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Helping Your Child Succeed In School

Posted on by Angie

The school year has only just begun, but the homework is pouring in and the after school activities are firing up. It may seem overwhelming and hard to manage it all and you may be wondering how to work it all out while still managing to help your child succeed in his or her classroom. Here are some easy tips that will help make sure your child is getting the most out of this school year.

1. Ask your children about school and encourage them to talk about their day. We do this over dinner (when we have the chance to sit down together.) Everyone in the family will tell their “Awesome” for the day and their “Awful.” I don’t get much from my kids when I ask “How was your day..”  but asking for their “Awesome – Awful” has been a great way to break the ice and get the ball rolling. If we aren’t able to have a sit down dinner, we do this in the car on our way to activities.

2. Read with your child EVERY night! A student who reads 20 minutes per day will read 1,800,000 words by the end of the sixth grade, compared with a student who reads one minute per day, who will read only 8,000 words. The student who reads one minute per day will only read .004% of what the 20 minute reader will read. That’s a huge difference!

3. Help your child with his or her homework every night. This is a great way to gauge how well your children are participating in class and will help you identify any problems they might be having, early on.

4. Stay involved and feel free to contact your child’s teacher with any questions or concerns.

5. Do not talk negatively about your child’s teacher or school.

6. Teach your children to be responsible for their actions and their schoolwork.

7. Make sure your child is getting plenty of sleep and is ready for school each day. Sleep is very important to kids’ well-being. The link between a lack of sleep and a child’s behavior isn’t always obvious. When adults are tired, they can be grumpy or have low energy, but kids can become hyper, disagreeable, and have extremes in behavior.

According to Kidshealth.com “School-age kids need 10 to 12 hours of sleep a night. Bedtime difficulties can arise at this age for a variety of reasons. Homework, sports and after-school activities, TVs, computers, and video games, as well as hectic family schedules might contribute to kids not getting enough sleep.”

What tips do you use to help your child get the most out of their school day?

 

Birmingham Events Calendar: August 24th – August 31st

Posted on by Angie

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

Just a week away from a long Labor Day weekend! Lots going on around Birmingham. It’s the last week to check out the Animation Exhibit at the McWane Science Center, the Birmingham Barons are home at the amazing Regions Field an in honor of Vulture Awareness Day there will be special programming happening at the Birmingham Zoo!

Have a great week!!

Sunday August 24th:

16th Annual Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival
Sidewalk 2014 will take place in the Theatre District of Downtown Birmingham on August 22, 23 and 24. The Alabama Moving Image Association was created to inspire, encourage and support films and filmmaking in Alabama. With eight venues located within Birmingham’s historic Theatre District (featuring the newly restored Alabama Theatre, a 2,200 seat movie palace built by Paramount in 1927), spontaneity rules the schedule of Sidewalk attendees. Low-priced weekend passes provide easy access to Sidewalk venues, encouraging attendees to seek out new films and sample programming they may not otherwise see. The result is a crowd rich in diversity and united in a hunger for new film.
For pricing and a schedule visit their site..

UniverSoul Circus – Legion Field
COME SEE THE MOST INTERACTIVE CIRCUS IN THE WORLD! Our show is a highly interactive combination of circus arts, theater, and music that spans genres including Pop, Classic R&B, Latin, Hip Hop, Jazz and Gospel. It embraces and celebrates the unique and familiar aspects of pop culture globally by bringing them center stage with a cast of international performers. UniverSoul Circus is rated as one of the top three circuses in America.

Our fresh approach to family friendly live entertainment has earned us a coveted spot as one of Ticketmaster’s top ten most requested family events. We hope you gather friends, family and relatives, and come out to our show. Purchase your tickets today!
3:30p and 6:30p

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Monday August 25th:

Monday at the Movies – Hoover Public Library
Arthur Dent is an ordinary man until he discovers that his best friend is an alien, that the world is going to be destroyed, and ends up hitchhiking on a spaceship. His friend Ford gives him a guidebook that tells beginners everything they need to know as they hitchhike through the galaxy. One misadventure after another and Arthur realizes that his ordinary life and the galaxy are both utterly amazing.

