Tuesday's Tots and Wee Ones: Little Ones and Learning

Hi Family, Friends, and Fans,

Do your little ones go to school?  If so ... how did you choose your school?  What do they do in school?  Do you think they enjoy it?

School: Train Wreck Mommy said she is looking for me to go to a school (Mother's Day Out program) next year because I'm a big boy now (and I'm already schooled in the street).  If you have any tips for her ... please send them her way!

Home: What about learning at home?  I enjoy learning with my family all of the time!  Do you set aside specific time, activities, or toys for learning?  What do you do?  What do you play / learn with?

Time: Mommy and I definitely having reading time and art time every day (and learning throughout!).  We love to learn most on our adventures throughout the city.

Activities: For our art activities, right now we mostly enjoy making drawings / coloring and sculpting with Play-Doh.  We are going to start using other materials more (like paint!).  I also tried out chalk outside for the first time at Gramby's and Pop's last week.

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Toys: What types of "toys" do you make or buy to play and learn with your little one?  Mommy said she has already started thinking about the Holidays (Christmas in July!) to be better prepared this year ... so she's thinking of different things she wants to focus on for me and Sadie.  For me, she wants to focus more on the alphabet, numbers, shapes, colors, and maybe some foreign languages.  She also loves to buy of gifts that encourage play (inside and outside) and the arts.  (And of course reading is always a favorite of ours!).  Any suggestions on holiday gifts that cover these areas?

Mommy said she loves the toy website: YoYo.com.  Mommy said she found a few picks so far (don't worry, I won't peek):

Classic Alpha / Number Blocks (From Mommy: I love the classic blocks!)
Bath Numbers and Letters (From Mommy: I've been wanting to get him these for a while for the tub).
Melissa & Doug Shape Sorting Cube (From Mommy: He has a few shape sorters already, but I like all the shape options this one has!)
From Mommy: I'd like to buy some foreign language flash cards that are age appropriate - suggestions welcome!

Radio Flyer Classic Red Dual Deck Tricyle

Step2 Flip and Doodle Easel Desk (From Mommy: I really want to get him an art easel, but I see most are for ages 3+.  I think I need to do some more in person research.  When did you first get your little one an art easel?)
Goodnight Moon (From Mommy: This is one of the classics that we do not have.  Which ones are missing from your library?)

We look forward to hearing about how your little ones plan and learn at school or home!  What do you think?

-Mad Max

Mad for Monday (Max's Weekend Update): Back-to-School Blues

Hi Family, Friends, and Fans,

How was your weekend?  Well, this was our last weekend before we go back to school for Train Wreck Mommy (gulp).  I'll miss hanging out with you, Mommy!  Only less than three months ...

So are your kids looking forward to school?

Weekend Update

So with that in mind ... we made sure to have a good weekend together.  Nothing too out of the ordinary: my swim lessons at Dad's Club, church, music class ... but we did get to spend some time with Gramby and Pops so that was fun.  Thanks for visiting!  Mommy and Daddy also did some fun house hunting in the city.  Anyone else house hunting right now (we are hoping we aren't moving too soon though)?  And of course... the biggest of the weekend ... the Olympics!  Who is tuned in?  Mommy and Daddy are addicted.  And it makes me eager to start my second sport next month: soccer!

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Now I did make some improvement this week at swim lessons.  I started to blow bubbles!  Not what those other crazy people do ...but I stick out my tongue and blow!  Daddy said I'm well on my way to being an Olympic swimmer.

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Back to School 

Despite our back-to-school blues, in the spirit of going back to school we are going to focus on school this week!

Besides the "school" part, what do kids look forward to most?  Friends?  New school supplies?  New clothes?  All of the above?  Well, at the Train Wreck Family we love food ... and who doesn't love packing a great lunch!  What is your favorite "school" sandwich?  I would have to say peanut butter and jelly.

Mommy and I went to the Monster PBJ Food Truck recently in Houston at The Menil Collection (are you enjoying food trucks in Houston or your city?).  What a fun trunk (the Monsters in the trunk told jokes!), great food, and a great idea.

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Here I am at The Menil Collection.

