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Birmingham Events Calendar: June 22nd – June 29th

Posted on by Angie

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

See what’s happening in Birmingham this week! Lots to do if you’re looking to keep the kiddos busy! The Barons are back home and it’s time again for the Rickwood Classic. If you’ve never done this, it’s definitely worth adding to the to-do list.

If you haven’t been taking advantage of the Free Fun at your local library, shame on you! Get to it! So much to do, so little time!

Have a great week!

Sunday June 22nd:

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
$3.00 Adults (12 years and older)
$2.00 Seniors (Ages 62 and older)
$1.00 Children (Ages 6-11) ages 5 and under free
8am – 4pm

DJ Slim Robb’s Big Adventure – Railroad Park
Join us this Sunday as DJ Slim Robb takes you on a big adventure through music. Put on your dancing shoes and prepare to move as DJ Slim Robb spins all of the greatest hits. From country to pop with a little rhythm and blues, DJ Slim Robb has got you covered! So bring out the kids and your grandparents too and let’s have a good time! This family-friendlly event is free and rated E for everyone. So bring your lawn chairs, we will provide the lawn! Food, beverages and merchandise will be available for purchase. Oh, and don’t forget to tip the DJ!
2pm – 6pm

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Monday June 23rd:

Marvels of Magic – Birmingham Central Library
Kids will be mesmerized with this exciting and educational exploration of science. They will learn about atoms, molecules, and matter. The show is full of experiments to impress and everyone is guaranteed a hair-raising good time. This program is truly booming with explosions, crazy chemistry, and volts and jolts. It will be a blast!
10:30am

Princess Party with Ms Joy – Shelby County Arts Council Gallery, Columbiana
Calling all Princesses in Training! Party will include a dance lesson by Joy’s Dance and staff! Makeup, Nails, Movie, and photos! Every child will go home with a crown. Snacks and juice boxes will be served.
Admission Info:
$45
2nd child in the SAME family add $30
9am – 1pm

Monday Movie – Homewood Library
Monday Movie at Homewood Public Library!
6:15pm

McWane Science Center Stardome Expereince – Homewood Public Library
Under the stars, with the McWane Science Center! Summer Readers welcome, ages 6-12.
Registration required, limited to 30.
10:30am

Story Laboratory, Color – Hoover Public Library
Summer story time! Perfect for children under the age of four years.
9:30am and 10:30am

Tot Time with Ms. Eve. Investigation Splish Splash – Avondale Library
Calling all bath time scientist: join us for some good clean fun with soap and water! Stories, songs, and crafts geared for 2 to 4 year olds with a caregiver. 24-hour advance registration required.
10:30am

Monday Movie – Homewood Public Library
Movie Monday at Homewood Public Library! Get comfy and watch one of our favorite movies with us!
3pm

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Tuesday June 24th:

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
vs. Mississippi Braves
7:05pm

Avondale Library and the Theory of Talent – Avondale Library
After many years of research, we theorize that Avondale children are at the top of the library’s talent gene pool. Join us for our 11th annual talent show as we prove our theory to be fact. Visit the Children’s Department today to register as a performer or as a member of the audience. 24-hour advanced notice of attendance required.
6:30pm

Science In Motion – Emmet O’Neal Library
Lew-E the clown has all kinds of tricks up his sleeve that you don’t want to miss. All ages. No registration required.
10:30am

Eve’s Science Behind the Story – Leeds Library
Listen as Ms. Eve tells the background science plays in her stories. (This is a continuation of last week).
2pm

The Dr. Magical Balloons Fantastic Phantasmogorical Fun Time Balloon Show – Homewood Library
Join us as zany storyteller and balloon artist, Dewayne Reynolds, presents an interactive storytelling show featuring a mad scientist hosting a journey of scientific discovery through a dramatic interpretation of stories.

Program will be in the Large Auditorium.
4pm

Birmingham Zoo to You – Homewood Public Library
Join the Birmingham Zoo and Homewood Library to help celebrate summer reading!
10:30am

Five Little Monkeys Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us for zany monkey fun Storytime featuring Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed. Includes reading and activities.
11am

Family Tours, Africa – 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?

