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Birmingham Events Calendar: March 8th – March 15th

Posted on by Angie

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

A busy week and an even busier weekend with lots of activities to choose from. We’re super excited about the St Patty’s Day Parade, it’s always a fun time for the whole family! Check out the special events happening at the Birmingham Zoo and of course Pi Day at the McWane Science Center!

Have a great week!

Sunday March 8th:

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME!! SPRING FORWARD!

Cottontails Village Arts and Craft Show – BJCC Exhibition Halls
Are you looking for a one-of-a kind party dress for your little princess? Do you need a personalized Easter basket stuffed with candy, toys, and games? Or, are you shopping to update your home décor or garden accessories? Spring shopping is fun and simple, when new exhibitors join your favorite vendors from Christmas Village to display fresh new ideas and crafts all in the comfort of the Birmingham/Jefferson Convention Complex.
Adults: $6.00
Children 6-12: $2.00
Children under 6 free! (Strollers are allowed on each day of this show)
Noon – 5pm

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Monday March 9th:

Tot Time with Mrs. Eve – Avondale Library
2, 4, 6, 8, what do we appreciate? Tot Time! Please join us for fun songs and stories that celebrate MATH! 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 10th:

Balloon Magic – Hoover Public Library
Stories and balloon art by Dr. Magical Balloons.

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, Wear/Where– 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 11th:

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 12th:

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 13th:

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 for ages 30-48 months–15 participants in each class).
10:30am

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Saturday March 14th:

31st Annual St Patricks Day Parade – Five Points South
The parade will make its way through Five Points South and end at Cobb Lane.
Live music from Hooley & Marc Gunn, Irish dancers, and bagpipers will entertain guests at select restaurants, venues and bars from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Attendees can also dine, drink and listen to live music in festive, St. Patrick’s Day-themed atmospheres of participating Five Points businesses well into the evening following the parade.
Parade time: 1:30pm – 2:30pm

Pi Day and Einstein’s Birthday – McWane Science Center
Join McWane Science Center as we celebrate Pi Day (3.14) and Albert Einstein’s Birthday. Fun hands-on activities will focus on the importance of Pi and other interesting applications of math in our daily lives, and help mark the 130th anniversary of Einstein’s birth.
10am – 5pm

Go Green Day – Birmingham Zoo
Visit the Zoo on Saturday, March 14 for Go Green Day and see how the Zoo uses recycled products to help the animals! Animals at the Birmingham Zoo are enriched daily in various ways, through different items to manipulate, smelling special scents, training and puzzles. Enjoy getting to see these special enrichment activities all throughout the Zoo with an emphasis on Going Green!
Schedule:
10am: Sea Lion Training Demonstration, recycling discussion and enrichment
11:30am: Lemur Keeper Chat in the Primate Building
1:30pm: North American River Otter Keeper Chat in Alabama Wilds
2pm: Guinea Forest Hogs enrichment with boxes and paper
2pm: Bears enrichment with boxes
2:30pm: Red River Hog enrichment
3pm: Fox enrichment with boxes and paper

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

Welcome to Whoville – Hoover Public Library
Celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday with your favorite characters. All ages.
10:30am

Rumpshaker 5k – Sloss Furnaces
The 7th Annual Rumpshaker 5K will be held on Saturday March 14, 2015 at Sloss Furnaces.  Since 2009, the Rumpshaker 5K has raised well over half a million dollars to fight colorectal cancer.  As always, this event is a fun, family friendly experience for all ages.  Registration is now open for both the Rumpshaker 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk, so sign up today!

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
a special, fun-filled Storytime featuring Mustache Baby – aka Baby Billy. Activities to follow.
11am

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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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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.

Member Monday at McWane Science Center

Posted on by Angie

As a thank-you to all of their 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

Member Mondays also include an exclusive, FREE members-only evening event every month! On the 2nd Monday evening of every month, McWane Science Center will open its doors from 6 to 8 P.M. for its members .

AND DINNER TOO: In additional to Member Monday evening events, themed buffet dinners will be available. The cost of dinner is $8 for Adults and $5 for Children.  Dinner orders may be placed when you make your reservation but must be made by the Wednesday before each event.

Dinner payment must be made at the time of Reservation and will not be available for purchase the night of the event.

Reservations are required for each Member Monday event. Reserve your spot today by calling (205) 714-8414.

