Mondays with Max » Blog

Max goes to Maine II

Max: we are still vacationing in Maine where the sky is clear and the night sky is full of stars . . .

Your Lola left today. She showed you a good time. You got to explore a suburban supermarket with all of its thrills …

And you had plenty of time with Lola in the sand.  She showed you how to put sand in your bucket with a shovel.


She found a little public beach nearby with a swingset, children and shallow water just perfect for you …

You had fun with Lola right up to the moment we put her on the bus home.

And now for this week’s video:

PapaAugust 9, 2010 - 6:19 am

Nice! Looks like you all are having a great time in Maine. Now MAX is doing stairs – guess his 1st steps aren’t far away! Impressive.

Auntie LexiAugust 9, 2010 - 11:35 am

This is all just the best, the best!

LolaAugust 9, 2010 - 1:53 pm

So Max:
Everything was about Lobster on this vacation. Your favorite toy was a $3.00 windup lobster that I found in a junk gift shop that had lobster everything. The local economy is all about lobster; lobster trapping, lobster boats, lobster trap foot races, lobster to eat, lobster decor ad infinitum – there’s a lobster on virtually everything.
Your mother, whose is a closet junkie, and whose taste in food definitely is biased to street food (I’m sure you’ll see a shot of Lola’s Taqueria, where she and Randy ate twice – sitting in the car)- was mainly attracted to what she called a “trifecta” foodery (can’t exactly use “restaurant” here). It was a drive-in, shack, that exclusively served lobster. Nowhere else, could or would, lobster be served at a drivein to your car.
We went to the “Blessing of the Fleet” in Harpswell, where your mother had all the local ladies whispering “Who is that photographer?”, because your mother was carrying a lens that was longer than Zulu.
Speaking of which, the photo of us sitting on the grass at the bus station, caused me to pause in shock for a moment. I had just bought you a miniature horse ranch in a plastic jar, which we displayed on the grass to amuse you. It had six plastic horses in it. When I saw that huge animal in the background, for a crazy minute I had the weird idea that one of the horses had grown to full size. I wonder, Max, if you think Zulu is a horse.

Lots of fun with the Krock-Blumenthal kids.

SuSuAugust 9, 2010 - 9:46 pm

OMG, this all looks and sounds like an outrageously fun time. Too bad you can’t hear Julia Zane (8 years old, Melissa and Brad’s, Alan’s son and his wife’s, little girl) who is spending the week with us. (grandparents’ camp, she calls it) Julia is obsessed with how precious you are, and she has played your videos over and over again in total glee. Her repeated question is how is it possible that you have so much more hair than your dad. She does love your blond curls, and me, too. It looks a little chilly and windy there, but I know from Florida that the weather would not bother you at all. Doesn’t Lola find the best toys??

Max goes to Maine

Max: wonder why there’s been a bit of a water theme on your new blog?  It’s because you love the water and we’re bringing it to you!  We are on vacation in Maine.  We kidnapped Lola on the way here.  She bought you a wind-up lobster today which you chased all over the house and then all over the bathroom (it’s still ticking).

Our rental house has wonderful private beach frontage.


You and Zulu have already checked it out.


Tomorrow we’re taking you over to Popham beach to check out what we’re told is one of the prettiest beaches in the area.


You are very, very close to walking.  None of us will be surprised if you take your first steps in Maine.

You have quite a personality, Max.

Here’s a little video from last week. Max: you love dancing – it makes everyone laugh …





PapaAugust 2, 2010 - 8:45 am

MAX – You are our ‘boogie woogie’ little man! You and ZULU are loving Maine – it looks like a beautiful spot right on the water. Your Lola is spoiling you good! Have a wonderful time on your vacation! Your Mom’s blog is a great way to start my day. Thanks!

SuSuAugust 2, 2010 - 11:56 pm

What a house, and what a view of the water. You guys are going to have a great couple of weeks there. Sure beats the heat down South. I’m enjoying those sights of you standing and about to take off on those little 2 feet of yours. Should be a fun chase from then on.

In loving memory

PapaJuly 26, 2010 - 7:32 am

Philip Levine – one of the best ever – thank you for leaving this world a better place.

LolaJuly 26, 2010 - 7:43 am

My children and family supported Philip and me with great generosity and affection, always. And this final time, with dignity and grace matching the love and affection Philip felt for all of them. Thank you all. You sustained me.

SuSuJuly 27, 2010 - 8:02 pm

Hope you’re up there somewhere, Philip, enjoying our regaling you with all the love and praise you deserve. You will be missed, but not forgotten. Hats off to a special guy.

JacobJanuary 16, 2011 - 6:25 pm

Glad I found this!