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

And now with the Monster PBJ Food Truck!  We were really impressed by their truck (graphics!), the people, packaging, and of course the food.  These aren't your normal PBJ sandwiches ... gourmet!  Check out their website to see their options and choices.

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

I personally also really liked the bag.  Don't you love finding new purposes for brown bags?

Monster PBJ Food Truck you should have a bag decorating art contest!  I can judge.

Check out their website!  Are you inspired to check them out if you are in Houston?  Create your own fancy and fun sandwiches for your family?  

My Dada was ... we visited our favorite grocery store, Whole Foods ... and picked up some toppings for our own PBJs this weekend: sourdough (vegan!) bread, all natural PB and jam, strawberries, and agave. (And a side of grapes ... yum!).  What do you think?  See photos below.

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

How was your weekend?  So are you and your kiddos ready to go back to school?  Inspired to make any fun school lunches?

-Mad Max 

PS: Check us out on Mad About Town!

Fun Friday: GUEST POST from Roses, Rosemary, and Lavender

Hi Family, Friends, and Fans,

Sadie here!  We are so happy that Rosemary (and Lucy!) of Roses, Rosemary, and Lavender is joining us today for a guest blog.  Enjoy!  Also be sure to read through the entire post for an update on me (Sadie!) and a reminder about our GIVEAWAY.

Hello to all of the Mad Max and soon to be Sadie fans!  I am so honored to be guest blogging for you this week.  (All Image Credits: Roses, Rosemary, and Lavender).

I had my own baby girl, Lucy, 3 months ago, and I am so excited that Tara is having sweet Sadie.  One of the most exciting parts of having a little girl for me is all of the clothes and shoes.  I have a feeling there is a lot more dressing up and primping with a little girl than there is with a boy.  My husband actually clutched his wallet and groaned when we found out we were having a little girl.

This adorable flamingo swimsuit was one of Lucy's first gifts!  How fantastic is that?  I can't wait to break it out for swimming in her private kiddie pool this Summer.

Here is my Little Diva on her 1 month birthday!  I love the red, black, and white combination for myself and I must say, Lucy pulls it off as well.  Plus she is uber chic in her matching white sunglasses. It's all about the accessories.

Miss Lucy is as cute as a bug in her outfit.  She was meeting our neighbors for the first time and wanted to look good.  Her socks are made to look like little ballet slippers!  I wish I could walk around in socks that looked like shoes.

Here we are on our way to meet a new cousin.  (We are Italian, so there are plenty!)  Lucy is showing off a "group effort" outfit.  Her headband, dress, and socks all come from different, loving friends!  It takes a village to make a diva.

Here we have Miss Lucy in a beautiful black and white ensemble that a high school friend of mine sent.  We went to the mall that day, and Lucy got so many compliments.  I have found that the number one gift choice for little girls is clothing.  It seems that everyone loves to shop for little girls!

And last but not least, we have Lucy's shoe collection.  This 3 month old already has 12 pairs of shoes not including knee high boots and two pair of crochet booties.  And the sad thing is her foot is too small for all but 2 pairs!  She takes after me with both the small feet and abundance of shoes!

Tara, we hope you're ready for a full closet and an ongoing fashion show.  Sadie is sure to be one stylish baby girl!

Sadie here ... thank you Rosemary for bringing us a guest post today!  Lucy's wardrobe is a lot for me to live up to, but I have confidence in Train Wreck Mommy.

So what do you think ... do you have girls?  Do you love buying things for their wardrobe?

My (Sadie's) Current Stats:

Age: 26 Weeks

Height: 14 inches

Weight: 1 lb and 2/3

Fruit / Veggie Size: Cucumber!

Fun Facts: I can hear EVERYTHING, and I'm practicing breathing (which is hard to do underwater!).

What do I enjoy most right now?: I enjoy waking up and dancing around 9 pm.  Don't you?

Don't forget to enter our The Mommie Series-Houston GIVEAWAY.  Click on the GIVEAWAY link to read about the contest and enter!  It's super easy to enter.  Be sure to spread the word.

