☰

Road Trip Spotlight: U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Hunstville

Posted on by Angie

Just a quick drive north to Hunstville and you can easily make a day trip out of visiting the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Hunstsville, AL.

Home to Space Camp®, Aviation Challenge® Camp, and Robotics Camp the U.S. Space & Rocket Center (USSRC) is the most comprehensive U.S. manned spaceflight hardware museum in the world. Its large rocket and space hardware collection is valued in the tens of millions of dollars. From America’s first satellite, Explorer I, to next generation space vehicles like Sierra Nevada’s Dream Chaser, the museum showcases the past, present and future of human spaceflight. The U.S. Space & Rocket Center serves as the Official NASA Visitor Center for Marshall Space Flight Center and is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.

The USSRC is more than just artifacts! Experience the physics of astronaut training like never before in simulators like Space ShotTM and G-Force. Our Spacedome IMAX® Theater and our National Geographic Theater transports you to different worlds with amazing documentary films like Hubble, and live demonstrations in the Discovery Theater will have you seeing space science in a whole new light.

The Robot Zoo is one of their newer exhibits that will be running through the summer.

The 5,000-square-foot exhibit reveals the magic of nature as a master engineer. Eight robot animals and more than a dozen hands-on activities illustrate fascinating real-life characteristics, such as how a chameleon changes colors, a giant squid propels itself and a fly walks on the ceiling.
The larger-than-life-size animated robots include a chameleon, a rhinoceros, a giant squid with 18-foot tentacles and a platypus. Also featured are a house fly with a 10-foot wingspread, a grasshopper, a bat and a giraffe whose head and neck alone stretch 9 feet tall.

Cutaways expose the animals’ insides as a host of easily recognizable machine parts and gadgets, such as shock absorbers and pumps, that demonstrate what makes animals work. By comparing anatomy, environments and size of the actual creatures to the mechanic counterparts, The Robot Zoo provides fantastic new insights and hands-on fun for discovering just how animals work.

So pick a day and plan a trip to see what all the USSRC has to offer! You won’t be disappointed.

Special Note: The Space and Rocket Center offers a Summer Pass that includes the following:

  • 1 adult 2 children $40.00  (add additional people for $10 Limit 3)
  • Museum admission Sunday – Thursday between Memorial Day and Labor Day
  • Includes the traveling exhibitions
  • Includes standard museum simulators
  • Can apply the $40 to upgrade to a yearly family membership
  • Science of Imagination (STEAM activity) every Thursday in June and July (geared for ages 4-6)
  • Not available to purchase online

 

Birmingham Events Calendar: June 14th – June 21st

Posted on by Angie

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

Kick your week off with a Barons Game! Sunday and Monday they’re home against Chattanooga before hitting the road again. Check out the Springville Road Library as they attempt to Build Gotham City! Lots of Superhero Activities happening at your local libraries!

Father’s Day is coming and you can celebrate with free Admission to the Birmingham Zoo for Dad on Sunday the 21st!

Have a great week everyone!

Sunday June 14th

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
Vs, Chattanooga
3:00pm

—————————————————————————————

Monday June 15th:

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
Vs, Chattanooga
11:30am

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

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

—————————————————————————————

Tuesday June 16th:

Operation Tshirt Time Family Night – Avondale Library
Drop off a NEW white T-shirt at Headquarters (Avondale Youth Department) no later than June 14. We will screen your shirt and have it ready for you to paint during the “Every Hero Has a Story” June 16 family fun night. 24-hour advance registration required.
6:30pm

Ms Renee’s Super Summer Storytime – Homewood Public Library
Ms. Renee is here for a super special storytime in the Large Auditorium!
10:30am – 11:30am

Dinoman Presents Superheros of Science – Hoover Public Library
From T-Rex to Tesla.  In the Libary Theatre
Limited seating, arrive early.
10:30, 2pm and 6pm

Hercules and Heros – Emmet O’Neal Library
Hampstead Stage Company Theatre presents a live theatre production, Hercules and the Heroes.
10:30am

