Damian & Katerina = How To [vil-helm] #96

I'm turning one and it's been a ride! From my surprise party to the love and gifts from everyone, I feel so grateful and loved. My favorite part was having my Dida and Babi from Europe, along with Tete and Charlie, here with me. It made my party the best ever! Celebrating Alyce's first birthday was a magical experience, filled with community, teamwork, and joy. We're grateful for the love and support of our friends and family who made this day unforgettable. From the delicious food to the memorable moments, we're so thankful to have shared this experience with all of you. What a week it's been! From the "mystery wind" that whispered "clean and prepare" to the arrival of our special guests from Europe, it's been a whirlwind of excitement. And then, of course, there was THE party - a celebration of love, laughter, and joy. We're still finding glitter everywhere, but it was all worth it for the unforgettable memories we made with our dear friends and family.

Tiny Tales from Alyce's Weekly Wonders

Hi everyone! It’s me, Alyce! I just turned ONE, and oh my goodness, what a ride it’s been!

It all started with my mom bundling me up for a walk with my Dida and Babi. I was cozy in my little bundle, and when I woke up... WHOA! I couldn't believe my eyes! There were SO many people everywhere! It felt like the whole world came to visit me at once! My house was full of family, neighbors, and friends! It was the BEST surprise!

Guess what? I got dressed in the most beautiful red dress with a bow. It was HUGE and so fancy, like a princess dress! I looked like I was ready for Christmas already! 🎄🎀

And OH, the decorations! My daddy and Uncle Charlie worked so hard putting up a big Elmo garland that goes across the entire room! It had stockings and twinkly lights – it was like being in a magical wonderland.

But you know what made my party even more special? My nanny Taylor was there! She came to my party too, and it was so nice to have her with me. I LOVE her so much!

Now, let's talk about the cake... Mmm! My mom got me an ice cream cake, and it had unicorns and balloons all over it! 🎂🎉 I actually got THREE cakes! Two from my parents and one from Uncle Everton. But the best part? Auntie Sheryl made a Jamaican rum cake, and everyone, especially my dad, LOVED it! They said it was so delicious!

I haven’t opened all my presents yet, but I want to thank everyone who brought me something. You’re all so thoughtful! I feel super loved!

But the very best part of my birthday was having my Dida and Babi from Europe, along with Tete and Charlie, here with me. Finally meeting them in person was the most wonderful gift I could ever ask for. It made my party the best EVER!

