky toys or balls we’ve been gifted with.

And let’s not even talk about the pure joy they get from gnawing on plastic. It’s like the forbidden fruit for them, and honestly, it’s both fascinating and horrifying at the same time. I keep telling them, “Why not chew on a nice, luxurious bone or one of the many plush toys we’ve received?” But no. It’s always the plastic. C’est la folie!

Now, let’s take a moment to appreciate something truly beautiful—the sun was out today. The sun! After what felt like years of grey skies and endless snow, the glorious, warm sun made its grand entrance, and oh, how we basked in its light. The world felt different today, like we had been revived from a long, cold slumber. If the sun was a person, I’d give it a big French kiss on the cheek (but not too much—I don’t want to embarrass myself).

So, here’s to melting snow, to our walks, to chewing on tres suspicious plastic, and to the sun that finally decided to grace us with its presence. Who knows what the next few days will bring, but for now, we’ll enjoy every moment of this beautiful weather, because in the blink of an eye, it’ll be too hot for our little French bulldog legs to handle.

Allez les Frenchies! We’re ready for walkies, sunshine, and hopefully fewer plastic bottles. Oui, s’il vous plaît!

Boujee & Dapper ❤️