Admission is free and refreshments are provided.
6:30pm

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Tuesday August 26th:

American Girl Back to School Party – Hoover Public Library
Start the year off with Samantha and her friends, as they help you make some special school accessories of your own. Registration required. Grades K-6
4pm – 5pm
6:30p – 7:30pm

Family Tours, What does a Warrior Wear – 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?
10:30

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us for Back-to-School Storytime featuring Peanut Butter & Cupcake. Listen to stories and participate in activities celebrating new friendships.
11am

Storytime for All Ages – Homewood Public Library
Story Time
10:30am

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Wednesday August 27th:

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 August 28th:

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
vs Pensacola Blue Wahoos
7:05pm

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Friday August 29th:

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
vs Pensacola Blue Wahoos
7:05pm

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Saturday August 30th:

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
vs Pensacola Blue Wahoos
6:30pm

Hikes for Tykes – Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Go on a magical storytelling hike with Fresh Air Family’s Verna Gates. Are there fairies and dragons in the Gardens? We will be on the lookout! Fairy house building to follow. Free.
10am

Vulture Awareness Day – Birmingham Zoo
Visit the Birmingham Zoo to celebrate International Vulture Awareness Day! The Birmingham Zoo currently has three of the world’s 23 species of vultures. Vultures are an ecologically vital group of birds that face a range of threats.  Come learn about vulture conservation and the important role vultures play in our ecosystem while enjoying a full day of events at the Birmingham Zoo!

Schedule of Events:
10am: Scavenger Hunt near Zoo front entrance
10:30am: White-backed Vulture Keeper Chat near Birds
11am: Scavenger Wildlife Show at Wildlife Stage
11:45am: Cinereous Vulture Keeper Chat at Kiwanis Giraffe Encounter
12pm: Vulture “Vomit” Making to Ward Off Predators Activity at Kiwanis Giraffe Encounter
1:30pm: Black Vulture Keeper Chat at Activity Yard in Children’s Zoo

Bart’s Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
Folded Foil Fun! In August, we will head to the sculpture garden to check out Craig Wedderspoon’s Quilted Vessels and then make our own! A vessel is an object that holds something. Go see what Craig Wedderspoon’s Quilted Vessels hold, and create your own piece using pieces of foil. What will yours hold?
11am – 1pm

Storytime Barnes and Noble – Summit
Join us for good books, activities and cool treats!
11:00 am.

Family Tours, What does a Warrior Wear – 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?
10:30

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

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Sunday August 31st:

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
vs Pensacola Blue Wahoos
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:

Lorikeet Aviary – Our Lorikeet Aviary has more birds than ever! Zoo guests can feed these exotic birds every day. You and your family will see these birds’ behavior as they eat nectar out of your hand.
Weekends 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

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.

52 New Things, 2014. Week 33

Posted on by Angie

Week 33, what we did that was new.

 

Angie –
This week my new thing was trying to decipher 3rd grade math with nothing but a 3rd graders explanation. I still can’t speak much about the incident as it was somewhat traumatizing. That is all.

Kristen –
My New thing is my fitbit flex. You wouldn’t believe how many steps you take just cleaning your house.

What did you do that was new?

Moms Rock Nominations, 2014!

Posted on by Angie

Nominations are officially open for our Moms Rock 2014 presented by:

Monogram Maternity at St. Vincent’s Health System and Royal Cup.

Do you know a mom who manages to make “mommy” look like a verb?  We’re not looking for the “perfect” moms, we’re looking for the ones who love their families and make mommying fun.  We want the women who manage to keep their life balanced, all while putting their kiddos first.  Face it, the moms who rock are everywhere… they’re at the grocery store in stained sweats, they’re at work in a business suit, they are donating their time to local charities, driving carpool and rockin’ the PTA with baked goods, they’re all around you!

We want you to nominate your friends or loved ones who are a “Birmingham Mom who ROCKS!”  10 finalists will be chosen by panel for the chance to win some fabulous prizes and swag!

This will be an exciting and fun night out with live music, food, prizes, swag, and of course some Rockin’ cocktails! It’s sure to be a great night of fun for you and your Mommy Friends! Make plans to join us that night and find out who will be Birmingham’s Most Rockin’ Mom.