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Isabella turns an ordinary day into an extraordinary adventure when she uses her imagination to become some of the amazing women who changed history! Join us and find out how these remarkable women teach her the importance of being herself.
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

—————————————————————————————

Wednesday June 17th:

Dinoman Presents Superheros of Science – Hoover Public Library
From T-Rex to Tesla.  In the Libary Theatre
Limited seating, arrive early.
10:30, and 2pm

Superhero Science Show – Springville Road Library
Dynamic Education Adventures will make you want to grab a cape, spin a web, put on a utility belt, and leap tall buildings in a single bound! This is a program filled with superheroes and the villains who plague them. Participants will learn about flight, super-strength, managing matter, and more.
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

—————————————————————————————

Thursday June 18th:

Dinoman Presents Superheros of Science – Hoover Public Library
From T-Rex to Tesla.  In the Libary Theatre
Limited seating, arrive early.
10:30, and 2pm

Let’s Build Gotham City – Springville Road Library
This program will be a giant Lego build. Families will attempt to work together to build Gotham City and participate in related games and activities.
6pm

—————————————————————————————

Friday June 19th:

Fitness Friday– Homewood Public Library
It’s time to get moving with a special Zumba class designed for 4-12 year olds!
10:30pm

Super Blocks – Springville Road Library
Come to the library to build something awesome! We’ll have Lego blocks available for every kid to build a masterpiece. All blocks are provided for this event, no need to bring your own!
4pm

—————————————————————————————

Saturday June 20th:

Black Creek Arts Festival – Black Creek Park Fultondale
More than 40 fine artists will compete for prizes in the 5th Annual Black Creek Arts Festival.  Artist artwork will be for sale.  Musical entertainment and children’s art activities.  Musicians: Raquel Lily, Jessica Webster, Jesse Reece, One Hand Dan and The Wildwood Ruminators
9am – 4pm
Free

Bart’s Books – Birmingham Museum of Art
Bart’s Books is a storytelling program for children ages 4-7. Bart selects a new book and related work of art each month that he thinks kids will enjoy.

This month, Bart has selected Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are.
11am

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

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

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

Father’s Day Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us for a special Storytime celebration for Father’s Day! Featuring How to Surprise a Dad and How to Babysit a Grandpa.
11am

—————————————————————————————

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

—————————————————————————————

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.

Parenting with a PhD: Free-Range vs. Helicopter Parents

Posted on by Angie

By Kristen Berthiaume:

You’ve probably heard of free-range chickens – those raised with some freedom to roam so they’re happier and less-stressed (and more delicious – apparently cortisol isn’t all that tasty) but did you know there are also free-range kids? “Free-Range Parenting” is a term first coined in a 2010 book to describe a more hands-off parenting approach than is generally found in today’s society. Several Free-Range Kids have been in the news recently: a nine-year-old allowed to ride the New York subway by himself; 8-year-old children babysitting their younger siblings; a 1st grader left to play at the park alone. If these examples remind you of your own childhood, you’re not alone. On any given afternoon, we were running through the neighborhood, with no expectation of coming home until dinner. I remember walking with friends to a wooded area near our house where we’d sometimes find evidence that someone had been living there. And we told our parents. And no one freaked out. And we were allowed to go back. The argument is frequently made that the world was a safer place back then but research doesn’t really support that explanation. In fact, some studies show that kidnappings by strangers are lower now than in the 1970s and 1980s when many of us were kids. The idea behind Free-Range Parenting is that society has become “too careful” and that, in reality, children are not in danger every second of their lives. I think most parents would agree that giving our children some freedom allows them to make, and learn from mistakes and helps them grow into more confident, capable, and independent adults; however, the degree to which a parent allows their kids this freedom is what varies between a Free-Range and a typical approach. Free-Range Parenting is frequently defined as the antithesis to “Helicopter Parenting” – the very, very, very hands-on approach to parenting characterized by what might be considered over-involvement in kids’ lives and relationships. Surely some names come to mind as you mentally scroll through your friend list: the moms who volunteer for everything their children do; the dads whose faces turn purple from yelling so much at their kids’ sporting events. The media often describes children of Helicopter Parents “over-scheduled” and “over-supervised.” Parents may “hover” over their kids out of fear that something catastrophic will happen or to help ensure that their offspring will be on the “right” track in life (i.e., the best preschool, beneficial extracurricular activities, a positive peer group, etc.). On the flip side, children with very involved parents are often high-achieving and take good advantage of resources available to them.

