How To [vil-helm] #145: 11-23-2025 Experience winter's heartwarming joy, festive journeys, and sweet tiny wonders

As the holiday season truly gets into full swing, we've found ourselves discovering new layers of joy and meaning in the annual buildup to Christmas. From magical train rides and charming new traditions to a toddler's most anticipated birthday (and cake!) and even our pets' snowy antics, there's a sprinkle of cheer for everyone in this update.

Our Christmas Cheer Discovery: A Timeless Ride on the Waterloo Central Railway!

Hey there, friend!

Ahead of the Holiday Rush

Holiday cheer! It's time for us to talk about the holidays each year, and this year, it felt a lot more in control. We actually got ahead of things, like getting our snow tires on well before the mad rush – usually a scramble! We even tried to chase the fall colors on the Waterloo Central Railway's Heritage Hopper ride. The leaves were a bit early, but it certainly set a more intentional tone for the season.

The Magic of the Christmas Train

Now that it's November, our thoughts have turned to Christmas, and another train adventure! We booked the Waterloo Central Railway Christmas train ride for Katerina, Alyce, and me.

This incredible railway, run by dedicated volunteers preserving rail heritage, has made their Christmas train a cherished annual tradition for families since 2007, making it a fixture of holiday cheer in the region for over 15 years! Having only seen holiday trains from the outside, we were in for a treat!

The train itself was beautifully decked out with festive lights, and inside, it was a lively, family event filled with music, silly trivia, and enchanting characters. They even had a special display carriage filled with toys collected for donation! The elves worked non-stop to put everyone in the Christmas spirit, leading sing-alongs, telling jokes, and ensuring every single child got a high-five. Jack Frost made playful mischief, too!

Then, Santa and Mrs. Claus made a grand appearance, bringing gasps of delight from the little ones (and some adults!) as they greeted everyone. Alyce was instantly charmed, especially after spotting a beautiful Doll with a blue dress on the toy display. I tried to explain to her that I couldn't simply grab it because the toys were there for donation. When we got off the train, she asked if Santa would bring it, and I promised her I'd make sure it's in the Letter to Santa this year!

The True Meaning of Cheer

This train ride was a revelation. While watching families laugh, sing carols, and enthusiastically answer questions, I discovered what Christmas cheer truly means: it's the buildup to Christmas!

As a parent, the holidays feel completely different. I've always been a last-minute Ebenezer Scrooge, but Alyce's growing wonder—recognizing reindeers, Santa, and snowmen—has completely shifted my perspective. She's even starting to sing Christmas carols! Yes, yes, I'm going to teach her that classic alternate version: "Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Batman smells, Robin laid an egg, and the Batmobile broke its wheel and the Joker got away!" Seeing the world through her eyes, and watching the excitement build for her, is the joy.

Looking out the window as the world passed by, a genuine sense of joy and peace came over me. That's it, I realized, Christmas cheer is that beautiful feeling you get in your heart when you feel at peace.

Holiday Checklist Time

This shift in perspective has made me appreciate my own favorite Christmas traditions even more. These are the things that truly signal the start of the season for me:

Music: Listening to the classic Christmas carols by Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, and Dean Martin that my mom would always play.
Treats: Enjoying a slice of Jamaican rum cake (a must-have!).
Unique Custom: The annual appearance of the Christmas Carp in the bathtub (a special tradition from Katerina’s family!).
Decorating: Putting up the Christmas tree and decorating the house.
Sips: Drinking rich eggnog.
Atmosphere: Seeing the first perfect snowfall.
Anticipation: The nostalgic feeling of waiting up for Santa.

Spreading the Light

Inspired, the very next day, we tackled our outdoor decorations earlier than ever. It took an afternoon, but when those lights lit up our roof, a few neighbors stopped to tell us we were "bringing Christmas cheer to the neighborhood!"

In our area, many folks are retired and don't decorate as much, so it made us smile knowing we could spark some festive spirit. Because, truly, Christmas cheer is for everyone – and it starts with us!

🎁 Your Turn!

As we cherish these old customs and the joy they bring, I wonder what new traditions we will develop with Alyce this year? We’ve found our spark of peace, and now we want to hear about yours! What is the one thing (big or small) that instantly brings you into the Christmas spirit? Hit reply and let me know!

