What is Your Next Stop?: Heritage Family Day

Hi Family, Friends, and Fans,

We hope you enjoyed our video reveal yesterday: little brother?  Or little sister?  You can leave your thoughts below!  Did you think I was getting a little brother?  Or little sister?

We had a busy day Tuesday, and we did some celebrating for my little sister.  Unfortunately the bad news is our AC is STILL out.  Sweatin' in my pampies.  Be sure to read through until after the photos.  We will talk about a next stop suggestion for this weekend.

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara Johnson

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara Johnson

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara Johnson

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara Johnson

Photos above ... Have you been to Toddler Tuesdays at Discovery Green yet?  Yes, that's what all the madness is about in the first three pictures.  In the second photo I'm holding on to Mommy and Sesame for dear life when the Berenstain Bears came out.  See my photo with them in the third pic.

Then I enjoyed lunch with Gramby, Great Aunt Jackie, and Mommy at Barcenas.  The highlight of the day had to come when we went shopping for little sister Sesame at Carter's.  Gramby sure did spoil her.  You can see me above helping pick out some clothes for Sesame.  Thank you, Gramby!  Oh wait, finally the true highlight was the tiger balloon Gramby got me at Party City.  Well, actually Party City just gave it to us.  I'm a charmer, obviously.

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara Johnson

But let's move on to this coming weekend ... we personally have a wonderful trip planned, but for those of you staying in town, what a great find!

The Heritage Society is having their Family Day.  The event begins at noon on Saturday, and here is more info from Culture Map:

Travel through the Museum Gallery and follow the Baker Playhouse on its journey through Houston from 1893 to 2010. Learn about the important events occurring in Houston during this time period. Hands-on activities will include playing old-fashioned children's games and making your own book of Houston history. Illustrator Bill Megenhardt will be in the Museum Gallery creating illustrations of what your own playhouse might look like. Entertainment will be provided by singer/songwriter Leah White and refreshments will be served at the Baker Playhouse.

After the Museum Gallery history journey, travel across the street to the Houston Public Library's historic Julia Ideson Building to hear storytelling artists from Houston Grand Opera read The Very Long Life of Alice's Playhouse; A Survivor's Story, from 2 to 3 p.m. Both author Andrea White and illustrator Bill Megenhardt will be there to sign books.

Read more about The Heritage Society and the Family Day event on their website.  Will you be learning more about history this weekend at their Family Day event?  Or what are your plans?

-Mad Max

Tuesday's Tots and Wee Ones: Spring Time Art

Hi Family, Friends, and Fans,

How was your Monday?

Today we are over at Mad About Town talking about Spring Time Art with your Super Kids.  Be sure to check us out there, and let us know what you think!  You can comment on our Mad About Town blog or on this blog (and you can read more about the photos below on our Mad About Town blog!).

We look forward to hearing from you.

What art have you made with your kids lately?

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara Johnson

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara Johnson

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family

-Mad Max and Family

Thursday's Kids, Tweens, and Teens: Gearin' up for Spring

Hi Family, Friends, and Fans,

How is everyone today?

On Tuesday we brought you Tuesday's Tots and Wee Ones: Gearin' up for Spring (quick picks for Spring Break).  Today I'm doing some quick picks for you for the older set: Kids, Tweens, and Teens.

What are your picks in Houston and beyond?  We would love to hear from you!

Note, I'm feeling uber artsy today after Mommy saw RED at the Alley Theatre Wednesday night (a play about my favorite artist, Mark Rothko).

See my quick picks below!

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Jennifer Crancer (at the CAMH)

Here I am above during my first visit to the CAMH last summer with Train Wreck Mommy and "Auntie" Train Wreck Crancer.

Contemporary Arts Museum Houston - Teen Council: The Teen Council has an exhibition on view that is juried by the Teen Council, and the work is by teens!  The exhibition is in conjunction with Fotofest 2012, and it features teen photographers that answer the prompt "what happens next?"  Read more about it on the CAMH website.  Mommy and I are loving the photo prompt!

Be sure also to follow the Teen Council Blog.

Mad Potter: The Mad Potter is one of my favorite places to go with Mommy, but it is great for super young and all the way up to older kids too.  They even have a Spring Break Art Camp.  Your kids can either paint something as a gift for an upcoming celebration or holiday or paint something for themselves to keep!

Sundance Cinemas: Have you been to the new theatre downtown? Sundance Cinemas?  Enjoy an artsy film with your kiddos (and / or just an enjoyable kids film).  They have some available that are currently showing!

AIA Architecture Center of Houston Walking Tour: We must also find activities and adventures that keep the kids active and enjoying the outside.  Have you tried an Architecture Houston Walking Tour?  What a unique way to spend time with you family and see the city!

Discovery Green: Discovery Green was one of my quick picks for Wee Ones and Tots too, but it is also a great pick for the older set.  Check out their Spring Break Activities, and they also have Screen on the Green (Outdoor Movies) so be sure to check the schedule.

What do you think?  We hope you enjoy our quick picks!