Travel across the globe to Africa!
10:30

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

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Wednesday June 25th:

19th Annual Rickwood Classic – Rickwood Field
Since 1996 the Birmingham Barons have traveled back to historic Rickwood Field once a year to celebrate Birmingham’s rich baseball past. The home of the Birmingham Barons from 1910-1987, Rickwood Field is America’s oldest in-use ballpark. The Friends of Rickwood, a non-profit organization, have helped preserve the timeless relic and part of the proceeds from each year’s Classic goes towards improvements and upkeep on the stadium.
All tickets are general admission for $10. Groups of 10 or more can purchase tickets for $8 a piece.
12:30pm

Radical Reactions, Fizz Bang… Wow. – Springville Road Library
Young scientists will experience fizzing foam, colorful concoctions, and many more science-filled surprises from the McWane Science Center.
10am

May the Force Be with You – Avondale Library
Did you know that centrifugal force is a part of hula hooping? Be a member of the Centrifugal Force Club (CFC) as you listen to some tunes and learn how to move and groove with your hoop. The library is a circle of fun when the hoops start turning.
2pm

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Today we will read Penguin on Vacation by Salina Yoon, a story of how Penguin learns that it isn’t where you go that makes a vacation special — it’s who you spend it with!
11am

Family Story Time with Mr Mac – North Shelby Library
Storyteller Extraordinaire – Come join Mr Mac and his musical storytime complete with puppets! All Ages, no registration required.
10:45am

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Thursday June 26th:

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
vs. Mississippi Braves
7:05pm

Thames and Kosmos Rubber Band Cars – Barnes and Noble Summit
Learn the cool aspects of physics by building your own speeding race car! For ages 7 and up.
2pm

Dr. Magical Balloon Program – Barnes and Noble Summit
Sponsored by Vestavia Public Library — Children’s Department. You won’t believe your eyes as you watch what DeWayne Reynolds sculpts with balloons, stories and fun! Everyone is welcome.
3pm

Ms Frizzies Fizz, Boom, Zap and Wow! – Hoover Public Library
Science Lab Demonstration. Registration begins June 5. For Grades 1-3
4pm and 6:30pm

Family Night with Farmer Jason – Clay Community Center
This highly acclaimed live show features sing-alongs, dancing, and discussions about nature appreciation, ecology, and farm animals. Farmer Jason performs solo with just his acoustic guitar, which adds to the spontaneous, high energy nature of his concerts
6pm – 9pm

Pirate Chris and his Matey’s – Homewood Public Library
A special musical pirates program and snacks!
6:15pm

LEGO Mania – Leeds Library
Come play with us! (Children old enough not to put Legos in their mouths are welcome!) We spend an hour creating new structures and having fun!
2pm

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Friday June 27th:

Relax By the Tracks – Railroad Park
Relax by the Tracks is back for a 3rd season at Railroad Park! Join us for free music from Little House and Omari Jazz and fun. Food and drinks are available for puchase at George’s Boxcar Cafe. Leave work behind… Relax by the Tracks!

Barons home games begin at 7:05pm after every Relax by the Tracks event.
5pm – 7pm

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
vs. Mississippi Braves
7:05pm

Columbiana Liberty Day – Main Street Columbiana
The City of Columbiana presents the 29th Annual Liberty Day Celebration. Live band and street celebration. Bad Brad and the Sipsey Slims will be performing.
7pm

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Saturday June 28th:

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
vs. Mississippi Braves
6:30pm

Homewood’s Pickin in the Park – Homewood Park
Do you play well with others? Bring your musical instrument to Homewood City Park! We promise shade, water, ice and lots of musicians to hang out with. Come early and get a t-shirt or button!
4pm – 8pm

Pinhole Camera Workshop – Makebhm
Build your own pinhole camera out of a paint can, cookie tin, oatmeal box, or any other light proof container. This is a great activity for all ages, and is a good introduction to chemistry, and the science of light waves for youngsters. Bring up to 3 light proof containers. All other materials will be provided. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. We want this to be a “team effort” workshop, one adult and 2 children per ticket please.
Noon – 5pm

Columbiana Liberty Day – Main Street Columbiana
The City of Columbiana presents the 29th Annual Liberty Day Celebration. Live band and street celebration.
Events start at 8:00 am.
Parade at 3:30 pm.
Bands and Fireworks at Shelby County High School Football field begins at 7:00 pm

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!
In June, we will create summer silhouettes! “Draw” with black lines and fill in the rest with color!.
11am – 1pm

Barts 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 Mama is it summer yet?, by Nikki McClure.
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
Come and check out what fun Duck and Goose are up to now as we read Duck & Goose Go to the Beach by Tad Hills!
11am

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Sunday June 29th:

Jazz in the Park – Avondale Park
Jose Carr and Julian Vaughn –
6pm – 9pm
Free Event

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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 24

Posted on by Angie

Here’s what’s new with us this week.

Angie –
I allowed by 8 year old to get her ears pierced. I know this would be a better “New Thing” if it were me getting my ears pierced but since I’ve never had a daughter do this, I’m counting it. She was a champ and looks absolutely adorable, if I do say so myself.

Kristen –
For my New Thing. I went to the Cocktails on the Farm at Jones Valley Teaching Farm. Fantastic Event for a great cause and I barely noticed the heat.