THEME: Soak up the Science

Soak up the science in McWane Science Center’s World of Water! Spend an evening learning about these fascinating creatures in our aquariums. Special science activities and presentations will take place throughout the night.

Make plans to attend next Monday, March 9th, 6pm – 8pm

Giveaway: Thomas the Tank Engine

Posted on by Angie

Thomas the Tank Engine is coming to the Heart of Dixie Railroad in Calera and BirminghamMommy has tickets for one lucky reader!

This fun-filled event offers little engineers and their families the opportunity to take a ride with Thomas the Tank Engine, star of the popular Thomas & Friends® series. In addition, children will meet Sir Topham Hatt™, Controller of the Railway and enjoy a day of Thomas-themed activities including arts & crafts, storytelling and more.  The tour, now in its 20th year, will make 42 stops across the U.S. and Canada and is expected to welcome nearly one million passengers in 2015.

This year, Thomas & Friends celebrates 70 years of friendship.  All aboard the Best Friends Express for an unprecedented year of Thomas-themed programs and activations as the #1 blue engine celebrates friendship with fans around the world.

Leave a comment here on this post letting us know you would like to win these tickets.

We have a family 4 pack of tickets for Sunday, April 19th at 3:00.

(please do not enter this giveaway if you are unable to make this date and time)

Giveaway will end Saturday, March 7th at 6pm, winner will be notified via email.

Good Luck!

 

Practical Hacks for Parents: DIY Ice Packs

Posted on by Angie

3 Kids, 3 lunches everyday. Factor in forgetting to unpack said lunches, leaving things at school or needing to ice a boo boo (real or exaggerated) and we always seem to be short on ice packs. Here’s a quick, inexpensive tip for making your own.

Hit the Dollar store and pick up some kitchen sponges, wet them, put them in a zippy and freeze. Tomorrow morning you’ll have all the ice packs you need.

They’re the perfect size, and as they melt the sponge retains the water, so no leaking! If you want to go an extra step, use your cookie cutters to trace and cut out some fun shapes for the kids lunches.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Birmingham Area Spring Break Camps: 2015

Posted on by Angie

We’re just about a month away from Spring Break here in Birmingham. Moms every where are looking for some fun things to do with or for the kids. Here are some options for camps around town.

Birmingham Zoo
Spring Break Camps – Habitats
Join us as we talk to ZooKeepers about the animals they take care of from around the world and how they make them feel at home in Alabama!

March 30th 2015 –  Run Wild in the Rainforest
March 31st 2015 –  Dining in the Desert
April 1st 2015  – Surviving the Swamp
April 2nd, 2015 –  Fun in the Forest
April 3rd, 2015  – Movement in the Mountains

McWane Science Center
A week of fun and learning awaits your child at McWane Science Center Spring Break Camp. Daily March 30, 2015 – April 3, 2015
Each classe is designed for the skill level of that particular camp: therefore, the grade levels must be observed. Enrollment is limited to ensure a quality experience. Registrants may attend only those camps for which they are registered. Registrations are not transferable.

Schedule:

  • Full-day camps begin at 9:00 am and end at 5:00 pm Please make every effort to have your camper signed in by 8:50am. Campers can be picked up as early as 5:00 pm and no later than 5:30 pm
  • Half-day morning camps start at 9:00 am and end at 1:30 pm Please make every effort to have your camper signed in by 8:50am. Campers can be picked up as early as 1:00 pm and must be picked up no later than 1:30 pm
  • Half-day afternoon camps start at 12:30 pm and end at 5:00 pm Campers may be dropped off no earlier than 12:20 pm and can be picked up as early as 5:00 p.m. and no later than 5:30 pm

Camp Fees
All fees are due in full at time of registration. All fees are subject to %10 tax
Daily Full-day camps $80 per day (McWane Science Center Members receive $20 discount)
Daily Half-day camps $40 per day (McWane Science Center Members receive $10 discount)

Visit the McWane Science Center website for more information or to register.

Ruffner Mountain Nature Center
Camp days are from 9am – 3pm.  $45/day (non-member) $35/day (member).  Extended care is available from 7:30 – 9am ($5/day) and 3 – 5:30pm ($5/day).

Sign your camper up for one day or multiple days. Rising K-5th.

All camps include 2 snacks. Space is limited.  After purchasing you will receive a confirmation email with more detailed camp information including what to bring, as well as a link to fill out a Camper Registration Packet.  Please contact programs@ruffnermountain.org or call (205) 833-8264, ext. 13 with questions.