What are your picks in Houston and beyond?  We would love to hear from you!

-Mad Max

Thursday's Kids, Tweens, and Teens: Rolling Out The Red Carpet (and more!)

Hi Family, Friends, and Fans,

Train Wreck Mommy and I have been quite busy, and we have a few exciting things to share before bringing you "Thursday's Kids, Tweens, and Teens" ...

• We want to give a huge Shout Out to Danielle of Dandy Designs Boutique for our new blog design!  We feel Super Stylish now.  Thank you so much.  What do you think of our new look?  And while on the subject of our new design, please be patient as we add content / change things around on our blog and Social Networking sites.  Keep checking back for more!  (And thank you Grace from Stripes and Sequins for recommending Danielle!).
• Big News: Train Wreck Mommy and I found out today that we will start blogging for Houston Chronicle (MomHouston) very soon!  Stay tuned again for more information soon.
• Last (but not least) ... we are excited to announce that Auntie Tam's company ever swoon is launching next week.  Don't miss the big launch!  We will be in touch with more soon.

Design by: Small Shop Studio

I think Auntie Tam's logo and business cards are a nice transition to continuing our Oscar's Week.  On Tuesday we brought you a blog posting that related to the Oscar's and Wee Ones and Tots.  

Today Mommy and I will bring you Red Carpet / Red Room styles for Kids and T(w)eens.

A great place to start might be with red walls ... how can the kids not love that?

Image via Pinterest

And to top red walls: red frames within red frames on red walls!

Image on Pinterest via Vintage Villa Interiors Blog

Are red walls too much for your kiddos?  Mommy and I would recommend the blue + red accent combo.  Blue isn't just for boys!

Image on Pinterest via BlissLiving Home

Okay, we must go back to the red walls ... because check out this chalk board headboard against the red walls.  Kids of all ages should love that.  Super Mad Max is sure.

What do you think about a red room for your kids?

-Mad Max

What is Your Next Stop?: Rodeo Time!

Howdy Family, Friends, and Fans,

What's your NEXT STOP for culture with your family?

What's a big event in your city?  Every city has a big event that many people look forward to each year ... (and often many events).  One big event in Houston is the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (if not, the biggest event).

You may remember my first Rodeo last year:
My First Rodeo

And then earlier this month I gave some Mad Style tips for the Rodeo:
Rodeo Shopping Tips for Wee Ones and Tots

Image Credit: Train Wreck Mommy

The Rodeo officially started yesterday, and I am almost ready.  My FIRST Wrangler's from Cavender's arrived as did my Cowboy hat from Cavender's so I'm almost ready.  See my hat above.  What do you think?  I have a big head, so it almost fits perfect.  Please excuse the photo ... I was very cranky, and we were rushing to bedtime (or rather, the Parents were very cranky and rushing me to bedtime!).

Here are some quick tips from Mad Max for your Rodeo experience (before, during, and after) with your Family!  You can also relate these tips to similar events in your city.  Feel free to share back your own ideas.  

Wee Ones and Tots: Visit your local library or bookstore and read baby / toddler books that relate to Texas and / or Farm Animals before your visit.  You can talk about what you might see at the Rodeo that relates to what you are reading (my favorite stop at the Rodeo is the baby animals!).  Once at the Rodeo, point out what you saw in your books you read together (and you can even bring the books with you!), "Remember when we read 1 2 3 Texas and we saw a longhorn?  Look at the REAL longhorn!" (and you can elaborate).

Image Credit: 1 2 3 Texas from Amazon

If you have a walking Tot ... I suggest you read up and then explore their Kids Areas and Activities: Kids Country.

Kids: Before you go, I suggest that you read up on the Kids Country to see all of your options, and Mutton Bustin' might be one of the favorites with the kids.  Be sure to expand the experience and talk about the reasons and importance for some of the Rodeo activities with your kids before you see them.  The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a great resource.

You can also make your own map prior!  The Rodeo is huge, and sure you can navigate with their maps and such ... but why not make your own Western Map prior?  Your kids can put down the important parts of the Rodeo that they would like to visit.  Here is a great resource you can follow to make your old map: Unplug Your Kids.

Image Credit: Unplug Your Kids

T(w)eens: Mad Max is going to guess that one of their favorite parts of the day may be at the Carnival.  But before you hit the carnival, why not explore all of the great food (unique to our area) prior!  Don't skip the gator, we are Bayou City after all.  As in inspired by the Rodeo's own Foodie Awards, create your own categories and explore the food with your family's taste buds (I suggest you share dishes!).  Make like you have your own Food Network TV show!  You can even create a sheet prior to take your notes, or use your smart phone.

After Your Visit: Be sure to take a lot of photos during the visit!  When was the last time you made a collage of photos with your family by hand (not a scrapbook and not on the computer?) ... Print out a set of the photos, and make a Rodeo collage together.  Have fun with revisiting the memories (ask your kids why it was their favorite memory!), and you can even be creative and make your collage in the shape of a horse or longhorn!

What tips do you have for the Rodeo?

What big events do you look forward to in your city?

-Mad Max