Damian & Katerina = How To [vil-helm] #98

Welcome back, Vilhelmians! This week, Alyce embraces the freedom of solo exploration, accompanied by the ever-faithful Boujee and Dapper. Damian and Katerina share their cherished memories of a holiday season brimming with love, laughter, and unforgettable adventures from Pickering to Buffalo, New York. Boujee and Dapper bid adieu to their visitors, eagerly explore their new dog bed, and adjust to the changes in their routine while still yearning for the companionship of their departed friends. Despite the adjustments, life at the Arnold's continues to unfold with a delightful blend of adventure and cozy contentment.

Tiny Tales from Alyce's Weekly Wonders

Hello, world! It’s me, Alyce! I’ve been having the most wonderful time lately, learning all kinds of new things and having some super fun adventures!

First of all, I’m so proud to tell you that I can now stand all by myself! Yup, no more holding on to anything for support—just me, my two little feet, and lots of balance. I can even squat down and sit on the floor, and I do it so elegantly, if I do say so myself.

But guess what’s even better? My mom and dad put up a "gate"! Yes, a gate! Now, I get to roam freely between the kitchen and living room, and oh, the discoveries I’ve made! There are so many new things to see and touch (and yes, taste too, because why not?)! And now that I’m at the level of Boujee and Dapper, I can explore with them by my side. Sometimes they just lay on their new sofa bed that Santa brought them (how cool is that?!) while I explore, and other times they follow me on my little adventures. We’re like a little crew!

Speaking of adventures, Auntie Sharon came to visit, and it was so much fun! We spent time reading new books and playing together, and it was just wonderful. And to make things even more exciting, we all got in the car and went to Buffalo to drop Auntie Sharon off for her flight back home. I got to cross the border into the U.S. not once, but twice in one week! Can you believe that? I was such a little world traveler!

Oh! And remember when I was asking about stockings? Well, now I totally get it! Santa brought so many presents, and they were all under the tree—so many that I could barely believe it! Some of the presents even came all the way from Europe!
It was so magical! After opening all my gifts, I was so tired (from all the excitement, of course!) that I just fell asleep right under the tree, like a gift myself.

Dad keeps saying there were too many presents and that he won’t be able to enjoy them all, but I think he’s looking at it the wrong way. Santa was just showing him how much he’s loved and how he’s been a good boy this year! I mean, who wouldn’t want all those awesome gifts, right?

So yeah, it’s been a super magical time around here. I’m growing and learning new things every day, and I’m so happy to share all of this with my family, Boujee, Dapper, and, of course, with all of you!

Sending love and joy from my little world!
Love,
Alyce 💖

Celebrating Milestones and Making Memories

Hello our Vilhelmians!

Twelve days of family bliss (and a mountain of laundry!) have left us catching our breath here in Hamilton. This visit was extra special, as I was able to take time off work to fully immerse myself in the fun – a welcome change from the last visit, which was unfortunately punctuated by work calls. It was a whirlwind, but absolutely worth every minute.

Over the past few weeks, we've been celebrating so many special occasions! We celebrated Alyce's first birthday (cue the tears!), Christmas, and visits from friends and family – it's been a truly festive and heartwarming time. It was such a joy for Alyce to finally meet her extended family from the Czech Republic. Seeing the raw emotion and pure joy on everyone's faces was truly heartwarming. Our home was transformed into a bustling hub for twelve days. Mornings were a delightful frenzy of breakfast, lunch, and dinner preparations – we joked that we were running a small restaurant! But a natural rhythm quickly emerged, with everyone pitching in, from cooking to setting the table (thanks, Charlie!) to the inevitable cleanup. We’re so lucky that Kat’s dad and stepmom are so incredibly welcoming. I'll never forget the way Kat's dad gently held her hand as she explored his face with her tiny fingers. It was a beautiful reminder of the deep love within Kat's family, through all of life's ups and downs. Watching Kat interact with her dad, with their easy laughter and weekly calls, is something I truly admire. It's quite different from what I experienced with my own father, and seeing how he is with his children makes me reevaluate what a dad should and can be.

We packed so much into those days! We braved the Toronto Christmas Market (let me tell you, seeing Kat's stepmom spring into action, changing Alyce's diaper standing up while navigating the crowds, is a true parenting superpower!). We stood in amazement and said to each other, "We have so much to still learn!" We even took a little adventure down to Buffalo for some sightseeing and duty-free shopping – a classic Canadian experience! Our Buffalo trip served a dual purpose: duty-free shopping and picking up my sister from the airport. She flew in from NYC for a much-needed break, and it was wonderful to catch up. The last time she saw Alyce, she was just a tiny baby! Now she's a full-on toddler – time really does fly! We even made a quick stop at Goat Island to see the US side of Niagara Falls. It’s definitely a different experience in the winter, but still a sight to behold! I’ve never been one to let a little cold or snow stop an adventure, and it was nice to show the family another side of Niagara Falls that many don't get to see up close.

Kat's family visit was one for the books! We did so much, we even had an early Christmas for the kids – or were we practicing for Yule Lads? Either way, we gave the kids their Christmas gifts early as we wouldn't be celebrating Christmas together since they would be flying back home. Seeing the faces of kids lighting up is the real reason for the holidays.

