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Birmingham Events Calendar: July 5th – July 12th

Posted on by Angie

It’s Not Our Fault if Your Kids are Bored!

We hope you all had a Happy and Safe 4th of July! The Summer Fun continues this week around Birmingham! The Barons are home, LEGO Mini builds are now offered 2 nights and you can check out lots of storytime and crafts in various locations!

Have a great week!

Sunday July 5th

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
Vs Tennessee Smokies
3pm

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Monday July 6th:

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
vs. Tennessee Smokies
7:05pm

Dynamic Duo Storytime – Hoover Public Library
Firefighters and Police Officers
Summer story time! Perfect for children under the age of four years.
9:30am and 10:30am

Passport to Imagination – Michaels Trussville
Pinwheel
Join us on an imaginary road trip from the beach to the county fair and beyond, with fun kids’ crafts at each stop. Today’s craft: Pinwheel. $5.00 per session or 3 for $12. Supplies included.

Class Type: Kids
Instructor Name: Renee
Skill Level: All
Recommended Age: 3 and Up
Supplies Included: Yes
Seats Available: 12
10am

Member Monday – McWane Science Center
As a thank-you to all of our members, McWane Science Center offers Member Mondays.

Every Monday, McWane Science Center members receive extra perks while visiting!

  • A Special Gift for kids when checking in at the Ticketing Counter
  • 30% Discount on all Really Cool Stuff purchases
  • $1 Small Popcorns at the IMAX Concession Stand

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Tuesday July 7th:

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
vs. Tennessee Smokies
7:05pm

Animal Avengers – Emmet O’Neal Library
Animal Tales brings their menagerie of live animals and their expert knowledge.
10:30

Bubblemania – Hoover Public Library
An eye-popping, belly-laughing, fun-filled extravaganza in The Library Theatre! This unique program is loaded with visual comedy, quick wit, big band swing music and the untamed, often unbelievable qualities and beauty of spherical liquids.
10:30, 2pm and 6:30

McWane Center, Superhero Science – Homewood Library
Join us for some SUPER science experiments!  Registration required
10:30

The Puppet guy Presents, Jack and the Beanstalk – Homewood Public Library
Bring the family and find out how Jack outsmarts the Giant!
6pm

Awesome Adventures featuring Ms Charlotte and Ms Eve– Avondale Regional Library
Join us for a super, spectacular, fantastic, astonishing, awesome filled night of excitement, adventure, and fun. 24-hour advance registration required.
6:30pm

Free LEGO Mini Build – Riverchase Galleria
You can now reserve your July Mini Model BEFORE you visit the LEGO Store! To register, visit shop.LEGO.com/Minibuild-Registration

Upcoming Mini Model Build:
LEGO® Whale:

Due to safety and build experience standards, builders must be between the ages of 6-14 to participate. The mini model must be completely built in store. Registration is on a first come first serve basis and quantities are limited. Stores will no longer accept walk ups on the night of the event.

You can learn how to build a cool mini model, and take it home – for free! Quantities are limited and offer is good while supplies last only. Models are not for sale and cannot be purchased. Ask a Brick Specialist for details.

Family Tours, Flights of Fancy– Birmingham Museum of Art
FREE // Meet in the Main Lobby
Join the Museum educators to explore the galleries in a fun, interactive experience! Discover Bart the Art Bat’s favorite artworks during these FREE, drop-in tours. After your tour, visit Bart’s ArtVenture to make an art project inspired by what you saw. What will you discover?

Flights of Fancy: Discover fantastical creatures in the exhibition, Between Fantasy and Reality: Frank Fleming, and look for whimsy in the Museum collection!
10:30am

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Wednesday July 8th:

Free LEGO Mini Build – Riverchase Galleria
You can now reserve your July Mini Model BEFORE you visit the LEGO Store! To register, visit shop.LEGO.com/Minibuild-Registration

Upcoming Mini Model Build:
LEGO® Whale:

Due to safety and build experience standards, builders must be between the ages of 6-14 to participate. The mini model must be completely built in store. Registration is on a first come first serve basis and quantities are limited. Stores will no longer accept walk ups on the night of the event.

You can learn how to build a cool mini model, and take it home – for free! Quantities are limited and offer is good while supplies last only. Models are not for sale and cannot be purchased. Ask a Brick Specialist for details.

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
vs. Tennessee Smokies
7:05pm

Bubblemania – Hoover Public Library
An eye-popping, belly-laughing, fun-filled extravaganza in The Library Theatre! This unique program is loaded with visual comedy, quick wit, big band swing music and the untamed, often unbelievable qualities and beauty of spherical liquids.
10:30, 2pm

Passport to Imagination – Michaels Trussville
Travel Memory

Join us on an imaginary road trip from the beach to the county fair and beyond, with fun kids’ crafts at each stop. Today’s craft: Travel Memory Game. $5.00 per session or 3 for $12. Supplies included.

Class Type: Kids
Instructor Name: Renee
Skill Level: All
Recommended Age: 3 and Up
Supplies Included: No
Seats Available: 12
10am

Family Story Time with Mr Mac – North Shelby Library
Storyteller Extraordinaire – Come join Mr Mac and his musical storytime complete with puppets! All Ages, no registration required.
10:45am

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Thursday July 9th:

Bubblemania – Hoover Public Library
An eye-popping, belly-laughing, fun-filled extravaganza in The Library Theatre! This unique program is loaded with visual comedy, quick wit, big band swing music and the untamed, often unbelievable qualities and beauty of spherical liquids.
10:30, 2pm

Be a Big Hero – Hoover Public Library
Come along with Hiro, Baymax and the crew as we train to battle the forces of evil.  Registration begins June 22.  Grades 1-3
4pm and 6:30pm

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Friday July 10th:

Party on the Porch – Alabama Outdoors
Join us for our third Party on the Porch event of the summer to benefit Freshwater Land Trust–a nonprofit organization whose mission is the acquisition and stewardship of lands that enhance water quality and preserve open space.

We will have live music from Jason Bailey and Old Fashioned Rhythm Method, delicious food from Cantina On Wheels, and refreshing local draft beer from Cahaba Brewing, available in a $10 collectible cup (and served from our awesome YETI jockey box). We will also have corn hole boards and face painting for kids (while supplies last).
5:30

Watermelon, Water and Wonder Woman Day – Homewood Public Library
Join us for a wonderful “W” themed morning of fun, complete with a visit from the Homewood Fire Department!
10:30am

Passport to Imagination – Michaels Trussville
Join us on an imaginary road trip from the beach to the county fair and beyond, with fun kids’ crafts at each stop. Today’s craft: Faux Stained Glass. $5.00 per session or 3 for $12. Supplies included.

