Happy Canada Day Everyone!

Since we don't have recent patriotic picture, this one from last year should do just fine.

Hope your having a fantastic time in this great country of ours and wherever else you may be!

Jonah :)

So you wanna be a Rock 'n' Roll star

Music is in my blood. I am an heir to a rock and or roll throne of sorts. My Dad's extended family boasts several talented folks including my Baba Ken and Uncle Kirk. Even my Auntie Cherise is picking up her axe again. Two of my teen cousins have started or play in rock bands. Then on my Nana's side is well, my Nana who can play Dulcimer and Violin and my cousin Jesse is considered a child prodigy on the Bass guitar. Recently, My Dad and his old buddy Uncle Ryan have started meeting on a regular basis and jamming with their acoustics. With all this music around, is it any wonder that I'm posing for photo's like this:



I know these shots are not the best quality and my Dad had to crop them slightly but I'm clearly demonstrating an interest in guitar, seen here 'playing' my Sesame Street Elmo Electric complete with Wah-Wah pedal (the glasses were Dad's idea). So watch out world, The J to the D is in the house. Maybe I will aspire to the level greatness that my middle namesake conjures!



Keep on a rockin' me baby!

Jonah Django :)

Old MacDonald had a....strike, E I E I Ohhh!

Greetings one and all,

Well thank your lucky stars that you don't live in my city. For over a week now we have been in the throws of a municipal strike which has halted all garbage, recycling and compost collection and impacted city services including certain daycare facilities and other social support offices. My daycare is privately run but I feel for those families scrambling to adjust having already paid their fees through July.

My Dad was saying that he's noticing the impact it's having on his clients who are on social welfare, and those kids who get jobs with the city each summer. it's also making it impossible for families and children to enjoy the public pools and parks that are plentiful throughout Toronto. Worst of all, the streets ( and parks with playgrounds) are slowly filling up with garbage of all sorts as people can't help but litter instead of taking their trash home. At home, we are scratching our heads wondering what to do with our refuse too, what a mess!

The greatest loss for me is that I can't go to my beloved Riverdale Farm. It too has been shut down till the strike ends. Below is a pic of Mom and I by the farm's Duck Pond. I'm really missing my weekly trip to see the animals and I hope someone is keeping them fed and giving them fresh water.

Another unfortunate result of this stupid strike is that the City Ferry service to Toronto Island is not running. As many of you know, Toronto Island is a fave spot of our family and a welcome solace from the hot, gritty urban landscape. We often take our bikes and have lunch by the lake.

Let's hope this strike is settled before all of our family gets here. I don't think our first set of visitors Jules and Joe, will appreciate playing in the backyard for three weeks. It should all be resolved by late July, finger's crossed!

Jonah :)

Music for the young at heart

As you all know by now, my Dad has a true love and affinity for music in all it's genres and forms. To celebrate his passion for both music appreciation and criticism, Dad has put together a new blog called ZZZOOOPPP, dedicated to discussing and recommending music and other media specifically for parents and children of all ages.

If you have a free moment or two, why not go over to his new site and take a peek. I know he has been working to get it up and running and hopes to post a new review every week or two.

Please visit and become a follower too!
http://zzzoooppp.blogspot.com/

No Nuk is good Nuk

Hi folks,

Daddy D here with this recent update. Jonah was not available to post so he asked me to write to you about a recent development he is quite proud of.

Most of you have seen photos of Jonah with his Nuk and opinions vary amongst our friends and family on it's practical use and often misuse. Sometimes referred to as a Soother, Dummy or Pacifier, our Jonah has been quite the fan of this little comfort contraption since he stopped breastfeeding. Our code word for it has been 'Rutabaga' but Jonah calls it Nuk based on the brand name. See pic below:



So the truth is, we both believe that use of the Nuk has been a good thing. It has kept him calm during naps and long care rides and is a great bargaining tool during a tantrum. But Lucy and I got to a point where we felt it was undermining his ability to express himself and limiting his desire to talk. It has also become a source of empowerment for him, resulting in a loss of 'power' for us.

The funny thing too is that he hasn't really been using it at the new Daycare. In the past, we have battled with him to give it up. We'd ask him to simply throw it away which he would do (sometimes ending up in the compost) but then he'd freak out, run and find it and insert it back in his mouth, clean of course. So this song and dance has gone on for months and last week we started operation 'No Nuk is good Nuk' and decided on a strategy to rid him of the habit and quit cold turkey.

And we are very pleased to announce it is going great. So far, Jonah has risen to the occasion and gone almost an entire week without extensive use of his Nuk. We still give him the option at bed time, which he normally refuses. The only challenge is first thing in the morning when he gets up where he is naturally seeking comfort so we are using a blanket instead. We have stood our ground and despite the tears and minor tantrums, kept up the operation. We also have plans to reward him for this feat with a trip to an ice cream shop that has just opened up near our house.