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Alyce's Weekly Wonders: Birthday Cake, Blue Dolls, & Santa!

Hi everyone, it’s me, Alyce — yes, THE Alyce, 23 months old and currently the most excited tiny human in the universe. Ever since Halloween ended (which, by the way, I absolutely LOVED), my whole world has turned into a magical sparkle explosion. One day I was staring at pumpkins, and the next day everything jingles, shines, or lights up. Do I understand why? No. Do I care? Also no. It’s all AMAZING.

But before we talk about Christmas — we need to talk about something MUCH more important: my birthday. Yes, my big day is on December 13th, and honestly, I think the world should prepare. Because do you know what birthdays mean? Cake. And I love cake. Any cake. All cake. Chocolate, vanilla, mysterious cake… if it’s cake, it’s my best friend. Then there are the candles! The tiny fire sticks that I, a powerful almost-two-year-old, get to blow out like a birthday dragon. I’m already practicing my blowing skills on everything. My birthday is coming, and I am READY for the party, the singing, the balloons, and especially the cake (did I mention cake?).

Now, once my birthday is over and I’ve finished all my official cake responsibilities, we can talk about Christmas. And Christmas this year? Ohhhh, it’s a whole adventure.

The BIGGEST thing that happened recently was when Mommy and Daddy took me on a train ride — a real-life choo-choo. And that’s when I saw her: the doll in the blue dress. I don’t know her name (Mom said something like “Frozen,” but I have no idea what that is), but let me tell you: the moment I saw her, it was done. My heart said, “Yes. That one. I pick her.” She has been living inside my tiny brain ever since. Her blue dress? Iconic. Her hair? Perfect. Her vibe? Magical. I hope Santa saw the look in my eyes because, honestly, I was not subtle. I NEED that doll. Manifesting with all the power a 23-month-old can muster.

I also met Santa, by the way. Yes, the real Santa. He was right there, big beard, red suit, warm smile… and very, very close. Too close. I got nervous, stared at him with suspicious toddler eyes, and said “nope.” So no photo this year — next year maybe, when he gives me at least a full meter of space and doesn’t loom like a giant cookie monster in red.

Anyway, between my birthday and Christmas, life is VERY exciting. Everything is magic. Lights everywhere, sparkles everywhere, trees everywhere, and Mom keeps telling me not to touch the ornaments, but honestly, I MUST touch them. They call me. They sparkle. I am weak.

So here I am, almost two, ready for cake, ready for Christmas, and very, VERY ready to welcome home my blue-dress doll (Santa, please… don’t play with my heart).

With all the love, excitement, and glittery joy a toddler can contain,
Alyce 🎄🎂✨

Snowy Days, Stylish Ways & Our New Favorite Napping Spot!

Did you survive the recent snow chaos like we did, les amis? One moment our backyard looked like we were hosting the Winter Olympics, then bam! it all melted like a dramatic diva making an exit! Dapper, naturally, was in absolute heaven. He ran, rolled, and snorted little snowflakes like a Michelin-starred appetizer!

Me? Boujee? Less thrilled. Snow freezes my delicate paws, and frankly, it’s rude. But even I must admit: having the entire backyard transformed into a snowy playground was… kind of fun. Dapper kept shouting “LOOK AT THIS!” while zooming, so what can a lady do? Now that the cold has returned, it’s our time to shine because we get to wear our fabulous sweaters — and we have more than a few. Truly, we could host a runway show! Fashion Week has nothing on us.

But enough about fashion — let’s talk about the real news: Alyce has moved to a toddler bed! As you know, a toddler bed sits at exactly… French bulldog height. Which means: access granted! When Alyce takes her nap, we nap too, cuddled right beside her like two warm little baguettes. She loves it, we love it — everyone wins.

And then comes the best part. At night, when Alyce slides into the parents’ bed — as toddlers do — guess who gets her bed entirely to himself? Dapper! He lounges like a king, stretches diagonally, and sighs dramatically, with zero shame. Meanwhile, I stay with Alyce because someone has to be the responsible adult in the room. I am her bodyguard, her chaperone, her elegant shadow.

So yes, the snow came and went, the sweaters came out to shine, and Alyce is officially a big girl with a bed that doubles as our new favourite spot. Life is very good, les amis. Almost as good as when someone accidentally leaves chicken on the table.