Class Type: Kids
Instructor Name: Renee
Skill Level: All
Recommended Age: 3 and Up
Supplies Included: Yes
Seats Available: 12
10am

Game On Birmingham – Boutwell Auditorium
Attention all Gamers! Just in time for the summer, DYS announces GAME ON Birmingham 2015. Taking place on Friday, July 10th, this FREE event will feature classic arcade games and open play on some of today’s most popular systems including Nintendo Wii, Xbox One and Playstation 4. Beginning at 10:00 am, gamers of all ages will descend upon the Boutwell Auditorium to experience this ultimate video game haven.

GAME ON Birmingham will also take attendees on the evolution of gaming with open play on over 20 classic consoles such as the original Nintendo (NES), Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo and original Playstation.

Participation criteria:

  • Operate or lead Birmingham youth in a structured enrichment program (youth service providers only)
  • Must be a Birmingham youth between the ages of 8 and 18 years old. (must be accompanied by an adult)

The deadline to register is Tuesday, July 7, 2015. Organizations Spaces are limited and organizations will be registered on a first-come, first-served basis until all slots are filled.

For Organization Leaders: Up to twenty (20) tickets may be reserved per organization. In an effort to accommodate as many groups as possible, organizations may only attend for two (2) hours. Please indicate on the registration form your top two (2) time preferences.

Two ways to register:

1)     EMAIL completed registration form to dysbhm@gmail.com.  You will receive an email confirmation once received.

2)     HAND-DELIVER completed registration form to DYS located at 1608 7th Avenue N in downtown Birmingham.

10am – 3pm

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Saturday July 11th:

Park in the Park – Avondale Park
6th Annual Park in the Park Antique Car Show Returns to Avondale Park
Car enthusiasts of all ages will enjoy a showcase of more than 200 antique and customized cars from regional car clubs from the southeast, along with some antique fire trucks.
8am – 3pm

Black Widows Sky Cycle – Lowes Homewood
Our Avengers Summer continues this week with Black Widow! Register your child and they can build this Sky Cycle inspired by “Marvel’s Avengers Assemble!” Watch the Animated Series Sunday Mornings on Disney XD! Visit marvelkids.com for Avengers games and more!
10am

Kids Club – Michaels Trussville
They craft, you shop! Kids 3 and up can enjoy a quick project and take home a finished masterpiece. Sign up in store or online, or just drop in.

Class Type: Kids
Instructor Name: Renee
Skill Level: All
Recommended Age: 3 and Up
Supplies Included: Yes
Seats Available: 12
10am

Bart’s Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
This drop-in art program for kids and families features a different theme from our galleries and art activity each month. Stop by to make art with Bart!

Set Sail!: Create a sailboat to take on your summer adventures. All hands on deck, sailors!
11am – 1pm

Family Storytime – Emmet O’Neal Library
Bring the entire family and join Mr. Mac for stories and music each Saturday morning.
10:30 a.m.

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Sunday July 12th:

Holy Inappropriateness! We couldn’t find any special events happening in the ‘Ham today. Make sure to check our list below for fun exhibits happening daily at our local attractions.

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Local Attractions Open Daily!

McWane Science Center:

IMAX
McWane Science Center’s IMAX® Dome Theater puts you in the center of the action by projecting breathtaking quality images onto the 5-story-tall dome screen and delivering intense surround sound through almost 3 tons of speakers and subwoofers.
Now Showing: Tornado Alley, Great White Shark, To the Arctic, Island of Lemurs: Madagascar

Birmingham Zoo:

The Birmingham Zoo offers a variety of daily activities from Giraffe and Pelican Feedings to Bird Tours and Lion Training. For a daily schedule of whats happening at the Zoo, visit their site.

Vulcan Park and Museum:

Vulcan is the world’s largest cast iron statue; made of 100,000 pounds of iron and 56 feet tall, he stands at the top of Red Mountain overlooking the city of Birmingham. But, Vulcan is more than a statue. Vulcan Park and Museum features spectacular views of Birmingham, an interactive history museum that examines Vulcan and Birmingham’s story, and a beautiful public park for visitors and locals to enjoy. With an official information center that is operated by the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau, Vulcan Park and Museum serves as the first stop for visitors to the Birmingham area!

Railroad Park:

Railroad Park is a 19 acre green space in downtown Birmingham that celebrates the industrial and artistic heritage of our great city. Situated along 1st Avenue South, between 14th and 18th Streets, the park is a joint effort between the City of Birmingham and the Railroad Park Foundation. Hailed as “Birmingham’s Living Room,” Railroad Park provides a historically rich venue for local recreation, family activities, concerts, and cultural events, while connecting Birmingham’s downtown area with Southside and UAB’s campus.

Southern Museum of Flight:

Earn Your Wings – Bring your little pilot and soar above the clouds in our little pilots room. Kids enjoy building aircrafts, flying kites, and more.
Museum Open Tuesday – Thursday
9:30am – 4:30pm

Do you have or know of an event you would like to have added to our weekly calendar? Please email us at contact@birminghammommy.com, subject line “Events Calendar” – We would love to hear from you!

** All information listed on our calendar is subject to change without notice to us or you… We do our best to keep the information accurate and will always update as soon as we learn that something has changed. It’s always best to double check with the event via their website or a quick call,  especially when weather can impact the event.

Craft: Cupcake Liner Fireworks

Posted on by Angie

We absolutely love to theme out our craft time and since it’s 4th of July Week, why not some fireworks?

Last year we did these firework paintings and this year we’ve decided to do something similar with cupcake liners. If you’re planning a playdate or a cook-out this will be a great activity to have ready for the kiddos!

What You’ll Need:

Craft paper (black if you want a night sky, red or blue is festive too)
Glue
Glitter or Glitter Glue
Pom Poms (red, white, blue or silver)
White Cupcake Lines
Red and Blue crayons, or markers.

 

 

What You’ll Do:

Color on your cupcake liners
Fold your cupcake liner in half over and over until you have a little triangle
Cut into slits, careful not to cut all the way through
Carefully open your liners and glue them in place on your paper
Glue a pompom to the center
Add some glitter

And you’re done!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We hope you all have a very Happy and Safe 4th of July Weekend!

 

 

 

Red, White, and Blue Strawberries

Posted on by Angie

Looking for something cute and tasty to add to your 4th of July Picnic? Try this cute twist on strawberries.

