Tips for Dyeing Easter Eggs with Tiny Humans

Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 by Angie

Dyeing Easter Eggs is an Easter tradition in most homes, doing it with tiny hands can make it a bit difficult. Here are a few tips and tricks when working with tiny humans.

First of all I’m going to state what might be an obvious rule but in case you have a lapse in judgment like I may or may not have had… Never leave your 3 year olds alone at the counter where they can reach the dye while you quickly change a load of clothes over from the washer to the dryer. The laundry can wait…. Just Sayin’

1. An easy way to get natural colored eggs is to dye brown eggs, keeping your white eggs for the brighter colors.

2. Boil the perfect egg by using these tips from the wonderful Martha Stewart

3. Make easy stripes by using rubber bands. On plain eggs for white and colored eggs, or dye once, rubber band, then dye again.

4. If dyeing with several toddlers, try using a “trough” type system rather than tiny cups. Fill aluminum loaf pans about 1/4 full of water, 1 dye tablet is plenty. You can soak multiple eggs at a time. Less chance for spillage.

5. Use crayons to draw on the eggs before dyeing. Wax is dye resistant so it will leave behind a perfect little drawing, it’s also a great way to write names on the eggs.

Dyeing Easter eggs would be a great outdoor activity if weather permits, just remember lots of newspaper, or plastic drop cloths and smocks will help keep your kitchen intact and clothes somewhat maintained.

Happy Dyeing!

Parenting with a PhD: What Parents Need to Know about "Cutting"

Posted on Tuesday, March 24, 2015 by Angie

If you haven’t heard the term “cutting” out of your child’s mouth, count yourself lucky (or buckle up because it may be coming). Increasingly, I’m hearing this term from kids in my practice commenting on a disturbing trend at their schools, which we’ll call “cutting culture:” kids showing each other their scars and talking about cutting themselves over frustrations with parents, academic work, relationships, etc. “Cutting” is one form of what is referred to clinically as “Non-Suicidal Self-Injury” (or NSSI for short).

NSSI is any self-inflicted wound (e.g., scratch, cut, burn, bruise, etc.) that is made, not as a suicide attempt, but as a way of coping with strong feelings and difficult situations. Unfortunately, there are indications that this behavior is on the rise or, at least, that more kids are trying it, even if they don’t engage in it long term. It’s certainly being talked about in middle and high schools more than in the past. If your child has mentioned that a friend or acquaintance has talked about “cutting” or if you’re suspicious that your child is purposely harming herself in some way, try not to freak out. The more calm your reaction, the more likely she’ll be to share information honestly with you in the future. Here’s some info that will help you handle this often difficult to understand behavior.

Prevalence estimates for NSSI in adolescence are usually between 12-14%. Keep in mind that includes all adolescents who admitted to any self-injury, even if it only happened once or twice. Girls are much more likely to self-injure than boys. Very often, NSSI that isn’t addressed in adolescence continues on into adulthood, and may escalate.

Causes of NSSI are very, very difficult to explain. If you’ve never experienced it yourself, it may seem inexplicable why a kid who, two years ago was howling in the pediatrician’s office because she had to get a shot, would be purposely and frequently causing herself pain. Here are some reported reasons an adolescent might engage in NSSI:

1) To escape from emotional pain (e.g., anger, anxiety);

2) To release tension;

3) To punish herself for perceived mistakes, failings, etc.;

4) For attention;

5) To feel good – the pain releases endorphins;

6) To gain control over a seemingly out-of-control situation; and

7) To physically express pain. Notice that, although seeking attention is one reason, it isn’t the only reason.

When talking to an adolescent about NSSI, it’s really important not to assume they’re just doing it for attention. The vast majority of people who engage in NSSI regularly do so very privately and go to great lengths to hide the evidence (e.g., keeping the injured body parts covered up, lying about how injuries were sustained, etc.).

NSSI can indicate more serious underlying mood, anxiety, or personality disorders. Most often, we see this behavior in kids who are also dealing with depression or severe anxiety. Many are current or past victims of physical or sexual abuse and NSSI is often associated with Borderline Personality Disorder in later adolescence/early adulthood. When talking to your child about NSSI, it’s important to check on other things that might be going on in their lives that we know can co-occur.

