Mad for Monday (Max's Weekend Update): Your Future Olympians

Hi Family, Friends, and Fans,

How was your weekend?  What did you do?  Did you catch any Olympics?

This week at Mad Max and Family and Mad About Town we are going to focus on all things Olympics.  Which are your favorite Summer Olympic sports?

But first ... our Weekend Update:

We didn't have anything too out of the ordinary this weekend: trained for the Olympics (swimming lessons at Dad's Club) and entertained the ladies (SongPlay! music class).  But the highlight was getting together with Dada's family for Cousin C's 6th Birthday.  Thanks for including us in the celebration this weekend!

Did you go to any parties this weekend?  Maybe an Olympics party?

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J 

Here I am above on my first big trampoline with Cous R.  I just got to get that jumping down.

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Your Future Olympian:

We are also going to start including parenting topics of various sorts on Mondays.  Mad Max has to help parents out there, you know!  You can send us ideas for parenting topics too.

So of course today ... most appropriate we'll start with the Olympics.

So our first question is ... what type of Mom (or parent) do you think it takes to raise an Olympian?  (I personally think even though my Train Wreck Mommy is well, a train wreck, she can raise an Olympian!).  We read the NYT Motherlode Blog piece " Does It Take a Tiger Mom to Raise an Olympian?"  (Read it!  What do you think?)

From Mad Max's Mom: So what type of Mom / parent do you think it takes to raise an Olympian?  As I commented on the Motherlode blog, I don't know that it takes a specific kind of parent to raise an Olympian.  I think some individuals (some, not all) can overcome anything ... and it doesn't matter what your background is ... But of course I'm sure it would help to have a really supportive parent.  I don't think a "pushy" parent would help though.  Don't kids usually want to do the exact opposite of what you may really push them to do (or at least teenagers)?  I think a child has to have the dream on their own!  A child can't fulfill a parent's own childhood dream.

Is your child in an Olympic sport?  When did they start playing that sport?  How did you decide what sports to put them in?  What are their dreams?  What are yours?

-Mad Max / Mad Max's Mom

PS ...

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Preview: Happy 1st Birthday To Me

On Saturday I celebrated my 1st Birthday at the Houston Zoo with family and friends (which of course included Train Wreck Mommy, My Hero Daddy, Auntie Tam, and more!).

I can't wait to share more about the celebration and big day with you.  Can you believe Train Wreck Mommy and I literally have over 500 photos to comb through?  Yikes.  We will share more soon, but in the meantime... here is a sneak peek!

Who is Daddy's favorite Zoo Keeper?  Mean Bean (that's me - Mino).

Later ... at home with the family opening gifts from my family, friends, and fans.  In my pampies.  Of course.  (I'm wearing my 1st Birthday shirt from Little One Boutique).

If you are Mommy's FB friend, you probably already saw these photos below.  If not, here we are ... in all our glory at my 1st Birthday Party!

My Hero Daddy ... Me as a Zoo Keeper (umm, thanks Mom!), and Train Wreck Mommy.  Love you guys!

(I actually got much praise for my outfit that Mommy found at the San Diego Zoo Shop.  What do you think?)  I picked out Mommy's sweater at Gap.  

I immediately stopped crying after Mommy told me it was vegan.  Whew, I was safe.  Cookies and Cream vegan cake from Whole Foods - yum.

(1st Birthday hat and bib from Little One Boutique).

Two big highlights of the weekend: Auntie Tam was here to celebrate with us, AND the Texans won their F1RST playoff game.  What a day!  I will share more soon.  Stay tuned, and be sure to click on follow to follow my blog!

Crazy Eyes Mad Max and Crazy Auntie Tam

How was your weekend?  Any fun celebrations?

Check back soon!

-Mad Max

Mad Money: Baby Jesus and Mr. Donkey

I haven't been very consistent with my Mad Money (Shopping) post, but I have to take care of Train Wreck Mommy.

The holidays are here, and your Super Babies can't be without their very own Baby Jesus!  I heart the Baby Jesus.  "I like the baby version the best!"

Here I am with my Fisher-Price Little People Nativity Set from Target.  Baby Jesus can fly really far (Mary, not so much).  The manger is a bit clunky to carry around when crawling, but this is a great buy (thanks, Mommy!).  I really love Mr. Donkey and Camel.  I love carrying them around when crawling (clunk, clunk, clunk).  They don't do so well with carrying me around yet.