What You’ll Need:

  • Strawberries
  • White Chocolate – either baking chocolate, or chocolate chips
  • Vegetable Oil – add 1/2 tsp vegetable oil or shortening to every 1/2 cup diced chocolate or chips. Makes dipping easier
  • Blue Sugar or Sprinkles

What You’ll Do:

  • Wash and completely dry strawberries
  • Melt Chocolate and give your berries a dunk
  • Dip in Sprinkles or sugar

Done! Super Easy and a Super Cute Idea for dressing up your picnic table this Independence Day!

4th of July Happenings, Birmingham

Posted on by Angie

There will be Lots of ways to celebrate the 4th of July this year around Birmingham, not just on the 4th but all week long! Here’s what’s happening in the ‘Ham and Surrounding areas!

July 1st – Wald Park Vestavia
34th Annual I Love America Day

Free swimming begins at 6 p.m. Only regular Wald Park pool members will be admitted before 6 p.m. Children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult at the pool. Pets are not allowed on the fields in Wald Park.

Festivities will include free swimming between 6-7:30 p.m., Pops in the Park by Shades Mountain Baptist Church Orchestra at 7 p.m. and a movie: 8:15 p.m.

Event planners encourage residents to bring their lawn chairs, blankets and sunscreen in order to enjoy a relaxing evening outdoors. Sponsors and vendors will greet guests with refreshments, giveaways and other freebies.

July 2nd – Southern Museum of Flight
Independence Day Celebration

The Southern Museum of Flight will host an Independence Day Celebration with the US Air Force’s own Band of the West Concert Band.  The museum will open its doors for free starting at 4 pm before the performance at 7pm.  Jim N’ Nick’s will be on site with food and drinks – cash only.  Kid friendly STEM based aviation activities as well as face painting, balloon animals from Magic City Face Art.  Seating and parking is limited.  This is a rain or shine event!

The Concert Band is a 45-member ensemble that represents the Air Force by performing for formal military ceremonies, educational clinics, and public concerts throughout the Southern United States. At every performance they offer a wide range of entertaining music to their audiences. The band’s repertoire consists of music from the Renaissance through the present day, from symphonic band literature to Broadway musicals, and from Sousa marches to today’s popular hits.

The members of the band are all highly skilled professionals coming from colleges and universities all over the nation to serve in the U. S. Air Force. As part of Air Education and Training Command at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, the Band of the West is proud to represent the men and women of the United States Air Force. The Concert Band brings a uniquely motivating experience to military and civilian audiences throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida by combining pride in the Air Force story with a love for music and education.

The museum is dedicated to investigating, preserving, and promoting the rich stories of Southern Aviation and to providing enjoyable, experiential educational programming for people of all ages.

July 3rd – Oak Mountain State Park
Fireworks on the Water

From 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm: Food from Dreamland BBQ, McAlister’s, Frios, Publix; Wakeboarding Demo by FlipSide Watersports; Live Music. Fun for the entire family! Arrive early to get a good spot!
Fireworks show at 9:00 pm.
Normal Park admission applies before 5:00 p.m. After 5:00 p.m., pay $5 per car
Parking and Shuttle available at the Oak Mountain Amphitheater for $5 per car
No admission to park after 8:00 p.m.

July 3rd – Chelsea Park Subdivision.
The Big Kaboom

Entertainment will happen in the park area starting at 8 p.m., and the fireworks show begins at 9 p.m. There will be some food vendors available.

The fireworks show will be visible from various places around the subdivision including a lot at Highway 440 and Highway 280 and the Publix parking lot. People should keep safety in mind if they park along Highway 280 to watch the fireworks.

July 3rd – Old Towne Helena
Helena First Friday

The Helena Business Association’s First Friday event in Old Town Helena will feature a massive fireworks show on July 3.

The First Friday gathering that attracts numerous vendors and visitors to the Old Town area will happen from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The fireworks show will follow First Friday’s conclusion.

July 3rd – City of Alabaster
Fireworks Show

The City of Alabaster is hosting its fireworks show on July 3 at a new location behind the old silo on Highway 119 between the Alabaster Post Office and the Publix shopping center.

The fireworks show starts at 9 p.m. APH Radio will be playing music during the fireworks show on 99.9 FM.

July 4th – Southeastern Outings 4th of July Celebration
Picnic, Free Band Concert and Birmingham’s Firework Show
Bartow Arena Park

This picnic precedes the FREE 4th of July concert by the UAB Summer Band and the City of Birmingham Fireworks–all which can be enjoyed from the same spot in front of the Bartow Arena on the UAB Campus. 6:30pm

Band concert by the UAB Summer Band.  This large group of carefully auditioned and selected student and professional musicians is an outstanding concert band.  Please bring your own blanket or chairs.   Look for the SEO signs.  SEO people will assemble next to the concrete planter closest to the stage to the right of the dragon statue (as you face the band) right where the grass ends and the concrete floor leading to the entrance to the arena begins.  Look for the Southeastern Outings sign.  When the concert ends, conveniently enjoy clearly viewing the Birmingham City Fireworks from the picnic area.  Well-behaved, properly supervised children are welcome.
7pm

July 4th – Independence Day at the American Village, Montevallo

On this July 4th we honor the founders who pledged their “lives, fortune, and sacred honor” when they signed the Declaration of Independence. They boldly declared as self-evident “truths” that life and liberty are given to us by our Creator, not by government or man. They asserted the revolutionary principle that government is granted its powers only by the consent of the people.

Today we also honor those in each generation since who have upheld these principles by their service to and sacrifice for our country.

Costumed historical interpreters; Revolutionary Army drills; 18th century games; Independence Ball!

Admission is $5.00/person. Veterans, active duty military and children ages 4 and under FREE.
Gates open at 11:00 a.m. Events from noon to evening fireworks.

July 4th – Railroad Park
Jazz in the Park

There’s no better way to celebrate freedom than an evening of music under the stars. Jazz in the Park will feature the musical sounds of Darryl Evan Jones and the Birmingham Heritage Band
6pm

July 4th – Morgan Creek Vineyards
Music and Fireworks

Join us in the vineyard this July 4th for a dynamic concert event!  Enjoy wine tastings, winery tours, BBQ and spectacular fireworks! Special opening music by Jon Vogel begins at 5:00 p.m. The soulful Tekneek Band starts at 6:00 p.m. and fireworks will wow at 9:30 p.m. Bring a blanket and chairs for the perfect spot in the vineyard. $10 per person at the gate and ages 12 & under free. VIP tables are available for $30 per table and seat up to eight people.

