☰

Free Admission to McWane, Birmingham Zoo and Vulcan Park!

Posted on by Angie

Birmingham attractions have free admission for up to two kids with a paid adult admission this week as part of the Birmingham Spring Fling and Street Festival.

If you’ve been wondering what to do with the tiny humans this week, here’s your answer.

Admission for up to two children is free with an adult’s paid admission to the McWane Science Center, The Birmingham Zoo and Vulcan Park and Museum this week with printable coupons from the City of Birmingham.

Spring Fling will end with a Street Fest celebration Thursday and Friday nights – complete with music, games, and other activities – at dusk in Linn Park.

Click here to access the tickets.

We hope you’re having a great Spring Break!

8 Ways to Keep Your Child Safe

Posted on by Angie

By Jessica Socheski:

Most people agree that their home is their safe haven from the outside world.  But, according to the National Safety Council, most accidental deaths come from  unintentional accidents inside the house or personal vehicle.

Instead of falling victim to a tragedy, use these eight tips to keep you and your children  safe wherever you go.

1. Home Alarm

Installing a home security system can help prevent break-ins from happening. When thieves see a home security sign in the front yard or window or hear the piercing alarm after they break-in, they tend to move on quickly before inflicting any more damage.

2. Fire Safety

Eighty-five percent of all fire deaths occur within the home. Many of these are related to either a broken fire alarm or no smoke detecting system within the home. If you do not have fire alarms within the home, install them as soon as possible. If you already have fire alarms, regularly check to ensure that they are in working order. And for further safety, link your smoke detectors so that when one detects a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning it alerts the rest and entire home.

3. Pool Safety

Drowning is one of the leading causes of death amongst children; thus, children should never be left unsupervised in a pool or alone in a bathtub. Even if they know how to swim, it is imperative that a child in the pool be accompanied by an adult. Parents can purchase pool safety gates to guarantee that children playing outside in the backyard will not fall into the pool.

4. Prevent Poisoning

Any chemicals like cleaning products, detergent, bleach, rubbing alcohol or typical bathroom products like perfume or hair products, are dangerous if ingested orally or put into contact with the eyes. Keep these products on a higher shelf, in a locked cabinet, or in an area children cannot reach or enter. Call poison control immediately if anyone ingests poison.

5. Keep Children From Choking

Suffocation is another serious cause of death in children four years and younger. Always put babies to sleep on their backs on a firm mattress, not a soft cushion, pillow or blanket. Children under four can choke on firm, round foods such as popcorn, nuts, grapes and hard candy. So new foods should be introduced carefully.

6. Prevent Falls

More than 50 percent of all falls occur in the home. Children are almost as likely as seniors to be injured in a fall, though they typically recover much faster. Your home should be clear of tripping hazards, and there should be safety gates around stairs.

7. Wear A Helmet

In most states, children under 16 must wear a helmet when biking, but many kids refuse. If a child falls off of their bike, skateboard, skates or scooter, a helmet can prevent life threatening brain injuries.

8. Buckle Up

In the event of a car accident, being buckled can mean the difference between life and death. About every 12-1/2 minutes, someone in the United States is killed because of an auto accident. The simple act of buckling a seatbelt can save your life.

Keep your family safe by following these few simple tips.

About Jessica Socheski:
Jessica Socheski is a freelance writer who loves family life and is currently researching home security. You can find her on Google+ or at The Teaching Box where she edits.

Image Source: www.femfatl.com

Birmingham Spring Break Calendar, 2014

Posted on by Angie

Spring Break is here! Holla!

Our calendar is packed this week, which is a good thing since you’ll need more events to choose from!

Here is a list of things to do to keep the kids happy and busy this week!

 

 

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

McWane Science Center-

Brain Awareness Week
MARCH 24-28
Included in museum admission, FREE for members
Join UAB students for a chance to dissect a sheep brain or a cow eye and various interactive activities that describe how the senses work.

VINTAGE VIDEO GAME LOUNGE
MARCH 24-26
Included in museum admission, FREE for members
See how home video game technology has evolved from its earliest form in this unique gamecenter which will feature dozens of classic video game consoles and even a large screen gaming system.

POLAR PRIZE PACKS!
Register for prizes at IMAX between March 22-30.
You do not have to be present to win
One lucky visitor to McWane will go home with a 36″ Coca-Cola Polar Bear each day of Spring Break. Plus, one “To the Arctic-themed” Birthday Party for up to 30 people will be given out at the end of the week.