If your child talks about a “cutting culture” at school – people admitting to NSSI and, perhaps, even bragging about it – ask her what she thinks about it. Try to remain neutral and non-judgmental. Maybe your daughter thinks the whole thing is weird but maybe she’s bringing it up to test your reaction because she herself has done it (or at least thought about it). Discuss together the reasons peers might tell others they’re cutting. Are they really looking for help? Just seeking attention? Are they trying to “fit in?”

Likely, there are different motives for different people so the appropriate response isn’t one-size-fits-all. Explain the reasons it will be important for you to talk to the principal or school counselor about what your daughter is telling you. See if she wants to be involved in that conversation or stay out completely. If your child tells you in private about a close friend who is cutting, it will be important to let that friend’s parents know. Try doing so in person and armed with some information to give the other parent – this may help relieve some of the shock and worry he or she might feel.

If it turns out that your child has engaged in NSSI or that it is currently ongoing, thank her for trusting you enough to tell you. Ask her to try and explain why she does it and do your best to listen rather than judge or argue. Tell her your concerns about what she’s doing: self-injury can be dangerous, wounds might become infected, she could get negative feedback from peers, her skin may be scarred. Also, talk about the fact that NSSI doesn’t really do anything to “fix” the underlying problems and that thoseare most concerning of all. Offer her hope that there are other ways of coping with strong feelings and that you know she would feel better about learning and using those versus what she’s doing now.

Immediately seek out a referral for a psychologist or counselor – talk to your pediatrician and close friends for names. When you meet your child’s therapist, express your interest in remaining involved to whatever extent possible so that you and your spouse can learn how to help your child cope. Remove items your child might use to hurt himself (e.g., scissors, knives, razors, matches, etc.) and store them in a locked cabinet for the time being. Check in frequently on how your child’s day was and how he is feeling. Try questions like, “Who sat at your lunch table today?” “Was your history teacher grumpy or in a good mood?” Encourage positive coping like getting outside, talking about feelings, and relaxation exercises. Show your child that you, your child, her therapist, and other important adults in her life will work together to help her through and that she doesn’t have to handle this alone.

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.

Top 10 Activities for Spring Break In Birmingham

Posted on Monday, March 23, 2015 by Angie

If you’re planning to spend Spring Break hanging out here in Birmingham, here are some great ideas to keep you and the little ones busy.

1. Birmingham Zoo

Saturday, March 28- Sunday, April 5

There is no better place to spend your Spring Break than the Birmingham Zoo! From Saturday, March 28 through Sunday, April 5, the entire family can enjoy feeding the lorikeets in the new Schaeffer Eye Center Lorikeet Aviary*, gliding through Alabama Wilds on the Jane H. Brock Soaring Safari Zipline Adventure*, taking a ride on the new Wild Slide*, the new Schaeffer Eye Center Wildlife Shows and more. Seasonal favorites are back such as camel rides*, giraffe feedings at the Kiwanis Giraffe Encounter*, Splash Pads at the Junior League of Birmingham – Hugh Kaul Children’s Zoo and much more! Soak up the sun and pay a visit to your favorite Zoo animals this Spring Break at the Birmingham Zoo. View our Daily Activities page here to plan your visit!
*Additional cost

2. Spring Break Bonanza at the Birmingham Museum of Art

This FREE Special Programming Includes three days of Spring Break fun at the Museum.

March 31st

10AM-1PM: Make and decorate a horse using your own footprint and yarn

10:30AM: Kids at Play! Family Tour // Main Lobby

11:30AM: Bart’s Books: Big Bear Hug by Nicholas Oldland

April 1st

10AM-1PM: Make your own bird sculpture using a pencil as a beak!

10:30AM: Kids at Play! Family Tour // Main Lobby

11:30AM: Bart’s Books: Dooby Dooby Moo by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin

1PM: Film: A Cat in Paris (animated, Jean-Loup Felicioli/Alain Gagnol, France, 2011)

3. McWane Science Center

Spring has sprung and McWane Science Center is gearing up for the most exciting Spring Break week ever! So be sure to include a visit to McWane Science Center in your Spring Break plans during the week of March 30 – April 3.