-Sadie of Mad Max and Family / Mad About Town

Thursday's Kids, Tweens, and Teens: Summer and Science!

Hi Family, Friends, and Fans,

How is your week going?  Train Wreck Mommy is bringing you our blog post today ... enjoy!

Houston Moms / Moms-to-Be (and those of you that know them ... pass it on!) ... did you enter our GIVEAWAY yesterday?  Be sure to enter!  You have a great chance of winning.  Read our GIVEAWAY post for more info.

Yesterday on our Mad About Town (Houston Chronicle) blog we talked about our next stop: Summer and Science.  We will bring that to you today on this blog!  Enjoy.

What is your next stop?

What do you plan to do this weekend with your family? Have you been to the Houston Museum of Natural Science this summer? When I think of summer, I also think of more time at the museums. What do you think?

Did you go to their new Hall of Paleontology to see the dinos? If you haven’t been yet, you MUST go. Max and I went earlier this summer with friends, and we were very impressed! He had so much fun. We hope to go again soon (maybe this weekend) so his Dada can see it with us too.

Max was definitely in awe of the veggie dinos (being that Max is vegan), and he went home with his own dino too. Enjoy our pics below (all taken with my iPhone). Be sure to scroll through the entire post!

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family 

Max, Sadie, and I took some pics by some VEGGIE dinos!

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

We like to call this one "Meathead" dino.

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Max took home his very own veggie dino from their shop: a Stegosaurus. We call him Steg, of course.

Will you be coming to the Houston Museum of Natural Science soon? Do you have kids that are big into dinos?

-Mad Max and Family

next stop: GIVEAWAY! The Mommie Series-Houston

Hi Family, Friends, and Fans,

We are taking a break from our usual next stop posting to bring you a next stop for Moms!

Be sure to read our entire post and enter our GIVEAWAY below.

Houston Moms (and Moms-to-be) or those of you that know Moms ...have you heard of The Mommie Series-Houston?  Have you been on a "Gals / Moms Night Out" lately?  This event is not to be missed!  And one lucky reader will receive a ticket to this event.  Be sure to enter and spread the word.

If you are not in Houston, have you been to a "Mommy" type event lately?  If so, what type of event?  We would love to hear more!

Image Credit: Misti Style

Mommy Night Out?  Cocktails ... Bites ... great speakers, sounds like a good event to me!  You can learn more about The Mommie Series from Click 2 Houston in this video.

The Mommie Series-Houston is kind enough to offer one complimentary ticket to one lucky reader!  Don't miss out on this great opportunity and event.

HERE IS HOW TO ENTER (you have up to 8 opportunities to enter!):

1) "Like" Mad Max and Family's Facebook page.  Be sure to let us know by commenting on this blog post.

2) "Follow" Mad Max and Family's Twitter page.  Be sure to let us know by commenting on this blog post.

3) Post a comment on this blog post.

4) Comment on our Mad About Town (Houston Chronicle) blog.  Be sure to let us know by commenting on this blog post.

5) "Like" The Mommie Series-Houston's Facebook page.  Be sure to let us know by commenting on this blog post.

6) If you are on Twitter, receive an extra entry by tweeting: The Mommie Series GIVEAWAY on @madmaxandfamily #themommieseries (insert blog URL).  Be sure to let us know by commenting on this blog post.

7) Blog about this giveaway on your own blog, either as a stand alone, or within a post and must contain link to contest.  Be sure to let us know by commenting on this blog post.

8) Post about this giveaway on Facebook (providing the blog link).  Be sure to let us know by commenting on this blog post.

Remember, you must comment in this blog post for EACH entry (up to 8 comments) because each entry / comment counts.  Be sure to leave a way I can contact you in case you win!  You can also email us at madmaxandfamily at gmail with your info.

You have from now until Sunday, July 29th, 2012 at 9 pm (CST) to comment and be entered for a chance to win.  The winner will be chosen at random using random.org and will be announced on Monday, July 30th, 2012 at 7 am (CST).  No purchase or payment necessary to enter.  You must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  

Good luck!

