Fun Friday: Sexy and Stylish at The Mommie Series

Hi Family, Friends, and Fans,

Happy Friday!  How was your week?

Today I'm (Sadie) going to fill you in on my "gals night out" with Mommy (and her friend Sarah) last week at The Mommie Series Houston.  We are taking a break from our Olympic theme today, but Mommies have to train in many ways, you know!  We will also bring you my Sadie update either this weekend or on Monday.

Last week Mommy, "Auntie" Sarah, and I went "back to basics" at The Mommie Series Houston held at La Mode Lingerie.  We knew the evening would be filled with sexy and stylish Mommies, savvy information, and scrumptious bites!  But who knew these friendly modern moms would also be hilarious?

The Mommie Series Houston event was presented by Misti Pace-Krahl of MISTI STYLE.  The Mommie Series is a "refreshing educational series where a team of experts will enlighten, educate, and entertain modern Houston moms with their knowledge."  Allison Bagley of Houston Tidbits served as the Master of Ceremony, and topics focused on FAMILY, HEALTH, FINANCE, and FASHION.

FAMILY: Neha Gupta, Owner of Elite Private Tutors, offered study tips.  She also kept us laughing (this was a trend throughout the evening and with all speakers) with her honesty.  She offered insight into tutoring that most of us don't think of ... tutoring can serve as a tool to broaden a student's perspective (such as by learning a new language) versus just seen as a "fix" for students that are struggling.  Do you have school-aged children?  Have you considered tutoring?

HEALTH: Dr. Debra Cutler of Kelsey-Seybold focused on the subject of vaccines and our children.  Her wittiness also shined, and Mommy and I enjoyed her talk.  Who would have thought it would be like a comedy show that night too?  She also brought expertise and seriousness to the subject.  She was pro-vaccinate (as most pediatricians are ...).  What is your take on vaccines?

FINANCE: Claudia Kolker, author of The Immigrant Advantage, discussed the interesting tradition of the Vietnamese Money Club.  She also was very charming to the audience, and "Auntie" Sarah is inspired to start our own "Vietnamese Money Club."  We won't go into details because we don't want Dada to find out!  Do you have any "outside of the box" ways that you spend (treat yourself or your family) or save money?

FASHION: Finally, La Mode Lingerie shared the base of our fashion wear - and fabulous pieces at that!  The speaker was so charming that Mommy said we must go back in and visit soon.  Do you treat yourself to fabulous, yet basic, lingerie pieces?

Mommy, Sarah, and I really enjoyed the speakers, but it was also nice mingling with other modern moms (and many carrying fetuses too).  We enjoyed bites from Green Plate Kids, but unfortunately we couldn't enjoy the wine (one won't hurt, Mom ... ).  There were also great drawings and prizes throughout the entire evening, and fabulous gift bags for all guests.  We sure were pampered.

Mommy and I were very excited that we got our first press photo together from the event (along with Sarah) (via Last Night Pics).

culturemap Houston: Sexy hot mamas listen, learn & shop the latest styles at The Mommie Series

Lights Camera Action: Hot Mamas and Bachelor Pad Screening!

Interested in more event photos?  Check out The Mommie Series on Facebook.

Next Up for The Mommie Series Houston: Save the Date for Wednesday, October 17th.  This is their next event!  We are also happy to report that we will be partnering with The Mommie Series to offer tickets to the event for one of our lucky readers!  Did you miss the last event?  Don't miss this one!  (We'll be sure to take some of our own photos next time so we can share them on our blogs).  Houstonians: Will we see you there?

What's your next "Mommy" event?

Have a great weekend!

-Sadie of Mad Max and Family / Mad About Town

Thursday's Kids and T(w)eens: Your City. Your Olympic Sports.

Hi Family, Friends, and Fans,

Do you have any Olympic sports that are popular in your city / area / nearby?  Do you have any training facilities (that may train Olympians)?

Do your kids, tweens, and teens play sports?  Or do they like or follow certain sports?  Or do you know of any kids, tweens, and teens that do?

As you know, I live with my Train Wreck family in Houston.

Houston is probably most well known for the (summer) Olympic sport of gymnastics.  The Bela Karolyi camp is north of Houston.  As you probably know, Bela and Marta Karolyi are very involved USA Gymnastics and the Olympics team (to put it very mildly).  Would you send your child to their camp?  I would probably be worried about how intense it was going to be!