Get lost in Mindbender Mansion, the newest traveling exhibit that will put your brainpower to the test. Enjoy public demonstrations featuring the brain and other science experiments or take in one of the IMAX movies in the DOME theater.

4. Red Mountain Park

Park guests can receive $10 off any of the Park’s four Adventure Area activities—the Red Ore Zip Tour, Hugh Kaul Beanstalk Forest, Kaul Adventure Tower and Mega Zip Line! Just follow these simple steps:

Follow Red Mountain Park (@RedMountainPark) on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter (or all three!). Then, to redeem your $10 offcoupon, simply help us spread the good word by reposting our spring break photo using the hashtag #RMPSpringBreakSpecial. Ready. Set. Repost!

5. Adventure Park at Grant Mills

The park, that is built to the standards of the Association of Challenge Course Technology (ACCT), consists of platforms and elements that range from 9 to over 20 feet off the ground. Here are just some of the elements you’ll find in the park:

Trapeze bridge
Oscillating walk
Tibetan bridge
Chain loops
Log tightrope walk
Log suspension bridge
Himalayan bridge
Trapeze
Various ladders
Hanging wooden blocks and More!

For pricing and park hours visit their website

6. Take a Hike

Birmingham is full of great places to hike and walk. Our friend Rachel over at Grasping for Objectivity just complied a great list of the best places around town to explore and hike. We love this list and think Spring Break is the perfect time to mark some of these off of your list if you’ve been meaning to check them out. See her list of the 10 Best Hikes and Runs in Birmingham.

7. Pack a Picnic

There are so many great parks in and around Birmingham you couldn’t possibly fit them all in in just a week, but weather permitting, you can get in a few. Our favorite spot for a picnic is Railroad Park. So much space for the kids to run and play, ride bikes or throw frisbees and footballs. Take a blanket and your cooler and spend the day. You can also buy a pretty inexpensive lunch from The Boxcar Cafe’. For other picnicking locations, check out Homewood Park or even Overton Park. Both have great open grassy areas and playgrounds for the kiddos.

8. Visit Vulcan

Ok.. We know most of you have visited the bare bottomed statue at some point, but if you’ve never taken your kids, it’s time to go back. Check in at the ticket box and they’ll give you a Scavenger hunt the kids can do around the park. Mine absolutely loved it and it gave me the chance to learn some things I had never actually taken the time to pay attention to before. Bonus: Great view of the city and the kids will love running down the grassy hills.

9. See a Movie

We love movies and with the weather warming up, why not catch a show at the Harpersville or Argo Drive in? They are open on Friday and Saturday nights, showtimes are at 7pm and it’s $10 per carload. They are currently playing the new Cinderella. Check their website for current listings. If it is Raining or Bad Weather The Drive-In will be CLOSED. When in doubt, give them a call before you go.

10. Climb

First Avenue Rocks is Birmingham’s premier rock climbing facility located in the heart of downtown. It’s a great indoor climbing facility that is fun for adults and kids. Check out their site for day rates and gear rental pricing.

We hope you all have a great Spring Break exploring what our Magic City has to offer!

While we know work doesn’t stop just because school is out, check our list of Spring Break Camps happening around Birmingham.

Birmingham Events Calendar: March 22nd – March 29th

Posted on Sunday, March 22, 2015 by Angie

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

What are you doing this week to keep the little ones busy? We have a few ideas! If you can tear yourself away from the March Madness long enough, check out what’s going on around town.

If you’re looking for an Easter Egg hunt, make sure to check out our list of the ones happening around Birmingham in the next couple of weeks!

Sunday March 22nd:

Zoo Visit and Storytime with Books A Million – Birmingham Zoo
Birmingham Zoo invites you and your family to enjoy story time hosted by Books-A-Million! This event is free with admission and will be held at Kori Kountry near the Aviary from 2:30pm-3pm. If it rains, the event will be held in the Zoo Auditorium. Guests will enjoy hearing an animal-themed story and creating a themed craft. Story time at the Zoo is a fun, educational experience you won’t want to miss!