There are potential problems with both parenting styles. Free-Range Parenting can be associated with valid safety concerns. Some children, despite their age and maturity in certain areas, still aren’t ready to handle tough or novel situations on their own and may not exhibit appropriate judgment without adult guidance. Safety research indicates that parents are frequently unaware of the key dangers their children face on a daily basis (e.g., automobile accidents, drowning, etc.) and may over- focus on less likely scenarios (e.g., stranger abduction). Even if a parent has seen her child handle a situation appropriately in the past, there could be new factors that lead her to make a poor choice. For example, just because your six-year-old walks straight home alone from school every day doesn’t mean she’ll know what to do when an older kid encourages her to go to the park instead. In addition, when supervision is less frequent, parents may not be as aware of the peer and media influences on their kids or social and psychological could go unnoticed. Helicopter Parenting can prevent children from learning from mistakes, leading them to feel unable to handle situations on their own. This approach might not adequately prepare kids to deal with heartbreak, disappointment, and difficult situations in adolescence and adulthood. In addition, children of overly involved parents may exhibit anxiety if they feel as if  they’re constantly in danger or needing to meet certain standards to please their parents.

So, where do you fall on this spectrum? Compare yourself to friends and other moms you know. Are you more lenient or more strict? Are you more aware of what’s going on with your child or kind of oblivious? Think about the stress you experience on a daily basis. Does most it come from situations involving your child or from elsewhere? Much like those quizzes you used to take in teen magazines (“How possessive are you?”), the “best” category for most of us is probably somewhere in the middle. It’s important that we be aware of where our kids are and what they’re doing and, if they’re under four, immature, or prone to behavioral issues, they should be where we can see them. We need to allow our kids to struggle with problems that arise: how to share a toy with her friend; how to fit Legos together to build a ship; how to clean up the milk he spilled. We should be slow to step in unless there’s an emergency. If your child asks for help, can you provide verbal clues for her instead of taking over entirely? If your child makes up his bed but does a sloppy job, how necessary is it really that you re-make it? One of the most valuable things we can do is talk to our kids after they have tried – successfully or unsuccessfully – to handle a situation for themselves. What went well? What didn’t go well? What could they have done differently? By debriefing after the fact, you’re letting your child know that you were there and observed what was going on. Reinforce your child’s efforts. Empathize if your child felt frustrated and explain that you didn’t step in because you felt she deserved a chance to try and handle it on her own.

Disclaimer: Sometimes, we develop our parenting style based on what we intuit that our kids need and different kid personalities pull for us to be more/less involved. Kids with special needs may require more advocacy and assistance from their parents whereas very independent and curious kids probably do better when given lots of room to wander and discover. Most all kids need some freedom, and a chance to make mistakes and figure things out for themselves. All kids under 18 need some degree of supervision and guidance (and some kids need supervision and guidance well after age 18…). If what you’re doing seems to be working well and there have been no major problems, your style is probably a good fit for your child. Challenge for Free-Range Parents: Consider areas where your supervision may be a little lax and brainstorm ideas for shoring it up. Observe your child when she is acting independently to determine if she’s handling situations the way you assume she would. Challenge for Helicopter Parents: Think about the kind of adult you’d like your child to be. If you said “happy” and “capable,” consider ways that your parenting style might interfere with those goals. If your kid is asking you to back off or seems fearful to try new things without you, those are red flags that you may be doing too much. Try bowing out and watching how your son does without your help – he may surprise you! If this feels too hard for you, consider if your own anxiety is interfering and needs to be addressed.

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.

 

Family Movie Night at McWane Science Center

Posted on by Angie

If you haven’t had a chance to check out the new Toytopia Exhibit, this is the perfect opportunity to see it AND enjoy a fun movie night at McWane!