Sizzling weekend in NYC

Max: It was sizzling hot this weekend but we did not let the heat get to us. We took long walks and ran errands and we went to the water park both days.
We went to a new park to check it out but we decided our little gem is the best we’ve seen yet and you like fountains and the rocks in the original park so much we turned around and went back to the tried and true.
You are a real dare devil. You want to climb the rocks like the big boys.
You want to get right into the fountain. You don’t care about getting splashed in the face.
You just keep wanting to go back and back to it  (and the little ones won’t do). . .

You want to see what all the big kids are doing.

You are not afraid to explore.


You would stay in the water all day. But we eventually fish you out when you are shivering.

You are really starting to make friends with Zulu.  She’s still not quite sure yet but she has learned that wherever you are, a trail of food is sure to follow.

You have started to be rather picky about what and where you eat.  You prefer to be entertained (or distracted) while you are eating.  For now, you have your meals in the inflatable pool Papa Larry sent in the outdoor room (with the radio on).  You are enjoying fresh fruit – you like blueberries, strawberries and peaches.

PapaJuly 19, 2010 - 6:15 am

max – your photos this week are great – your Daddy’s videos made me smile – I can tell ZULU loves you – she is so gentle taking treats from your hand – the bubbling water & rock climbing make a perfect background for your red swimming trunks – even got a peek at your mom feeding you blue berries! You are getting to be a big boy! Love, Papa

LolaJuly 19, 2010 - 2:35 pm

My favorite things in this series are:
1- Max’s little blue lips as he’s being toweled off. He will be a fish, like Lola, Bubba and Auntie Lexi (Miss Lifeguard).
2- That South Seas bathingsuit is very sharp;
3- Max’s demand for ambience and venue while eating – a spa baby, for sure- is definitely in the dna.

nancy kramerJuly 19, 2010 - 2:43 pm

IT’S MAD MAX, THE ADVENTURE BOY! YOU’RE AN INTREPID EXPLORER MAX.
BUT THEN, YOUR MOMMY HAS BEEN PULLED THROUGH THE SKY BY HELICOPTERS WEARING WATER SKIIS, GONE SCUBA DIVING, AND EATEN STREET FOOD IN BEIJING.
Love, auntie

Auntie LexiJuly 19, 2010 - 5:55 pm

Max, I am happy to see you are already using All Clad cookware.

SusuJuly 20, 2010 - 8:05 pm

You will be the favorite visitor to the New York City parks. I had no idea they were so elaborate. And, how smart of Mommy and Daddy to have you purposely feeding Zulu. You may have been her friend before, but you surely her #1 friend now. Love your new bed and your cute swimming trunks.

SusuJuly 20, 2010 - 8:10 pm

I had no idea the NYC neighborhood parks were that elaborate. You’re the best dressed guy there. Quite the fish, you are.

Max takes Zulu to the park

Max: Zulu woke us all up at 5:30 Saturday morning (not that you usually sleep any longer).  So we decided we’d all go to the park to walk Zulu.  Dad carried you in the baby carrier.  You saw Zulu swim, jump over fences and run through the grass.  You loved looking at everything – so much so that you would not fall asleep until we got home (and then you napped until almost noon!).

We called your great Aunt Nancy when we got there and met up toward the end.  That was the highlight for you.  You are really into pointing now.  You want to ask about and show us everything.  Just wait until you are really talking!

You had lots of kisses for everyone.  Even the bronze bear you met leaving the park.  You are a very sweet boy – it is so touching.  We don’t know how you learned to be so affectionate.

You had so much fun, we took you back on Sunday morning.  You are so tired now you are really ready for the weekend to be over!

On another note, you have been practicing walking with some new walkers.  Here’s another video from dad:

PapaJuly 12, 2010 - 6:19 am

hi max – great photos of you in the park with your mom, dad, auntie & zulu! Your walking video is wonderful – I almost felt like I was there with you! Your Monday blog helps bridge the tide! Miss & love you lots! Papa

LolaJuly 12, 2010 - 2:20 pm

Max: You’re just like your Lola – an inquirer; and judged by your great walk with the spiffy new aid, you don’t like to be stuck, like me, either. Keep pushing, Max!

SuSuJuly 16, 2010 - 5:17 pm

Oh, boy, finally got a computer that would show me all these cute photos and the movie, sort of. We are in Montana and Wyoming checking out the national parks, and the Wifi is little and far between. You would love all these animals, Max. Today we saw the cutest little chipmunks, right about the size for you to enjoy, scampering back and forth across our path. Some day we will take you here, and you can see for yourself. Meanwhile, it’s fun to see you in your little woods in Central Park.

SuSuAugust 9, 2010 - 8:28 pm

Max,
This is the only place I could find to comment. I hope it appears next to your photos at the beach. You look adorable sitting on the beach with your bucket and shovel. The videos Dad is taking are sweet as can be, especially your dancing to the music and your stair climbing. Amazing that you figured out how to come down backwards already. Hope they are showing these to you. That should make a funny video.