September 18th
Cantina PepperPlace

Use the form below to nominate and tell us about your Rockin’ Mom, make sure we have her name! We will accept nominations until August 31st. 10 finalists will be chosen from the nominees and the winner will be selected via reader voting.  A grand prize will be awarded to the winning Mommy at the event on September 18th.

[contact-form-7 id=”15146″ title=”Moms Rock 2014″]

*Nominees from last years event are eligible for nomination again this year, the winner from last year’s event is not.

Thanks to this year’s Sponsors!

 

World of Coca-Cola Ticket Giveaway!

Posted on by Angie

In the spirit of kicking off our favorite season here in the South.. The World of Coca-Cola is offering up a 4 pack of tickets to 1 lucky BirminghamMommy.com reader – If you’re planning to head over to Atlanta to watch the Crimson Tide take on the Mountaineers in the Chick-Fil-A Kick Off Game, this giveaway is perfect for you! We’re also throwing in a $25 gift card to Chick-Fil-A to keep your tummy happy while you’re on the road!

If you are going to Atlanta.. Check out this list of to-do’s while you’re there!

6 Things to Do in Atlanta for the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game

1)      Fan Days at the World of Coca-Cola are August 26 through September 2. Buy your tickets here and receive $3 off general admission to get a glimpse inside the world’s #1 brand and see what the fizz is all about.

2)      As a football fan, how could you not visit the new College Football Hall of Fame? The attraction is going all out for its Grand Opening on August 23. Celebrate the rich history of the game and make memories of your own with historic and contemporary artifacts, interactive multimedia displays, children’s activities and more.

3)      For some free fun, grab your fellow fans and hit up Tailgate Town on the West Plaza. How can you resist food sampling, games, giveaways and a BBQ cook-off?

4)      If you want to take your tailgating up a notch, purchase tickets for the Bama Bash Team Tailgate at the Georgia World Congress Center. Yes, that’s an air-conditioned tailgate featuring pregame entertainment and a delicious buffet.

5)      Refresh yourself with an ice-cold drink and cheer on your favorite team at its Pep Rally when you visit the FanZone presented by Coca-Cola Zero. Don’t miss out on the dozens of interactive games and sponsor attractions.

6)      While walking down the Atlanta streets, it’s likely that you’ll find yourself in the middle of a science-fiction scene. That’s because Dragon Con is returning to Atlanta this Labor Day weekend. For some fantastical fun – and lots of Storm Troopers – check out the annual parade.

Up for Grabs: A 4 pack of general admission tickets to the World of Coca-Cola and a $25 Gift Card to Chick-Fil-A.

Here’s How to Enter:

1. Leave a Comment here on the post letting us know you want them.

2. Share this on your Facebook Page: “@BirminghamMommy and @World of Coca-Cola are kicking off Football Season with a Kickin’ Giveaway! Enter Here: http://ow.ly/AwTPT ”

That’s it! Super Easy to enter! Giveaway ends Sunday, August 24th at 6pm and winner will be announced via email.

Happy Football Season!!

 

5 Things I have learned about being fit and healthy during pregnancy….

Posted on by Angie


By: Erin Holtz

1. Listen to your body!

I learned early on during my pregnancy that you have no idea how growing a baby inside of you is going to affect your body, and how differently you are going to feel each and every day. You have to wake up each morning and decide what works for you that day. If it’s skipping your run and going for a long walk instead, then that is what you have to do. After talking to my doctor and getting the okay to work out, I wanted to make sure I stayed on my normal workout routine, but it was hard when I was constantly nauseated and fatigued. My normal routine was pretty intense since I ran 3 days a week, did weights/cardio 4-5 days per week, and did a boxing workout at least twice a week. Yes, I am a personal trainer so I am harder on myself than most people, but I learned quickly that you can’t push yourself beyond your limits while you are trying to supply nutrients and blood flow to your growing embryo.

