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Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Kids

Posted on by Angie

Based on one of the most treasured Disney animated films of all time, and featuring some of the world’s most memorable songs, Disney’s Sleeping Beauty KIDS is pure, delightful fun.

It’s Princess Aurora’s sixteenth birthday, and three fairies – Flora, Fauna and Merryweather – must use their magic to save her from the spell of the evil sorceress, Maleficent! The fairies ensure that Aurora only falls into a deep sleep that can be ended with a kiss from her betrothed, Prince Phillip. To prevent Phillip from rescuing Aurora, Maleficent kidnaps and imprisons him. The good fairies are the last hope to free Phillip so that he can awaken Aurora.

This classic fairy tale comes to life in Disney’s Sleeping Beauty KIDS, which features many roles for a large chorus, from King Stefan and Queen Stefanie’s loyal subjects to Maleficent’s slimy goons… as well as other fairies and animals.

Sleeping Beauty Kids is one of RMTC’s Discovery Theatre Shows, which feature young performers in family-friendly shows. Although adults help behind the scenes, these productions are “for kids, by kids.”

November 3rd – 5th

Showtimes
Fri-Sat, 7:30 pm
Sat-Sun, 2:00 pm

Click Here for Tickets

School Halloween Party Ideas

Posted on by Grace A

Every year I get asked to help with my kid’s class parties. I don’t know about the rest of you parents out there but I really have a hard time coming up with crafts, snacks, or games to entertain these kiddos. This year I decided to be proactive and get a list ready of things that I could do when the request came to help out. Here are some easy but fun things to make their class party a hit!

Spider Suckers

Materials needed:

  • Pipe Cleaners
  • Googly eyes
  • Suckers
  • glue

Twist the pipe cleaners around the sucker stick and shape them into spider legs. Glue the eyes and voila!

 

Halloween Bingo

 

Crazylittleprojects.com offers a really cute Halloween bingo free printable. I printed out two to a page, cut them out, and laminated them. This way I could reuse them in years to come. Cut out the smaller picture squares included with the bingo cards and mix them up in a bowl. I took a bag of candy corn to use as place markers and the kids had a blast snacking and shouting bingo!

 

 

 

 

Q-tip Skeleton

 

Materials Needed:

  • Construction paper
  • q-tips
  • pre-printed skeleton heads
  • Glue

This was a fast and easy craft for the kids to do. I printed different skeleton heads before the party so all the kids had to do was pick one and get gluing. They got pretty creative with their skeleton anatomy which turned out to be hilarious and fun. Definitely a craft to save for when they are older.

What are some things your kid’s classes have done for Halloween parties?

About Grace:

Grace was born and brought up in Bessemer, Alabama but has a great love for exploring new places. She has been married for 8 years and has 3 kids, expecting number 4 in December. Having been  a student off and on for the last 10 years she is excited to say that she is finally graduating from BYU-Idaho with a degree in Marriage and Family Counseling this year. She loves to learn and share what she learns with as many people as possible. Strengthening and encouraging positive relationships with couples and families is a life goal and passion. Her biggest hobby is her family and finding new and fun ways to accomplish the above life goal in her home.

 

Easy After School Snacks

Posted on by Grace A

When the kids get home from school they are like ravenous wolves. Usually they just grab any unhealthy thing they can find but this year I decided to work a little harder for them and make sure they have a healthy, filling treat when they get home. Here are the recipes for some of our favorites!

Apple cookies

Ingredients:

Apples

½ cup of peanut butter/Nutella/any sort of apple spread

raisins/chocolate chips/granola/whatever floats your boat

This one is super easy and versatile. We slice our apples in circles and cut out the core. Then we just add the toppings we are in the mood for and voila! Our favorite is granny smith with peanut butter and chocolate chips but we have also used other apples, Nutella, raisins, granola, cranberry’s, etc. I am not sure you can really do apple cookies wrong. Easy and delicious!

 


No Bake Monster Cookies

This is a treat I usually make at night. This kids love to help make these and they taste delicious. We do not always have m&ms on hand so we substitute raisins or anything in the pantry that sounds good. We are flexible like that.