July 4th – Thunder on the Mountain, 2015

For decades, Thunder on the Mountain, Birmingham’s Fourth of July fireworks celebration, has been hailed as one of the largest and most extravagant Independence Day traditions in the state of Alabama, and this year will be no exception. On Saturday, July 4 at 9:00 pm, Thunder on the Mountain 2015 will once again illuminate the skies above Birmingham’s beloved iron man, Vulcan. Free to the public, this year’s show will last approximately 20 minutes and will feature a variety of firework shells that will brighten the sky with new colors and patterns. The show will be choreographed to a musical soundtrack that will feature a mix of patriotic favorites and popular musical performances. Vulcan Park and Museum takes pride in organizing this highly-anticipated event each year; however, we rely on the community-at-large to help fund this outstanding show for residents of the greater Birmingham area and beyond to enjoy! Thank you for your support.

Helpful Hints / FAQ’s:

  • Can I watch the fireworks from Vulcan Park and Museum?
    No. The fireworks are launched from the park grounds of Vulcan Park and Museum. For safety purposes, Vulcan Park and Museum and its surrounding 10-acre park will close to the public at 6:00 pm on July 4. At this time, the entire park grounds and parking lots will be cleared out and closed.
  • Where is the best place to view the fireworks?
    For the best viewing experience, make sure you have a clear view of Vulcan! Prime viewing locations include Five Points South, Homewood, Vestavia, Mountain Brook, UAB campus, among others. Based on growing crowds in recent years, organizers are advising spectators to stake out a viewing point well in advance of the 9:00 pm show.
  • Will the show be cancelled in the event of rain?
    No. Thunder on the Mountain 2015 will continue rain or shine! However, the show may be cancelled in the event of severe weather conditions.

Birmingham Events Calendar: June 28th – July 5th

Posted on by Angie

It’s Not Our Fault if Your Kids are Bored!

4th of July Week is here and there are lots of ways you’ll be able to celebrate this week around Birmingham! Catch a Barons game, sign up for some crafty fun at Michaels or a Kids workshop at Home Depot and of course… Thunder on the Mountain!

Have a great week and a Happy and Safe 4th of July!

Sunday June 28th

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
vs. Jackson Generals
3:00pm

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Monday June 29th:

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
vs. Jackson Generals
11:30am

Dynamic Duo Storytime – Hoover Public Library
Princesses and Knights
Summer story time! Perfect for children under the age of four years.
9:30am and 10:30am

Passport to Imagination, Woven Flower – Michaels Arts and Crafts
Join us on an imaginary road trip from the beach to the county fair and beyond, with fun kids’ crafts at each stop. Today’s craft: Woven Flower. $5.00 with supplies included.
Trussville Location

Class Type: Kids
Instructor Name: Renee
Skill Level: All
Recommended Age: 10-12
Supplies Included: Yes
Seats Available: 12
10am – 12pm

Member Monday – McWane Science Center
As a thank-you to all of our members, McWane Science Center offers Member Mondays.

Every Monday, McWane Science Center members receive extra perks while visiting!

  • A Special Gift for kids when checking in at the Ticketing Counter
  • 30% Discount on all Really Cool Stuff purchases
  • $1 Small Popcorns at the IMAX Concession Stand

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Tuesday June 30th:

Madcap Puppets Present Aladdin and Friends – Hoover Public Library
Amazing puppets bring classic tales to life.  In the Library Theatre.
10:30, 2pm and 6:30pm

Talent Show Shazam Family Night– Avondale Regional Library
Applause, applause, applause. Join us for our 13th annual talent show as we showcase some of the most extraordinary children in the Avondale Library. Visit the Children’s Department today to register as a performer or as a member of the audience. 24-hour advance registration required.
6:30pm

Zoo to You – Avondale North Library
We’re going to the zoo, zoo, zoo. How about you, you, you? You can come too, too, too. We’re going to the zoo, zoo, zoo. Join us as the Birmingham Zoo takes a scientific look at some of nature’s lesser-known heroes. Discover what makes these animals heroes in their own communities and how they use their super adaptation powers to survive.
10:30am

Waterplay Day – Homewood Public Library
Wear your swimsuit for this fun morning and enjoy water slides, ice cream and more!  Weather permitting.
10:30am

Doug Berkys Mime and Mask – Emmet O’Neal Library
Doug Berky’s surprising, funny, unpredictable show is a lively combination of masks, mime, and mayhem.
10:30am

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Come find out if you have what it takes to be a superhero!
11am

Family Tours, Flights of Fancy– Birmingham Museum of Art
FREE // Meet in the Main Lobby
Join the Museum educators to explore the galleries in a fun, interactive experience! Discover Bart the Art Bat’s favorite artworks during these FREE, drop-in tours. After your tour, visit Bart’s ArtVenture to make an art project inspired by what you saw. What will you discover?

Flights of Fancy: Discover fantastical creatures in the exhibition, Between Fantasy and Reality: Frank Fleming, and look for whimsy in the Museum collection!
10:30am

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Wednesday July 1st:

Madcap Puppets Present Aladdin and Friends – Hoover Public Library
Amazing puppets bring classic tales to life.  In the Library Theatre.
10:30 and 2pm

Passport to Imagination, Craft Stick Ferris Wheel- Michaels Arts and Crafts
Join us on an imaginary road trip from the beach to the county fair and beyond, with fun kids’ crafts at each stop. Today’s craft: Craft Stick Ferris Wheel. $5.00 with supplies included.
Trussville Location

Class Type: Kids
Instructor Name: Renee
Skill Level: All
Recommended Age: 3 and Up
Supplies Included: Yes
Seats Available: 12
10am – 12pm

Family Story Time with Mr Mac – North Shelby Library
Storyteller Extraordinaire – Come join Mr Mac and his musical storytime complete with puppets! All Ages, no registration required.
10:45am

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Thursday July 2nd:

Madcap Puppets Present Aladdin and Friends – Hoover Public Library
Amazing puppets bring classic tales to life.  In the Library Theatre.
10:30am and 2pm

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Friday July 3rd:

Passport to Imagination, Hot Air Balloon – Michaels Crafts
Join us on an imaginary road trip from the beach to the county fair and beyond, with fun kids’ crafts at each stop. Today’s craft: Hot Air Balloon. $5.00 per session or 3 for $12. Supplies included.
Trussville Location

Class Type: Kids
Instructor Name: Renee
Skill Level: All
Recommended Age: 10-12
Supplies Included: Yes
Seats Available: 12
10am – 12

Fireworks on the Water – Oak Mountain State Park
From 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm: Food from Dreamland BBQ, McAlister’s, Frios, Publix; Wakeboarding Demo by FlipSide Watersports; Live Music.
Fireworks show at 9:00 pm.
Normal Park admission applies before 5:00 p.m. After 5:00 p.m., pay $5 per car
Parking and Shuttle available at the Oak Mountain Amphitheater for $5 per car
No admission to park after 8:00 p.m.