Birmingham Zoo –

There is no better place to spend your Spring Break than the Birmingham Zoo! Seasonal favorites such as Predator Zone, Children’s Zoo Splash Pads, Wildlife Shows, a Get Rhythm!® Drum Circle* and more are back just in time for the warmer weather. Soak up the sun and pay a visit to your favorite Zoo animals this Spring Break at the Birmingham Zoo.
*Schedule for Get Rhythm!® Drum Circle
(Located at Safari Peak):
March 22: 11:30am-1pm
March 29: 11:30am-1pm

Birmingham Museum of Art–

World in a Box

Drop in anytime between 10AM – 5PM for our FREE art activities and family tours. Family tours about that day’s culture will be 10AM and 1:30PM.

Discover differences in cultures as you create a box inspired by a new collection every day. Explore the decorations and textures in Contemporary, Native American, Indian, and Wedgwood artworks.

World Cultures Celebrated:
Tuesday, March 25: Contemporary American
Wednesday, March 26: Native American
Thursday, March 27: Indian
Friday, March 28: Eighteenth-Century English

—————————————————————————————

Monday March 24th:

Monday Movie – Homewood Public Library
Join us for a cool movie and some hot popcorn!
3:30pm

Trussville Spring Carnival – Magnolia Park
The Trussville Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual Spring Carnival. The event is being held in Magnolia Park next to First Baptist Church of Trussville on Chalkville Road. The carnival features rides and activities, as well as festival foods.
5pm – 9pm

Tot Time with Ms Eve – Avondale Library
I found that Pot of Gold on Saint Patrick’s Day, and turned it into Pot Luck! So come share the fun of stories, songs, crafts, and more! Geared for 2 to 4 years olds with a caregiver. .  24-hour advanced notice of attendance required.
9:30am

—————————————————————————————

Tuesday March 25th:

Trussville Spring Carnival – Magnolia Park
The Trussville Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual Spring Carnival. The event is being held in Magnolia Park next to First Baptist Church of Trussville on Chalkville Road. The carnival features rides and activities, as well as festival foods.
5pm – 9pm

Look up to the Stars 2! – Clay Community Center
We are so excited about this family night program at the CLAY COMMUNITY CENTER! Back by popular demand, astrophysicist and former NASA consultant Kevin Manning will present “Roadmap to the Stars: The Night Sky Explained.” Dr. Manning will give an indoor presentation/slideshow and then lead participants outside to view the stars through a powerful telescope.
7pm

Family Movie Day, Free Birds – North Shelby Library
Two turkeys from opposite sides of the tracks must put aside their differences and team up to travel back in time to change the course of history, and get turkey off the holiday menu for good.

All ages are welcome with a caregiver. No registration is required. Snacks served.
10:30am

Family Tours – Birmingham Museum of Art
FREE // Meet in the Main Lobby
Join us for an in-gallery family experience! Children aged 3 – 8 and their adult companions are invited to join Museum educators to explore our collection, discover activities that make looking at art fun and exciting, and create new family memories about art.

No reservations required. Family Tours are also available by appointment for groups of 10 or more children aged 3 – 8. For more information or to schedule a tour, call 205.254.2964.
10:30am

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

—————————————————————————————

Wednesday March 26th:

Trussville Spring Carnival – Magnolia Park
The Trussville Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual Spring Carnival. The event is being held in Magnolia Park next to First Baptist Church of Trussville on Chalkville Road. The carnival features rides and activities, as well as festival foods.
5pm – 9pm

Spring Break Adventure Time – Hoover Public Library
Explore the post-apocalyptic world of this hit cartoon! Join the comedic duo of Finn and Jake for crafts, games and snacks. It will be mathematical! Registration Required. Grades 4-6
2pm

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

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us as we read Ribbit!, a humorous story of friendship with plenty of ribbits to go around!
11am

—————————————————————————————

Thursday March 27th:

Trussville Spring Carnival – Magnolia Park
The Trussville Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual Spring Carnival. The event is being held in Magnolia Park next to First Baptist Church of Trussville on Chalkville Road. The carnival features rides and activities, as well as festival foods.
5pm – 9pm

Princess and Superhero Spring Break Party – Clay Public Library
It’s a spring break party! Dress up as a favorite princess or superhero and join us for crafts, games, snacks, and more! Registration is requested.
10am

Zoo to You – Homewood Public Library
Join us as we bring the zoo to you.
10:30

PJ Storytime – North Shelby Library
Wear your pajamas to this storytime! Kids of all ages can enjoy stories, finger plays, songs, and a bedtime snack.
7pm

—————————————————————————————

Friday March 28th:

Birmingham Barons vs. Chicago White Sox
Still aglow following their 2013 Southern League Championship, the Birmingham Barons have announced they will open the 2014 season by hosting their parent club, the Chicago White Sox, in an exhibition game at Regions Field
Tickets are on-sale now with prices ranging from $14-$28.
First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 PM CDT.