I find it slightly odd that the "Three Wise Men" are made up of women and all of the races of Brangelina's children, but more power to them!

Don't worry Jewish Super Babies!  Be sure to get your own Little People Hanukkah Play Set!

What holiday-related item did you get your Super Baby?

-Mad Max

And we are cousins ...

So Mommy and I realized that our "Mad for Mommy" blog was actually suppose to be created Thursday nights.  Wow.  We are lucky we even know what day it is lately.

But do please cut us some slack... we've been so under the weather that I had to visit the doc today.  More on that soon.

In the meantime, enjoy some shots of Trouble 1 and 2.  Ribear got a red wagon for her F1RST Birthday.  Happy Birthday Ribear!  Mommy said I am going to get one for Christmas.  Wow.  Mommy, you are great with surprises!

I think we need to pimp it out.  Thoughts?

We are going to so fast my hair is blowing in the wind!

Beverage holder without a beverage.  Fail.

Do you have a Radio Flyer?  Or did you have one when you were younger?

-Mad Max

Weekend Update: Melting, Riding, and Climbing (Part II)

Happy Birthday, Cousin Ribear!  Cheer up, kiddo!

Train Wreck Mommy and I apologize for being behind on the blogs this week.  Mommy is still feeling under the weather, and I had a fever last night.  Not to mention the piles of work Mommy keeps mentioning.

But last weekend we went to the Houston Zoo to celebrate Cousin Ribear's F1RST Birthday!

Cousin Corryn.  Slightly upset.  See, she is related to Mommy!  Hah!

Gma J aka Mimi got a double stroller.  I'll let Birthday Ribear lead this time.  Wow, let's see where that leads us!

Aren't we quite the pair?

It's only about 1,000 degrees outside, guys.  Let's see how much longer we can melt!  Zoom in, Mommy.

Me, Mad Max ... in all of my glory.

My F1RST carousel ride!  Whee!  All by myself.  Let's teach Daddy the "zoom" button, Mommy.

Daddy!  Daddy!  Look behind you!  A real live Sophie or Patches.

I am having a dreadful feeling that this is going to end up on Awkward Family Photos.

In addition to going to the Houston Zoo last weekend, I also worked on my coffee table climbing skills.  Booyah!

Mommy!  Mommy!  Look at all those papers / projects you need to grade that have been sitting there.

Teeth?  Who needs teeth?  Max eats coffee table.

What did you do last weekend?  What are your plans for this weekend?

-Mad Max

Weekend Update: Part I

As promised ... last weekend:

Mad Max the Rock Climber.  Or Transformer Coffee Table Climber.  Either one. 

Hey, brother!  Wake up!  Dinner time.

And of course ... Teddy's 3rd Birthday Party.  Happy 3rd Birthday, Teddy!

Urban Cowboy.

I ride my horsey to Auntie Tam's.

YES SE Wizard Boys: Luke, Harlem, Blake, and of course Mad Max.  Teddy?  Where are you?

Bein' a Cowboy, of course.

I hope you had a good weekend.  The next blog update will be this weekend.  What did you do this weekend?

-Mad Max

Party Animal and Swingers

I've been having so many new adventures lately.

A few weeks ago we went to my buddy Ben's baptism.  Can you see us?  Look closely.  Mommy!  Mommy!  Where is Train Wreck Mommy, my photographer?  This isn't working well.  

It was also Ben's F1RST Birthday party that day.  Happy Birthday, Ben!

By the way, Ben blogs too: little baby ben.  Check it out!

Then we went across town the same day to Super Miracle Toddler, Anna's 2nd Birthday.  Her Mommy ... "Auntie" Elizabeth is a super party planner (great job!!).  Train Wreck Mommy and Elizabeth use to plan events together at Dante's Inferno (MFAH).  Auntie Elizabeth, I think TW Mommy is going to get in touch with you ... she already started planning my F1RST big event.

Mad Max and my Birthday Girlfriend ... haha!  Happy Birthday!  By the way, I loved your Disney theme.  Rumor has it I get to go visit the Big Crazy Mouse next year!  Let's have a play "date" soon.

Right outside of Anna's party there was something called a "swing set."  Mommy was so excited (umm, I don't think you will fit, Mommy).  I ... was well, cautious about this experience.