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Saturday July 4th:

Thunder on the Mountain
For decades, Thunder on the Mountain, Birmingham’s Fourth of July fireworks celebration, has been hailed as one of the largest and most extravagant Independence Day traditions in the state of Alabama, and this year will be no exception. On Saturday, July 4 at 9:00 pm, Thunder on the Mountain 2015 will once again illuminate the skies above Birmingham’s beloved iron man, Vulcan. Free to the public, this year’s show will last approximately 20 minutes and will feature a variety of firework shells that will brighten the sky with new colors and patterns. The show will be choreographed to a musical soundtrack that will feature a mix of patriotic favorites and popular musical performances. Vulcan Park and Museum takes pride in organizing this highly-anticipated event each year; however, we rely on the community-at-large to help fund this outstanding show for residents of the greater Birmingham area and beyond to enjoy! Thank you for your support.

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
Come celebrate America’s birthday with Barons Baseball at Regions Field.
Jake the Diamond Dog returns to Regions Field to celebrate the 4th of July for the 2nd year in a row.
Presented by HealthSouth
Vs Tennessee Smokies
6pm

Kids Workshop – Home Depot
Come learn how to build a Minions Scooter. FREE hands-on workshops; designed for children ages 5 – 12. All kids get to keep their craft, receive a FREE certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron, and a commemorative pin while supplies last. Children must be present at the store to participate in the workshop and receive the kit, apron and pin.
Admission is FREE; however kids workshop activities are on a first come first served basis. It is highly recommended to register your child to ensure participation.
Trussville Location
9am – 12pm

Family Storytime – Emmet O’Neal Library
Bring the entire family and join Mr. Mac for stories and music each Saturday morning.
10:30 a.m.

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Sunday July 5th:

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
Vs Tennessee Smokies
3pm

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Local Attractions Open Daily!

McWane Science Center:

IMAX
McWane Science Center’s IMAX® Dome Theater puts you in the center of the action by projecting breathtaking quality images onto the 5-story-tall dome screen and delivering intense surround sound through almost 3 tons of speakers and subwoofers.
Now Showing: Tornado Alley, Great White Shark, To the Arctic, Island of Lemurs: Madagascar

Birmingham Zoo:

The Birmingham Zoo offers a variety of daily activities from Giraffe and Pelican Feedings to Bird Tours and Lion Training. For a daily schedule of whats happening at the Zoo, visit their site.

Vulcan Park and Museum:

Vulcan is the world’s largest cast iron statue; made of 100,000 pounds of iron and 56 feet tall, he stands at the top of Red Mountain overlooking the city of Birmingham. But, Vulcan is more than a statue. Vulcan Park and Museum features spectacular views of Birmingham, an interactive history museum that examines Vulcan and Birmingham’s story, and a beautiful public park for visitors and locals to enjoy. With an official information center that is operated by the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau, Vulcan Park and Museum serves as the first stop for visitors to the Birmingham area!

Railroad Park:

Railroad Park is a 19 acre green space in downtown Birmingham that celebrates the industrial and artistic heritage of our great city. Situated along 1st Avenue South, between 14th and 18th Streets, the park is a joint effort between the City of Birmingham and the Railroad Park Foundation. Hailed as “Birmingham’s Living Room,” Railroad Park provides a historically rich venue for local recreation, family activities, concerts, and cultural events, while connecting Birmingham’s downtown area with Southside and UAB’s campus.

Southern Museum of Flight:

Earn Your Wings – Bring your little pilot and soar above the clouds in our little pilots room. Kids enjoy building aircrafts, flying kites, and more.
Museum Open Tuesday – Thursday
9:30am – 4:30pm

Do you have or know of an event you would like to have added to our weekly calendar? Please email us at contact@birminghammommy.com, subject line “Events Calendar” – We would love to hear from you!

** All information listed on our calendar is subject to change without notice to us or you… We do our best to keep the information accurate and will always update as soon as we learn that something has changed. It’s always best to double check with the event via their website or a quick call,  especially when weather can impact the event.

Parenting with a PhD: Helping Your Kids Go “Inside Out”

Posted on by Angie

By Kristen Berthiaume:

First of all, if you haven’t yet seen Pixar’s “Inside Out” with your kids – GO! NOW! It’s fantastic. Take tissues, though – it’s a tearjerker for parents. “Inside Out” is the story of an 11-year-old girl, Riley, who goes through some big life changes. Consequently, her emotions – which are actual living, breathing characters – go all out of whack. Transitions are likely a particularly emotional time for your child, too, so pay attention. Pixar, along with the neuroscientists they consulted, did an excellent job making abstract concepts like “feelings,” “memories,” and “imagination” concrete and visible to help kids get a
better handle on them. Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust each have distinct personalities and style (bright green Disgust, voiced by the wonderful Mindy Kahling, looks and acts so totally over it). They live together at “headquarters” inside Riley’s head (Get it? Headquarters?) and control her words, thoughts, and reactions. At the beginning of the story, Joy, voiced perfectly by Amy Poehler (Just like Leslie Knope but on steroids), is usually in charge of Riley’s days and there’s a general feeling that things would be best if she was always in control. However, over the course of the movie, we learn that there are
important roles to be played by other feelings, too.

Here are some ideas for using “Inside Out” as a jumping off point to help your child learn and talk about emotions.

If you haven’t gone yet (or are going again): On the way to see the movie, talk to your child about feelings. What are different emotions he’s noticed in himself and others? How does his body feel when he’s angry/sad/happy/worried/etc.? Encourage him to pay attention during the movie to the different ways the main character feels and to what causes her to feel that way. Remind him to look at her facial expressions and to listen to the tone of voice she uses when she is showing those different emotions. Also, ask him to pay attention to whether anyone else in the movie also seems to be expressing various feelings. This last question is a leading one, I’ll admit – we clearly see the emotions of others in the film. But, kids don’t always pay close attention to the reactions of others, focusing more on their own. This kind of questioning can help them notice how others are feeling, which will eventually lead them to make more appropriate responses like comforting a friend, waiting until a parent is calm to talk, and using a soothing voice with a younger sibling who is afraid.