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
8pm – 4pm

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Monday March 23rd:

Time for Tales with Ms Eve – Avondale Library
Let’s Celebrate Spring with a Special Day of Show and Tell! Bring a favorite something from home for show and tell, and I’ll share something special, too! Tot Time is designed for 2 to 4 year olds with a parent or caregiver. 24-hour advance registration is required.
9:30 and 11am

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Tuesday March 24th:

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us as we attempt to read as many Dr. Seuss books as we can this month – because they are that good! Come early and pick your favorite for us to read.
11am

Wee Ones Storytime – Homewood Public Library
Join us on Tuesday mornings for a unique new Storytime specifically tailored to your one year old!
9:30a and 10:30a

Family Tours, Kids at Play– 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?

Kids At Play! See all the shenanigans kids get into, as displayed in works of art from our collection..
10:30am

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Wednesday March 25th:

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

Wiggleworm Wednesdays– Homewood Public Library
Storytime for all ages! Join us for music, puppets, dancing, and so much more in Storytime with Ms. Mandy. Look in the round auditorium every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. for your Storytime pals!
Large groups, we appreciate your call to 205-332-6619 to ensure adequate space.
10:30am

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Thursday March 26th:

Mad Skillz Dance Co – Avondale Library
The snow has come and gone and now it’s time to turn it UP on the DANCE FLOOR. Join us for an afternoon of FUN with MAD SKILLZ.
3:30pm

Mommy and Me Storytime – Homewood Public Library
We are now featuring two Mommy & Me Story Times with Miss Renee! Due to high demand (and high squish quotient), we are opening availability to create a flexible time schedule that includes all of our eager young patrons (comfortably). You can now choose between two back-to-back Story Times on Thursday mornings; the first begins at 9:30 a.m., the second at 10:30 a.m.

Come by the round auditorium for lots of music, dancing, and of course, the bean-bag song! Miss Rene uses drama, wit, and a hefty dose of fun things to shake to keep your young one entertained and educated.
9:30am and 10:30am

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Friday March 27th:

Leaps and Bounds – Homewood Public Library
Join us for a fun and energetic movement class designed specifically for children ages 2 1/2 to 4 years. Registration is required and begins on the Monday prior to the class that week. (Registration begins March 9 & 23 for ages 30-48 months–15 participants in each class).

Disney Junior Live – BJCC
Grab your tiaras and doubloons and join us for Disney Junior Live On Tour! Pirate & Princess Adventure Presented by Stonyfield YoKids Organic Yogurt. Mickey and Minnie are taking their seats too at this never-before-seen live show featuring your favorite characters from Disney Junior’s hit series, Sofia the First and Jake and the Never Land Pirates. Get swept up in the excitement as Sofia and her family prepare for a royal celebration that helps us all learn the true meaning of being a princess with a special appearance from Cinderella. Then it’s off to Never Land where Jake and his swashbuckling friends Izzy and Cubby, with a little help from Peter Pan, battle Captain Hook to unlock treasure hidden inside a mysterious volcano. It’s danger and dueling on the high seas as Jake discovers what it takes to be a true hero. Filled with new music, amazing effects, thrilling action and endless surprises, your whole family will sing, shout, and soar into the action when Disney Junior Live On Tour! Pirate & Princess Adventure sails into your hometown.

$15.00 Ticket + $7.70 Fees = $22.70
$65.00 Ticket + $14.50 Fees = $79.50

Tickets available through Ticketmaster and the BJCC Central Ticket Office. The CTO is open 9-5 daily.
6:30pm

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Saturday March 28th:

$15.00 Ticket + $7.70 Fees = $22.70
$65.00 Ticket + $14.50 Fees = $79.50

Tickets available through Ticketmaster and the BJCC Central Ticket Office. The CTO is open 9-5 daily.
10:30am, 2:30pm, 6:30pm

Meet the Animals – Oak Mountain State Park
Come out to Oak Mountain’s Petting Farm to meet the animals.
10am

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

String together some fun and make your own African necklace or bracelet.
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
A Storytime featuring New York Times bestselling children’s book Duck & Goose. Duck doesn’t much care for Goose at first, and Goose isn’t fond of Duck. But both want the egg that each claims to be his.
11am

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Sunday March 29th:

$15.00 Ticket + $7.70 Fees = $22.70
$65.00 Ticket + $14.50 Fees = $79.50

Tickets available through Ticketmaster and the BJCC Central Ticket Office. The CTO is open 9-5 daily.
1pm and 5pm

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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.