Shirley –
As an avid reader I decided it was time to stop squinting at the tiny screen on my phone and invest in a kindle. I got the paperwhite and couldn’t be happier! Was the perfect companion for my recent beach trip!

 

Recipe: One Pan, Chicken and Vegetable Bake

Posted on by Angie

If there’s one thing I love as much as a crockpot meal, it’s a meal that can be cooked all together in one big pan. Especially when you can use some yummy fresh summer veggies. Try this after your next run to the Farmers Market.

What you’ll need:

3 Boneless Chicken Breast
2 Cans of Green Beans (or substitute with any fresh veggie you like or have on hand, I used fresh squash, zucchini and onion )
Red Skinned Potatoes
1 Packet Zesty Italian Dressing Mix
1 Stick of Butter

What you’ll Do:

Cut your chicken breast in half. Add cut up potatoes down one side of pan and your green beans (or other veggie) down the other side.
Sprinkle with packet of Zesty Italian, melt butter and drizzle over the top of all of it. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350 for 1 hour.

Once baked, remove foil and broil for another 4-5 minutes until chicken is golden brown on top.

That’s it. Easy Peasy, a tasty meal in just 1 pan!

Tips for Making Family Fun Night… Fun!

Posted on by Angie
Photo by: Deklofenak - Istockphoto

Summer time is a great time to incorporate some Family Fun nights into your routine. The kids are staying up a little later and Mom and/or Dad may be able to swing getting home from work a little early to help kick things off. Here are some ideas on how you can make the most of a fun night at home with the family:

Movie night– It’s the standard fun night, rent a movie and throw a blanket in the floor!  Pop some popcorn and order a pizza, the kids will love having an indoor picnic. Don’t forget to take a trip to the dollar store for their favorite candy.

Pizza night– Make your own little pizzas.  Let the kids spread a little flour on the counter, knead their dough, and pile on the toppings.  Use the toppings to make special designs- flowers, smiley faces, etc.

Theme nights– Pick a movie or a game and theme your dinner (or entire night) around it.  Rent “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” and then make spaghetti for dinner.  Play Candyland and bake some brownies together. If you have a healthy dress up collection, let the kids dress up to match the theme for the evening.

Game Night – Let everyone bring their favorite game to the living room and take turns playing everyone’s favorite game. They’ll love that everyone gets to participate and share their game.

Invent a game– Obstacle courses, costume contests, random relay races…. Let the kids make up the rules, you’ll be surprised at how creative they can get when given license to play!

What does your family do on Family Fun Night?

Birmingham Events Calendar: June 15th – June 22nd

Posted on by Angie

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

What are you doing this week with the tiny humans? We have a few ideas of some fun happening around Birmingham! Don’t forget to check our list of Free and Discounted summer movies to see what’s playing! Hope you have a GREAT week!

 

Sunday June 15th:

Happy Father’s Day, BirminghamDaddys!!

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
vs Montgomery Biscuits
3:00pm

Outdoors with Dad – Birmingham Zoo
In recognition of Father’s Day, all fathers get in FREE to the Birmingham Zoo with the purchase of a full-price child’s admission ticket. Throughout the day, guests can check out Wildlife Shows, watch the Red Diamond Sea Lion Splash Show, experience Predator Zone, enjoy a “keeper meet and greet” in the reptile building and much more.

Repticon Birmingham Reptile and Exotic Pet Show – Zamora Shrine Temple
Repticon Birmingham is a reptile event featuring vendors offering reptile pets, supplies, feeders, cages, and merchandise. Participate in free raffles held for enthusiasts, animal seminars, and kid’s activities.
Adults – $10
Children (5-12) – $5
4 & under – Free
10am – 4pm

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Monday June 16th:

Story Laboratory: Ocean – Hoover Public Library
Summer story time! Perfect for children under the age of four years.
9:30am and 10:30am

Tot Time with Ms. Eve. Mother Goose Science – Avondale Library
Please join us as we sing, laugh, and experiment our way through some of our favorite Mother Goose rhymes! Stories, songs, and crafts geared for 2 to 4 year olds with a caregiver. 24-hour advance registration required.
10:30am

Monday Movie – Homewood Public Library
Movie Monday at Homewood Public Library! Get comfy and watch one of our favorite movies with us!
3pm

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Tuesday June 17th:

Ventriloquist – Emmet O’Neal Library
Ventriloquist Cliff Patton brings to life his hilarious puppet Skeeter. All ages. No registration required.
10:30am

Do you hear what I hear – Avondale Library
Join Alabama 4-H and their cast of kid-friendly critters as they present the sounds animals make and why. We say Fizz, Boom, Read…they say Chirp, Squeak, Ribbit!
6:30pm