Trussville Spring Carnival – Magnolia Park
The Trussville Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual Spring Carnival. The event is being held in Magnolia Park next to First Baptist Church of Trussville on Chalkville Road. The carnival features rides and activities, as well as festival foods.
5pm – 9pm

—————————————————————————————

Saturday March 29th:

Trussville Spring Carnival – Magnolia Park
The Trussville Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual Spring Carnival. The event is being held in Magnolia Park next to First Baptist Church of Trussville on Chalkville Road. The carnival features rides and activities, as well as festival foods.
1pm – 5pm

Bart’s Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
This drop-in art program for kids and families features a different theme from our galleries and art activity each month. Stop by to make art with Bart! Make a crown inspired by the approaching of Spring!
11am – 1pm

Cereal and Cartoons – Homewood Public Library
Saturday morning cartoons and cereal. Dry cereal only, available until 10:45am.
10am – Noon

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 as we read Ribbit!, a humorous story of friendship with plenty of ribbits to go around!
11am

—————————————————————————————

Sunday March 30th:

Trussville Spring Carnival – Magnolia Park
The Trussville Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual Spring Carnival. The event is being held in Magnolia Park next to First Baptist Church of Trussville on Chalkville Road. The carnival features rides and activities, as well as festival foods.
1pm – 5pm

—————————————————————————————

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, Titans of the Ice Age

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 11

Posted on by Angie

This week was a bit interesting when it comes to new things for me and Shirley.

Angie and Shirley-
We had the chance to attend the Atlanta Bloggers Conference and while there we stumbled into a “Furry Convention.” As we walked the streets of downtown Atlanta headed to our dinner, we noticed a large gathering of people dressed in full “Furry” costumes. Head to toe. As we passed by we speculated as to what this could be and after getting to our dinner, the speaker thanked us for being there and mentioned this convention. At that point we knew we had to investigate. So on our walk back to our hotel, we stopped by the hotel hosting this convention and got a good look around and of course pulled up Wikipedia to see what was up.

“The furry fandom is a subculture interested in fictional anthropomorphic animal characters with human personalities and characteristics.[1] Examples of anthropomorphic attributes include exhibiting human intelligence and facial expressions, the ability to speak, walk on two legs, and wear clothes. Furry fandom is also used to refer to the community of people who gather on the Internet and at conventions.”

Needless to say our heads were on a swivel and the hotel lobby made for some excellent people watching.

Kristen-
My New Thing this week is seeing a show at Iron City Birmingham. Great Show (Del McCoury Band,) Great Venue! And I will definitely go back!

Did you do anything new and fun this week?

 

Ready, Set, Gogh!

Posted on by Angie

By Kristen Berthiaume:

Birmingham is about to get a little greener (and redder, bluer, oranger – just all the colors). In 2011, Shannon Hopkins’ former store and studio, My Green Birmingham, was irreparably damaged by the April 27th tornadoes and she had to shut down. But, as we near the third anniversary of that tragic event, the whole concept is getting upcycled! Shannon’s new instructional art studio – “Art on the Gogh” – will incorporate environmentally friendly practices like reusing fabric and other items that would otherwise be discarded to make amazing textiles, crafts, art, and home décor items – DIY projects you’ll actually want to keep.

Art on the Gogh, located next door to Utopia Cleaners in Cahaba Heights, is staffed by artists and instructors with a passion for helping you develop your creativity and learn fun techniques for using what you already have in art. The studio will hold camps for kids of all ages (including Parents’ Nights Out – Yah, free time!), and classes and parties for kids and adults. Also, the “Gogh” in “Art on the Gogh” has a double-meaning. Yes, for Vincent van Gogh but also because projects are mobile and can be completed in your location for private classes and parties!