Birmingham Area Easter Egg Hunts, 2015

Posted on Friday, March 20, 2015 by Angie

It’s that Egg-Citing time of year again when Easter is right around the corner and many places around Birmingham will be hosting their Easter Egg Hunts for the kiddos. If you know of one we missed or have one you would like added please let us know!

Happy Hunting!

119/280 Area

Bold Springs Prebyterian Church
7544 Cahaba Valley Rd.
Bham AL 35242
2 miles east of 280 on 119, just across the Lake Purdy bridge.

Sat. March 28, 2015.
10:30 to about 11:30
Just bring your basket …we have the eggs.

Followed by Gospel Music festival featuring the Clay Boys- noon til 2. Free music, free hot dogs and chips, free soft drinks. Just bring a chair or blanket. Let the kids run and have fun

Avondale

Avondale United Methodist Church
Join us in the Avondale Park Rose Garden for a community cookout and Easter egg hunt.
Following worship on Sunday, March 29th, all are invited to join Avondale United Methodist Church in the Avondale Park rose garden for a church and community cookout.

Avondale Park Rose Garden (620 40th St S, Birmingham, Ala., 35222)

12:15pm – Free cookout (hamburgers and hotdogs)

12:45pm – Egg Hunt

Sponsored by Avondale United Methodist Church, House of Grace Church, and Christian Service Mission.

Calera

Cottontail Express – Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum
Hop aboard the Cottontail Express for a ride to Peter Cottontail’s meadow! Join in the fun at the Meadow as we hunt for Easter eggs. Jumpstation, temporary tattoos, coloring station, and a sandbox provide lots of family fun! Bring your camera to take photos with Peter Cottontail!

Upgrade to a caboose ticket or locomotive ticket for a memorable experience and get an up close look at railroad operations!

Sat March 28th 10:00 am, 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm
Sun March 29th 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm
Sat April 4 10:00 am, 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm
Ticket Information Here

Crestwood

Crestwood North at Girls Inc.
Saturday, April 4 starting promptly at 10:00 AM. The children are always egg-cited and eager to start right on time.
We are asking for donations of both candy and plastic eggs in order to make this event as successful as it can be. If you feel overly ambitious and would like to pre-fill your plastic eggs before donating them, we would greatly appreciate it. Pre-filled eggs will save us a great deal of time. You are encouraged to fill eggs with other items besides candy if you would like. In the past, people have put seed packets, festive pencil erasers and even coins in the eggs. Stickers and washable tattoos are also fun for the kids.
All of your donations can be dropped off at Crestwood Coffee Company. In addition, we can make arrangements to pick up any items you would like to contribute.

Gardendale

Gardendale First Baptist Church
An Exceptional Easter Egg Hunt
April 5th, 2015 // 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
940 Main Street

This event is for persons of all ages with special needs.

Helena

Helena Amphitheatre
Saturday March 28th
9m-Noon

Cahaba Lily Park
Saturday April, 4th
10am

Homewood

Homewood Park
The Homewood Easter Egg Hunt is for toddlers up to ten years of age. Children will hunt for eggs with children of their own age group. There is also a section for children with special needs.

Location: Homewood Patriot Park

Date: Saturday, March 28th, 2015

Time: 11:00am

Don’t be late as it does not take long for all of the eggs to disappear!

Oakmont UMC
April 4th – 2pm

Hoover

Green Valley Baptist Church
Dig out that basket! A fun morning you don’t want to miss!
Saturday, April 4th, 10am
This FREE event is intended for children 2nd grade and under.

Leeds

Bass Pro Shops
Here comes Peter Cottontail! Come out and get in the spirit of Easter with FREE photos of you and your family with the Easter Bunny. FREE Crafts for the kids to enjoy (while supplies last). Free Easter Egg Hunt!

Easter Egg Hunts
Saturdays and Sundays
March 28th and 29th
April 3rd and 4th
Beginning at 2pm and lasting for 1 hour. Ages 2-10
Registration begins at 1:30pm at the main entrance. Find 5 eggs and return to registration for candy.