Ingredients:

1.5 cups of old fashioned oats

½ cup creamy peanut butter

¼ cup honey

1/3 cup mini m&ms

1/3 cup mini chocolate chips (or raisins)

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl until everything is combined. Roll into bite sized balls and place on a cookie sheet in the fridge until solid. You can store them in Ziploc bags or Tupperware containers. Ours usually do not last long enough for lengthy storage! This is one of my favorites because it is a snack the kids can get themselves without mom’s help.

Banana Roll Ups

Ingredients:

Tortillas or bread slices

½ cup of peanut butter/Nutella/or spread

1 banana

The original we tried these was with tortillas but my kids prefer them with bread. It is not as pretty but just as tasty. Like the other recipes these are simple to adapt while keeping a great taste. With the tortilla you smear the whole piece with your spread and then roll your banana in it like a sushi roll. Then slice it. With the bread we have to roll the slices to thin them out enough to get the spread and banana all the way in the wrap.

Fruit and Cracker Pizzas

Ingredients:

Ritz crackers

Cream cheese/or any preferred spread

Fruit of choice

We are a peanut butter loving family but I thought I should probably include one recipe that did not involve that ingredient. I am a firm believer that anything with cream cheese is to die for and this treat is no exception. This is fast and easy and just makes me feel like a good mom when I have it on the table for the kids before they get home.

Of course we still have granola bar, gogurt snack days but it doesn’t kill me to make something a little fancier every now and then. Plus, the kids smile and excitement make it all worth it!

About Grace:

Grace was born and brought up in Bessemer, Alabama but has a great love for exploring new places. She has been married for 8 years and has 3 kids, expecting number 4 in December. Having been  a student off and on for the last 10 years she is excited to say that she is finally graduating from BYU-Idaho with a degree in Marriage and Family Counseling this year. She loves to learn and share what she learns with as many people as possible. Strengthening and encouraging positive relationships with couples and families is a life goal and passion. Her biggest hobby is her family and finding new and fun ways to accomplish the above life goal in her home.

Sesame Street Live!

Posted on by Angie

Everyone is invited to take part in the sunniest and funniest street celebration in Sesame Street Live! Let’s Party! Sesame Workshop features favorite Sesame Street pals Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Big Bird and more in a brand-new sensory adventure live on stage. Sesame Street Live!

Let’s Party! visits Birmingham, AL on November 17th – 18th for three performances at BJCC Concert Hall.

From the moment the curtain rises, parents and children alike will be on their feet dancing along to a pop-infused soundtrack with new Sesame Street friends and live emcees Casey and Caleb. Planning a party isn’t easy when everybody has a different idea of fun, but with some help from the audience, it becomes the ultimate reflection of what friendship plus teamwork can accomplish. Party guests will sing along to new and familiar songs, like “I Love Trash” and “C is for Cookie,” with Oscar the Grouch and Cookie Monster; dance to the beat with Elmo; explore a wintry wonderland when Abby Cadabby’s magic goes awry; take flight with Big Bird to learn about some of his fabulous feathered friends; and discover new cultures in an interactive Spanish lesson with Rosita. A unique, up-close- and-personal pre-show experience will be offered at an additional charge prior to select performances, allowing families the opportunity to tour the on-stage neighborhood of their favorite, furry friends before they arrive for the main show. The fun doesn’t end there. A variety of interactive activities give children the chance to create, discover and learn as they help decorate for the upcoming party.
Tickets for Sesame Street Live! Let’s Party start at $15.00. All seats are reserved, and tickets are available at the BJCC Concert Hall box office or by calling 800-745- 3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. For group rates and information, reach out to Group Tickets Plus at (888) 305-9550.

Stay current on the latest developments through social media:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SesameStreetLive
Twitter: @SesameStLive # SesameStreetLive
Instagram: @SesameStreetLive

Twas the Week Before Halloween…

Posted on by Kristen Berthiaume

Twas the Week before Halloween and all through the house…

Day 1: Think, “Halloween is a whole week away – plenty of time to get ready!”