And Houston has had several male gymnasts that have competed in the Olympics recently.  I'm not sure why Houston seems to have training facilities for Olympic gymnasts, but being a Houstonian, it's definitely something to be proud of (who doesn't love rooting for a hometown hero?).  For example, the Houston Gymnastics Academy has connections to the Olympics.  Mommy said she is going to look into a class for me (for next year).  (Not because she wants me to be a future gymnastics Olympian ... but wouldn't tumbling be great for any Super Tot?)

Do you have any kids that participate in gymnastics?

Another great sport for the older set is martial arts.  Do you have any kids in martial arts?  Did you know that Houston actually has a family of Olympic martial artists?  Lopez Taekwondo Academy!  Whether you are from Houston or not, you should read more about them on their site.  Their story is inspirational, no?

Mommy and Daddy said they want me to get involved in martial arts when I'm a bit older (Mommy is looking into it now) ...maybe 3 years (or 4 yrs or 5 yrs).  The Little Ninja's Class is what I would start with most likely.  Mommy said she hoped I would like martial arts, and it's in my blood!  Pops had a martial arts school, and Mommy's Uncle C has one now (in another state).  Maybe one day I will have a Mad Max Taekwondo Academy?

So what about your kids?  Are they involved in any sports?

And what about where you are from?  What sports are well known there?

-Mad Max

PS: Visit us on Mad About Town!

next stop: Olympic Sports in Your City

Hi Family, Friends, and Fans,

Before we get to Olympic Sports in Your City ... Mommy wanted me to share a few things:

Did you see my little sister's (Sadie's) first press photo today in Culturemap Houston: Sexy hot mamas listen, learn, and shop the latest styles at The Mommie Series?  If not, be sure to check it out!  Also, don't miss our blog this Friday (from Sadie).  She'll give you a recap of The Mommie Series event from last week.

Also on Friday ... Sadie will share her doctor appointment adventure from today.  Mommy said she has lots to share.  Mommy, I thought we had a blast today?

Finally ... thank you to all of our readers!  Mommy said she's been hearing from several of you in person.  If you haven't already, you can click follow on our blog, and you can also find us on Bloglovin.

Olympic Sports in Your City: 

What's your next stop this weekend?  What about a sporting event (that is also featured at the Olympics)?  What sporting events are available where you live?

If you are in Houston ... we recommend going to a Houston Dynamo (soccer) game.  Have you been to their new stadium yet?  We haven't been yet, but this is definitely on our list to check out soon.  If you've been ... share your experience with us!  Or share your experience of a sporting event where you are from.

They don't actually have a game at home this weekend, but their next home game is on Sunday, August 19th at 8 pm (most appropriate timing for your older ones).  Check out their schedule here.

Did you know that the Houston Dynamo has Youth Programs (ages 5 and up)?  And they partner with SoccerTots for 18 months and up.  I'm (Mad Max!) very excited to begin my SoccerTots class / team this month!  I'll have photos to share soon.

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Well, I haven't started soccer yet so I don't have photos ...but in the meantime, I am training in EATING (on a recent visit to Whole Foods).

So what do you think?  What's your next stop?

-Mad Max

PS: Visit us on Mad About Town!

Tuesday's Tots and Wee Ones: Baby Olympics!

Hi Family, Friends, and Fans,

First, Happy 19th Birthday to me!  Can you believe I'm 19 already?

Second, are you lovin' the Olympic fever?  Or over it?

Train Wreck Mommy and My Hero Daddy are glued to the screen.  I have to admit that I'm often passed out (after a nice glass of Scotch) in my crib before Olympics Primetime even starts in the evening.

What about Baby Olympics?  Do you have or know any babies or tots that are currently training?  I know my little sis is, Sadie.  (Gymnastics, we think).

Have you seen the Guys with Kids promos during the Olympics?  Mad Max gives them a 9.9.  Cute.  And hilarious.  Mommy said she wants to see this new NBC show.  What do you think?

So what about your babies or tots ... or ones that you know?  Are any of them in sports (that are also seen in the Olympics?)

Dada put me in the Olympic sport of swimming (at Dad's Club) which we think is a great sport for babies and tots.  What is another great sport for babies and tots?  Mommy said tumbling!  She said I might get to try tumbling either in the Spring or next Summer.  A friend of Mommy's recommended (or rather, heard about) Houston Gymnastics Academy.  Home to Olympians!  We need to research it more though.  Houstonians: any recommendations for swimming, gymnastics, or other sports for young ones?  What about those of you outside of Houston?  Where did you choose to go and why?

-Mad Max

PS ... Find us on Mad About Town!

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 ...

Don't forget you can find us on Mad About Town, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.