Half Price Summer Fun Days – Birmingham Zoo!

Posted on Tuesday, July 19, 2016 by Angie

If “Zoo” is on your summer fun list, here’s a great way to make that happen, while saving a few bucks!

Visit the Zoo during Half-Price Summer Fun Days to take advantage of discounted half-price admission, half-price rides, discounted merchandise in the Gift Shop, and $1 hot dogs in the cafes! In addition, enjoy up to 50% off of Dino Discovery.

Guests will have the opportunity to get up-close with the elephants in Trails of Africa, experience Predator Zone, enjoy a Red Diamond Sea Lion Splash Show and be surrounded by and feed* beautiful lorikeets in the Schaeffer Eye Center Lorikeet Aviary. Come learn how the Zoo uses enrichment activities to help keep the animals mentally and physically fit. Guests can also see live animal demonstrations, feedings, chat with the keepers and more! *Additional cost.

Half Price Admission Cost:

Adults – $8*
Children 2 – 12 years old – $5.50*
Senior Citizens 65 years+ – $7*
Military (Active duty only- must show military ID)- $7*
*Plus tax

Valid on the Following Weekends:

July 23rd and 24th
July 30th and 31st
August 6th and 7th

Pinspired Recipe: Salsa Roll Ups

Posted on Tuesday, July 19, 2016 by Angie

Pinterest strikes again! Salsa Roll ups that even the kids will gobble up. It’s a quick and easy snack to make and take to your next playdate or gathering!

4 oz cream cheese softened
3 Tbsp. Your favorite Salsa
1/2 cup Mexican Style Cheese
1/4 tsp. chili powder
4 (6 inch) flour tortillas

Mix it up, spread it on the tortilla, roll it up and slice!

Creating Calm During the Witching Hour

Posted on Sunday, July 17, 2016 by Angie

It’s 4:15 pm. There’s a certain anxious energy hanging in the air like smoke. You know at any minute all hell is going to break loose because there’s something odd about that magic hour or so between 4:30 and 5:30. I like to call it “The Witching Hour”, and it’s the time of day when kids go from decently behaved to absolutely flipping nuts.

Those little darlings are virtually unrecognizable as they throw tantrums in the kitchen floor, they shout what they’re not going to do and then continue by shouting how they don’t care how you feel about it. They make a mess and when you politely ask them to clean it up; they look at you as if you have three heads and then take off in another direction to cause more pandemonium.

And of course, this is the time of day when you’re trying to get your house in order, the chores finished and food on the table – after all, you simply must make it appear that you do more than sit around eating Bon-Bons everyday.

If I’ve ever been desperate for help, it was during this time of day – and it was almost every day. I wanted answers, so I went to an “expert”. I thought of all the wonderful teachers my child had, and how they almost effortlessly seemed to hold it all together, and then some.

After consulting a local preschool teacher, she offered a few of her secrets:

First up, I wanted to know how to calm things down in a hurry when all goes haywire: “When everyone is running around crazy, I turn the lights off for a second, that usually gets them to stop and look at me,” said our Teacher friend. I can tell you that I’ve already added this one to my arsenal of “Mom tricks” and it works – unless it’s daytime, in a sunny room and then, well they just look at you like you’re some crazy person flicking the lights on and off.

Next, I wanted to find out a little about how to get their attention – because I can promise that at one point or another, I’ve tried almost everything. She said that distracting them with something different works great. “I think my number one tip for getting and keeping their attention is talking quietly. They really listen when I’m talking softly like I have a secret to tell them. My number two tip is using an incentive such as a sticker or a stamp or even a small piece of candy such as a smartie. The fun thing about preschoolers is they don’t need much. I’m always amazed at how happy they are to receive one skittle or one sticker.”

Got any tricks you’d like to share? We would love to hear them! Until then, good luck during the Witching Hour!

Summer Fun at Ultrablast Laser Combat Center

Posted on Friday, July 15, 2016 by Angie

It’s hard to believe we have less than a month left before school starts.. along with these last few weeks of freedom come some of the hottest weather we’ll see all summer and it’s nice to have a place to go when those temps creep up.