Spring Break Camp Day Themes:

March 30th — Past, Present, Future
March 31st — Scales & Tails 
April 1st — Spring into Spring! 
April 2nd — Furry, Fuzzy Friends  

Mason Music
Preschool Music Camp:

Ages: 3-6 years old (who are potty-trained) Mason Music’s five-day Spring Break Preschool Music Camp is a great opportunity for families who are staying in town during Spring Break to give their children a one-of-a-kind experience exploring musical concepts in a creative and fun environment. This camp will be held from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM at Mountain Brook Community Church’s Children Worship Room (3001 Hwy 280 East Birmingham, AL 35243).* The cost for this camp is $125 and the deadline for registering is March 16.

Register online

Edgewood Art Camp
Art Camp is a 2 day camp held at Dawson Baptist Recreational Center. Children will work on fun art projects, enjoy snacks and present their work on the last day of camp at an Art Show for parents and friends.

Cost: $70 per child per session.
Cost includes: Camp, instruction, art supplies and snacks

Each Camp will be different, sign up for one or both!

Session 1: March 30, 31 – 9am – Noon, Girls ages 5-10
Session 2: April 2, 3rd – 9am – Noon, Girls ages 5-10

For more information or to register

If we learn of any more camps happening around town, we’ll be sure to update. Make sure to check back!

Reading Rocks!

Posted on by Angie

Today is Read Across America Day! The National Education Association is building a nation of readers through its signature program, NEA’s Read Across America. Now in its 18th year, this year-round program focuses on motivating children and teens to read through events, partnerships, and reading resources.

Ever wonder why your kids homework is to read for 20 minutes a day? That number isn’t as random as you might think.

Reading is like food for your brain. Your brain actually develops as you feed it with the experience of reading. It improves listening skills and academic success. For every year that a person spends reading (either independently or being read aloud to), his/her lifetime earning potential goes up considerably. For a time investment of approximately 87 hours a year (20 minutes a day for 5 days a week), you can increase your child’s ability to support him or herself in the future considerably.

Here are some tips from the National Education Association that will help promote reading for your children.

  • Set a good example as a reader – let kids see you reading every day.
  • Get a subscription in his or her name to an age-appropriate magazine for your child. When relatives and others ask for gift ideas, suggest magazine subscriptions, books, or a book store gift certificate.
  • Make reading fun – a time that you and your children look forward to spending together.
  • Check out The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease (New York: Penguin Books, 1995). It’s loaded with fun tips and reading recommendations.
  • Keep lots of books, magazines, and newspapers around the house. Visit the library often and shop for books at garage and yard sales, swap meets, and used bookstores.
  • Don’t fret if “Captain Underpants” has captivated your child rather than Robinson Crusoe. The important thing: he’s reading! Encourage it and he’s likely to move on to more sophisticated titles as he gets older.

What tips can you share that help promote reading in your household?

 

Birmingham Events Calendar: March 1st – March 8th

Posted on by Angie

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

Looks like another week of tricky Alabama Weather! Lots happening around town, indoors and out. We’re super excited about the Exceptional Foundation Chili Cook Off coming up on Saturday, it’s one of our favorite events of the year! Most any event involving food is good with us, though.

Cottontails Village is back at the BJCC, Birmingham Museum of Art will be hosting the Holi Festival and as always, lots of storytimes to choose from at your local library!

Have a GREAT week!

Sunday March 1st:

Disney’s Peter Pan Jr. – Virgina Samford Theatre
The VST STARS (Students Take a Role at the Samford) present this immortal classic includes. Talented young performers from various schools in the Birmingham metro area.
Tickets: $20 General Admission, $15 Students 18 and under
2:00pm

Discover Dinosaurs – BJCC Exhibition Halls
Discover the Dinosaurs is for the entire family, and especially kids, to explore the mystery of pre-historic life in an environment of learning, discovery, and fun. Discover the Dinosaurs is a unique hands on exhibit that consists of up to 40 moving and replica museum quality dinosaurs that gives you the opportunity to actually get close and touch the dinosaurs! Beyond the exhibit, additional fun activities are available for kids of all ages, which make spending the day with the dinosaurs a great experience for the entire family.
10am – 7pm

Admission Info:

Adults $18
Children (2-12) $22
Seniors (65+) $16

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Monday March 2nd:

Read Across America Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
special event celebrating Read Across America Day. Participate in Storytime and activities featuring Dr. Seuss favorites Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, The Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham.
7pm

Tot Time with Mrs. Eve – Avondale Library
Chuga, beep, vroom. We’re building up to some great fun at today’s Tot Time. 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 3rd:

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
We’ve decided to celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday all month! We’ll  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, Wear/Where– 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?