Pictures with the Easter Bunny – Receive a FREE 4 x 6 photo April 12th – 13th/April 19th-20th

Montevallo

Orr Park
Meet the Easter Bunny and join your friends for an Easter egg hunt on the rolling lawn of Orr Park. Games, crafts, and prizes available.
April 4th, 10-11 a.m.

Pelham

Oak Mountain State Park
Activities such as facepainting, cake hop, hayrides, moonwalks, and more will be happening from 10a.m. until 2p.m. Saturday, April 4th. 10,000 eggs – Ages 5 & under hunt for eggs at 11a.m., ages 6 & up hunt for eggs at 1p.m.
Park admission of $1 – $3 does apply, some activities cost $1.

*Please note that these dates and hunts are subject to change or cancellation without notice to BirminghamMommy.com. We will do our best to update any changes we learn about in advance. If the weather is ify, it’s best to double check before heading out.

Survival mode: the traveling spouse

Posted on Wednesday, March 18, 2015 by Angie

Times have changed and both parents don’t always come home at 4pm everyday. For a lot of today’s families, one parent boards a plane while the other stays home and holds the fort down. It is hard on everyone involved, and it takes a lot to keep from feeling sorry for yourself. It can put a strain on you, your marriage, and your children. But it’s not something you can’t cope with and get past. It can be done.

Here’s a few tips for making things easier for you and your family:

Don’t complain about your spouse being gone in front of your kids. It’s your job to help them cope, you’re the strong one. If you’re moping, it won’t set the right example.
You have a mission: Make 4 days feel like 2 days. Do something spontaneous, keep the kids guessing. A simple trip to the library or an after dinner ice cream run will help keep everyone’s mind off of the person who isn’t at home.
Create special memories for you and your kids. Look at this as some extra one-on-one quality time with you. Cuddle and watch a movie, make a card for Daddy, or schedule a nightly Skype or Facetime call.
Don’t forget about the traveling spouse! Being away is hard on them too, you’re not the only one who is lonely and suffering. They sometimes feel like a guest in their own home because they never know where anything goes, things change while they’re gone, etc. Remind yourself daily that you’re grateful that you have your kids with you. Can you even imagine being away from them AND your spouse.
A friend who had a traveling father once told me that his mother made the kids feel like their dad was around by making sure he knew what was going on in their lives. Keep them aware of school events, friends’ names, and more or less what the kids are “into” these days.
Build your network. This is imperative. Get out of your comfort zone and make some mommy friends. They can usually understand what you’re going through, even if their spouse doesn’t travel. If you luck out and find another mom who has an out of town hubby, make dinner and ask them over.
After you’ve worked so hard to keep your children’s mind off of your spouse’s absence, then you have to do the same for yourself. Find a purpose. Read a book, volunteer, anything that is just for you and keeps you busy. Sitting around pining for them won’t make the time go faster, just the opposite actually.
Don’t forget your marriage! Call, skype/facetime, email. Keep in touch on the mundane daily stuff, it’s just as important as the biggies. Do something special to show you missed them. Make a favorite meal or rent a movie you think they’ll like. When they get home it will mean a lot to them.

It’s hard and it’s something each family has to handle in their own way. There is a way to make it work, it will just take a lot of extra effort on everyone’s part.

Does your spouse travel, how do you fill the time?

Birmingham Events Calendar: March 15th – March 22nd

Posted on Sunday, March 15, 2015 by Angie

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

Kind of a slow week around Birmingham this week, but with the weather warming up it will be the perfect time to get outside and enjoy all of the parks and playgrounds our city has to offer! Fun programming with Bart this weekend at the Birmingham Museum of Art and Tannehill Trade days are back!

Enjoy the sun while it’s lasts!