Day 2: Realize you don’t have any Halloween decorations when the kids asked to put some out. Make a quick  Michael’s run for orange and black twinkle lights and fake cob webs. (Everything is 50% off, Score!)

Day 3: Buy three times more candy than you need. Happen to buy all of your favorite kinds. Open bag on the way home from the store. What? You have plenty.

Day 4: Promise your kids they can watch “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” Find out that it was on TV a week ago and isn’t being shown again. Get called a “liar.”

Day 5: Realize that Halloween is 2 days away and you haven’t bought costumes. Ask everyone what they want to be and search the attic and dress up clothes frantically for something that will work. End up going to Party City and spending your entire paycheck.

Day 6: Go back to the store for more candy because… oops.

Day 7: Return all costumes because kids changed their minds. Drive to three different stores to find  everything for an “Over the top scary robot-killer clown-alien” costume. Pick up more candy while you’re out. Finally get everyone dressed and out the door. Trick-or-Treat for 10 minutes before the kids start yelling that their costume is “too hot/cold/itchy/fill in the blank.” Swear off Halloween forever.

Trick or Treating Safety Tips

Posted on by Grace A

If your household is anything like mine trick or treating has been a hot topic lately. In years past my kids have been small enough to push in a stroller. They are usually scared of other costumes and want to stay close to me. This year they have been requesting more freedom and longer trick or treating hours. Keeping that in mind I have been trying to find a way to let them loose a little bit while also keeping my sanity about their safety. Here is a list of some safety tips to keep your kid’s safe this holiday while also allowing them to have a great night.

–  Plan out a route in advance. Drive through your route during the day and check for anything that could ruin trick or treating such as construction or other obstacles.

–  Set rules and discuss them completely with your kids before the big night. Waiting until 5 minutes before you head out will likely result in your words getting lost in the excitement.

– Carry or wear something lit, like a flashlight or glow sticks to keep them visible to you or others on the road.

–  Make sure your child’s costume is comfortable and safe. Costumes that drag the ground or make bathroom breaks misery could make for a bad night. Also, mask that don’t allow good visibility or breathing can cause discomfort and lack of enjoyment for the kids.

– Only trick or treat at houses that are well lit.

– Use crosswalks and traffic signals. Be aware of traffic and if possible, stay off electronic devices.

– If possible trick or treat with your children. Even older kids still need some supervision and while you don’t have to stay at their side, being on the same street with them can provide them with security and allow you to watch for any potential dangers.

– Inspect candy before allowing your kids to indulge. It is a sad world we live in when this has to be done but it really does. You do not want your kid to be the unfortunate one to fall victim to people’s cruelty. Check all the candy before eating it!!

– Feed kids a healthy, filling meal before heading out and make sure they stay hydrated.

– Make sure your yard is free of any objects that could cause safety issues for trick or treaters. Put away hoses, tools, cords, etc. that can be hard to see in the dark

– If you are driving always drive slow and alert. Kids are unpredictable and can dash out in the street with zero warning. Take your time and be careful.

– Don’t trick or treat after 9 p.m. this is a general rule for most places in the U.S. and practical for little ones who will be tired anyway.

Have fun, stay safe, and Happy Halloween!!

About Grace:

Grace was born and brought up in Bessemer, Alabama but has a great love for exploring new places. She has been married for 8 years and has 3 kids, expecting number 4 in December. Having been  a student off and on for the last 10 years she is excited to say that she is finally graduating from BYU-Idaho with a degree in Marriage and Family Counseling this year. She loves to learn and share what she learns with as many people as possible. Strengthening and encouraging positive relationships with couples and families is a life goal and passion. Her biggest hobby is her family and finding new and fun ways to accomplish the above life goal in her home.

The Friday Five: Top Picks for Weekend Fun Oct 20th – Oct 22nd

Posted on by Angie

Another weekend full of fun AND a Weekend Challenge for you! We’re launching the Friday Five Challenge this week, take a picture of yourself or your family enjoying one of our Friday Five Picks, post the photo to our social media using #BHAMFridayFive and you’ll be entered to win A BirminghamMommy tshirt and gift card to The Heavenly Donut Company!