Wear/Where: Clothing From Around The World will explore self-expression through garments worn in cultures across the globe.
10:30am

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Wednesday March 4th:

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 5th:

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 6th:

Cottontails Village Arts and Craft Show – BJCC Exhibition Halls
Are you looking for a one-of-a kind party dress for your little princess? Do you need a personalized Easter basket stuffed with candy, toys, and games? Or, are you shopping to update your home décor or garden accessories? Spring shopping is fun and simple, when new exhibitors join your favorite vendors from Christmas Village to display fresh new ideas and crafts all in the comfort of the Birmingham/Jefferson Convention Complex.
Adults: $6.00
Children 6-12: $2.00
Children under 6 free! (Strollers are allowed on each day of this show)
10am – 8pm

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Saturday March 7th:

Exceptional Foundation Chili Cookoff – Colonial Brookwood Village
The 11th annual Chili Cook-Off benefitting The Exceptional Foundation will be held in the Brookwood Village.  This is a fun, quirky, outdoor party offering good food, drink and friends at a “come as you are” event.  This event has developed a loyal following across a diverse audience base.  There seems to be an engaging atmosphere that you can’t quite put your finger on — a unique camaraderie exists amid the tounge in cheek, yet somehow serious, competition between teams who vie for the judges’ and public’s approval in hopes of taking home a trophy for their particular chili recipe. While the sponsors and their teams focus on winning the chili contest, the more than 10,000 attendees from across the Birmingham area wander amid decorated booths enjoying Good People beer, tasting chili and listening to live music at one of the year’s first outdoor events. A kidzone featuring a moonwalk, face painting and Star Wars characters insure fun for all ages.
10:30a – 3pm
$10.00 in advance. $15.00 at the gate. Children 12 and under free.

Holi: Indian Culture Festival – Birmingham Museum of Art
Did you know that one of the biggest Hindu holidays—Holi—is celebrated in March? Take an adventure through the Museum’s Southeast Asian and Indian galleries for one of Birmingham’s favorite cultural celebrations. Music, dance, art activities, and more fill up the day!
11am – 3pm

LEGO Club – North Shelby Library
The library provides the Legos, the kids provide the imagination and creativity. Families are welcome to drop in anytime between 10:00 and 11:00 to build spectacular creations. Creations will then go on display in the Children’s Department. All Ages Welcome. No registration is required.
10am

Cottontails Village Arts and Craft Show – BJCC Exhibition Halls
Are you looking for a one-of-a kind party dress for your little princess? Do you need a personalized Easter basket stuffed with candy, toys, and games? Or, are you shopping to update your home décor or garden accessories? Spring shopping is fun and simple, when new exhibitors join your favorite vendors from Christmas Village to display fresh new ideas and crafts all in the comfort of the Birmingham/Jefferson Convention Complex.
Adults: $6.00
Children 6-12: $2.00
Children under 6 free! (Strollers are allowed on each day of this show)
10am – 7pm

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
Storytime featuring our Picture Book of the Month, Once Upon a Cloud. Celeste wants to give her mother something special, but what? Join Celeste on her journey to find the perfect gift!
11am

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Sunday March 8th:

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME!! SPRING FORWARD!

Cottontails Village Arts and Craft Show – BJCC Exhibition Halls
Are you looking for a one-of-a kind party dress for your little princess? Do you need a personalized Easter basket stuffed with candy, toys, and games? Or, are you shopping to update your home décor or garden accessories? Spring shopping is fun and simple, when new exhibitors join your favorite vendors from Christmas Village to display fresh new ideas and crafts all in the comfort of the Birmingham/Jefferson Convention Complex.
Adults: $6.00
Children 6-12: $2.00
Children under 6 free! (Strollers are allowed on each day of this show)
Noon – 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.

Celebrate Seuss! Read Across America Day!

Posted on by Angie

“You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read with a child.”

A favorite to so many, Dr Seuss is having a birthday, so let’s Celebrate Seuss and get in on Read Across America Day!

Check out what’s happening around Birmingham!