Sunday March 15th:

Dinner with Cinderella – The Melting Pot
Celebrate the premiere weekend of Cinderella with a magical experience at The Melting Pot!
The Birmingham Meltting Pot cordially invites you to bring your little prince or princess to enjoy a three-course fairytale fondue feast!
An enchanting afternoon wouldn’t be complete without a visit from Cinderella herself! Dress your best for photo opportunities with a real-life princess.
4pm – 6pm

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Monday March 16th:

Time for Tales with Ms Charlottes – Avondale Library
Sssss-lither on in to Tot Time for some great stories and songs about snakes! Tot Time is designed for 2 to 4 year olds with a parent or caregiver. 24-hour advance registration is required.
9:30 and 11am

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Tuesday March 17th:

Wee Ones Storytime – Homewood Public Library
Join us on Tuesday mornings for a unique new Storytime specifically tailored to your one year old!
9:30a and 10:30a

Kids At Play! See all the shenanigans kids get into, as displayed in works of art from our collection..
10:30am

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Wednesday March 18th:

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Thursday March 19th:

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Friday March 20th:

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

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Saturday March 21st:

Barts 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!
String together some fun and make your own African necklace or bracelet.
11am – 1pm

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 Jon Klassen’s I Want My Hat Back.
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
Special Storytime featuring Edmund Unravels. Edmund is ready to discover the wonders of the world and go on new adventures. Activities to follow.
11am

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Sunday March 22nd:

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Local Attractions Open Daily!

McWane Science Center:

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.

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:

Railroad Park:

Southern Museum of Flight:

Let’s Get That Garden Started: 5 Things you can do right now

Posted on Friday, March 13, 2015 by Angie

by Holly Syx

Growning your own garden is a great way to save money on fruits & veggies. It’s also quite rewarding to be able to feed your family with the fruits of your labor.

Ok, so I know it’s been pretty chilly outside and gardening may be the furthest thing from your mind. But believe it or not now is the time to go ahead & start planning for this year’s garden.

There are several things you can do right now to begin the process:

Find a spot for your garden

It will need to be a spot that gets plenty of sunshine during the day as well as have good soil and water drainage. Don’t choose a huge space for your first time. It’s so easy to jump in & go huge the first year. It can quickly become overwhelming.

Gardening know how has a great article here that will help you find just the right spot.

Don’t have good soil? That’s ok. You can build a raised garden & fill it in with soil. Here’s an article that will help you set up your raised bed.

No room? That’s ok too! Try container gardening. A lot of people do it & it’s a great option for folks who have little or no yard space. Go check out this article for more help with starting your container garden.

Choose your plants

This step is going to be different for everyone. What you decide to plant will have a lot to do with what your family likes as well as your garden conditions.

Here’s a great resource here to help you decide and one here with planting guides for 58 different types of vegetables.

Make a plan & map it out on paper

Once you’ve decided how you want to build your garden and what you want to plant now you’re ready to map it out

Here’s a great resource on choosing the size of your garden and another one to help you with designing the garden.

You’ll also need to make a shopping list for all the supplies you’ll need. You’ll need to consider if you’re starting with seeds or plants. If you’re planning to build a raised bed or container garden you’ll also need to take that into consideration. The staff at a local nursery or garden center can help with that.

Start your Seeds

If you’re going to start with plants then you don’t need to worry about this step, but if you’re planning to start with seeds you can go ahead & start them indoors. You can find the seeds right now in most hardware stores as well as Walmart & Target. You can also purchase them online. Burpee is a great source of seeds online.

Here’s a great resource from Savvy Gardener about starting seeds indoors. I also love this photo tutorial from Renee’s Garden on starting sweet peas with seeds.

Hip Chick Digs has an awesome video on making your planters from newspaper.

Prepare for the Bounty

Once your garden starts producing you’ll not want to waste any of that good stuff you worked so hard for. If your family can’t eat it all at once you can always preserve it in jars or in the freezer.

If you’re planning to do some canning you’ll need a few things such as jars, large canner or pot and a few other things are helpful. Try asking on Freecyle or Craigslist for canning supplies. People often have them & are more than willing to share.

You’ll also want to check out pickyourown.org for tips on preserving. My #1 recommended resource for canning & preserving is the Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving. It has great tips & recipes for putting up your fruits & veggies.

Here’s his best tip for a new gardener: “The 1^st thing to do right now is get your soil ready. Break the ground open and let the cold weather hit it to kill the weeds. When it warms up more till it again & make your rows to get ready for your plants. “

For Grocery deals, Coupons, Shopping, and more articles like this go check out My Blog or follow me on Facebook and Twitter.

St. Patty's Day Playdate

Posted on Tuesday, March 10, 2015 by Angie

What do you need in order to have a fun St Patty’s Day playdate? Shamrocks, pots of gold, lots of green and some little Leprechauns, of course!