I got the chance to take my four- and seven-year-olds to Art on the Gogh for a sample lesson with Shannon. The kids were really excited at the prospect of designing their own t-shirts and a lot of effort went in to picking out just the right designs and fabrics. Fortunately, Shannon is a patient lady. My son went with a rocket ship and my daughter with an Easter basket. Kids can cut out their own fabric objects for applique freehand or by tracing the shapes first. Or, for more reticent little ones like my son, instructors do that part so the kids can focus on putting the pieces together on the shirt. Appliques are sewn on and the completed project is ready for pick-up in about a week. The (almost) end result? (Note: ours haven’t been sewn on yet in the pics). See for yourself here!

A lot of fun and self-made shirts they can actually wear out of the house! (Remember those puffy paint disasters from our childhoods? This is not that).

While there, I got to see lots of samples of the kinds of projects the studio will offer. Have a million things pinned on Pinterest but nothing actually Pinterest-ed? The studio will offer women’s Pinterest Parties where you can grab some friends and complete a project (like, actually complete it) for a fraction of the cost of buying retail. Plus, you can BYOB! Speaking of Pinterest, if your older daughter pins a lot of cute, upcycled jean cutoffs, she’ll definitely want to check out one of their  “Green” Jean Events! Other cute projects include beach towels, tote bags, hair clips, and headbands. Too many ideas to list them all here!

Want to know more about the offerings at Art on the Gogh? Check out their calendar here.

 

A couple of highlights:

Thursday, March 20, 6:00 – 8:00 – Moms’ Night Out with Featured artist Kathy Dyleski. Learn to paint Angels on Wood (absolutely beautiful!). $65.00. BYOB!

Friday, March 21, 6:00 – 8:00 – Parents’ Night Out! Go on a date while the kiddos hang out at the studio for Pizza and PJs. They’ll watch “Frozen” and create a snow globe (which will make you a very popular momma!) $30.00.

Spring Break Mini Camp – Monday, March 24th & Tuesday, March 25th from 9:30 – 12:00. Snack provided. Kids will learn textile arts on Monday and have a Painting party Tuesday! Ages 6-12. $75.00.

Want to get in on any of this? Call soon – spots will go quickly! Art on the Gogh is located at 3921 Cahaba Heights Road. You can also find them on Facebook or on the web at their blog or marketplace.

Need more information? Give them a call at 205-671-8ART.

 

Avoiding Childhood Obesity

Posted on by Angie

In the past 30 years, childhood obesity has more than doubled in children, and even scarier, more than tripled in teens.  More than one-third of our young population is overweight and/or obese. One study found that an estimated 80 percent of overweight pre-teens and teens (ages 10 to 15) were obese by the age of 25. Another reports that 25 percent of adults who are currently obese were also overweight during childhood.

The scary truth about childhood obesity is that it sets children up for long term healthy problems including Diabetes, Hypertension, high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease.. These can be life threatening illnesses.

What’s the difference between being overweight and obese? The definition of obesity is having excess body fat, whereas you are considered overweight if you have excess weight for your height. The key is linked to body fat and muscle, but there is no one factor that is considered when determining what is overweight.

Why are children obese? It’s more than just poor food choices and calorie intake.

Lack of Exercise
Diet
Family History
Economic Factors
Television & Video Games
Psychological Factors

As Parents, what can we do to fight this silent epidemic?

A change of diet is the obvious place to start but it can be a challenge. As many children turn their noses up at vegetables and fruits. Offer fruits and veggies, and always have them cleaned and ready to eat. We’ve found that coming home from the store and washing and portioning out the fruits and veggies makes them more accessible and they become more of a go-to when the afternoon refrigerator raid happens.

Get moving! To stay healthy and fight weight gain, all Americans should aim for at least 60 minutes of sweat-inducing exercise every day. But the reality is that fewer than one third of kids and teens ages 6 to 17 get even 20 minutes of that kind of vigorous exercise.

Watch for hidden calories in the drinks your kids are drinking. Cutting sugary drinks out of your child’s diet (and your own) can help to significantly reduce the number of calories your child consumes every day. Sweetened drinks and fruit drinks offer nothing except sugar and calories. Even 100 percent fruit juices, although better than fruit-flavored, sugary drinks because of their vitamins and nutrients, still pack in a lot of calories per serving. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids ages 7 and older drink no more than 12 ounces of 100 percent fruit juice a day (one serving of fruit is equal to four ounces of 100 percent fruit juice).

Sleep. Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have found an association between childhood obesity and the number of hours a child sleeps each night — the fewer hours of sleep each night increases the risk of being overweight or obese.