2nd & Charles

Celebrate Dr Seuss! Monday March 2nd at 6pm
Get ready for some fun activities including storytime, crafts, coloring, games and more!

Barnes and Noble Summit and Patton Creek

Read across America Storytime –  March 2 at 7:00 pm. Special event celebrating Read Across America Day. Participate in Storytime and activities featuring Dr. Seuss favorites Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, The Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham.

Homewood Public Library

Celebrate a Seussian 111th birthday by making some super silly Seuss sculptures!
3:30-4:30pm

Hoover Public Library

Welcome to Whoville
Celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday with your favorite characters. All ages
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Stop Yelling! It doesn't work anyway….

Posted on by Angie

My house is loud… Like, can’t-hear-yourself-think-calgon-take-me-away, loud.

I think that having 3 kids (all girls) clamoring for my attention and trying to talk over each other makes my life doomed to noise so deafening I’m tempted to invest in those nifty noise reduction headphones you see people wear on airplanes. I might actually on occasion, put my ear buds in and turn up my iTunes just to listen to something other than bickering. On occasion only, of course.

I’m a yell-er, I’m ashamed to admit that, but I guess that’s the first step in my process to creating a quieter more peaceful home. I’m not really sure how I got to be so loud. I’ve never been what you would consider “soft spoken” but over time I find that I’ve become just plain loud. I think maybe it started by having to call up the stairs 10 times to get them to come eat dinner, get in the bath, etc. Maybe it was yelling over them fighting with each other and needing to raise my voice just to be heard. Maybe, I’ve gotten lazy, (it’s so much easier to yell than to stop whatever I’m doing and actually walk the length of the house to talk to them.) Most likely it’s a combination of all of those things. But no matter the reason, it’s not good for the kids.

Studies show that constant yelling can be just as harmful as physical abuse. Wow! Talk about putting things in perspective for me. “According to a 2003 study published in The Journal of Marriage and Family, 88 percent of the 991 families interviewed admitted shouting, yelling or screaming at their children in the previous year. That percentage jumped to 98 percent in families with 7-year-old children.”

“Besides being potentially harmful if overused, yelling is often ineffective. “Children can become immune to being yelled at and start to tune it out,” according to psychologist Myrna B. Shure, Ph.D., of Drexel University.”

So see? It’s not good for anyone and it’s completely not working, a lose/lose.

Here are some things I’m going to concentrate on:

1. I’m going to stop yelling the phrase: “Stop Yelling!” Because.. Really?

2. We’re going to have a sit down and discuss what is expected of them. For instance, I shouldn’t have to ask 10 times when something needs to be picked up or put away.

3. Support, Encourage, and Praise the positive behaviors. Tell them what to do rather than what not to do.

4. I’m going to get on their level and get their attention. So many times our yelling bouts happen because they are distracted and not really listening to what I say. If this means turning off the tube or removing them from the playroom to make sure they hear me, then so be it.

and last but definitely not least,

5. I’m going to take lots of deep breaths. Frustration and impatience is the root of my yelling.

I’m on a mission to find more peace in our house. How do you manage your home quietly?

 

 

Healthy Chicken Tenders for Kids

Posted on by Angie

This recipe was passed along through a chain of emails from fellow moms who were fighting the struggle of processed chicken nuggets.  It’s actually delicious so we wanted to share it!  Make a double batch and freeze half.  Pop a few out and warm them up for an easy dinner!

  • Canola oil cooking spray
  • 1/2 cup sliced almonds
  • 1/4 cup whole-wheat flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 4 large egg whites
  • 1 pound chicken tenders

Preparation

  1. Preheat oven to 475°F. Line a baking sheet with foil. Set a wire rack on the baking sheet and coat it with cooking spray.
  2. Place almonds, flour, paprika, garlic powder, dry mustard, salt and pepper in a food processor; process until the almonds are finely chopped and the paprika is mixed throughout, about 1 minute. With the motor running, drizzle in oil; process until combined. Transfer the mixture to a shallow dish.
  3. Whisk egg whites in a second shallow dish. Add chicken tenders and turn to coat. Transfer each tender to the almond mixture; turn to coat evenly. (Discard any remaining egg white and almond mixture.) Place the tenders on the prepared rack and coat with cooking spray; turn and spray the other side.
  4. Bake the chicken fingers until golden brown, crispy and no longer pink in the center, 20 to 25 minutes.

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