After the movie, ask generally what your child thought and use what she says as a lead-in to talking about emotions. What was her favorite part? Anything she didn’t like? What different emotions did she experience during the film? Notice if your child focuses more on Joy, Sadness (voiced by Phyllis Smith of “The Office.” Again, genius casting), Fear (Bill Hader, always wonderful), or Anger (Lewis Black – seriously, who else??). Ask her how she feels most of the time? How does she feel at home? At school? Keep this discussion light unless your child wants to go more in depth.

At home, pull out paper and art supplies like paints, markers, sequins, glitter (yes, I know glitter is the devil but we’re talking about your house – not mine), feathers, puff balls, etc. Ask your child to list his five most common emotions. Then, go through each one individually and have him draw, color, and decorate how that emotion might look. Have him give the feeling a name. If he looks stuck, ask questions like: What color is happy to you? Does happy seem like a boy or girl to you – or neither? Is it an animal, a person, or something else? What’s a name or word that reminds you of being happy? What kind of voice would happiness use? Characters could look human or might be animals or abstract forms.

They might have crazy, made-up names but encourage something your kid can pronounce and remember. This project may be too time-consuming to complete in one afternoon so feel free to have your child create one character a day and draw the discussion out over time. When you’re finished, put the pictures together to make an emotions book. Refer to your child’s emotions using the names he has picked out and look at the book together often, especially when he’s having a particularly strong emotion (or right after he has calmed down from one). Ask him what he’s like when each of the characters is at the control panel. Ask how you might be able to tell when he is sad, afraid, happy, etc. Be careful not to let your child use his emotions as an excuse for poor behavior – even if Anger is at the helm, your child still decides how to act on that feeling.

Emphasize to your child that all the feelings we have are O.K. and important because feelings tell us something about what’s going on around us. Talk about what happened to Riley in the book when some of her feelings went missing. How did she treat other people? What happened to some of her memories? For example, Sadness was gone so Riley expressed a lot of Anger. It’s very common for young children to mask their sadness by acting mad and disrespectful instead. Sometimes, the emotion you see is not the one your child is actually experiencing, which is all the more reason to help her learn about feelings and how they can be helpful to us. See if your child can explain why Joy realized that Sadness needed to be in control of Riley’s feelings sometimes. This is a difficult concept for kids to grasp but an important one. Ask your child what usually happens when she is sad? Hopefully, she’ll say that you or her teacher or friends comforts her. Ask why it is important that people sometimes show that they are sad. What can happen if we pretend to be feeling Joy when we are really feeling Sadness? Talk about how in the movie some of Riley’s most important (“Core”) memories looked like Joy but also had some parts that were Sad. In fact, the Joyful part of the hockey team memory wouldn’t have happened without the Sad part. Think together about memories that your child has and talk about the happy and the sad (or angry or scary…) parts of those. This will be particularly useful if your child has experienced loss of a loved one or pet. The memories may be happy ones but, like in the movie, they will be colored
by sadness because of the death.

Pixar has given us a great gift with this film. Making emotions concrete will enable children to better understand their own feelings and to express those in appropriate ways. “Inside Out” teaches children (and some adults…) that we don’t have to be afraid of our emotions – they’re normal and helpful. Yes – we still have to keep them in check so that we don’t go overboard but that’s why Riley’s emotions worked together – to balance things out. As parents, we hate for our kids to be sad. We often do whatever we can to distract them from feeling that way – sugarcoat bad news, give treats, change the subject. But, Sadness teaches us all that sometimes you just need to sit and talk with someone you love about a memory – even if it makes you both cry. Joy will return but it’s not always her turn to be at the control panel.

About this column: Send your parenting- and kid-related questions my way and I’ll tell you what I can: parentingwithaphd@gmail.com Please be aware that email is not a secure method of transmitting personal information so it’s best to keep your questions general. If your question is featured, your name and email will not be published. Submitting a question does not constitute a professional relationship in any way and this column is not meant to substitute for face-to-face therapy. If you feel you’re doing the best you can and still need help, it may be time to bring in a professional. Start by talking with your child’s pediatrician to get a referral.

Kristen Berthiaume, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist with Grayson and Associates. She obtained her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Kentucky. She completed a predoctoral internship in clinical psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a post- doctoral fellowship in the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD) Program at Duke University Medical Center. She specializes in providing assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and families dealing with the following issues: ADHD, learning disorders, social skill deficits, organizational problems, behavioral difficulties, anxiety, and depression. She generally focuses on behavioral and cognitive- behavioral techniques, but maintains a flexible approach to therapy. Her other day job is as mom to her daughters, ages seven and one, and four-year-old son.

Road Trip Spotlight: Stone Mountain Park, Georgia

Posted on by Angie

Last week we were invited by our Friends over at Stone Mountain Park to check out their latest and greatest addition in the park, Yurts! So we loaded up and hit the road for a little excursion.

Now, I have to say that when I heard about the addition of Yurts, I was pretty unfamiliar. I had heard of them, but never really knew what they were. In case you’re wondering.. A Yurt, by definition is “a circular tent of felt or skins on a collapsible framework, used by nomads in Mongolia, Siberia, and Turkey.”

Ok, so, we aren’t nomads, and we don’t live in Mongolia, Siberia or Turkey but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy ourselves in these cool new Yurts Stone Mountain Park has added to their Campgrounds. This is totally my idea of camping!

The Yurts provide a comfortable camping experience and feature outside decks, picnic tables, charcoal grill, metal fire pit, and a water spigot for your convenience. Inside, you will find log furniture, heat/air conditioning, electrical outlets, large windows, skylight, ceiling fan, lockable doors, and will sleep up to five guests all for your comfort. You will only need to bring sleeping bags or linens, and personal items.

The Yurts are smoke free so there is no smoking inside or on the decks of the Yurt.  Pets are not permitted in or outside the Yurt. Stone Mountain Park’s Yurts will not only be charmingly furnished, but sitting right on the lake, the view from both the inside and the outside is nothing less than spectacular.

If you’re thinking this would be a great getaway for the family, you’re right! However, because these are so new, and so cool, you’ll need to book in advance. They told us that they are currently booked into the beginning of August. (I personally think this would be a great place to spend a fall weekend, so book now!)

In addition to chilling by the lake, Stone Mountain has a ton of Summer Fun happening right now, with Summer at the Rock!