One of the most important things we can do is educate our children. Teaching kids how to properly take care of their bodies is one of the keys to fighting obesity. Educate your kids about the food pyramid. It’s changed since you were a kid, so get a refresher for yourself at the MyPyramid.gov Web site. Take the kiddos shopping with you, teach them how to read food labels. Allow them to help you prepare meals and snacks.

In an effort to combat childhood obesity in Birmingham’s youth, the City of Birmingham Mayor’s Office Division of Youth Services (DYS) and the Junior League of Birmingham will host its YOUTH FIRST NOBESITY EXPO + 5K FOR KIDS at Legion Field on Saturday, April 5, 2014.  This community-wide event is sponsored by Princeton Baptist Medical Center.

Birmingham Events Calendar: March 16th – March 23rd

Posted on by Angie

Erin go Braugh! Time to celebrate St Patrick’s Day! If you’re looking for a little snack to take to your Playdate on Monday, check out our Leprechaun Food, it will be a hit with all the littles. You might even find yourself snacking on the yummy treat too!

There is some St Patrick’s Day Science happening at the Mcwane Center, a PJ storytime at the Hoover Library and kicking off Spring Break Week, Wonders of Water at the Birmingham Zoo.

And yes, we totally just said Spring Break! Hard to believe but for many, it’s just a week away!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, have a great week!

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

Sunday March 16th:

Harlem Globetrotters – Pete Hanna Center
The world famous Harlem Globetrotters have been thrilling families and millions of fans for 88 years, all the while innovating the game in exciting new ways. Last year, the Globetrotters did something unparalleled in the history of sports and entertainment, letting fans vote on new rules to be used in actual games. It was so much fun, we are doing it again, and there are cool new rules to choose from on our 2014 “Fans Rule” World Tour:
$22 / $28 / $36 / $ 70 / $85
$20 additional for pre-show event
Pre-show event begins at 2:30 p.m.
Showtime 4pm

—————————————————————————————

Monday March 17th:

Tot Time with Ms Eve – Avondale Library
Come celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day with stories and songs. Maybe we’ll find that pot of gold! Geared for 2 to 4 years olds with a caregiver.  24-hour advanced notice of attendance required.
9:30am

St Patrick’s Day Science – McWane Science Center
Don’t miss the ooey-gooey green experiments on St. Patrick’s Day!
Included in the cost of admission.
10am – 4pm

St Patrick’s Day Movie – Gardendale Library
Please join us for a classic St. Patrick’s Day movie. It is a wonderful film to celebrate everything Irish!
6pm

—————————————————————————————

Tuesday March 18th:

 

Family Tours – Birmingham Museum of Art
FREE // Meet in the Main Lobby
Join us for an in-gallery family experience! Children aged 3 – 8 and their adult companions are invited to join Museum educators to explore our collection, discover activities that make looking at art fun and exciting, and create new family memories about art.

No reservations required. Family Tours are also available by appointment for groups of 10 or more children aged 3 – 8. For more information or to schedule a tour, call 205.254.2964.
10:30am

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

—————————————————————————————

Wednesday March 19th:

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

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us for family reading fun with LeapFrog. Go on an interactive LeapReader adventure. Space is limited. Reserve your spot today!
11am

—————————————————————————————

Thursday March 20th:

PJ Storytime – Hoover Public Library
Wear your pajamas to this storytime! Kids of all ages can enjoy stories, finger plays, songs, and a bedtime snack.
6:30

Mommy and Me Storytime – Homewood Public Library
Story Time for our younger patrons (birth to 30 mo.) and their lap partner.
10:30

—————————————————————————————

Friday March 21st:

Leaps and Bounds – Homewood Public Library
Movement activities for 30 to 48 months, with adult partner. Registration is required and begins March 17th at 10am. No unregistered siblings.
10:30am

—————————————————————————————

Saturday March 22nd:

Wonders of Water – Birmingham Zoo
In celebration of The National Wildlife Federation’s National Wildlife Week, the Birmingham Zoo will be taking part in the celebration of Wildlife & Water. Learn about why animals need water, some of our animals that live and play in the water, some ways that we can save the Earth, and have some fun with games, activities, and so much more.
10am – 3pm

 

Bart’s Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
This drop-in art program for kids and families features a different theme from our galleries and art activity each month. Stop by to make art with Bart! Make a crown inspired by the approaching of Spring!
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
Today we will read Kimberly & James Dean’s latest ‘Pete the Cat’ book about how with the help of some magic sunglasses, Pete has a rockin’ good day!
11am

—————————————————————————————

Sunday March 23rd:

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

—————————————————————————————

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, Titans of the Ice Age

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 10

Posted on by Angie

Week 10! What’s new?