Home Depot Hands On Workshop – Clay Community Center
Registration is required for this free hands-on workshop presented by a Home Depot staff member. This event is for ages 5-12 only. Call us or e-mail to register. Check with us as the date gets closer for more details on the specific project. Join us for our 5th annual summer library program! We have lots of fun events planned for the whole family, whether you are participating in the reading portion of the program or not! Everyone is invited; we want the whole community to get involved, so help us spread the word! Prizes will be awarded to children, teens, and adults who are checking out library books and reading! Summer events will be held on various days and times in order to give everyone a chance to participate. A schedule of events is available on our facebook page and our web site. Sign-up BEGINS Monday, June 2nd, and continues throughout the summer. Feel free to call or e-mail us with questions.
6pm

Skin and Bones Comedy Circus – Homewood Public Library
Skin and Bones’ Comedy Circus comes to Homewood Public Library! Fun and laughs for all ages!
10:30am

Family Tours, Africa – 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?

Travel across the globe to Africa!
10:30

David Engel Presents Pirate School – Hoover Public Library
Pirate School! is a swashbuckling variety show with physical comedy and a mischievous blend of improvisational clown comedy and audience participation.
10:30p, 2pm and 6:30p

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

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Wednesday June 18th:

LEGO My Library – Homewood Library
It’s LEGO time at Avondale Library. Join us for an afternoon of creative crazy constructing. We will provide the LEGOS, so please do not bring any with you unless you plan to donate them! LEGO bricks are designed for children ages 4 and up. Space is limited. Registration required.
2pm

David Engel Presents Pirate School – Hoover Public Library
Pirate School! is a swashbuckling variety show with physical comedy and a mischievous blend of improvisational clown comedy and audience participation.
10:30 and 2pm

Viva La Musica – Gardendale Library
Come join the fun as Music Therapist Marion Haase reads stories, plays guitar, and sings in both Spanish and English!
9:30am

Bham Zoom Fizz Boom, Live Animals – Bessemer Library
The Birmingham Zoo will present their Zoom Fizz Boom Zoom! animal presentation at our library. Please join us for some fun learning about different animals. Get to see the animals you will learn about in person!
Ages: 2-11yrs old
10am

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
In this classic story by Leo Lionni, we are charmed by the brave and ingenious little Swimmy!
11am

Family Story Time with Mr Mac – North Shelby Library
Storyteller Extraordinaire – Come join Mr Mac and his musical storytime complete with puppets! All Ages, no registration required.
10:45am

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Thursday June 19th:

David Engel Presents Pirate School – Hoover Public Library
Pirate School! is a swashbuckling variety show with physical comedy and a mischievous blend of improvisational clown comedy and audience participation.
10:30 and 2pm

Steve Burgess, Maynard, Magic and Music – Homewood Public Library
Join us at Homewood Public Library for an evening of magic!
6:15

Puppeteer David Stephens, The Reluctant Dragon – Vestavia Hills Library
The Reluctant Dragon will be presented. Second performance at Liberty Park Elementary gym at 3:00 pm.
10:30am

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Friday June 20th:

Fizz Boom Blocks – Springville Road Library
Kids can participate in fun and educational Lego building activities. We will build creatively, play games, and create a craft! No need to bring your own blocks! The library will provide all the supplies. This program is intended for elementary age children.
4pm

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Saturday June 21st:

St Vincent’s Block Party  & Health Festival – St Vincents One Nineteen Health and Wellness
• Live music from the Rock Candy Band
• An incredible demonstration from the Flyball Dogs
• Tumblebus®, games, and face painting for the kids
• Rock wall climbing
• Free chair massages
• Free Zumba®, hula hoop, and Spinning® introductions
• Food vendors
• Healthy information booths
• Strength and conditioning competitions – preview of NEW Sports Performance program
• Meet local physicians and take advantage of these FREE HEALTH SCREENINGS:
• Cholesterol
• Blood Sugar
• Blood Pressure
• Skin Cancer Screenings
• Foot Analysis
• Physical Therapy Assessments
• Vision
• Hearing
• And more!!
FREE – 5pm – 8pm

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!
In June, we will create summer silhouettes! “Draw” with black lines and fill in the rest with color!.
11am – 1pm

Barts 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 Mama is it summer yet?, by Nikki McClure.
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.

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
$3.00 Adults (12 years and older)
$2.00 Seniors (Ages 62 and older)
$1.00 Children (Ages 6-11) ages 5 and under free
8am – 4pm

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Are We There Yet? written by Sam Williams and illustrated by Manja Stojic is a delightful story about Mother Duck taking her ducklings on a long walk!
11am

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Sunday June 22nd:

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
$3.00 Adults (12 years and older)
$2.00 Seniors (Ages 62 and older)
$1.00 Children (Ages 6-11) ages 5 and under free
8am – 4pm

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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 23

Posted on by Angie

Still logging some new things. What did you do new this week?