Ulttrablast Laser Combat Center is a HUGE 9,000 sq. ft. combat area – 2 times the size of any other in the area! In a complex 2-level arrangement you can play against human or alien teams all while staying cool in the air conditioned arena. Moms, if you want to get in on the action, Ultrablast Laser Combat Center offers special discount hours for you or you’re welcome to just oversee the fun from their observation deck. Oh.. and did we mention.. it’s air conditioned? Just checking.

If you’re already thinking ahead to your kiddos next Birthday Party.. Look no further! Perfect for ages 6 and up, Ultra Blast offers the ultimate birthday party experience in one of their 4 party rooms. You’re birthday boy or girl and guests will get 2 combat games, and an hour and 45 min in the party room for cake, pizzas and drinks. The birthday child will also receive $25 gift card for the arcade area.

Keep in mind that Ultra Blast Laser Combat is a physical activity. You are advised not to play if you suffer from asthma, seizures, or a heart condition or any other medical condition that may be aggravated by your participation. The combat area is a darkened space with flashing lights and smoke effects. You should not enter if you have trouble seeing in low light, walking on uneven surfaces, or problems with flashing lights or loud noises.

Whether you’re looking for a way to exhaust your kids or a place for your next Birthday Party.. Check out everything Ultra Blast has to offer by visiting their website.

Pack the Perfect Picnic

Posted on Friday, July 15, 2016 by Angie

Summertime means lots of being outside, whether you’re packing a picnic lunch for a hike or road trip or just enjoying being outside in your own backyard, we have a few ideas to make your picnic perfect!

If you have kids that don’t really like sandwiches or are just tired from eating them everyday at school, try some of these ideas:

A sandwich minus the bread (can that still be called a sandwich?) Let’s call them turkey (or ham or pepperoni) and cheese roll ups. If your kids will actually eat lettuce, or a tortilla, you could roll it all up and stick them with a toothpick. Or try this recipe wrapped around a pretzel rod.

Substitute your bread with yummy crackers then cut your meats and cheeses into smaller sizes so the kids can make their own little cracker sandwich. My kids like having the ability to choose what they want to eat and mix it up from one to the next.

Think breakfast for lunch – we make lots of muffins for breakfast and those are super easy to pack up and toss in your picnic basket. If you’re a planner, make them up the night before and you have breakfast and lunch taken care of, you might actually make it out of the house on time.. maybe.

All picnics need fruit and/or veggies. We love that you can now buy peanut butter and hummus in single serve packs. While they are a little more costly, they are super convenient and add a little something to your lunch on the go. If you want to save a little cash, you can always use reusable containers. Pair these up with apples slices, pretzels, cut up veggies or anything dunkable and you’re good to go.

A yummy, non mayo based pasta salad is always a yummy addition (Moms like this too!)

Try Prepackaged cereal bars, granola bars or clif bars. They’re easy to toss in, along with a yogurt tube. We keep Clif Bars with us almost always whether it’s a picnic or just a trip to the park they make a great healthy snack. You can buy a box of the “Kids Clif Bars” at most grocery stores or Walmart and Target.

Don’t forget a little sweet treat! We usually throw in some sugar cookies, or maybe some oatmeal raisin. We always avoid anything chocolate, even during the spring here, it’s warm enough to melt.

If you’re planning a hike around your picnic, make sure to pack plenty of waters for everyone!

What do you pack in your picnic lunch?

Happy Plates Restaurant Review: Your Pie

Posted on Thursday, July 14, 2016 by Angie

OPEN: Mon-Sun: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
GOOD FOR KIDS?: Yes!
DATE NIGHT: Yes for quick dining.
PARKING: Soho Deck
ADDRESS: 1831 28th Ave S Homewood. (205) 739-2212

I don’t know about you, but pizza is a staple in our household, and one of our go-to places has become Your Pie in Homewood. When you can find a place where everyone in the family can find something they like, it’s a win!