Angie –
I’ve been in birthday party planning mode. When you have twins in separate classes it equals a lot of friends to invite. Luckily because of the “Frozen” craze they both agreed on a Frozen themed party. Unfortunately you can’t find a thing anywhere in the city to decorate with or theme out your party. A Frozen party in March is tricky. So after perusing Pinterest and stealing an idea from a friend, I decided to decorate my own cake using Rock Candy and I needed it in sheets. So.. My New Thing this week is making rock candy. I made it for looks so I have no idea if it tasted good or not, but it sure did look cool on the cake.

Kristen-
My New Thing for the week is a really fun visit with the kids to art on the Gogh. What is Art on the Gogh? You’ll have to check back later this week for all the details.

Trust us when we say you’ll want to see what this is all about!

What’s new with you?

Leprechaun Food, A St. Patty's Day Snack Mix

Posted on by Angie

Whether you’re hosting a party, a playdate or heading to downtown Birmingham for the St Patrick’s Day parade, this easy snack mix will keep your little Leprechauns happy and festive at the same time. That’s a win/win, in our book!

What You’ll Need:

  • Lucky Charms (original, right? Give us a break, we said it was easy)
  • Vanilla Chex Mix (If you haven’t tried this yet, welcome to your new addiction)
  • Green M & M’s

What you’ll do:

Mix it up and feed it to your hungry Leprechauns.

Leprechauns aren’t terribly picky when it comes to snack food. Feel free to take creative license and add some things from your pantry. Peanuts, pretzels, ect..

Happy St Patty’s Day!

 

Car Travel Tips – Are We There Yet?

Posted on by Angie

Get there without going nuts, that’s my motto for traveling with kids.  Considering the attention span of a toddler or preschooler, it’s no wonder that sitting in one position for 4 hours is tough.  Maybe you have those gems that instantly fall asleep and wake up refreshed when you get there.  I don’t.  Here’s how to survive:

1.  Public bathrooms are your nemesis.  Don’t go in there!  It’s bad enough that kids like to touch every surface in the loo, but if you’re traveling without another adult, you’ll have to take every kid in with you.  Our solution:  use a little potty.  Put it in the back or in the trunk, and line it with an old plastic grocery bag.  Stick a paper towel in the bottom to avoid splashing, and Voila!  Have a few garbage bags handy to set the potty on, just in case of drippage.  When you’re done, just tie a knot in the grocery bag and toss.

2.  Shiny new things.  Of course we don’t want to spoil the kids or spend a fortune, but we all know that new toys can get their attention and keep it better than anything.  Before your trip, head to the Dollar Tree and pick up a handful of new toys.  Wrap each toy in newspaper and you have a bag of gifts!  Don’t tell the kids about this, and don’t tell them that there’s more than one.  Let them think that there’s only one.  When that one gets old, if they can behave then you can give them another one.  This is bribery in it’s purest form, but it’s effective.

3.  Cookie Sheet Lap desk- This one is easy and pretty inexpensive, especially if you have an old cookie sheet to use.

What you need:

Cookie Sheet
White Contact Paper
Magnets
Ribbon or string
Wash cloth or scrap piece of fabric ( to use as an eraser)
Washable markers
Pencil Bag (optional, great to use for storage of markers)


What You Do:

Cut a piece of contact paper to fit the cookie sheet. Peel and Stick.

Use the ribbon or string and attach to the cookie sheet – Some cookie sheets have a hole in the end that will make attaching easy, if not see next step.

Attach magnets to a pencil bag to use for storage on the back of the cookie sheet. Ours had holes that made attaching our cloth (eraser) easy. Make sure to use heavy duty magnets.

Attach small magnets to your markers so they will stick to the cookie sheet.

Use your washable markers on the contact paper to make a Tic Tac Toe board or to draw pictures,  it’s just like a dry erase board. Wetting the cloth before you head out will help make erasing easier.

We found some cute tic tac toe magnets at the local office supply store, but you could easily attach magnets to buttons to use to play games.

That’s it, a cute portable lap desk that will hopefully keep them busy for more than 5 minutes!

Eating on the road? Try taking a stack of cupcake liners in the car to use for condiments or small snacks/treats. They fit perfectly into the cup holder and it’s a clean, simple way to allow your kids some munchies or have ketchup with their fries.

That’s it simple and easy! What creative tricks do you have up your sleeve to keep kids happy on the road?

Advertisements