Begin the evening with a screening of TOY STORY 2 in the IMAX Dome Theater followed by dinner and playtime in the museum featuring TOYTOPIA, they’re summer exhibit!

ON THE MENU

Slinky Dogs (mini corndogs)
Buzz’s Burgers (Sliders)
Rex’s Herbivore Salad (fruits/veggie tray)
Mr. & Mrs. Potato Chips
Cowboy Cookies
Infini-TEA
Alien Juice

* Sheriff badges as a giveaway for the kiddos
* There will also be a photo op with Buzz and Woody

Reserve tickets today by calling (205) 714-8414.

SATURDAY, JUNE 13

MOVIE SCREENING: 5:30 PM
7:30 – 9:00pm – dinner and playtime

COST: $20 Adults, $15 Children (Members get $2 off)

Birmingham Events Calendar: June 7th – June 14th

Posted on by Angie

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

Kick your week off by helping Vulcan Celebrate his 111th Birthday! Lots of exciting and fun things happening around town this week, especially at your locally library. It’s a very Super Hero Summer and there’s no shortage of activities to keep you busy.

Our Barons are home again later this week and don’t forget about our list of FREE and Discounted Summer Movies!

Have a great week!

Sunday June 7th

Vulcan’s Birthday Bash – Vulcan Park and Museum
Make plans to attend the BIGGEST Birthday Bash in Birmingham! Vulcan may be the world’s largest cast iron statue, but he still needs help blowing out his birthday candles! Join us as we host a festive outdoor community celebration offering fun activities for the whole family in celebration of the BIG GUY’s 111th Birthday!
12pm – 4pm
Admission $5

National Cancer Survivors Days – Bruno Conference Center
Presented by St. Vincent’s Health System
A Day to commemorate cancer survivors, and you’re invited! A day of celebration, fellowship and compassion.
1pm – 3pm

Symphony in the Summer – Railroad Park
Kick off the summer in musical style with a FREE concert. Bring out your lawn chairs and blankets to be serenaded under the stars with the beautiful music of your Alabama Symphony Orchestra.
6pm

—————————————————————————————

Monday June 8th:

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

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

—————————————————————————————

Tuesday June 9th:

Be-At Your Best Family Night – Avondale Library
A hero must always “BE-AT” his or her best. Join Avondale’s musical hero Mark Seymour as he takes us on a fast-paced journey around the world. A night of more than 50 instruments, singing, clapping, dancing and fun. What more could you want? 24-hour advance registration required.
6:30pm

Dr. Magical Balloons – Homewood Public Library
You will be amazed at the balloon creations and storytelling of Dr. Magical Balloons!
10:30am – 11:30am

Super Hero Training – Hoover Public Library
Harness the power of the superheroes!  In the Library Theatre
Limited seating, arrive early.
10:30, 2pm and 6pm

AtsMagic – Emmet O’Neal Library
Magician Arthur Atsma shocks and amazes with his magical comedy show.
10:30am

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Officer Buckle and Gloria
Police officers help keep us safe! Come meet some of our local officers and learn how they help in our community.
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

—————————————————————————————

Wednesday June 10th:

Super Hero Training – Hoover Public Library
Harness the power of the superheroes!  In the Library Theatre
Limited seating, arrive early.
10:30, and 2pm

Backyard Heros – Springville Road 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!
10am

Moore Hero Magic – Avondale 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.”
2pm

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

—————————————————————————————

Thursday June 11th:

Summer Bash – Virginia College
Virginia College in Birmingham will host a Summer Friends & Family Day: Summer Bash for staff, former, current and prospective students and families. This event is free and open to the public. Various planned activities will provide fun for the whole family including a bounce house, Kona Ice, face painting by cosmetology students, chair massages provided by the therapeutic massage students and health screenings from the medical assistant students. Culinard students will be preparing food including hamburgers, hot dogs and funnel cakes to be served from noon to 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., or while supplies last.
11am – 6pm

Super Hero Training – Hoover Public Library
Harness the power of the superheroes!  In the Library Theatre
Limited seating, arrive early.
10:30, and 2pm

