Damian & Katerina = How To [vil-helm] #82

How To Villlhelllm: How do You even Spell It?

Tiny Tales from Alyce's Weekly Wonders

Hi, it's me, Alyce! I have something super important to share, but before I get into it, I have to tell you why my heart is feeling a little heavy. My best friend and fluffy brother, Dapper, has hurt his leg. He sprained it during our camping trip, and now he’s stuck in bed rest. No more playtime or our morning walks—everything is on hold while Dapper heals. I miss our fun together so much, but I know he’ll get better soon!

But let’s talk about something AMAZING—our first family camping trip! It was something out of a dream, and I absolutely LOVED it! There was so much to do before we left. Mom and Dad had to pack so much stuff that they rented a second car just for all of it! I felt like a little adventurer already. I got to ride with Mom, and guess what? I slept the whole way there and back like a champ. It was such a good nap!

Now, here’s the best part: I slept in Daddy’s treehouse tent! It was my very first time, and wow, what an adventure that was. I felt like a real explorer up there! It was actually my second time camping at Long Point and in the tent, when my parents went last year, I was already growing in my mommy’s belly!

The only thing I didn’t like was these pesky black flies. They kept buzzing around, being all annoying, but guess what? My supermom had this amazing mosquito net, and it saved the day! Once that net was up, no flies could get to me. Take that, black flies!

I really hope we go on another trip soon because it was so much fun. But first, I need Dapper to get better so we can go on our adventures again. Fingers crossed he’ll be back on his paws soon!

Sending lots of baby hugs and kisses!

Love,

Alyce 💕

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Bug Bites, Baby Cries, and Family Ties: Our End-of-Summer Camping Trip

Hello, Vilhelmians!

As summer winds down in Canada, we squeezed in one last camping trip to Long Point Provincial Park—and boy, was it an adventure! The dunes there are absolutely breathtaking, offering the perfect backdrop for some much-needed fresh air and family time. But with a baby and two dogs, could it really be relaxing?

Family Updates

Parenting with two dogs and an 8-month-old baby is a whole new level of "adventure." Gone are the days when packing up Boujee and Dapper and hitting the road was simple. Now, with Alyce in tow, everything takes twice as long, and there’s not a moment to relax. It’s like managing a tiny CEO with zero interest in your schedules.

Last year’s camping trip? Smooth sailing. We packed up the dogs, found the perfect spot, and had a laid-back adventure. Fast forward to this year, and camping with a baby turned it into something entirely new. While it’s rewarding, there’s hardly a moment to unwind! By the time we set up camp, it feels like it’s already time to pack up and head home.

In hindsight, I should’ve taken more time off work—because when you’re camping with a toddler, if you think something will take an hour, it’ll probably take two. That’s the thing about parenting: life no longer follows the routines you once loved. I’ve always thrived on systems and structure, but with Alyce, everything feels like uncharted territory. She’s discovering the world, and we’re figuring it out right alongside her. Every day brings new surprises and challenges, but honestly, that unpredictability is part of the joy of watching her grow.

When it comes to setting up the tent, we’ve got it down to a science. But this time, we realized we were missing a few key items—like a camp-sized 10x10 bug screen enclosure. Usually, black flies aren’t much of a problem, but this time, Alyce, the dogs, and Kat were definitely not fans! And of course, Kat’s amusing realization that Afterbite stings more than the bite itself gave us all a good laugh.

And speaking of drama, Alyce’s cries could double as mosquito repellent—loud, effective, and impossible to ignore! A shriek so piercing, it wipes out any other thought and grabs your full attention to save her.

Life Skills in Progress

Though she’s only 8 months old, we’re excited to teach Alyce real camping skills as she grows. From setting up a tent to cooking over a campfire, she’s going to be a little wilderness pro. And next time, we’ll definitely pack the proper bug gear!

Research from ParticipACTION and the Canadian Parks Council shows that camping and outdoor activities promote children’s physical and mental well-being, helping to strengthen family bonds and create lasting memories away from daily distractions. We’re eager to embrace these benefits and make unforgettable memories together.

Camping with a baby can be chaotic, but the fresh air, family bonding, and yes—even the mosquito bites—are all worth it. These trips strengthen our family in ways we never expected. Maybe next time, we’ll bring Uncle Everton and Uncle Moe along for an extra set of hands!

Let’s Hear From You!

As we head into fall, we’d love to hear your stories—whether they’re about parenting, adventures, or life in general. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or reply directly to this newsletter. We always appreciate connecting with our Vilhelm community!

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Woof Woof! 🐾

Bonjour, les amis! It’s us, your favorite French bulldog duo, Boujee and Dapper! Guess what we just did? C-A-M-P-I-N-G! Yes, you heard that right! Picture this: two cars, Alyce, the dads, Kat, and of course, us, in all our Frenchie glory, heading out to the great outdoors! The humans were well-prepared—well, as much as humans can be—though I must say, Dapper and I had things under control. We’re natural adventurers, after all.

Now, let’s talk logistics. We had our very own cooled-down tent. Yes, mon dieu, the luxury! I, Boujee, found my spot, cooled down under some glorious shade, and voilà, I was living my best life. No surprise there. Everyone thought I would be the one struggling with the heat. Silly humans! I just kicked back, paws up, and let nature do its thing. Now, Dapper, on the other hand… Oh là là. Our sweet little worrywart wasn’t quite sure how to vacation. It wasn’t the heat—no, monsieur was having a bit of an existential crisis. You know, pondering life, chasing shadows of anxiety. But credit where it’s due: he did fight it. He even trotted down to the water! He got as close as he could to the waves and—brace yourselves—put his precious little paws in! Yes, Dapper, dipping his paws in water! I’ll admit, when the first wave came in, he jumped back faster than you could say "croissant," but hey, progress is progress! Keep going, Dapper, one day you’ll be doing the French bulldog paddle!

The evenings? Magnifique! We gathered 'round the campfire, bundled up in cozy blankets, breathing in that fresh forest air... and maybe a little something else. Ahem, let’s just say Dapper had a “gas problem” that night, which added some unexpected aromas to the experience. He kept wandering around the treehouse tent, spreading the love between Alyce, the dads, and Kat. Typical Dapper, taking up all the space, and oh, the souvenirs he left behind!

Fast forward to post-camping reality: our heroic Dapper sprained his back leg after we got home, probably trying to chase a phantom squirrel or maybe a butterfly. Poor guy’s on bed rest now, but we all miss his bouncy self! Honestly, I can’t wait for him to get back to full power because those squirrels in the backyard aren’t going to chase themselves. Dapper, you’ve got a pack cheering for you—get well soon, so we can continue our squirrel-chasing legacy!

Camping was fantastique! The sand, the beach, the water… oh, it was “almost” like a Frenchie dream! And Dapper? Well, he’s still working on mastering the whole "relaxation" thing, but we’re making progress. One paw in the water at a time, right? So, à la prochaine, camping trip! We’re ready for round two (minus the black flies, please!).

Paws and bisous,

Boujee (The Cool One) & Dapper (The Brave, but Slightly Gassy One)

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Thank you, dear Vilhelmians, for following our adventures! We appreciate your support and would love for you to join our awesome Substack community. Hit that like button, subscribe, and get ready for a wild ride with us! Vilheeeeeelm!