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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Sunday June 14th:

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
Vs, Chattanooga
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.

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Friday June 5th:

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

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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

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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

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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.

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)

Road Trip Spotlight: Georgia Aquarium

Posted on by Angie

Only a short drive away in Atlanta, Georgia Aquarium is the perfect summer getaway for families, and was also recently named a Top 5 Animal Attraction by FamilyFun Magazine. If you’re looking to take a day trip with the kiddos or spend a quick weekend away, here are some ways that you can experience all that Georgia Aquarium has to offer to make the most of your trip!

Top Five Ways to Enhance Your Summer Experience at Georgia Aquarium:

·         Experience Imagination Nights: Starting June 1, guests who visit the Aquarium between 5 – 8 p.m. can experience all of the Aquarium’s galleries with fewer crowds for only $24.95. This is also the first time ever that a special AT&T Dolphin Tales late show will be included in Imagination Nights!

·         Experience an atrium show: Georgia Aquarium will be presenting a new atrium show this summer, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea! This show kicks off on June 8 and will run throughout the summer. All entertainment shows are complimentary with Aquarium admission.

·         Fun-filled summer events: Kick off the summer by visiting Georgia Aquarium for World Oceans Day June 5-8 for fun, educational activities, and learn how to protect our oceans from harmful debris and plastic that disrupts its inhabitants, watch a movie under the stars at a Dive In Movie, or have the best view of the Centennial Olympic Park firework show at Georgia Aquarium’s fifth annual Red, White & Brew or Red, White & View event.

·         Meet an aquatic animal up close and personal: Guests won’t have to travel far from home to experience a personal encounter with aquatic animals from around the world. Guests can go behind the scenes and enjoy an exclusive personal experience with one of our aquatic animals through a Georgia Aquarium animal encounter or animal interactive program.

·         Protect our oceans: When guests visit Georgia Aquarium they are helping to protect the ocean and its inhabitants. Georgia Aquarium strives to educate guests about the importance of sustainable seafood, the different ways that trash impacts our oceans and the animals that live there, and how you can help reduce the amount of harmful materials that enter our oceans.

 

Birmingham Events Calendar: May 24th – May 31st

Posted on by Angie

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

Hello Summer!! Another school year is in the books and it’s time for some Summer Fun! A couple of the summer reading programs will kick off this week, so make sure to check with your local library and get those kiddos signed up for some great incentives to keep reading over the break.

The Birmingham Barons kick off a home stretch with the Annual Rickwood Classic, a great afternoon of family fun!

We hope you have a great start to your summer!

Sunday May 24th

Disney Presents, Frozen on Ice – BJCC
Enter a fantastical winter wonderland beyond all imagination at Disney On Ice presents Frozen Presented by Stonyfield YoKids Organic Yogurt. The heartwarming Academy Award®-winning tale you love is now LIVE and skating into your town. You’ll be magically whisked away into the wintry world of Arendelle, where you will be dazzled by amazing special effects and astonishing skating. Sing and dance along to inspiring songs, including “Let It Go.” Join royal sisters Anna and Elsa, the hilarious snowman Olaf, Kristoff, his loyal reindeer Sven and the mystical trolls as they journey to discover that true love is ultimately the most magical power of all! Hosted by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, with special guest appearances by your most beloved Disney Princesses and characters from favorites like Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story, Finding Nemo and Disney’s The Lion King, this unforgettable celebration of love and friendship will leave your family with memories to last a lifetime.
11am, and 3pm

Memorial Day Weekend at the Birmingham Zoo
In honor of Memorial Day weekend, all active, disabled and retired military personnel and their dependents can enjoy FREE admission to the Zoo with proof of a valid military I.D. Guests are invited to feed the lorikeets in the newly renovated Schaeffer Eye Center Lorikeet Aviary*, glide through the treetops on the Jane H. Brock Soaring Safari Zipline Adventure*, take a ride on the new Wild Slide*, cool off in the splash fountains, take a ride on the train and carousel*, enjoy a new Schaeffer Eye Center Wildlife Show and experience all the Zoo has to offer. *Additional cost

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Monday May 25th:

Memorial Day Weekend at the Birmingham Zoo
In honor of Memorial Day weekend, all active, disabled and retired military personnel and their dependents can enjoy FREE admission to the Zoo with proof of a valid military I.D. Guests are invited to feed the lorikeets in the newly renovated Schaeffer Eye Center Lorikeet Aviary*, glide through the treetops on the Jane H. Brock Soaring Safari Zipline Adventure*, take a ride on the new Wild Slide*, cool off in the splash fountains, take a ride on the train and carousel*, enjoy a new Schaeffer Eye Center Wildlife Show and experience all the Zoo has to offer. *Additional cost

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 May 26th:

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Sparky is a sloth – a pet sloth. Would you like this kind of pet? Join us and find out!
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 May 27th:

Rickwood Classic – Rickwood Field
The classic celebrates the 20th anniversary of the first throwback game, played in 1996, and turns back the clock to the 1948 season. The 12:30 p.m. contest features the Birmingham Barons squaring against the Jacksonville Suns, the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. Former Rookie of the Year, eight-time Major League Baseball All-Star, and four-time World Series champion Darryl Strawberry headlines the game as the Guest of Honor and is available for autographs during the game.

This year’s game celebrates the 1948 season, the theme of the first classic, and the Barons fourth Dixie Series title. Birmingham joined the Southern Association in 1901, and the Dixie Series was played between the playoff champions of the Southern Association and the Texas League. The Barons claimed the series (4-1) over Fort Wayne that year to nail down one of six Dixie Series championships it won from 1920-1950, and 1967. The Barons were led that year by slugger Walt Dropo, who amassed 14 home runs and a .359 batting average. The Black Barons also won the Negro American League title the same season behind the talents of a 17-year-old outfielder, Willie Mays, patrolling the greens at Rickwood.
All tickets are general admission for $10. Groups of 10 or more can purchase tickets for $8 a piece.
12:30pm

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 May 28th:

Super Readers Training Academy – Homewood Public Library
It’s time to put on your capes and join us throughout the library for a superhero-filled evening of games, crafts, snacks, and registering for Summer Reading!
6pm – 8pm

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
Vs. Jacksonville
7:05

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Friday May 29th:

Real Life Heroes Summer Reading Kickoff – Eastwood Branch Library
Did you know that we encounter heroes every day? Police, firefighters, and soldiers are our friends and neighbors and they are required to do heroic things as part of their jobs on a daily basis. Join us as we kick off the library’s summer reading programming with a visit by Birmingham firefighters and their firetruck as well as a BPD mounted policeman.
10:45am

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
Vs. Jacksonville
7:05

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Saturday May 30th:

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
Vs. Jacksonville
6:30pm

6th Annual Bob Sykes BBQ and Blues Festival – DeBardeleben Park
 Barbecue and blues are a great combination so start planning for the 6th Annual Bob Sykes Bbq and Blues Festival set for Saturday, May 30th. The event will take place at the beautiful DeBardeleben Park located in historic downtown Bessemer, Alabama from 12:00 – 8:00 pm. Gates open at 11am. It is a relaxing and fun atmosphere for the entire family. You can expect to hear talented award winning local and national blues musicians. Be sure to bring a chair or blanket and set-up your spot for the day. Bob Sykes Bbq and Blues Festival is proud to have earned a spot on AL.COM’s Top 25 Birmingham food festivals and events to put on the 2015 calendar.

There is something to do for the entire family including a large kids corner with free activities and games. Children twelve and under are free. Come hungry for Bob Sykes Bbq, vendors offering a wide range of desserts, arts, crafts and free giveaways. Pre-sell tickets are $15 and can be purchased at www.bobsykesblues or at Bob Sykes Bar B Q Restaurant. $20 at the gate. The festival will give a portion of the proceeds to a local charity as in the previous years.

Alabama Wildlife Center Baby Bird Shower – Oak Mountain State Park

You are cordially invited to attend a Baby Bird Shower: Bring a gift (see Baby Bird Wish List), guided tour of baby bird nursery & aviaries, fun children’s activities, free cake and refreshments, purchase t-shirts, mugs & more! We’re expecting! Approximately 1,000 baby birds will arrive at the Alabama Wildlife Center this year. Come join in the fun and bring a gift! There are many ways to “Chirp In & Help Alabama’s Baby Birds”:

  • Go shopping — Purchase and donate needed items. You can even shop online from our Amazon wish list!
  • Volunteer — Volunteer Orientation/Intro to AWC usually held 1st Sunday each month, 2:00 – 4:00 pm see website for dates.
  • Become a member — Help preserve and protect Alabama’s precious natural heritage with your annual dues.
  • Give what you can — Express your love for wildlife by making a donation in any amount. Our monthly animal care expenses double during baby bird season. As funding increases, so does our ability to help more injured & orphaned birds. The Alabama Wildlife Center is a 501(c)(3), 509(a)(1) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax deductible.