Angie –
My new thing this week was to see Bruno Mars in Concert. It was a long time waiting since we got the tickets the day after the Superbowl (which I think played a huge part in him selling out the BJCC Arena) But I can say it was completely worth the wait. Was probably the loudest concert I’ve ever been too, or maybe I’m getting old but he puts on a great show and I highly recommend seeing him if he comes back, or through your town.

Kristen –
My new thing is staying with some friends at their lake house. You can forward my mail – I’m never leaving.

What Dads REALLY Want for Father's Day!

Posted on by Angie

By Daniel Evans:

It took 58 years and two World Wars before Father’s Day would join the ranks of Mother’s Day as in officially recognized national holiday.  In the early 1900s, a florist remarked that, concerning the absence of an official Father’s Day holiday, “…fathers haven’t the same sentimental appeal that mothers have.”  I’m telling you this not out of bitterness but rather to illustrate a point – that a vast majority of the fathers I know (actually ALL of the fathers I know) spend way more time thinking about what they are going to do for their moms, wives, aunts, sisters, etc. on Mother’s Day than they ever do thinking, “What do I want for Father’s Day this year?”

Now, we all know the most traditional Father’s Day gift – the tie.  I was curious why and did some research.  What did I find?  Apparently no one has any idea why a tie became the go-to Father’s Day gift.  There’s no significant meaning behind the tie and no powerful mythology associated with the tie as a Father’s Day gift.  It seems to simply be that fathers have always worn ties, so that’s what they have always gotten on Father’s Day.  Other traditional gifts have been watches, socks, power tools, and slippers.  These are all fine gifts – I’d be happy and grateful for any one of them.  I need socks, I sometimes wear ties, I think power tools look cool and I’m great at pretending to know how to use them, and if I had a pair of slippers I’m sure I’d enjoy them.  The problem is, however, that when I really consider the question of, “What do I want for Father’s Day?” none of these are even close.
So what do I want for Father’s Day?  Here’s my Father’s Day wish list:

1.    The first one involves my four legged children.  For Father’s Day, I want my dogs to get together and agree on a six square foot area in the yard in which to do their business.  That’s right, you heard me – my first wish involves poop.  I have a very modest yard.  It doesn’t take very long to mow and it didn’t cost us a ton when we had it fenced in.  However, there is this thing that happens when I go to scoop up the dog’s poop – the yard magically turns into a vast, unending desert.  I spend what seems like hours wandering the yard, back and forth, uncovering poop treasures along the way.  I’m like the Israelites wandering in the desert.  And, of course, I always manage to miss a few spots which are soon uncovered by my three year old’s tennis shoe.  So for Father’s Day, I want my dogs to pick a spot and leave it all there.

2.    My second wish involves golf.  No, I don’t want new clubs.  I don’t want a weekend getaway with the guys.  I don’t even want tickets to the next Master’s.  Nope, what I want for Father’s Day is to be able to lay on the couch on a Sunday afternoon, turn on the final round of the tournament, and…nap.  There may be no greater sleep on earth than the kind that comes to falling asleep with the T.V. quietly humming with the sounds of golf.  It’s like an entire night’s rest compacted in to two hours.  For Father’s Day, I want an uninterrupted Sunday afternoon two hour golf nap.

3.    My third wish involves some recognition.  I would like appropriate acknowledgment for the beating I take on an almost daily basis when wrestling two small children.  I don’t care that my kids are only 7 and 3, any creature running full speed and then launching knee-first onto your back hurts like hell.  And of course, as a dad, I must show no pain.  I would like an official proclamation stating that all dads who wrestle with their kids, who take what seems like an unending barrage of errant kicks to the crotch – and still manage to continue on – are supermen.

4.    For my final Father’s Day wish I would like to continue the tradition that started when my sisters and I couldn’t figure out what to give my step-father one year for Father’s Day.  What came out of that dilemma was our new, official Father’s Day go-to item – the tacky yard ornament.  Every Father’s Day became a quest to find an awful display of lawn art worse than the last year’s.  It was an accidental tradition – always the best kind.  When I became a father, the tradition became mine, as well.  So far, I’ve been thoroughly impressed by the amazingly awful stuff my wife and kids have been able to locate.  There is something about carrying on this silly tradition that gives me a sense of connection to my father and, in a strange way, to fatherhood in general.  I hope my son will be fortunate enough someday to join in the tradition.