Since everyone seems to gather in the kitchen, let’s start with food. This can be as easy or as involved as you want it to be. For a simple plan, make some PB&J sandwiches and grab a shamrock/clover cookie cutter to cut them into festive, party appropriate shapes. Throw in some green veggies/fruits like celery, broccoli, green apples or pears. If your kids are like most and won’t touch a veggie with a 10 foot pole, try some sour cream and onion potato chips. Since not all moms care to eat PB&J, get more “sophisticated” with some chicken salad, any type of sandwich can be cut into cute little shapes. You could also try a yummy pasta salad using tri-colored pasta.

For desserts, if you want to go the super easy route, you can buy the pre made cookies with shamrocks already in the middle, or bake some up and use that handy cookie cutter again. Ice cream sandwiches with chocolate chip cookies and mint chocolate chip ice cream would also be a tasty treat.

If you want something other than standard juiceboxes to drink, try making some “Leprechaun Punch” by letting some lime sorbet thaw a bit in a punch bowl and adding some Sprite. Lime Koolaid would also work.

So everyone is fed, now what? How about a craft or a game, or both?

Check out this site for some free downloadable color pages, or this game compliments of Examiner.com:

Leprechaun Search: Put together clues ( a clue, a clue!) and send your children on a scavenger hunt in search of a green leprechaun. Reward them at the end with wonderful green candy treats such as green jelly beans, M&Ms, sourballs, etc.

There are endless ideas for crafts. One of our favorites is this Handprint Rainbow, it’s easy and if you make it a tradition, you can see how much the kiddos have grown each year. This one is also great because you can do it with all ages.

Don’t forget to wear green so you don’t get pinched!

Erin Go Bragh!

First Time Camper Program – Georgia State Parks

Posted on Monday, March 9, 2015 by Angie

Long-time campers know the gooey fun of making s’mores over the fire, but for those who have never slept in a tent before, spending the night outdoors can be an unfamiliar adventure. Through Georgia State Parks’ First-Time Camper Program, curious guests can see if they enjoy sleeping under the stars before investing in their own gear. More than 300 families have participated in the three-year-old program, which expands this March to include 13 state parks.

For just $50, guests spend two nights in a modern campground, trying out all the necessary gear. Park staff or volunteers will greet campers upon arrival, give tips on setting up the tent, and offer a Camping 101 lesson. Equipment donated by REI and Coleman includes a family tent, sleeping pads, chairs, camp stove, fuel and lantern. Bathrooms and hot showers are a short walk from the campsite. At the end of their getaway, campers return the gear and go home with memories to last forever.

“We often hear visitors say they like the idea of camping, but they don’t have the equipment and aren’t sure they’ll enjoy it,” said the program’s coordinator Ellen Graham. “Once they see how easy it is to pitch a tent and maybe even experience the thrill of hearing an owl, they’ll realize how much fun camping can be.”

Georgia’s State Parks currently in the program include A.H. Stephens in Crawfordville, F.D. Roosevelt in Pine Mountain, Fort Mountain near Chatsworth, Fort Yargo in Winder, General Coffee near Douglas, Gordonia-Alatamaha in Reidsville, James H. Floyd near Summerville, Magnolia Springs in Millen, Reed Bingham in Adel, Red Top Mountain on Lake Allatoona, Richard B. Russell on Lake Russell, Skidaway Island in Savannah and Stephen C. Foster in the Okefenokee Swamp. Both Fort Mountain and Red Top Mountain have enough equipment for larger families or groups up to 20 people.

Author Richard Louv’s book Last Child in the Woods shined a light on America’s growing disconnect with nature – coining it “Nature Deficit Disorder.” Park officials hope that projects such as First-Time Camper will give families an incentive to explore and appreciate the natural world around them.

Anyone who has never camped in a Georgia State Park may participate. While leashed dogs are normally welcome in campgrounds, they are not allowed in the First-Time Camper program since gear is shared among participants. Once settled in, guests can enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, boating, geocaching, mini-golf, wildlife programs and many other activities. Reservations are required and must be made by calling the individual parks.

To learn more, visit GeorgiaStateParks.org/FirstTimeCamper.