Our picks for this weekend…

  • Owls in the Oaks at Oak Mountain State Park

Join us at Oak Mountain State Park on Friday, October 20th, to learn about our feathered fall favorites! Owls!

First, spend some time at the Alabama Wildlife Center learning about what makes owls so unique! Their amazing staff will help you learn to identify owl calls, potential owl habitats, and review some of the neat characteristics that owls have that make them some or our favorite feathered friends! Next, meet one of the AWC’s resident owls! Can you guess WWHHOOOO it will be? Then you will head off into the woods on a guided hike to see if you can locate and identify some of our feathered friends in their natural habitat! The hike will be after dark, so be sure to bring a headlamp or flashlight!
As this event includes a hike, this event is NOT stroller frendly. No dogs will be allowed.

There is no charge for the event, but each participant will have to pay their park entry fee (Cash only at gate)! Donations to the Alabama Wildlife Center are not required, but are appreciated! Each donation goes directly toward their continued efforts to rescue and rehabilitate orphaned and injured Alabama birds, along with continuing their ability to provide educational programming like this! Please, consider making a donation. All donations are tax deductible!

It’s the first full weekend of Boo at the Zoo! Dress in your favorite family-friendly costume to ride the Spider Slide, jump on the Eerie Express Pirate Train, see a Schaeffer Eye Center Wildlife Show, ride the ghost rollers, take a spin on the Scarousel, collect candy on Trick-or-Treat Lane and SO much more! Enjoy live music every night by Feel the Beat Entertainment as you boogie at the Monster Mash dance party under the Safari Peak. Boo at the Zoo presented by Wells Fargo is one spook-tacular event you won’t want to miss!

October 19th – 22nd 5pm – 9pm

  • Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone with the Alabama Symphony at Samford Wright Center

Friday, October 20 at 7pm (limited availability)
Sunday, October 22 at 3pm

Relive the magic of Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone™ in high definition on the big screen. Feel the delightful nostalgia as the Alabama Symphony Orchestra performs every note from John Williams’ unforgettable scores along with the film. Presented in partnership with Samford University Wright Center.

Find Tickets Here

  • Ruffner Turns 40

On October 21, Ruffner will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the founding of Ruffner Mountain Nature Coalition. Yes, it really has been four decades! We can’t believe it either.

Ruffner was founded in 1977 when a small group of dedicated individuals decided to save a mountain threatened by deforestation and development. This was the start of the modern nature movement as we know it today in Birmingham.

Over the years, Ruffner has grown from a few acres to more than 1,000, making it one of the largest privately held, urban nature preserves in the country. Today, it is the urban forest of the Magic City.
Activities 8am – 3pm

  • Pumpkin People and Gourd Goblins at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Join Birmingham Botanical Gardens Discovery Field Trip docent and Master Gardener Carol Hagood for an afternoon class featuring a pumpkin storytime and Fall nature-crafting. Children can decorate a mini-pumpkin or colorful gourd to make their own special Hallowe’en friend to add to family holiday decorations.

Sunday, October 22 | 2-3 p.m.
Members* $10 | Non-Members $12

Our Sponsor:

The Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum is the official railroad museum of the state of Alabama! Located just south of Birmingham in Calera, Alabama. The museum features operating standard gauge and narrow gauge trains, two restored depots, an indoor collection of railroad artifacts and memorabilia, and an outdoor collection of railroad cars, locomotives, and cabooses.

The museum is dedicated to the preservation, restoration, and operation of historically significant railway equipment. Our exhibits, operating railroads, and educational programs function as both a unique means of tourism and recreation, and also a way to preserve the rich history of Alabama and our nation.

 

Lazy Moms Guide to Pumpkin Decorating

Posted on by Angie

The fun of carving a pumpkin is lost on me. I’m not ashamed to admit it. I’ve gotten much better as my girls have gotten older at realizing that life with kids is messy and sticky and chaotic. But when it comes to carving the guts out of a pumpkin, I will go to great lengths to get out of it. It always ends with something that doesn’t look anything like what we wanted or half way through the gutting process they get bored and I’m left to finish and clean everything up on my own. So for the last how many ever years I could possibly get away with it, I’ve defaulted to painting, melting crayons (which is a lot less lazy than you would think) and wrapping pumpkins in toilet paper in an effort to convince my kids that not carving can be fun too.