So there it is, my Father’s Day wish list.  No ties, no socks, no watches, no power tools, no slippers.  I’d be perfectly happy with any of them – but I’d rather just have a horribly lovely garden gnome.

About Daniel:
Daniel currently lives in Helena with his wife, Kristen, and two children – Andrew, and Victoria.  After working in the mental health field for 10 years, Daniel has recently received his teaching certificate and will begin his new life as a teacher in the fall.  Along with daily wrestling matches with the kids, Daniel spends much of his time trying to find something for Andrew to eat.

Birmingham Events Calendar: June 8th – June 15th

Posted on by Angie

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

The libraries continue to be a hot spot for summer activities, if we haven’t listed your library here, check with them specifically to see what special events they have planned. So much fun, so little space here on the calendar. Don’t forget to check out which movies are free and discounted this week!

The Barons will be back home later this week and there are several things happening to help keep Dad busy on Father’s Day! Have a great week!

Sunday June 8th:

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
vs. Jackson Generals
3:00pm

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Monday June 9th:

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
vs. Jackson Generals
11:30am

Story Laboratory: Weather – Hoover Public Library
Summer story time! Perfect for children under the age of four years.
9:30 – 10am
10:30 – 11am

Tot Time with Ms. Eve. Let’s Get Buggy – Avondale Library
Come along and become an entomologist as you learn about Mrs. Eve’s favorite insects, arachnids, and arthropods through story and song! Stories, songs, and crafts geared for 2 to 4 year olds with a caregiver. 24-hour advance registration required.
10:30am

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Tuesday June 10th:

Walkabout Puppets presents Goldilocks and the 3 Bears – Hoover Public Library
Bob Parsons brings Goldilocks and the Three Bears to life with his famous marionette puppets to The Library Theatre.
10:30, 2:00pm, 6:00pm

The Mobile Dairy Classroom – Homewood Public Library
10:30am

Pop Pop Fizz Fizz Oh What Fun it Is – Avondale Library
Join the Avondale Youth Department as we pop in and out and all about with our style of fizzy fun; the show is guaranteed to be very pop-ular. 24-hour advanced notice of attendance required.
6:30pm

Ms Eve Presents Science of Stories – Leeds Library
Did you know that some literature is based on science? Did you know the ancients told stories to their children to explain the things they didn’t understand? Listen, as Ms. Eve tell her stories and explains how science is a part of all stories.
2pm – 3pm

Fizz Boom ZOOm – Clay Community Center
Zoo staffers will bring some favorite zoo animals to Clay! Join us for our 5th annual summer library program! We have lots of fun events planned for the whole family, whether you are participating in the reading portion of the program or not! Everyone is invited; we want the whole community to get involved, so help us spread the word! Prizes will be awarded to children, teens, and adults who are checking out library books and reading! Summer events will be held on various days and times in order to give everyone a chance to participate. A schedule of events is available on our facebook page and our web site. Sign-up BEGINS Monday, June 2nd, and continues throughout the summer. Feel free to call or e-mail us with questions
10am

Science of Sound, The Beatin’ Path – Emmet O’Neal Library
Interactive percussion and rhythm show. All ages. No registration required.
10:30

Family Tours, Africa – 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?

Travel across the globe to Africa!
10:30

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

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Wednesday June 11th:

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
vs Montgomery Biscuits
7:05pm

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us as we read How to Cheer Up Dad by Fred Koehler and find out how Little Jumbo helps dad to have a better day!
11am

Walkabout Puppets presents Goldilocks and the 3 Bears – Hoover Public Library
Bob Parsons brings Goldilocks and the Three Bears to life with his famous marionette puppets to The Library Theatre.
10:30 and 2pm

Doc McStuffins, The Doctors in Storytime – Bessemer Library
Join us for a special Doc McStuffins themed storytime. We invite families, daycares, and preschools to a song, dance, and most of all some great stories!
Ages 2-5 yrs old
10am

Family Story Time with Mr Mac – North Shelby Library
Storyteller Extraordinaire – Come join Mr Mac and his musical storytime complete with puppets! All Ages, no registration required.
10:45am

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Thursday June 12th:

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
vs Montgomery Biscuits
7:05pm

Walkabout Puppets presents Goldilocks and the 3 Bears – Hoover Public Library
Bob Parsons brings Goldilocks and the Three Bears to life with his famous marionette puppets to The Library Theatre.
10:30 and 2pm

PJ Storytime – Homewood Public Library
Wear your favorite PJs and join us for stories, songs, milk, and cookies!
6:15pm

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Friday June 13th:

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
vs Montgomery Biscuits
7:05pm

Mobile Dairy Classroom – Springville Library
A real-life dairy cow will be visiting the library! We’ll learn about how milk gets from the farm to the fridge.
10am

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Saturday June 14th:

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
vs Montgomery Biscuits
6:30pm

Minion Mania – Hoover Public Library
Join every criminal mastermind’s favorite henchmen for a program filled with Minion Mania!  All ages
10:30

Father’s Day Limited- Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum
Treat Dad to a train ride through the forests of Shelby County!  See railroad artifacts, memorabilia, and books in restored depots, and visit the Railroad Signal Yard.