From fun-filled attractions to special summer entertainment and the nightly Lasershow Spectacular in Mountainvision®, it’s the perfect destination for you and your family to unplug and reconnect this summer.

Experience what’s NEW at Stone Mountain Park daily during Summer at the Rock. Board the Scenic Railroad and check out the NEW Georgia Justice Wild West Train Show. Come be the star in the Celebrate America Parade, and prepare to be amazed while watching the NEW show Magic Time with Matt. Plus, challenge yourself on SkyHike®, the nation’s largest family adventure course, or cool off and play in the spray on Geyser Towers®…the adventures are endless!

Be sure to stay into the evening for the Lasershow Spectacular in Mountainvision®, showing nightly during Summer at the Rock, and now with NEW breathtaking fire effects! State-of-the-art graphics and awe-inspiring effects create multi-dimensional magic on one of the world’s largest outdoor screens – Stone Mountain.

We spent the entire day at the park and could have easily spent another. Our kids had a blast, and were completely exhausted by the time the lasershow finished.

This is a great idea for a quick day trip over and back or you can spend the night and make a short little vacation out of it. If you go, we would love to hear what you loved best!

For more information or to book a stay in the Yurts, visit the Stone Mountain Website here.

 

Birmingham Events Calendar: June 21st – June 28th

Posted on by Angie

It’s Not Our Fault if Your Kids are Bored!

Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads, we hope you’re having a great day getting to do exactly what you want! If you’re ready to plan your week, take a look at what’s going on around Birmingham!

Hero themed storytimes all over town, a Build and Grow at Lowe’s and the Birmingham Barons are home later this week!

Sunday June 21st

Happy Father’s Day!

Father’s Day – Birmingham Zoo
In recognition of Father’s Day, all fathers get in FREE* to the Birmingham Zoo with the purchase of a full-price child’s admission ticket. Throughout the day, guests can feed the lorikeets in the new Schaeffer Eye Center Lorikeet Aviary**, ride the new Wild Slide**, enjoy a Schaeffer Eye Center Wildlife Show, watch the Red Diamond Sea Lion Splash Show, experience Predator Zone, and much more! In honor of the Zoo’s 60thAnniversary, the first 60 fathers to enter the Zoo will receive a FREE koozie!
*This offer is exclusive for Father’s Day, June 21, only.
**Additional cost.

World Giraffe Day – Birmingham Zoo
Make your way to the Zoo for World Giraffe Day and learn about giraffe conservation! Enjoy a giraffe feeding* at the Kiwanis Giraffe Encounter, keeper chats, games, activities and more! All proceeds from giraffe feedings this day will be donated to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation. Help celebrate the longest-necked animal on the longest day of the year! *Additional cost
9:30am – 11:30
1pm – 3pm

Tannehill Trade Days – Tannehill State Park
shoppers and swappers come from far and near to Tannehill Trade Days in search of tools, clothing, jewelry, knives, furniture and other treasures.
Park admission:
$4.00 Adults (12 years and older)
$3.00 Seniors (Ages 62 and older)
$2.00 Children (Ages 6-11) ages 5 and under free
8am – 4pm

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Monday June 22nd:

Dynamic Duo Storytime – Hoover Public Library
Mighty Moms and Dads
Summer story time! Perfect for children under the age of four years.
9:30am and 10:30am

Member Monday – McWane Science Center
As a thank-you to all of our members, McWane Science Center offers Member Mondays.

Every Monday, McWane Science Center members receive extra perks while visiting!

  • A Special Gift for kids when checking in at the Ticketing Counter
  • 30% Discount on all Really Cool Stuff purchases
  • $1 Small Popcorns at the IMAX Concession Stand

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Tuesday June 23rd:

Backyard Heros– Avondale Library
Did you know that most superheroes have strengths and abilities inspired by real animals? Join us as the Alabama 4-H Coosa River Science School reveals some super astonishing facts about a few of our favorite reptiles, amphibians, and birds of prey. Who knows what super animal may be living in your backyard!
6:30pm

Ronald McDonald – Homewood Library
Ronald is back with some of his most popular magic tricks!
10:3oam

Super Hero Smash – Emmet O’Neal Library
Come by and see all your favorite superheroes save the day, then meet them after the show.
10:30am

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Firefighters help us in so many ways! Join us for a special salute to these community heroes.
11am

Family Tours, Flights of Fancy– Birmingham Museum of Art
FREE // Meet in the Main Lobby
Join the Museum educators to explore the galleries in a fun, interactive experience! Discover Bart the Art Bat’s favorite artworks during these FREE, drop-in tours. After your tour, visit Bart’s ArtVenture to make an art project inspired by what you saw. What will you discover?

Flights of Fancy: Discover fantastical creatures in the exhibition, Between Fantasy and Reality: Frank Fleming, and look for whimsy in the Museum collection!
10:30am

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Wednesday June 24th:

Zoo to You– Avondale Library
We’re going to the zoo, zoo, zoo. How about you, you, you? You can come too, too, too. We’re going to the zoo, zoo, zoo. Join us as the Birmingham Zoo takes a scientific look at some of nature’s lesser-known heroes. Discover what makes these animals heroes in their own communities and how they use their super adaptation powers to survive.
2pm

Moore Hero Magic – Springville Road Library
Discover the “Power of Reading” with Magic Man Larry Moore as he presents stories and tricks that are bound to leave you wanting “Moore.”
10am

Family Story Time with Mr Mac – North Shelby Library
Storyteller Extraordinaire – Come join Mr Mac and his musical storytime complete with puppets! All Ages, no registration required.
10:45am

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Thursday June 25th:

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
vs. Jackson Generals
7:05pm

Skin and Bones Circus – Homewood Public Library
Our favorite clowns are bringing their pig and dog back to the library for more circus shenanigans.  Fun for all ages!
6pm – 7pm

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Friday June 26th:

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
vs. Jackson Generals
7:05pm

Real Life Heros: Greater Birmingham Humane Society – Springville Road Library
A representative from the Greater Birmingham Humane Society will come to the library to speak about their heroic mission to find loving families for homeless pets. They will also bring a few furry friends to the library for a visit!
4pm

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Saturday June 27th:

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
vs. Jackson Generals
6:30pm

Captain America Motorcycle – Lowe Homewood
The Avengers are back this week with Captain America! Register your child and they can build a motorcycle inspired by “Marvel’s Avengers Assemble!” Watch the Animated Series Sunday Mornings on Disney XD!
To attend this FREE  arts and crafts event the participant or participants must be registered prior.
10am

Bart’s Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
This drop-in art program for kids and families features a different theme from our galleries and art activity each month. Stop by to make art with Bart!