I can hear people now, from one bad habit(Nuk) to a new one(Sugar) but come on, he's a kid after all. BTW- fans of iced milk products should come check out this new local business and give them your support.

Carter's Ice Cream, 3 Woodmount Avenue, Toronto, ON M4C 3X4 (416)429-1550‎

And the other really exciting news is that Jonah's talking has really progressed this week. He is chatting up a storm and without his Nuk, making 3-5 word sentences, naming objects, animals and things and repeating words you say to him. He is also saying funny things like ' Okay" and " I do that!"

It is an amazing time to be around him as he transforms before our eyes.

Thanks for reading,

Daddy : D

Up, Up, Updates

Hey folks,

Every once in awhile I like to step back from my busy life and reflect on the state of things. So here are some updates...

Am I the next Canadian Idol?

It's safe to say that my speech has been developing quite nicely. I can still talk gibberish with the best of them but I'm getting more confident talking like you and everyone else around me. I have loads of words in my vocabulary now. 

The true revelation here is that I'm getting more comfortable singing. Right now I'm grooving on 'Old MacDonald', 'Black Sheep, Black Sheep', 'The A,B,C's' , 'Roley-Poley' and 'Wind the Bobbin Up'.

My latest obsession

I'm really into the work of author Richard Scary right now. If you see any of his work in the charity shops or used book stores, grab it for me.

This DVD pictured below is my absolute favorite right now. Judging by the amount of times I've watched it, I should have the alphabet memorized in no time. I also own the 'Best 1,2,3's Video Ever' which I also reccomend.

 BUSYTOWN!

Speaking of Busytown, Dad found me this youtube link to a very hilarious little animation clip featuring characters from Richard Scary's Busytown mixed with 'Sure Shot' by the Beastie Boys. All you old school kids will certainly enjoy it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oT8VyXRz0c4

(Please cut and paste as I am unable to get the link feature to work!)

He's actual size but...

 Okay so I'm a bit tall and lean for my age. As you can imagine, I'm growing out of my clothes faster than Mom can sew or purchase them. Lately we buy clothes that are one to two sizes up from my age range. I'm a 2+ yr old who wears 4yr old duds. Watch out Uncle Lee, I may end up being the tallest of the Losell boys yet!

Family Matters

From late July through October, we will be hosting a series of family visitors from the UK and Israel. We are so excited and blessed to be keeping company with Auntie Juliet and my cousin Joe in late July followed by Cousin Yasmine in mid August. Then my Savta and Sabba, Ruth and Harry will be here for a few weeks in the Fall over Thanksgiving.

It is shaping up to be a very busy summer and we are looking forward to hosting our lovely family and showing them the sights and sounds of T.O. Sun, Sun here we come indeed!

Announcements e.t.c

Dad and Mom are on a 'Stay-cation' at Rancho Coxwello from May 23rd to June 1st 

The plan is to re-charge, re-organize, re-energize and get ready for fun in the sun.

Dad's 36th Birthday is on June 13th.

The plan is to go see our friend Reid Jamieson at the Rivoli. 

Doors open at 8pm, Show at 9:00pm

Get in touch with us if your interested in coming out!


I think that is everything for now. Take care everybody!

j :D

Hamilton Road Trip

Last weekend, Mama, Papa and I went on a road trip to visit Nana in Hamilton. She lives just an hour or so south west of Toronto and we had a rental car so we packed up for the day and hit the road.

There was so much to do and lots to see on our fun little outing. The day started off with all of us hanging out Nana's funky apartment having snacks and chatting. Then we got in the car and went down to the lakefront to see the harbor docks where all the boats and yachts were. Along the way, we stopped at a garage sale and found me a $3 plastic Fisher Price three wheeler.

Here is a picture of me on the boardwalk making a funny face because I didn't want to be pushed as I learned how to pedal.



Once we were at the harbor, I was glued to that bike and several hours later, I was still persistently learning how to use it with the aid of the ever patient Nana. At times, I fought against getting help but in the end, I learned how to peddle and steer. Once I had it all figured out I was really happy. We continued on to a nice set of parks where an old tug boat had been transformed into an elaborate swing, slide and playground. I didn't want to get off my bike though and only reluctantly did so when we went into a cafe for some snacks.



The day ended with a stroll in the 'lock' village to see the various shops that Nana frequents. We ended our 3+ hour outing with some much deserved ice cream at a local parlor. The day on the whole was great and I finally got to see where Nana lives. Now I know that she doesn't just magically appear at my door every so often. I look forward to visiting Hamilton and Nana again soon.



JD :)