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
Vs, Chattanooga
7:05pm

—————————————————————————————

Friday June 12th:

Superhero Science – Homewood Public Library
This engaging science show from Dynamic Education Adventures is filled with experiments that will immerse you in the world of superheroes and the villains that plague them!  CHILDREN, TEENS, FAMILIES WELCOME!
3:30pm

Build your own Superhero – Springville Road Library
Join us for some awesome super hero crafts!
Free but registration is required.
4pm

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
Vs, Chattanooga
7:05pm

—————————————————————————————

Saturday June 13th:

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
Vs, Chattanooga
6:30pm

Kids Ultimate Fitness Challenge – UAB Campus Green
The nations largest mobile fitness event traveling from coast-to-coast dedicated to helping keep kids healthy and active. At the Kids Ultimate Fitness Challenge, kids of all ages get the opportunity to flex their physical fitness by participating in a time-based obstacle course that includes sprinting, jump roping, wall crawls, hurdles, jumping jacks, sit ups, and tunnel crawls, before finishing off the course with a 20 ft. confidence climb and 60 meter dash to the finish. The event features loads of activities for the whole family to enjoy including Xtreme gaming fun for all ages and on-site programming designed to inspire kids and families to live a more active and healthy lifestyle.
10am – 6pm
Free

Bart’s Art Cart – Play with Clay
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 and Patton Creek
Join us for Storytime and activities featuring Barnes & Noble’s Picture Book of the Month, Touch the Brightest Star. In this interactive bedtime story, touch, tap, blink and whisper to make magic happen in the nighttime sky.
11am

—————————————————————————————

Sunday June 14th:

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
Vs, Chattanooga
3:00pm

—————————————————————————————

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.

Easy Peasy Peanut Butter Cookies

Posted on by Angie

Ok. Let’s face it. Busy Moms need all the help we can get, anywhere we can get it and we just happened to discover this incredibly easy recipe for Peanut Butter cookies that you absolutely have to try. Like, now. We’re betting, because these are so easy you have everything in your kitchen right now..

What you’ll need:

1 Cup of Peanut Butter (crunchy or creamy will do)
1 Cup of Sugar
1 Egg
1 tsp of vanilla (optional)

What you’ll do:

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl
Once mixed, roll a spoonful into a ball and place on an ungreased cookie sheet
Repeat until mixture is gone, placing “dough” 2″ apart on the cookie sheet
Use a Fork to make a criss-cross pattern on top
Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes. (Mine were perfectly cooked after 9)
Remove from oven and sprinkle with sugar, allow to cool.

That’s it.. Now off you go, your kids will thank you!

 

Cars, Heat and Kids. Look Before You Lock.

Posted on by Angie

On average, 38 children die in hot cars each year from heat-related deaths after being trapped inside motor vehicles. Even the best of parents or caregivers can unknowingly leave a sleeping baby in a car; and the end result can be injury or even death.

As the temperatures rise here in the deep south, so do the number of stories we hear about children and infants dying as a result of being left in a hot car unattended.

Here are some safety tips we pulled from the KidsandCars.org website.

  • Never leave children alone in or around cars;not even for a minute.
  • Put something you’ll need like your cell phone, handbag, employee ID or brief case, etc., on the floor board in the back seat.
  • Get in the habit of always opening the back door of your vehicle every time you reach your destination to make sure no child has been left behind. This will soon become a habit. We call this the “Look Before You Lock” campaign.
  • Keep a large stuffed animal in the child’s car seat when it’s not occupied. When the child is placed in the seat, put the stuffed animal in the front passenger seat. It’s a visual reminder that anytime the stuffed animal is up front you know the child is in the back seat in a child safety seat.
  • Make arrangements with your child’s day care center or babysitter that you will always call if your child will not be there on a particular day as scheduled.
  • Keep vehicles locked at all times; even in the garage or driveway and always set your parking brake.
  • Keys and/or remote openers should never be left within reach of children.
  • Make sure all child passengers have left the vehicle after it is parked.
  • When a child is missing, check vehicles and car trunks immediately.
  • If you see a child alone in a vehicle, get involved. If they are hot or seem sick, get them out as quickly as possible. Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.
  • Be especially careful about keeping children safe in and around cars during busy times, schedule changes and periods of crisis or holidays.
  • Use drive ‐ thru services when available. (restaurants, banks, pharmacies, dry cleaners, etc.)
  • Use your debit or credit card to pay for gas at the pump.For additional information about ways to keep children safe in and around vehicles, visit www.KidsAndCars.org

Event of the Week: Vulcan's Birthday Bash!