But all good things must come to an end. The hardest part, as always, was saying goodbye. Teresa's tearful “Damian, I want to stay!” still echoes in my ears (and maybe in my heart a little too!). It’s always tough to see loved ones go. But we made a promised venture to Europe in the spring as Alyce has to meet the other side of the family.

After Kat's family left, our next event was our annual pilgrimage to Pickering for our annual Christmas dinner at Uncle Moe's. He put on a fantastic spread, and it was so lovely to connect with some very special people over a delicious meal. Moe and Ang have always been welcoming to me and have now also taken my new family under their wings. I can't tell you just how much it means to see them, and for us to continue this tradition after so many years, is heartfelt. That said, we do need to add a movie and maybe some Christmas games, now that we all have ugly Christmas sweaters.

The next day, it was time to spend some time with my sister from NYC. I did my best on my take of the Jamaican classic breakfast of ackee, saltfish, and bami. I think it went over well. After breakfast, my sister ventured out and found a last-minute tour of Dundurn Castle on December 24th. She's always been an adventurer who likes to learn about the places she visits. While it wasn't Buckingham Palace, from what she tells me, it was a nice tour. We later enjoyed a reflective chat about life and our upbringing at the boat slip at Bayfront Park. We talked about how the hardships we’ve faced have become pillars of strength, and how our faith continues to guide us through life's inevitable challenges.

Reflections and Lessons Learned:
This whirlwind of activity wasn't just fun; it gave us some time to reflect on a few things. We definitely indulged a bit (okay, maybe more than a bit!) with all the festive meals and treats, which is a good reminder to get back to healthier eating habits and incorporate more nutritious snacks like carrots into our daily routine, especially with a little one. The busy days reminded us that nurturing our relationships is far more important than being "right." More than anything, this time with family has filled our hearts with gratitude. We're so lucky to have such loving and supportive people in our lives. We racked up 678 km on the odometer this holiday season, making several trips to spend precious time with family. It was a small price to pay for the joy of togetherness.

We'd love to hear about your own family traditions and the special moments you cherish. What are some of your favorite memories from recent visits or gatherings with your loved ones? Share your stories with us – we’d love to hear from you!

Warmly,

Damian, Katerina & Alyce (and the furry pups!)

Woof Woof! 🐾

Well, well, well… guess what, Vilhelmians? EVERYONE is gone. And when we say "everyone", we mean everyone! First, the Europeans took their baguettes and croissants back to their home country (those of you who call them “French bread” know nothing, it’s an art), and we are here, left alone with the memories of their French accents and long naps in the sun. Oh, how we miss their belly rubs…

Then, Auntie Sharon! Oh, Auntie Sharon… we love her so much. She left us and went back to New York. How could she leave us with such an empty spot in the house? You know, Boujee can’t even look at the stairs the same way after Sharon’s visit. I even went downstairs to her room to ask for some belly rubs. I had to make sure she knew the love we have for her is unconditional and absolutely needs to be revisited. I’ll just wait here... no rush.

And then, there was Santa. Yes, you heard that right—Santa! He came for a hot minute, dropped off all the best presents, and then poof, disappeared. No goodbye. Not even a "see you next year." Just left. All we have to remember him by is a lot of extra treats and toys. What are we supposed to do with all these new squeaky things without him here to give us more? Unacceptable, Santa.

But wait! We are so not complaining because life is pretty darn good right now. Sure, everyone is gone, but we have THE NEW BED. Oh la la, it’s the stuff of dreams, my friends. It’s like a sofa—for dogs. I know, I know, you’re probably thinking “But Boujee, how is this possible?” Well, imagine a fluffy cloud that is so soft and cozy, even the humans would probably give up their spot to lounge on it. And guess what? Dapper and I, the dynamic duo, get to snuggle together. We fit perfectly and let me tell you, there is no better way to spend a Tuesday afternoon than rolling around on our new 5-star bed, having our mid-afternoon snooze, pretending we’re in Paris. C’est magnifique!

But… as with all good things, there must be a slight downside. They’ve added this new gate, you know, the one Kat and the dads put together to keep Alyce safe from our wild antics. What do we think of it? Non! No, no, no. It’s not fluffy, it’s not comfortable, and now we’re separated from our beloved window. How could they do this to us? We have to look out of a smaller window now. A travesty. But, on the bright side, Alyce is getting more active and coming over to us! When she plays, she’s now at our level, and guess what? She gives the best belly rubs. I mean, who’s really winning here?

So, while we miss our humans, our bed, and our windows (and definitely our favorite visitors), we are coping quite well. We’re living the good life, getting all the pets, and letting everyone know just how much we love them.

Come back, everybody! We already miss you. The house is quieter, but we’ve still got enough love and belly rubs to go around. Who knows? Maybe we’ll even get some more squeaky toys in the process. À bientôt, humans! We'll be here, just waiting for you to return—with more French bread, more belly rubs, and more of everything.

With all our snuggles and snores,
Boujee & Dapper