2. Continue working out!

Just because your friends or co-workers stopped working out, and became a couch potato during their pregnancy, doesn’t mean you have to do the same. As long as your doctor clears you to continue your normal routine, then that is what you should do. I decided early on that I was going to push myself to continue working out until the day I deliver… and so far I am still running 2 days per week (with more frequent walking breaks), walking 2 days per week, and doing my normal low impact weight and cardio workouts in the gym. The issues I have run into with continuing to run is the heaviness in my legs, due to increased fluid. This means I have to stop and walk more often but I still make myself go out there and at least try. Running for me is my stress reliever and time to reflect, so therefore it is important for me to continue this for my sanity. I would highly recommend doing something active every day!

3. Exercise your abdominals!

Even though your abs will soon be stretched and disappear you should still work on strengthening your core and lower pelvic floor. This is going to help you tremendously during labor. I am not talking about doing crunches or sit-ups because that will lead to a very disappointing condition called diastis recti. Diastis is separation of your abdominal muscles and usually occurs from excessive ab workouts, or straining during your pregnancy and mainly your first trimester. To avoid this try switching your core workout to exercises such as teapots (side bends), wood chops, high planks, or bridges. These will help you strengthen the muscles around your pelvic floor and back to help with an easier labor and quicker recovery.

4. Continue a healthy diet!

As always the first trimester is a hard time to eat healthy, but I found that keeping something small on my stomach at all times with eating a healthy snack every few hours helped tremendously. I had to remind myself…everything you eat, your baby eats and that is something to think about every time you put something in your mouth. I cannot say I haven’t given into some foods, that I normally do not eat, that are not as healthy for me, but as long as you eat these in moderation this won’t hurt you in the long run. Remember the weight you put on during pregnancy, you have to work harder to get off after the baby is here.

5. Get plenty of rest!

Rest as much as you can and don’t push yourself too hard. This was hard for me since I am always on the go and could be doing other things instead of taking a nap. But I learned quickly that a nap during the day when you are exhausted helped out tremendously. When you feel fatigued during pregnancy your body is telling you that you need rest. I had to give in and take a power nap daily during my first and second trimester. That little fetus of yours is using all your energy, and in order to function properly, sometimes a nap is all you need.


Erin Holtz, ATC, ACE-CPT
Erin Holtz is a personal trainer as well as an Athletic Trainer with a degree from The University of Alabama. She holds personal training certification from American Council on Exercise as well as an instructor certification to teach CPR, First Aid, and AED for the infant, child, and adult. After moving to Birmingham, AL following graduation she started working full-time as an athletic trainer and part-time as a personal trainer where she began to realize her passion was not only in the athletic field, but also for helping the general public achieve their life and fitness goals. She now works one-on-one with her clients helping them focus on cardiovascular endurance, plyometrics, core development, rehabilitation, pre- and pos-termt pregnancy, strength, and weight loss. Erin recently joined the HomeFit team and is eager to help you achieve your goals in the comfort of your own home. For more information on Erin and the rest of the HomeFit team, visit www.homefitconsulting.com or call 205-675-7412.

Birmingham Events Calendar: August 17th – August 24th

Posted on by Angie

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

Lots to choose from this week! Sidewalk Film Festival is back for it’s 16th year! The Barons are home most of this week, there are storytimes, and a Back to School Bash at Homewood Park! What ever you decide to do, we hope you have a great week!

Sunday August 17th:

BAAMFest – Avondale Park
BAAMFest aims to offer patrons of all ages an unforgettable musical and cultural arts experience! Join us in emerging Avondale for more than 25 live performances, short films, artistic work created by area youth, special events and a tribute to the Legends of Muscle Shoals, featuring Bad Brad & the Sipsey Sims with special guests David Hood, Kelvin Holley and Will McFarland. Programs are scheduled to include live music from all genres, including jazz, blues, rock, hip-hop, reggae, neo-soul, classic soul, electronica and Latin merengue.
Find more details on the 2014 Avondale Music & Art Festival on Facebook: BAAMfest! Band lineup, event schedule and VIP pass/ticket information available at www.baamfest.com!
3pm – 11pm

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
vs. Chattanooga Lookouts
6pm

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Monday August 18th:

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
vs. Chattanooga Lookouts
7:05

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Tuesday August 19th:

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
vs. Chattanooga Lookouts
7:05