Thank you all for being part of my special day. I love you all soooo much! 💕

With all my baby hugs,

Alyce 👶💖

Alyce’s 1st Birthday: A Day of Love and Connection

Hello Vilhelmians!, Yesterday, we celebrated Alyce’s first birthday, and it was nothing short of magical! We opened our doors to long-time friends, family, and even some of our new neighbors. The party began at 2:00 PM, but from the very start, it became clear that this wasn’t just a celebration of Alyce—it was a celebration of community, teamwork, and the joy that comes from shared connections.Eddy and Julie made sure everyone had a seat by dropping off extra chairs, while Hanna worked her decluttering magic (seriously, where does all that stuff come from?). Noelle took charge of handing out the adorable end-of-night gift boxes, adding a sweet, memorable touch to the evening.When it came to food, it felt like a well-choreographed dance. My sister picked up the delicious meat pies from Hamilton Meat Pie Company and some amazing Jamaican dishes, while Hildred brought both Alyce’s birthday cake from Marble Slab and a cheesecake, which were absolute hits! Moe and Ang took care of the Fortino’s food pickup, and Everton came through with ice and helped with the end-of-night coffee service. (Although, to be fair, we managed to brew coffee so weak it could’ve floated away with the helium balloons!) Tyler set up the buffet with precision, ensuring dinner was both seamless and satisfying. Great job, team!It was also wonderful seeing the interaction between our guests, whether it was through shared connections to Europe or a mutual love for Jamaican rum cake. Those little bonds are what make gatherings like this truly special.Looking back, there were so many highlights of the day, but seeing everyone together was definitely at the top of the list. There was something truly magical about watching Alyce and Tresa interact—they’ve got such a special bond already, and it was a beautiful thing to witness.Later in the evening, after Alyce went to bed, the celebration continued. Our friends from Toronto stopped by, and while the music wasn’t loud, the vibe was perfect. It wasn’t about the drinks (though yes, there were a couple—and Gill pours a pretty big shot). It was about laughter, connection, and just being in the moment. Even Charlie joined in the fun, pulling a prank on our friend Joy during the ring pop game, which had everyone in stitches. It was moments like these that made the evening unforgettable.Reflecting on Alyce turning one, it was such an inspiring and grounding moment. Watching our little girl grow has already brought so much meaning to our lives. I’ve realized that these celebrations are more than just milestones—they’re a reminder of how important it is to cherish the people around you and nurture the bonds that tie us together.One year ago, both Katerina and I were thrust into parenthood, unsure of what the future would hold. And somehow, we survived—and thrived—together.There’s something truly special about these shared experiences—the highs and lows, the small moments of connection that make life so rich. Whether it was the helium balloons floating toward the ceiling or Tresa meeting a new friend, it was those little magical moments that gave the day its soul. It reminded me how important community is in raising a child; while our “village” may be small, it is undoubtedly mighty.It’s not our first time hosting so many people, but this celebration felt different. It was a celebration of Alyce, yes, but also of the village that surrounds her. We’re incredibly lucky to have such a loving and supportive group of people in our lives.And while we may be far apart, memories like this one will last a lifetime. So here’s to more milestones, more laughter, and more moments like these. Thank you for being part of our journey and for sharing in these special moments with us.

Woof Woof! 🐾

Ahhhh, les amis, where do we begin? What a week it has been! Let’s start with the mystery wind—oh yes, this wind that whispered throughout the house, “We must clean! We must prepare!” Kat kept going on about it all week. But let us tell you, when we say everywhere was a mess, we mean everywhere—and we are not just talking about the usual spots like under the sofa (which, by the way, is our favorite spot, non?) or behind the door where the toys mysteriously disappear. Oh no, this was an entirely new level of chaos. Kat was muttering something about being tired. Tired? We say, “Mon Dieu, that’s no excuse!”

So, Kat did what she could, but we’ll be honest—things were not exactly spotless. But you know, she’s got a lot going on... Alyce’s party, the arrival of very special guests from Europe... C’est la vie! But I digress…

Enter Friday. Ding ding ding, the VIPs have arrived—dida Karel, babi Hana, Charlie, and Tete! All the way from Europe! Vive la famille! We were SO excited. Especially Dapper, who immediately became best friends with dada Karel (such a big heart for him, honestly, just like his love for food, but that's a story for another time) and of course, Tete. Dapper followed Tete around like he was his shadow. Very cute, we must say.

Then, it was time for THE party, la grande fête (yes, Alyce's first birthday party). Où commencer...? When we say the house was full, we mean FULL. People everywhere, pets everywhere—there was even a cousin of the dogs (aka, a friend of the family with a pet) who tried to join our club. But no one can replace us. We are the stars, bien sûr.

It was like a scene from one of those movies where there’s so much going on, you don't even know where to look—parties, laughter, music, kids running around, and did we mention all the love? There were hugs, there were kisses, and there was so much attention for little Alyce. We may have accidentally bumped into a few guests in our excitement, but that’s just because we were so happy to see everyone. C'est normal!

And you know what? We loved every moment of it. Every second of the chaos. Every doggy biscuit. Every belly rub. Every squeal of joy. C’est magnifique!

Alyce, ma chère, we love you. We hope your first birthday was everything you dreamed of (and let’s not forget the cake… the cake... did someone say cake??). We look forward to many more celebrations with you and your wonderful family.

So here's to the most beautiful first birthday party ever—filled with laughter, love, and of course, a little bit of mess (because that’s what makes it memorable, no?). Thank you, Alyce, for making us a part of this unforgettable day.

A bientôt, mes amis!

Love, Boujee & Dapper

P.S. Did anyone see where Kat put the snacks? We are still looking for those.

P.P.S. Zut alors! Did I say the house was clean? We are still finding glitter everywhere.