Posted on by Angie

Vulcan is having a Birthday and We’re all invited!

Vulcan may be the world’s largest cast iron statue, but he still needs help blowing out his birthday candles! On Sunday, June 7 from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m., Vulcan Park and Museum will host a festive outdoor community celebration for Vulcan’s 111th Birthday.

This year the event will be bigger and better than ever. Enjoy an afternoon with the whole family including music, games, and birthday refreshments. Other activities include next generation games provided by GameStop, a Home Depot kids’ workshop, a performance by the Birmingham Children’s Theatre, an archaeology dig and prize wheel from Red Mountain Park, a rock climbing wall, soccer activities by the Latin American Soccer League, a City of Birmingham firetruck, a kite activity from Railroad Park, native Alabama animals from the Birmingham Zoo, a plane from the Southern Museum of Flight, face painting from the Magic Town Clowns, community drum jams by GetRhythm!, and much more! You won’t want to miss this party.

Admission is $5 for all ages (free for children under age 4) and includes all activities, entrance into Vulcan Center, the observation tower, and the La Storia: Birmingham’s Italian Community exhibition in the Linn-Henley Gallery. Make sure to put this on your calendar and help celebrate the big guy’s 111th birthday.

Important Party Details

• Brick Pavers will be unveiled that were purchased during the 2014 Brick Paver Campaign.

• Mayor William Bell will lead the party in singing “Happy Birthday” to Vulcan.

• Additional food and refreshments from Repicci’s Italian Ice and other food truck vendors will be available for purchase.

• Parking is limited. FREE shuttle will be provided. Additional parking will be available at the Jefferson County Board of Education (across Valley Avenue).

• No pets allowed during special events

For more information or to purchase tickets online see visitvulcan.com.

Birmingham Events Calendar: May 31st – June 7th

Posted on by Angie

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


Summer is heating up and so is our weekly Calendar! The Library programs are in full swing with so many fun things to keep the kiddos busy! On Tuesday, head down to Linn Park and take part in the 10,000 scoop Ice Cream Challenge!

Vulcan is having a birthday party this week and we’re all invited! Make sure to check out the Birthday bash on Sunday!

Have a Great Week everyone!!

Sunday May 31st

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
Vs. Jacksonville
3:00pm

—————————————————————————————

Monday June 1st:

Share a Coke Day – Birmingham Zoo
Couldn’t find a name last year on a Coca Cola? Share a Coke is back and with hundreds of new names, it’s better than ever. Come out to the Birmingham Zoo and get one for yourself and one for a friend! #shareacoke
10am – 4pm

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
Vs, Biloxi
7:05pm

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

—————————————————————————————

Tuesday June 2nd:

10,0000 Scoop Challenge – Linn Park
Enjoy FREE Ice Cream to Help Generate $10,000 for The Salvation Army of Birmingham.

Denali Flavors, developers of the legendary Moose Tracks flavor of ice cream, has partnered with Mayfield Ice Cream to host a FREE ice cream give-away on Tuesday, June 2 in downtown Birmingham.

Ten-thousand scoops of Mayfield Moose Tracks ice cream will be served at Linn Park as a 10,000 Scoop Challenge issued by Denali Flavors to Birmingham area residents. For each scoop served, Denali Flavors will donate $1 to The Salvation Army of Birmingham in an effort to raise $10,000 of new support for its vital community programs.