Your Pie is a fast-casual pizza located in the SoHo Square retail center in Homewood and offers customers the option of building their own pies from a variety of sauces, meats and vegetables.. all for around $8. Also, Your Pie offers eight specialty pizzas, including Southern Heat (grilled chicken smothered in hot sauce), Thai Pie (grilled chicken and a spicy Thai sauce), and The Hippie (a vegetarian pizza with tofu, spinach and artichokes).

If you prefer a salad you can choose from their fresh ingredients to make a healthy meal (while you watch everyone else eating their tasty pizza.) or choose from one of their six panini’s (including buffalo chicken, pesto turkey and meatball).

For kids.. This is where it gets good. Their kids meal includes a personal pizza, drink and scoop of gelato for less than $6. While all my kids love the idea of dressing their own pizza and not having to pick off the things they don’t like that their sisters do.. Their most favorite thing is the scrap dough they get to play with while waiting on their pizza to cook.

All in all, Your Pie makes our plates Happy Happy! Next time it’s pizza night in your house, give them a try and let them know we sent you!

Review By: Angie Cleland
All thoughts and opinions regarding Your Pie are our own. We were not compensated for this review.

Coach Mommy: Softball 101

Posted on Wednesday, July 13, 2016 by Angie

It won’t be long until football is in the air for sports fans across Alabama, but for thousands of little girls they have another sport in mind… SOFTBALL.

Stepping out on the field for their first time can be exciting, scary, and even overwhelming. As a mom it’s our job to get them prepared for life on the Diamond. So if softball is something your little ones are considering for this fall here’s a rundown on the things you need to know to get started:

Buying the Basics

1. Glove (see chart)
2. Bats (investment & size)
3. Defensive Face mask (required in some leagues for infield positions)
4. Batting helmet with face mask
5. Cleats
*6. Chest protector
*7. Batting Gloves
*optional

After shopping for the necessaries remember that having style is part of the game. Looking the part will give your little player confidence. Check out you tube videos for the latest braids or search National Pro Fast Pitch to see how the women in the big leagues are getting their hair game day ready. Big bows and head bands are no longer just for cheerleaders. Thanks to USA Gold Medalist Jennie Finch, girls are taking the field with style and they don’t mind mixing a little dirt with sass.

The speed of the game has changed! And don’t be confused, this is not baseball. Young girls on the mound stand as close as 35 feet away from the batter as opposed to little league baseball pitching from 46 feet. Bases are 30 feet closer to the plate than in baseball, and new composite bats are hotter than ever. So when your player asks for safety gear don’t compare to big brother or even what you wore as a kid, because the game has changed and softball players are covering up for protection. Invest in your player’s safety with an evo shield heart guard that can be worn under her jersey to cover her chest.

Protective gear can help overcome fear of the ball and give your player the confidence she needs to be successful.

Participating in softball can give your daughter the opportunity to learn the importance of team work, build confidence and teach her lessons that can be applied to life on and off the field. Remember, to be her biggest cheerleader, and try not to be a coach from the stands. Enjoy the ride home by letting her recap the fun. Try not to get caught up with pointing out everything she should have done. Give her a little time to process. You may be surprised when she comes to you with a plan of how she’s going to conquer the next pop fly.

One of the best rules to have as a mom is to abide by the 24 Hour Rule. We may not always agree with the coach on the field, but show him/her respect by applying a 24 hour rule before addressing your complaints or concerns. Keeping your calm will give you time to chill, and help you to address the coach with less unnecessary emotion. It also gives your excited coach a chance to simmer down. You may want to check out Jennie Finchs book “Throw Like a Girl” to read how her love for the game as a child and her parents interaction encouraged her to be the best she could be.