Dad rides for ½ regular coach fare when accompanied by one or more of his children!

Admission Info:

Adults ages 12 and up – 12.84
Child ages 2 through 11 – $9.17
Family Four Pack, Two adults & Two children – save $5
Caboose – $22.94
Locomotive – $32.11

General Day and Time Info:

Board 15 minutes before departure time.
11am and 2pm

Repticon Birmingham Reptile and Exotic Pet Show – Zamora Shrine Temple
Repticon Birmingham is a reptile event featuring vendors offering reptile pets, supplies, feeders, cages, and merchandise. Participate in free raffles held for enthusiasts, animal seminars, and kid’s activities.
Adults – $10
Children (5-12) – $5
4 & under – Free
10am – 4pm

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!
In June, we will create summer silhouettes! “Draw” with black lines and fill in the rest with color!.
11am – 1pm

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

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us in celebrating hardworking dads for Father’s Day Storytime featuring Mighty Dads. Includes activities and a Father’s Day card-making craft.
11am

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Sunday June 15th:

 Happy Father’s Day, BirminghamDaddys!!

Birmingham Barons – Regions Field
vs Montgomery Biscuits
3:00pm

Outdoors with Dad – Birmingham Zoo
In recognition of Father’s Day, all fathers get in FREE to the Birmingham Zoo with the purchase of a full-price child’s admission ticket. Throughout the day, guests can check out Wildlife Shows, watch the Red Diamond Sea Lion Splash Show, experience Predator Zone, enjoy a “keeper meet and greet” in the reptile building and much more.

Repticon Birmingham Reptile and Exotic Pet Show – Zamora Shrine Temple
Repticon Birmingham is a reptile event featuring vendors offering reptile pets, supplies, feeders, cages, and merchandise. Participate in free raffles held for enthusiasts, animal seminars, and kid’s activities.
Adults – $10
Children (5-12) – $5
4 & under – Free
10am – 4pm

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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 22

Posted on by Angie

Our New Things for this week… What did you do?

 

Angie-
My new thing this week is Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cups. Holy Awesomeness, these things are Ahh-Mazing!! Like hide in the laundry room so you don’t have to share, Ah-Mazing. Try them. You know you want to!

Kristen –
This week my New Thing is that i was too busy binge watching Season 2 of Orange is the New Black to do anything new this week. Sorry but you’re probably too busy watching it to read this anyway.

Shirley –
Any week that a new Adult Beverage is your New Thing, you know it was a good week. This week, while out celebrating Kristen’s Birthday, I ordered the Strawberry Lemonade from Five and it was Yummo!

Parenting with a PhD: Spanking

Posted on by Angie

By Kristen Berthiaume:

If you try to research how often spanking is used as a form of discipline, you’ll get 59 million different answers. It depends on the study, the ethnicity of the parents, the region where they live, religious  beliefs, etc., etc., etc. From what I can tell, spanking is used here in the south. A. Lot. Estimates of percentage of parents who spank or have spanked range from 60% to 90%. Despite the fact that spanking is used to deal with problematic behavior at least as much as, if not more than, other methods, there have been numerous research studies indicating that it doesn’t work to teach children how to behave and very well may be making behavioral problems more likely to occur in the future. A larger scale study by Gershoff (2002) reviewed 88 other studies (called a “meta-analysis”) about the effects of spanking and found numerous harmful side effects, including increased aggression and delinquency in childhood, crime and antisocial behavior in adulthood, low empathy or conscience, poor parent-child relations, and mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Research consistently shows that spanking isn’t even effective in managing short-term behavior problems for many children. Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychological Association recommend that parents not use spanking at all. Of course, you will find research studies concluding that occasional, “appropriate” (Read: non-abusive) spanking isn’t harmful but the vast majority of research in this area indicates otherwise. Anecdotally, I’ve worked with countless families who tell me that they spank regularly but that it doesn’t work (of course, most families don’t come to see me because the discipline they’re trying works for their child) – there may well be a group of parents out there who use spanking with successful results and have no need for help with behavior management).

Full disclosure: my children have never been spanked and won’t be. My husband and I do discipline them and (most days but please don’t ask about this particular week…) have success. In this article, I’ve tried to summarize some of the reasons that so many parents continue to use spanking, despite evidence that it’s ineffective for many children (and may actually be making behavioral problems worse). Do any of these reasons apply to you?