-Mad Max and Family

Tuesday's Tots and Wee Ones: Putting the Sunshine in Summer

Hi Family, Friends, and Fans,


Well ... our summer is wrapping up over here (rather unfortunately). Mommy goes back to work next week. We are going to focus on all things summer this week! Have you taken the time to enjoy the best there is to offer this summer?


Mommy said it isn't summer without sunshine (and my shades) ... (but of course with sunshine comes excessive sweat and bugs ... and for me, red cheeks!). Despite all the rain, have you been able to get out and enjoy the summer rays yet? If so, how have you enjoyed them? Do you have Wee Ones or Tots that enjoy some sunshine too?


If you aren't working this week ... (and are in Houston with some kiddos) we have some great events for you! Have you been to Hermann Park lately or the Miller Outdoor Theatre? This week they are having the Children's Hilltop Festival. More from Culturemap Houston:


July 24, The Three Little Pigs (11 am)A bilingual (Spanish/English) show about three brothers: One messy, one a daydreamer and the other always has a plan for the future. They are Pig Scouts, the pride of youthful swinedom, and they must set up camp to earn their merit badges. Now, who is that unfamiliar scout master who will be judging their work? It's the Wolf, Big-Bad to be specific.


July 25, Hansel & Gretel (11 am)Hansel and Gretel get lost in the woods and stumble upon the witch's gingerbread house. They are so hungry they begin eating. The silly, nearsighted, witch decides to teach the naughty children a lesson about how to treat other people's things. Well, suffice it to say, this is a play about jumping to conclusions. Nothing is as it seems.


July 26, Goldilocks (11 am)The Bear family returns home from a walk to find the next door neighbor, Goldilocks, has broken into their home. Was she hungry or sleepy? No, she wanted to use their computer to contact her new on-line friend. She wasn't allowed to use the computer at home and she doesn't have any friends at school. A bi-lingual (English/Spanish) tale that teaches us about the dangers of the internet, bullies and respect for people and their property.


July 27, Pinocchio (11 am)Combine a loving father, a talking puppet and the help of a Blue Fairy and you have one of the classic stories of all time. Pinocchio's dream is to become a real boy and he'll do anything to make his dream come true. What will it cost him and what will he learn before his dream comes true?

Produced by Express Children's Theater
Will you be taking any Wee Ones or Tots to enjoy some sun and the arts at Miller Outdoor Theatre? Sure we may have short attention spans (and maybe can't be in the heat too long), but it sounds like a fun time. If Mommy and I make it out this week, we'll be sure to share photos.

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J 

Mommy, what the F* is that? Just joking. That is a sculpture by the artist Jim Love at The Menil Collection. This is a recent photo from some of our outside time!

So how are you enjoying the sunshine where you are ... ?

Don't forget you can find us on Mad About Town, Facebook, Twitter, and more! We look forward to hearing from you.


-Mad Max

Mad for Monday (Max's Weekend Update): Happy Birthday Train Wreck Mommy!

Hi Family, Friends, and Fans,

How was your weekend?  What did you do?

This weekend for our family was an important weekend ... it was Mommy's "25th Birthday Again"!  Happy Birthday, Mommy.  Thanks for the shout out, Auntie Tam (of Ever Swoon)!  Mommy loves her new sunglasses, maternity shirts, and dress.  I'll have to share photos soon, if Mommy lets me take any of her!  And Happy Auntie Day to my awesome Auntie Tam and Auntie Dana!  Sadie and I love you.  We love video chatting, Auntie Tam!  (Did you know there was an Auntie Day?  Are you an Auntie?)

So on to our weekend ... I wouldn't say there was anything necessarily super out of the ordinary, but we did have a good weekend celebrating Mommy.

On Friday Mommy and I got an early start to celebrating her birthday (which was on Saturday) with "Auntie" Jessicana at Paulie's.  It's one of Train Wreck Mommy's fav places.  Thanks for the birthday lunch, Auntie J!

Saturday we had swim lessons, and then Mommy and Daddy (better known as Train Wreck Mama and My Hero Dada) went to eat at Ziggy's (Downtown) before seeing Ted at Sundance Cinemas.  Mommy said the movie was really funny, she wished her bears would come alive, and the theatre was nice (and she also wished Sadie didn't mind wine with her movie.  Root beer instead!).