Play with Clay: Create a sculpture in the whimsical manner of Frank Fleming! Use self-hardening clay to create an animal, a make-believe figure, or whatever comes to mind!
11am

Family Storytime – Emmet O’Neal Library
Bring the entire family and join Mr. Mac for stories and music each Saturday morning.
10:30 a.m.

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Orion is scared of a lot of things, but most of all he’s scared of the dark. Join Orion and the Dark on their mischievous, fun-filled nighttime adventure in this special Storytime!
11am

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Sunday June 28th:

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
vs. Jackson Generals
3:00pm

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Local Attractions Open Daily!

McWane Science Center:

IMAX
McWane Science Center’s IMAX® Dome Theater puts you in the center of the action by projecting breathtaking quality images onto the 5-story-tall dome screen and delivering intense surround sound through almost 3 tons of speakers and subwoofers.
Now Showing: Tornado Alley, Great White Shark, To the Arctic, Island of Lemurs: Madagascar

Birmingham Zoo:

PELICAN FEEDING – A great way to see our pelicans in action is to witness them eating their favorite treats near the pelican boardwalk.

RHINO ENCOUNTER – Embark on an African adventure and experience one of the world’s most extraordinary animals, the Southern White Rhino. Watch from only feet away as our zookeepers engage in hands-on interaction with the animals inside their African-themed exhibit. Don’t miss this exciting encounter with one of the largest mammals on the planet!
Weekdays: 3pm – 3:30pm
Weekends: 11:30am – Noon & 3pm – 3:30 pm

GIRAFFE FEEDING – This up close and personal animal encounter is a memory you and your family will have for a lifetime.
Weekday: 11am – Noon
Weekends: 10am – 11am  & 2pm – 3pm

Vulcan Park and Museum:

Vulcan is the world’s largest cast iron statue; made of 100,000 pounds of iron and 56 feet tall, he stands at the top of Red Mountain overlooking the city of Birmingham. But, Vulcan is more than a statue. Vulcan Park and Museum features spectacular views of Birmingham, an interactive history museum that examines Vulcan and Birmingham’s story, and a beautiful public park for visitors and locals to enjoy. With an official information center that is operated by the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau, Vulcan Park and Museum serves as the first stop for visitors to the Birmingham area!

Railroad Park:

Railroad Park is a 19 acre green space in downtown Birmingham that celebrates the industrial and artistic heritage of our great city. Situated along 1st Avenue South, between 14th and 18th Streets, the park is a joint effort between the City of Birmingham and the Railroad Park Foundation. Hailed as “Birmingham’s Living Room,” Railroad Park provides a historically rich venue for local recreation, family activities, concerts, and cultural events, while connecting Birmingham’s downtown area with Southside and UAB’s campus.

Southern Museum of Flight:

Earn Your Wings – Bring your little pilot and soar above the clouds in our little pilots room. Kids enjoy building aircrafts, flying kites, and more.
Museum Open Tuesday – Thursday
9:30am – 4:30pm

Do you have or know of an event you would like to have added to our weekly calendar? Please email us at contact@birminghammommy.com, subject line “Events Calendar” – We would love to hear from you!

** All information listed on our calendar is subject to change without notice to us or you… We do our best to keep the information accurate and will always update as soon as we learn that something has changed. It’s always best to double check with the event via their website or a quick call,  especially when weather can impact the event.

Boosting Your Child’s Creative Side

Posted on by Angie

Activities such as coloring, drawing and painting are part of most children’s lives.  Exploring visual arts is an enjoyable activity for kids, and has proven brain-boosting benefits.   In fact, making art is the perfect example of learning through play.

“Creating art can play a crucial role in strengthening the brain’s attention system, and helps children to develop fine motor and memory skills,” says Richard Peterson, Vice President of Education for childcare educator Kiddie Academy (www.KiddieAcademy).  “In addition to the cognitive benefits, parents can boost a child’s self-esteem and encourage more art activities by proudly displaying their children’s creations in an ever-changing at-home art gallery.”

Here are five tips for encouraging your child’s exploration of arts and crafts:

  1. Think beyond the white sheet of paper or a coloring book and crayons.  Provide a wide variety of mediums for drawing and creating, including newspaper, felt, foam, aluminum foil, wax paper, sandpaper, printed paper, laminated paper, chalkboards and white boards.
  2. Utilize imaginative drawing materials, such as finger paints, chalk, shaving cream, colored pencils, vegetable stamps and foods such as pudding in addition to the standard crayons and markers.   Adding a new way to draw can spark a child’s imagination.
  3. Encourage your child to use both scissors and non-toxic glue (with supervision) when creating their art projects.  Cutting and pasting are two skills every child needs in school, and each take practice in order to master.
  4. Repurpose printed materials you already have to give your child more exposure to the printed word and strengthen literacy skills.  Junk mail, catalogs, magazines and coupons are perfect starts for many creative projects.
  5. Allow for messy play on occasion.  Not every day needs to involve a bath following an art project; however, messy activities can be both educational and memorable for your child.  Whenever possible, move messy art project outside to allow for easier clean up.

For more creative art and play ideas, parents can visit Kiddie Academy’s Pinterest page at https://www.pinterest.com/kiddieacademy/, where you’ll find multiple boards full of educational activities, art projects and even recipes for DIY art materials.

Giveaway: Zoe's Giftcard

Posted on by Angie

One of our favorite lunch spots is celebrating it’s 20th Anniversary with 20 days of goodness!

Over the 20-day period from June 10 to June 29, Zoës Kitchen will host a series of special events and surprises for its employees and guests! In addition to our giveaway, take advantage of these other ways to celebrate!

  • Saturday, June 20 – FREE Commemorative Sports Cup: Every Zoës Kitchen Birmingham guest will receive a FREE 20th anniversary commemorative sports cup with purchase.
  • Monday, June 29 – Hidden Gift Card Hunt: Fans can search for the 50 envelopes containing Zoës Kitchen Gift Cards ranging from $10 – $100 that will be hidden throughout Birmingham. Follow #zoeslovesbham on Twitter and Instagram for clues!

Up for Grabs! 1 Mediterranean Family Meal for one lucky BirminghamMommy reader! A $40 value and a night off of dinner duty for Mom!

To Enter.. Leave comment here letting us know your favorite menu item from Zoe’s. We’ll draw a winner at random on Thursday, June 18th.

Good Luck and Happy Anniversary Zoe’s!! We sure are happy you’re in Birmingham

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