During the event ice cream lovers can tweet the hash tag #10KScoops for a chance to win free ice cream for a year from Denali @Moose_Tracks.
11am -3pm

LEGO My Hero Family Fun Night – Avondale Library
Now is the time to step up to the table and prove to the LEGO world that you are a hero. Successfully complete a number of LEGO challenges and claim your title as Master Builder. Limited space; 24-hour advance registration required.
6pm

Free LEGO Mini Build – Riverchase Galleria
LEGO Parrot
Visit your local LEGO Store on the first Tuesday of every month and 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. One free per child. Event is open to children ages 6 to 14 only.
5pm while supplies last

Aladdin Friends – Emmet O’Neal Library
MadCap Puppets presents Aladdin & Friends, a live, life-sized puppet show.
10:30am

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
Vs, Biloxi
7:05pm

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Otis is a tractor that will win your heart. He’s a hero because he is a good friend to others!
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

—————————————————————————————

Wednesday June 3rd:

Big Bam Bingo – Avondale Library
It’s time to take your place and get ready for a lightning fast round of Big Bam BINGO. You’ll be surprised at the big array of library prizes you may win when you yell out BINGO! 24-hour advance registration required.
2pm

Summer Reading Kickoff – Springville Road Library
Miss Kit’s Bubble School is a show that incorporates large bubble tricks with science and comedy. Children will enjoy giant bubbles, bubble rainbows, bubble sculptures, a bubble volcano. They will learn things that they can do at home to explore the science of bubbles on their own.
10am

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
Vs, Biloxi
11:ooam

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

—————————————————————————————

Thursday June 4th:

Super Spy Night – Homewood Library
Learn super secret spy skills at this night of spy training fun!
6pm

Rail Safety Day – Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum
Free Train Rides & fun family activities!

Alabama Operation LifeSaver, the Alabama Department of Transportation, and the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum co-sponsor Rail Safety Day at the museum! Come see exhibits, safety activities, as well as train rides! 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM Great for the whole family!

To be eligible for the free ride, you must attend Safety talk by Operation Lifesaver before hand so come early!

About Operation Lifesaver: Operation Lifesaver’s mission is to end collisions, deaths and injuries at highway-rail grade crossings and along railroad rights of way. A national network of volunteers provides free presentations on rail safety.

Train times: TBA. Train ride last around 1/2 hour to CR 301 and return.

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
Vs, Biloxi
7:05pm

—————————————————————————————

Friday June 5th:

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
Vs, Biloxi
7:05pm

—————————————————————————————

Saturday June 6th:

18th Annual Family Fishing Rodeo – East Lake Park
Enjoy angling, activity booths, information on local organizations, contests, giveaways, entertainment, and more!
Presented by City of Birmingham Park and Recreation Board. Call 205-254-2391 for more information.
Parking on 84th St No and 4th Av No.
7am – 1pm

Bart’s Art Cart – Play with Clay
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
Oh, the fun you’ll have at this Storytime! Join us as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
11am

—————————————————————————————

Sunday June 7th:

Vulcan’s Birthday Bash – Vulcan Park and Museum
Make plans to attend the BIGGEST Birthday Bash in Birmingham! Vulcan may be the world’s largest cast iron statue, but he still needs help blowing out his birthday candles! Join us as we host a festive outdoor community celebration offering fun activities for the whole family in celebration of the BIG GUY’s 111th Birthday!
12pm – 4pm
Admission $5

—————————————————————————————

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.

Toytopia at McWane Science Center

Posted on by Angie

BirminghamMommy had a great time exploring this new exhibit, it’s great for kids and those who are kids at heart. It will have parents taking a trip down memory lane as they walk through and explore all the displays of vintage toys.

Stage Nine Exhibit Design presents its highly acclaimed TOYTOPIA exhibition.  TOYTOPIA is an immersive and interactive exhibition focusing on the various histories and legacies of toy makers throughout the past century of toy making. Visitors learn about the origins of toys, who made them, and why they are fun and dear to us.  Explore a larger than life Doll House, get retro in the Arcade featuring video games from the 80’s and 90’s, stroll down memory lane with classic toys from the 1900’s, and create new structures with Legos and Lincoln Logs.  The possibilities are endless for young and old alike in TOYTOPIA!

This exhibit runs through September 7th and price is included in McWane Admission.

 

(Photos: Scott Butler)

Advertisements