While Mommy and Daddy were gone I tried not to eat all of Mommy's homemade chocolate pie with Mimi and Pipi (it's not vegan).  Thank you for watching me ... and for the pie and Houston Zoo Membership!

Mommy also really likes her new Skip Hop diaper bag from us (me, Sadie, and Dada).  She wanted a new bag.  Dad said "why?  You already have one?"  Umm, Dad that's like saying to a woman "you already have a pair of shoes."  Or to me, "You already had one glass of Scotch."

Enjoy some weekend photos below!

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Being a funny man with "Auntie" Jessicana at Paulie's on Friday.  Mommy said she LOVES this photo.  And look at my hair coming in!  Hair cut time ladies?  Or should I grow it long?

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

I'm not sure how this whole swimming on my back thing is working for me.

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Everybody go surfin' ... surfin' USA ... Dada stay with me here.

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Lunch at Ziggy's.  Mommy, you can't snap a photo before taking a bite?  (Fish tacos and two sides of Mommy's choice).

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Speaking of food ... my lunch (breakfast and dinner) of choice lately?  What I like to call "SQUEEZIES! (better known as Happy Baby Pouches ... sure Daddy can make the food in a "squeezie", but we don't have pouches.  Any ideas on where to buy our own pouches?)

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Mommy's new Skip Hop diaper bag.  So what do you think?  I think those zipper pouches may make it harder for me to throw all of the contents of my bag on the floor.  That's what I think.

How was your weekend?  Share your comments below!  

Be sure to check us out on Mad About Town too.

-Mad Max

Fun Friday: Girls Night Out and Gifts of Love for Wee Ones

Hi Family, Friends, and Fans,

Sadie here for our Fun Friday blog post.  Did you have a girls (or boys) night out this week?  What did you do?

Mommy and I had a girls night out a few nights ago with my Mommy's friend "Auntie" Alicen.  We went to The Mad Potter to paint pottery (while being Mad of course.  Don't you love that, brother Max?).  Mommy said it is one of their fav stops!  Where do you like to go for a more unique girls get together (where you live)?  We are always open to new ideas!

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

"Auntie" Alicen made Christmas gifts!  Way to put us to shame!  Haha. 

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Alicen S

Love!  Do you make homemade gifts for Christmas or other holidays?  If so, what do you make?

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Alicen S

Mommy, what are you making?

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Why my Super Mommy is making me a Cow Bank (Cowie okay)!  I would have helped, but I like to sleep until about 9 pm when I wake up to party.  That'll be fun in October and November right, Mommy?

Mommy made me a Cowie bank because she (and Mad Max) made my big bro a Lambie bank.  Be sure to read Max's blog post about that experience!  You'll see a familiar face too.

Okay so the photo above is the work in progress ...

And now below Cowie after ... !  Thoughts?  Just wait until they fire it.  It's going to look great!  Thank you, Mommy (you know lambs and cows go hand in hand right)?

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Mommy said she would have put spots on the backside, but we were in a hurry (it's a long story that involved rain, driving, two Mad Potter stops, cows, chickens, pigs, ducks, and more).

So tell us about your last girls night out?  And did you make any gifts for wee ones lately?  What did you make?

We'll be back next Friday with an update on my stats!

-Sadie of Mad Max and Family

Be sure to find us on Mad About Town!

The Recent Yahoo CEO Saga: Motherhood vs. Career

Hi Family, Friends, and Fans,

Mad Max is taking a break from blogging today, and he is working on his jumping skills to impress all the tot ladies ... so Train Wreck Mommy here!

We are taking a break from our regular "Thursday's: Kids, Tweens, and Teens" to bring you a topic that of course indirectly affects kids, tweens, and teens!

I'm sure many of you heard about the new Yahoo CEO, Marissa Mayer.  If you just Google "Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer" you will get plenty of articles.  But she's receiving a lot of focus and debate because she is 6 months pregnant and due in October with her first child.  (Just like me ... well second child for me!).  The issue of working versus stay-at-home Moms, parenting philosophies, and more continues to be a hot topic with many differing opinions.