Family Tours, What does a Warrior Wear – 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?
10:30

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
My Pet Book Storytime. What happens when a boy wants a different kind of pet?
11am

Storytime for All Ages – Homewood Public Library
Story Time
10:30am

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Wednesday August 20th:

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
vs. Chattanooga Lookouts
7:05

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

UniverSoul Circus – Legion Field
COME SEE THE MOST INTERACTIVE CIRCUS IN THE WORLD! Our show is a highly interactive combination of circus arts, theater, and music that spans genres including Pop, Classic R&B, Latin, Hip Hop, Jazz and Gospel. It embraces and celebrates the unique and familiar aspects of pop culture globally by bringing them center stage with a cast of international performers. UniverSoul Circus is rated as one of the top three circuses in America.

Our fresh approach to family friendly live entertainment has earned us a coveted spot as one of Ticketmaster’s top ten most requested family events. We hope you gather friends, family and relatives, and come out to our show. Purchase your tickets today!
7:30pm

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Thursday August 21st:

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
vs. Chattanooga Lookouts
7:05

UniverSoul Circus – Legion Field
COME SEE THE MOST INTERACTIVE CIRCUS IN THE WORLD! Our show is a highly interactive combination of circus arts, theater, and music that spans genres including Pop, Classic R&B, Latin, Hip Hop, Jazz and Gospel. It embraces and celebrates the unique and familiar aspects of pop culture globally by bringing them center stage with a cast of international performers. UniverSoul Circus is rated as one of the top three circuses in America.

Our fresh approach to family friendly live entertainment has earned us a coveted spot as one of Ticketmaster’s top ten most requested family events. We hope you gather friends, family and relatives, and come out to our show. Purchase your tickets today!
7:30pm

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Friday August 22nd:

16th Annual Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival
Sidewalk 2014 will take place in the Theatre District of Downtown Birmingham on August 22, 23 and 24. The Alabama Moving Image Association was created to inspire, encourage and support films and filmmaking in Alabama. With eight venues located within Birmingham’s historic Theatre District (featuring the newly restored Alabama Theatre, a 2,200 seat movie palace built by Paramount in 1927), spontaneity rules the schedule of Sidewalk attendees. Low-priced weekend passes provide easy access to Sidewalk venues, encouraging attendees to seek out new films and sample programming they may not otherwise see. The result is a crowd rich in diversity and united in a hunger for new film.
For pricing and a schedule visit their site..

UniverSoul Circus – Legion Field
COME SEE THE MOST INTERACTIVE CIRCUS IN THE WORLD! Our show is a highly interactive combination of circus arts, theater, and music that spans genres including Pop, Classic R&B, Latin, Hip Hop, Jazz and Gospel. It embraces and celebrates the unique and familiar aspects of pop culture globally by bringing them center stage with a cast of international performers. UniverSoul Circus is rated as one of the top three circuses in America.

Our fresh approach to family friendly live entertainment has earned us a coveted spot as one of Ticketmaster’s top ten most requested family events. We hope you gather friends, family and relatives, and come out to our show. Purchase your tickets today!
10:30a, 4:30p and 7:30p

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Saturday August 23rd:

Back to School Bash – Homewood Park
The event will kick off the new school year with an array of rides, inflatables, food, a live DJ and entertainment throughout the night. There is no admission charge to enter Homewood Central Park for the event, but to ride and play on the attractions an unlimited attractions wristband ($10) must be purchased. Proceeds from this years Back to School Bash will benefit the Homewood High School Band and the Homewood Soccer Club.
Homewood Central Park
3pm – 7pm

Hikes for Tykes – Birmingham Botanical Gardens
A member of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens educational staff will take pre-school children and their families on a hands-on educational adventure through the gardens. Free.
10am

16th Annual Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival
Sidewalk 2014 will take place in the Theatre District of Downtown Birmingham on August 22, 23 and 24. The Alabama Moving Image Association was created to inspire, encourage and support films and filmmaking in Alabama. With eight venues located within Birmingham’s historic Theatre District (featuring the newly restored Alabama Theatre, a 2,200 seat movie palace built by Paramount in 1927), spontaneity rules the schedule of Sidewalk attendees. Low-priced weekend passes provide easy access to Sidewalk venues, encouraging attendees to seek out new films and sample programming they may not otherwise see. The result is a crowd rich in diversity and united in a hunger for new film.
For pricing and a schedule visit their site..