Other resources are available to you and your player. Check out Amanda-Scarborough.com and ThePackageDeal.com for drills and tutorials, log onto Al Fastpitch on Facebook for the inside info on what’s going on in the travel ball world, contact your local high school or park board to find out when the next clinic or camp is available. Schedule lessons at local Hitting Facilities such as Going Yard in Hayden, Alabama or the Alabama Saints facility in Hoover, Alabama

Depending on the governing body of the league, rules could differ. Familiarize yourself with the rules that apply to your daughter’s age division. This will help you become a better fan in the stands and help you to answer any questions your player may have. Remember, treat the umpire with respect. Your daughter is listening and it’s important that she learns to respect the authority on the field.

Practice practice practice. Have fun and get out in the dirt with your daughter. She’s about to have the time of her life and you have front row seats.

Additional Sources:

Softball.com
Justbats.com

Event of the Week: Superhero Saturday is Back at McWane!

Posted on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 by Angie

Did you miss Superhero Saturday at McWane last month? Well, good news! The Superheroes are returning for another Saturday full of Superhero fun!

McWane Science Center becomes the Hall of Justice and the Legion of Doom on this very special Saturday. Join us and meet some of your favorite superheroes like Batman, Ironman and Bumblebee. Wear your favorite superhero costume, and enjoy superpowered science educational programs and games.

Saturday, July 16th
10am
Included with the price of admission

Road Trip! Tennessee Aquarium

Posted on Wednesday, July 6, 2016 by Angie

We love a good road trip during the summer and if you haven’t been in a while or ever to Chattanooga Tennessee you’re missing out!

Rated by visitors as the best aquarium in America for overall guest satisfaction the Tennessee Aquarium is a must for your Summer To-Do list and it’s just a quick drive from Birmingham!

Enjoy a remarkable journey from the mountains to the sea as you explore above and below the surface in the Aquarium’s two buildings. Both experiences feature many different types of aquatic and terrestrial wildlife. Not only do visitors explore habitats found in North America and the Gulf of Mexico, they also encounter a variety of exotic plants and animals from remote regions of our planet. Just as important as our exhibits, the Aquarium’s staff loves to immerse guests with the stories of life above, around and within our watershed.

If you love penguins… and let’s be honest how can you not love penguins… They have a great exhibit called Penguin Rock where you can watch them playing and swimming. They even have a live feed where you can check in on them from their webcam. And if that wasn’t enough.. A pair of baby penguins is capturing hearts at the Tennessee Aquarium. Gentoo penguins “Biscuit” and “Blue” are the proud parents of not one, but TWO new penguin chicks. The fluffy babies, hatched in early June, are both being raised on exhibit by their parents. Something definitely worth seeing while you’re there!

Chattanooga as a whole is a great place to spend a day or even a long weekend. From the Aquarium to the Chattanooga Choo Choo – there’s so much exploring to be done. Definitely put this city and the Tennessee Aquarium on your summer fun list!

Recipe: Iced Coffee Popsicles

Posted on Tuesday, July 5, 2016 by Angie

It’s summer.
It’s the south.
It’s stupid hot.

But nothing can cool you down better than a yummy popsicle – the tiny humans know this, but why should they have all the fun treats? We talked to our friends over at Royal Cup Coffee and they gave us this tasty recipe for Iced Coffee Popsicles. Yum-o

Ingredients:

2 cups of brewed Royal Cup coffee, add sugar and cream to taste. Note: The more sugar/cream you add the sweeter the popsicle. The less you whiten it, the bolder the coffee taste.
1/2 cup heavy cream.
Sugar to taste.
Popsicle molds. We love these from Target.

Directions:

Combine 1/3 cup of cream and sweeten with sugar to taste. Stir until completely dissolved.
Pour a little of the cream into the bottom of each mold.
Freeze the mold until the cream is solid, about an hour.
Mix the coffee, cream and sugar, and stir until dissolved.
Refrigerate until chilled.
Carefully pour the chilled coffee mixture into each mold, filling it to the top.
Place top onto molds and insert the sticks.
Freeze until solid.
Enjoy!

For more coffee inspired recipes.. Check out the Royal Cup Blog