So what is YOUR opinion about a woman taking a high-powered position while pregnant and expecting her first child?  We can all only imagine that a CEO position is very demanding.  So this also all goes back to the (also very active in the news), "can women have it all?"  I also heard that she plans to take 3 weeks of maternity leave.

In my opinion ...

First, kudos to her for being hired to a powerful position (and while having a family)!  And kudos to Yahoo for hiring a pregnant woman.  Kudos to her for seemingly trying to have a successful career and family life.

On the flipside, I think it's very unfortunate that the media is even discussing this topic because this would never be discussed if they hired a man (that had a wife expecting their first child).  So can men "have it all" and women are just criticized for it?

Although at the same time, I do understand why this topic is coming up.  What is the most challenging aspect of motherhood to me?  Balance: myself, myself + husband, myself + child, myself + husband and child.  Not to mention everything else adulthood throws at you!  But I am definitely not alone.  I'm not sure about how men feel, but this is a hot topic among women.  I've really been enjoying A Cup of Jo's series on this: Motherhood Mondays.

Now I don't know Marissa Mayer's exact circumstances (for all I know she could have worked out a flexible schedule), and we all have different opinions on what it means to be a good wife, parent, and career woman ... but I personally could not even imagine only taking 3 weeks maternity leave.  I think 12 weeks is WAY too short!  Although I am very driven also, I don't think I could accept a position such as hers knowing how much it may take away from my life and my family (18 years of a child's life goes fast!).  But that is just me.  I don't know that I would have said that before I had Mad Max.  It's hard to imagine how you will feel until you are going through it yourself.  We can all assume that she has plenty of money to get the help she needs, and maybe Yahoo is going to be flexible / family-friendly.  Although even if I had all of the money in the world, it might make things slightly easier ... but I don't think it would completely fix the balance issue.  And some might argue that her job won't be much more demanding than other jobs ...

So what do you think?  What do you think about the new Yahoo CEO's decisions?  Do you think women can have it all?  What about men?  What does "all" mean to you?  How do you find balance in your life?  Do you have balance?  Leave your comments below!

Now a quick sneak peek at our blog post tomorrow from Sadie!  It'll be from Sadie and all about Sadie!  Don't miss it.

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Alicen S

-Mad Max and Family

PS: Be sure to also check out Mad About Town.

What is Your Next Stop?: Weekend Watermelon Festival!

Hi Family, Friends, and Fans,

As you know, this weekend we are obsessed with summer (well, who isn't, really?).  Are you enjoying all things summer?


Now, honestly, watermelon is not my favorite (YET), but Mommy said I will grow to love it!  One of the best summertime fruits, she says.  And even though she is a train wreck, I trust Mommy.


If you live in or around Hempstead (or you can take a little trip to Hempstead), be sure to check out the 23rd Annual Hempstead Watermelon Festival.  Watermelon?  Festivals?  Summer?  Yes, they go hand in hand!  More about the festival from CultureMap:


Saturday, July 21st at 9:00 am (Admission is Free)


The Watermelon Festival promises a full day of activities — all celebrating the summer fruit — starting with a parade at 9 a.m., ending with a street dance and live music, and a BBQ cook-off, queen cornation, quilt show, car and tractor show, carnival, watermelon auction, games, food and vendor booths somewhere in the middle. Music acts by Mitch Marcoulier, the Josh Ward Band and National Guard member and country music star Darby Ledbetter round up the event.


You can also read more about the festival: Hempstead Chamber of Commerce.


Will you be going to enjoy some watermelon?  What are your plans this weekend where you are?


And now we'll leave you with a few pics from earlier this week.  Mommy didn't take too many, so we didn't have too many to choose from.  I think she was too busy talking!  But we went to visit Mommy's friend A, her tot daughter I, and her new baby Mr. A!  Thank you for having us!  We had a blast.  I love your play area!  The new baby was kind of a bore though, Mommy.  Cute.  Tiny.  But a bore.

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

I loved your Cy Twombly wall, "Auntie" A!

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

-Mad Max

PS: Be sure to visit Mad About Town!