Wake up with the Animals – Birmingham Zoo
Have you ever woken up to a lion’s roar? Now is your chance during this once in a lifetime experience to wake up with the animals at the Zoo! Enjoy up-close and personal animal interactions, watch a special Wildlife Show and savor a delicious breakfast at the Kudzoo Café. Space is limited, so you must register *Wake Up With the Animals is an additional cost
$17: non-member adult (Ages 13 and up)
$14: non-member child (Ages 2-12)
$9: member adult (Ages 13 and up)
$6.50: member child (Ages 2-12)
7:30am

Bart’s Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
Folded Foil Fun! In August, we will head to the sculpture garden to check out Craig Wedderspoon’s Quilted Vessels and then make our own! A vessel is an object that holds something. Go see what Craig Wedderspoon’s Quilted Vessels hold, and create your own piece using pieces of foil. What will yours hold?
11am – 1pm

UniverSoul Circus – Legion Field
COME SEE THE MOST INTERACTIVE CIRCUS IN THE WORLD! Our show is a highly interactive combination of circus arts, theater, and music that spans genres including Pop, Classic R&B, Latin, Hip Hop, Jazz and Gospel. It embraces and celebrates the unique and familiar aspects of pop culture globally by bringing them center stage with a cast of international performers. UniverSoul Circus is rated as one of the top three circuses in America.

Our fresh approach to family friendly live entertainment has earned us a coveted spot as one of Ticketmaster’s top ten most requested family events. We hope you gather friends, family and relatives, and come out to our show. Purchase your tickets today!
12p, 4p and 7:30

Storytime Barnes and Noble – Summit
Hometown Hero Storytime featuring Cars and Trucks and Things That Go! Stories, guest readers and activities will round out the fun.
11:00 am.

Family Tours, What does a Warrior Wear – 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?
10:30

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

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Sunday August 24th:

16th Annual Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival
Sidewalk 2014 will take place in the Theatre District of Downtown Birmingham on August 22, 23 and 24. The Alabama Moving Image Association was created to inspire, encourage and support films and filmmaking in Alabama. With eight venues located within Birmingham’s historic Theatre District (featuring the newly restored Alabama Theatre, a 2,200 seat movie palace built by Paramount in 1927), spontaneity rules the schedule of Sidewalk attendees. Low-priced weekend passes provide easy access to Sidewalk venues, encouraging attendees to seek out new films and sample programming they may not otherwise see. The result is a crowd rich in diversity and united in a hunger for new film.
For pricing and a schedule visit their site..

UniverSoul Circus – Legion Field
COME SEE THE MOST INTERACTIVE CIRCUS IN THE WORLD! Our show is a highly interactive combination of circus arts, theater, and music that spans genres including Pop, Classic R&B, Latin, Hip Hop, Jazz and Gospel. It embraces and celebrates the unique and familiar aspects of pop culture globally by bringing them center stage with a cast of international performers. UniverSoul Circus is rated as one of the top three circuses in America.

Our fresh approach to family friendly live entertainment has earned us a coveted spot as one of Ticketmaster’s top ten most requested family events. We hope you gather friends, family and relatives, and come out to our show. Purchase your tickets today!
3:30p and 6:30p

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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:

Lorikeet Aviary – Our Lorikeet Aviary has more birds than ever! Zoo guests can feed these exotic birds every day. You and your family will see these birds’ behavior as they eat nectar out of your hand.
Weekends 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

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.

52 New Things, 2014. Week 32

Posted on by Angie

Here’s what’s new with only 20 (!!) weeks left in this year!!

Angie-
I’ve decided that now with the kiddos back in school it was time to get back to working out. I learned about Lauren Fitz YouTube videos and have been dancing off some calories this week. I love that I can do it from my house so no one has to witness my less than spectacular dance movies. But the best part is, it’s so fun you’ll catch yourself doing more routines than you set out to do, getting in a really good work out. Check her out on Youtube and let me know what you think!