Daddy, I don't know about this.  Where is my Lambie Swing?  Chains?  Chains, you say?

Haha, this is so much fun I turned into a small Asian man!!!  Or Quasian as Auntie Tam would say (Quarter Asian).

More adventures soon ...

What parties have you attended lately?  Enjoyed a park or playground recently?

-Mad Max

Art Thursday: Remember Twombly

Today was my Art Thursday with Train Wreck Mommy (and we missed our TW2 sidekick, "Auntie" JCranc!).  We went to the Cy Twombly Gallery at The Menil Collection.  He passed away last week ... Mommy said we lost a great American painter.  Be sure to read more about Twombly.  He is well known for his mark-making paintings, and Train Wreck Mommy said I can begin to explore my own mark making.  (Now if I can just resist putting that paint brush in my mouth).

Cy Twombly at the Cy Twombly Gallery in Houston (The Menil Collection)

We didn't take any pictures at our visit because 1) Mommy is a Train Wreck without her sidekick, JCranc ... at times, and 2) I was busy being Mommy's art critic.  If you live in Houston or are going to Houston sometime, but sure to make a visit to experience Twombly's art.
Do we just stop at enjoying art on Art Thursdays?  No.  We need face time with my fans.  We went with "Auntie" Viola to go visit "Auntie" Gaby and her new baby, Becca ... and Valentina!  The ladies love me.

Did I mention that this WEEK I've been doing such a better job sitting up?  Mommy sure seems excited.  Little does she know, if I didn't have such a heavy hand with my Scotch, I could sit up all the time.  In the photo above I'm too busy looking at this new thing called - c-a-r-p-e-t to sit up fully.  We don't have c-a-r-p-e-t at home.  Look at Valentina!  Show off.  Haha love you!  Thanks for letting me drool on you.

Umm.  Mommy.  Look how SMALL that kid is behind me.  Yikes.  Ramona eyes!  And you say I use to be that small?  I think not!

Nice feet Gaby!  Look how long I am!  NBA star!

What art shows have you enjoyed lately?  Enjoyed some time with friends sitting up nice and tall?  What did y'all do?  Max loves hearing from you!

-Mad Max

Parent's Magazine and Mad Max!

Train Wreck Mommy entered me in a photo contest ... and here I am now a Finalist for a Weekly award.  You have until June 19th to vote for me!  It takes less than a minute, and you can vote more than once!  Be sure to vote and share with others:

Vote for Mad Max at Parent's Magazine

Thank you for taking the time to vote!  And come back often.  More blogs soon!

-Mad Max

The Boys

Summer with Train Wreck Mommy is finally here!  We'll have many adventures to share with you.  And also in the meantime, we have many blogs to catch you up on.

"Auntie" Eek's family came to visit about a week ago... I finally got to meet them!  Auntie Eek, Uncle Carl ...and my buddies, Dylan and Reid.  Reid and I share the same birthday month - Jan 2011.  Here are a few photos from our vomit-filled afternoon:

Dylan, Auntie Eek, and Distracted Mad Max

Quick ... Reid!  Let's look at our feet.

Hey, Reid!  Let's look somewhere else... no need to look at the camera. 

Wow.

Reid, you are safer over there.  I go crazy town in my new underwater gym.

-Mad Max

Mad Max and Mad Potter

Mommy and I are becoming regulars at The Mad Potter.  I love painting pottery with Mommy and friends.  We didn't post photos earlier because 1) Mommy is a Train Wreck when she works ... and 2) We didn't want to spoil any surprises.  I will post photos soon from when we made the Grandma's Mother's Day gifts!  Last weekend Sophia (the giraffe) and Patches (the giraffe) came with me:

By the way, have you seen my new trick?  See above.  Need I say more?

I finally got to meet "Auntie" Elizabethan!  Thanks for coming such a long way to see me, Elizabeth!  It was nice to meet you.  I can't wait to meet Anna.  Mommy and I met "Auntie" Jessicana, Elizabeth, Gaby (and Valentina! ... and her Super Fetus Becca), and Viola.  More pics to come, but we don't want to spoil any gifts.  Wink wink!

I love painting with Mommy!  I can hardly contain myself!  Obviously.

-Mad Max

Do you know a trendsetting Super Infant?

If you do ... then bookmark Babiekins Mag.

More from Mad Max soon!

-Mad Max