Here’s a few idea for this Halloween!

Wrap It:
Find some fun fabric, lace or tulle and wrap your pumpkin up, tie a fun ribbon around the top and you’re done.

Buttons:
Use buttons, sequins, thumbtacks or upholstery tacks to spell out a word this year we did “EEK!”

Mumkin:
Glue on some googly eyes (or draw with a sharpie) then wrap in toilet paper to make your pumpkin a Mummy. If you’re looking to step up your game a little, you can use rolled gauze.

Masks:
Rob the kids dress up bucket for masks. Anything you have left over from mardi gras, or past dress up parties or Halloween will do.

Spider:
Black pipe cleaner, googly eyes (or draw them on) and a piece of black construction paper for the mouth and you can have an adorable little spider. We used a knife to precut 4 holes on each side, insert the pipe cleaners and bend to look like legs. Easy Peasy!

Whats your favorite no carve pumpkin idea?

Tutus, Blues and Brews Benefiting The Dance Foundation

Posted on by Angie

The Dance Foundation is a non-profit organization providing creative dance classes with live music to more than 1,000 children all over Birmingham each week.  These children are preschoolers, have special needs, live in poverty or are learning English.

Tutus, Blues and Brews is a family-friendly event to benefit  The Dance Foundation at Red Hills Brewing Company.

Everyone is invited and Admission is Free. Live music by Automatic Slim Blues Band and food by Little Donkey.

Plus dancing, games and great beer!

Tickets may be purchased at the event to use on food, treats and games of chance.
All ticket buyers will receive a souvenir Dance Foundation cup.
Arrive dressed in a tutu, and you’ll receive a free ticket to use at the event!
RSVP for your family and receive a free ticket for that too!

A percentage of all beer sales will be donated to The Dance Foundation.

Sunday, November 5, 2017  |  3 – 5 PM
Red Hills Brewing Company in Homewood

Moss Rock Festival 2017

Posted on by Angie

On the first full weekend in November, grab friends and family and get outside to the Moss Rock Festival at The Preserve in Hoover. Explore Nature, SmartLIVING, Art + Design at Alabama’s premier eco-creative festival. Innovation, imagination, and fun await 10,000 visitors under a blanket of fall colors at this idyllic neighborhood setting adjacent to Hoover’s own 350 acre Moss Rock Preserve. MRF features 100 exhibiting artists inspired by nature; +Design artisans, makers & special exhibitions; a tiny home; SmartLIVING ideas and marketplace for food, home, body, and health; live music; The Sweetery; Beer Garden craft tasting event (ticketed); WonderKid Studios; Nature enthusiasts district, Greenway Pathway Expo, and Aspiring Gardeners zone; guided hikes; eco:drive outdoor show rooms; a fly fishing workshop, rock climbing wall & rope bridge; School Planet Project sculptures; popular local food trucks and other festival favorites; big giveaways, and much more. 

  • Nov 4, 2017 at 10:00 am – 05:00 pm (Sat)
  • Nov 5, 2017 at 10:00 am – 04:00 pm (Sun)

Additional time info:

Saturday, November 4th / 10:00am – 5:00pm
Sunday, November 5th/ 10:00am – 4:00pm

All visitors will Park & Ride one of the free festival shuttles from the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium to The Preserve, a classic American neighborhood in Hoover. The Hoover Met baseball stadium is located off of Hwy 150 and Stadium Trace Parkway. Only a short 5 minute ride. Shuttles will run regularly from 9:30am to 6:00pm Saturday and 9:30am to 5:00pm Sunday. Visitors will be dropped at The Preserve’s retail center.  The roads that are part of the festival site surrounding the neighborhood’s Village Green will be blocked to thru traffic.

* Event durations (if noted) are approximate. Please check with the presenting organization or venue to confirm start times and duration.

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