Kristen-
My New Thing this week is Breakfast from Big, Bad, Breakfast. My first visit will definitely not be my last!

Shirley-

Free Bike Helmets through Kohl's ThinkFirst Alabama

Posted on by Angie

According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, bike accidents crash-land more kids in hospital emergency rooms than any other sport. In fact, kids ages 5 to 14 get hurt more often than bikers of any other age! Every day, about 1,000 kids end up in hospital emergency rooms with injuries from bikes – like broken bones or brain concussions. About one kid every day dies of these injuries. Others suffer lifetime problems, like limping or brain damage.

The Kohl’s ThinkFirst Alabama program, a brain and spinal cord injury prevention program located at Children’s of Alabama, will distribute free bike helmets and promote back to school safety at select Kohl’s locations throughout the state this month.

The helmet giveaways are scheduled in Prattville, Birmingham and Madison:

    • Thursday, August 14, from 9 a.m. until noon at 1460 Cotton Exchange, Prattville, 36066
    • Wednesday, August 20, from 9 a.m. until noon at 1100 Inverness Corners, Birmingham, 35242
    • Saturday, August 23, from 9 a.m. until noon at 7630 Highway 72, Madison, 35758

The helmet giveaway is sponsored by Kohl’s ThinkFirst Alabama program, a part of the National Injury Prevention Foundation dedicated to preventing brain, spinal cord and other traumatic injuries through the education of individuals, community leaders and the creators of public policy. Through the generosity of Kohl’s Cares, the helmets are fitted for and then given to the first 100 children at each event.

 

photo credit: <a href=”https://www.flickr.com/photos/saltygrease/501542863/”>SaltyGrease</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a> <a href=”http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/”>cc</a>

Multiplicity: Separation Anxiety

Posted on by Angie

School is underway for most families and for a parent of twins or multiples starting Kindergarten, this can cause some serious anxiety. For the tiny humans and the parents.

Something that families of multiples have to deal with that other families don’t, is the decision to separate their multiples or keep them together when they enter Kindergarten. If you’re even given the choice. I wasn’t

I was in a panic when I learned that our school automatically separated multiples. I googled, I talked to teachers, other Moms of Multiples and decided that splitting them up was going to be the absolute worst thing ever in the world. I wasn’t against separating them eventually, say 1st or 2nd grade. But to me, Kindergarten seemed to be to soon. All I could think about was all of the changes they were going to experience and how overwhelming it would be for them. A big new school, going all day, every day of the week and doing it all while being a part from each other, for the first time in forever.

At one point I even considered petitioning the school board to keep them together. I was thisclose to becoming “that” Mom.  But some how I was able to get myself in check and I’m so thankful that I did because not being together in the same class was actually a very good thing for my girls.

I’ve read articles that stated many sets of twins look back on their separation as a traumatic experience, but from the Moms that I’ve spoken with and with us, it just wasn’t the case. We also prepped our girls heavily for what to expect, so that on the first day of school there were no surprises. They knew where each others classroom was, and thankfully would see each other in the lunch room and on the playground.

It was a very cool experience to watch them grow as individuals throughout the year. They developed their own friendships and became more independent. The one who was typically more comfortable letting her sister do the talking, came out of her shell. They developed their own interests and didn’t just give the same answer the other one did when answering questions about what they liked most about their day/class/activities.

While I have to say I was pleasantly surprised, be prepared for some obstacles. Teachers are all very different and have very different teaching styles. While the curriculum may be the same, the way it’s presented in class may be very different. Homework loads can vary and the way they discipline may not match up. Class parties x’2, that are typically at the same time can create conflict, especially if you’re a parent that likes to get involved. Bonus pressure if you have a singleton also in school and you have to split your time 3 ways. Field trips and birthday parties are tricky, and if you can figure out a way to keep up with which friends belong to which twin, please… Let me know! I never did manage that very well.

All in all our experience was a positive one and I hope that continues to be the case. So, if you’ve sent your multiples off to separate classes this year, take a deep breath, Mama.. They’re going to be ok.. If not better for it in the long run!

 

 

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