Free after paid admission to Oak Mountain State Park
adults: $4
children 6-11 and seniors 62+: $1
children under age 6: free
11am – 2pm

Caribbean Costume Making Workshop – Birmingham Museum of Art
Ages 5 and up with parent or caregiver // All skill levels // Includes supplies

Instructor: Maureena Fabien-Watson

In partnership with the Central Alabama Caribbean American Organization, the Museum is hosting a costume workshop just in time for the Caribbean Day in Linn Park on June 13. Make a costume for the festival, or just for fun!

Click here to register. Class is limited to 20 people, so sign up to save your spot!
10am – 1pm
$25 for the first child // $10 for each additional child

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
Join us for Storytime and activities featuring Peanut Butter & Cupcake. What’s a little piece of bread to do when he’s feeling lonely? Find a friend, of course! And that’s exactly what Peanut Butter tries to do.
11am

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Sunday May 31st:

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
Vs. Jacksonville
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.

Summer Camp Spotlight: The Birmigham Zoo

Posted on by Angie

Have an animal lover in your house? Then a zoo camp might be perfect for you!

Summer ZooFari Camp is available for 4K through 8th grade students. Space is limited, and camps fill up quickly. Please register in advance to guarantee your child a spot.

While attending Summer ZooFari Camp, campers will experience:

  • Live animal demonstrations
  • Train and/or carousel ride*
  • Crafts and activities
  • Guided tours
  • Snacks
  • Animal Biofacts

 *Train and carousel rides are dependent on weather and the availability of the attractions.

Sign up today for a Birmingham Zoo Summer ZooFari Camp! With up-close animal encounters, train and carousel rides, lorikeet and giraffe feedings and guided tours of the Zoo, the best place for fun and learning is at a Birmingham Zoo Camp! For detailed information including camp descriptions, schedules and pricing, please visit birminghamzoo.com/summer-camps/.

 

Preventing the Summer Slide

Posted on by Angie

Summer is coming and while it’s great to have a little break from full days of scheduled learning, preventing the Summer Slide is something all parents need to think about. The education slide is well-documented by numerous studies, which were synthesized in the 1990s by Harris Cooper, then a professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He found that children could forget one to three months of learning over the summer. That’s a lot of undoing!

So, what can you do to help keep those little brains working and learning over the summer? Here are some tips!

• Journal Current Achievement Levels. How do you know if your child is affected by summer slide if you don’t remember where they ended the year? Create a summer journal and, in the first few pages, document what they most recently learned in their major subjects. Were they adding and subtracting double-digit numbers? Doing long division? What were some of their vocabulary or spelling words? Throughout the summer you can track their progress and, at the least, maintain those levels – or maybe even move on to more challenging material.

• Try a Weeklong Educational Day Camp. We all want our kids to have fun during the summer, and they can. Enroll in the fun, active day camps that focus on art, music or swimming. But toward the end of the summer, have your children attend one week of math camp and one week of reading camp as a refresher.

• Feed the Brain During Free Time. Kids have a lot more free time in the summer. With fewer scheduled activities, even kids who attend a camp may have more time to hang out in the evening. How can you feed their brain during this extra time? Visit the library and check out print books, audio books, educational DVDs, and even educational computer games. Many websites offer activity ideas that you and the kids can enjoy together. For instance, a free e-book, “10 Top Fun Wise Games: Making Learning Math Fun” is available at www.exploracise.com.

• ACTIVE-ate The Brain. Getting active exercises both the body and the brain. Just like our body needs exercise to stay healthy, so does the brain to keep those neurons firing. Encourage kids to stay active and play outside during the summer and allow only limited, scheduled times for sedentary activities like video games or TV.

How do you keep your kids from getting in a learning slump over the summer?

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