Reason #1: “It works for my kids.” For some percentage of you, occasional, well-controlled spanking may works just fine. Your kids understand that spanking is a likely consequence of having broken a rule and don’t seem overly angry at you when you administer it. Chances are, you’re also using other forms of discipline (e.g., time outs, loss of privileges, earning rewards, etc.) as the situation warrants. If things are going this well, you could probably avoid spanking altogether if you wanted to. In this case, do what you feel is best but do be aware that some research shows that negative effects of spanking aren’t apparent until later in life.

Reason #2: “My parents spanked me and I turned out fine.” That may well be and, as long as Reason #1 applies to your situation also, do what you feel is working. However, if you’re spanking because you were spanked but it doesn’t actually seem to be helping improve your child’s behavior, consider whether you’re limiting yourself too much. As parents, we need a full tool belt – (millions of) different strategies that can be applied in (millions of) different situations. And keep in mind that the tools that work with one child may be useless for another. Maybe your daughter accepts her spankings like a trooper but your son has a two-hour emotional meltdown when physical punishment is even mentioned. He might respond better to a time out or discussion about his behavior (trust me, this is punishment enough for many kids). If we want our kids to learn how to regulate their own behavior and emotions, we’d do best to use the minimal amount of intervention needed to get the point across. If your child can learn from a stern look or gentle reminder, do this. Don’t feel like you have to go through the entire spanking process just because that’s how you were parented. Remember, you want your child to make good choices even when you’re not there to provide a threat or spanking. Helping him develop awareness of his behavior and the likely natural consequences of it works best for this.

Reason #3: “My parents/pastor/spouse/child’s teacher/neighbor/best friend told me to.” Well, if your parents/pastor/spouse/child’s teacher/neighbor/best friend told you to jump off a bridge… If you’re spanking because someone else has told you that you should, reconsider this approach. You know your kids better than anyone else, with the possible exception of your spouse, and shouldn’t base important parenting decisions like this on what someone else tells you to do. First, ask yourself if you feel O.K. about spanking. If the answer is “No,” find another method to use for disciplining your kids – life is too short to spend feeling guilty. Second, think about how spanking is affecting your kids. Are they better behaved for having been spanked? If yes, Reason #1 might apply to you. If no, why are you continuing to use discipline that’s ineffective for your child? Talk to your kid’s pediatrician about help coming up with new things to try. Third, does your child seem to have anger, anxiety, or depression? Do those issues get worse after she has been spanked? If this describes your child, the spanking may actually be causing or worsening significant mood or behavioral problems. Talk to your child’s doctor about getting some help for her and stop spanking right away – it’s not having the desired effect and may be harming your child emotionally. Now, if you spank because you’re following the Bible, consider this: “Spare the rod, spoil the child” is a paraphrase of Proverbs 13:24 and many interpret it to mean that parents should spank to avoid raising bratty kids. First, peruse Exodus (specifically, 35:2) and Leviticus (specifically, 11:8; 19:19; 19:27; 24:16; 25:44) for a bunch of advice from the Bible that I can pretty much guarantee most of us aren’t currently following (We can’t touch pigskin? That’s pretty much all we do around here come football season…). As you can see, not everything that applied to society then is directly relevant today. Second, choosing not to spank doesn’t mean you won’t discipline your child in any way. There are countless other methods that don’t involve corporal punishment and haven’t been shown to have any harmful effects.

Reason #4: “I don’t really know what else to do.” If spanking doesn’t seem to be helping or is making your child’s behavior worse, don’t worry – there are other options out there and something will eventually work for your child. If you feel clueless as to what to try, talk with your child’s doctor and ask for a referral for a psychologist or therapist who helps parents manage their kids’ behavior. It may not even be necessary to directly involve your child in sessions. After taking a history and finding out more about the current problem, your therapist will help guide you through trying different discipline strategies until you find a few that help your child. Trust that something will work and attempt the techniques, even if you’ve tried them before and they didn’t seem effective. Sometimes we expect our behavioral management to work magically and overnight but discipline is a learning process. In fact, the word “discipline” comes from “disciple” (now we’re in the New Testament…) and means “to train or develop by instruction.” No one trains for anything overnight! Another benefit of working with a therapist instead of doing this by yourself is that it helps you step back and see how your child’s behavior is improving a little at a time. Once you find techniques that have some benefit and that you feel good about, you stick to them and have faith that, although your child will backslide (and so will you), over time you are not “spoiling” but guiding him to successfully walk the path toward adulthood, first with you and, later, 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 six-year-old and newborn daughters and three-year-old son.

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