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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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, 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?

Giveaway! Color Me Rad!

Posted on by Angie

If you’re a fan of Color Me Rad a colorful 5K – You’re in luck. BirminghamMommy is giving away entry to 2 lucky readers!

The 5K is coming to Birmingham on April 12, 2014. They’re looking forward to seeing veterans of Color Me Rad and can’t wait to introduce the 5K to newbies.

Color Me Rad is a 5K that fires off in a blaze of color bombs, color cannons, color mortars, and multi-toned courses that guarantee your outlook will be brighter, your boyfriend will be more affectionate, your boss will finally remember your name, the hair on your head will grow back and the hair on your back will fall out, and your gray outlook will turn green like a spring morning.

Historically, running has only been acceptable when trying to escape the law, personal responsibility, the truth, and grizzly bears.

Instead of running FROM something, get ready to run FOR something at this year’s Color Me Rad. Run for the hell of it.

Here’s how to enter!

  • Leave a comment here on the post, letting us know you want to win.
  • Share this Post with your friends on Facebook (come back here and let us know you did)

We will giveaway entry to 2 people. Each winner will receive a code that you simply have to enter in at checkout and your race is free!

Giveaway ends Thursday, March 13th at Noon – Good Luck!

Birmingham Events Calendar: March 9th – March 16th

Posted on by Angie

We love Spring time in Birmingham. Spring time here means events, festivals start picking up. The 30th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade is this weekend as well as Family Day at Barber Museum.

If you have little ones that like American Girl, check out the event happening at Barnes and Noble Summit. Basketball Fans? Harlem Globetrotters roll into town on Sunday with a show that won’t disappoint!

Have a great week!

 

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

Sunday March 9th:

Hansel and Gretal – Birmingham Ballet, BJCC Theatre
Hansel & Gretel, choreographed by Cindy Free, brings together a delicious mix of eccentric characters, colorful images, exciting dancing, humorous moments, and a triumphant happy ending. The ballet is set to the music of Humperdink’s masterpiece which features rich orchestrations and memorable melodies. Also on the program: Je’taime and Artist’s Palette from Birmingham Ballet’s Repertory Company Series.
$25.00 Ticket + $7.75 Fees = $32.75
$45.00 Ticket + $9.50 Fees = $54.50
Tickets available through Ticketmaster and the BJCC Central Ticket Office. The CTO is open 9-5 daily
Showtime – 2pm

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Monday March 10th:

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

Tot Time with Ms Eve – Avondale Library
Get ready to Huff and Puff with one of Mrs. Eve’s favorite fairytales! Geared for 2 to 4 years olds with a caregiver.  24-hour advanced notice of attendance required.
9:30am

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Tuesday March 11th:

Family Storytime, SkinnBones Comedy Circus – Irondale Public Library
Share some fun and excitement with the whole family as you wonder at the skill and hilarious comedy of Skin-n-Bones Comedy Circus. Meet the talented performing dogs and pig– and of course, the clowns!
6pm

Snakes, the UnHuggables – Aldridge Gardens
Snakes get a bad rap and are misunderstood animals. But in reality, they’re often important players in the natural world.

Dr. Ken Marion, Biology Professor at UAB will show us these amazing creatures up close, and help us learn all about the secrets of Alabama snakes and how they have vital roles in our ecosystem.

This Family Nature Program is intended for both individuals and/or families to enjoy.
6:30pm

Members:
Child $5
Adult $10
Family maximum $20

Non-members:
Child $7
Adult $13
Family maximum $26

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

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Wednesday March 12th:

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
Gather around as we join Jeremy Jacob on a voyage on the high seas in Melinda Long’s adorable book How I Became a Pirate.
11am

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Thursday March 13th:

High Flyin’ Fun – Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest
High Flyin’ Fun! It’s time for kites and flying contraptions! Join us as we make our own kites that will even fly indoors- and hear stories and songs to match the theme! Please call to register. Ages 5 & under.
10:30m

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

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Friday March 14th:

PI Day – McWane Science Center
Join McWane Science Center as we celebrate Pi Day (3.14) and Albert Einstein’s Birthday. Fun hands-on activities will focus on the importance of Pi and other interesting applications of math in our daily lives, and help mark the 130th anniversary of Einstein’s birth.
Included in cost of admission to the museum, FREE for members

Disney Live Mickey’s Music Festival – BJCC
Disney hits are remixed to the hottest sounds of today featuring hip hop, pop, swing, reggae, rock, country and much more!

Mickey Mouse and friends rock the world with the stars from The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story in their new touring show Disney Live! Mickey’s Music Festival.
$54.00 Ticket + $9.90 Fees = $63.90
$44.00 Ticket + $8.95 Fees = $52.95
$32.00 Ticket + $8.65 Fees = $40.65
$24.00 Ticket + $8.45 Fees = $32.45
$14.00 Ticket + $7.20 Fees = $21.20

6pm

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Saturday March 15th:

30th Annual St Patrick’s Day Parade – Five Points South
The 30th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade is presented by REV Birmingham and Five Points South
Come early on Saturday to grab some lunch and/or drink from any of the participating merchants who will be offering food and drink specials ALL day thru Monday March 17th. While getting into the Irish spirit, visit one of our indoor music venues or just grab a great spot to watch the parade with the family.
Start time – 1:30 pm
End time – 2:30 pm

Link to parade map

Barber Family Day – Barber Museum
Family Fun Day! Children will have the chance to color a racecar t-shirt, take a photo on a motorcycle, and enter to win a family package of tickets to the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama.

Parents’ admission is free with the purchase of a child’s $10 ticket. Child’s ticket covers a coloring t-shirt, as well as his or her admission.
3:00pm-5:00pm.

Holi: An Indian Celebration of Color: Birmingham Museum of Art
A Celebration of COLOR! Join Bart the Art Bat for one of his favorite spring holidays, Holi! Celebrate color from 10AM-3PM: Art activities Scavenger hunt Traditional Indian food (provided by Taj India) Henna tattoos Bart’s Art Venture!
Click For more Information

American Girl Event – Barnes and Noble Summit
Girls ages 8-12 — Join us March 15 for a special American Girl Event. Truly Talented You features fun activities, puzzles and crafts inspired by the newest Girl of the Year.
4pm

Disney Live Mickey’s Music Festival – BJCC
Disney hits are remixed to the hottest sounds of today featuring hip hop, pop, swing, reggae, rock, country and much more!

Mickey Mouse and friends rock the world with the stars from The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story in their new touring show Disney Live! Mickey’s Music Festival.
$54.00 Ticket + $9.90 Fees = $63.90
$44.00 Ticket + $8.95 Fees = $52.95
$32.00 Ticket + $8.65 Fees = $40.65
$24.00 Ticket + $8.45 Fees = $32.45
$14.00 Ticket + $7.20 Fees = $21.20

11am and 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

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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

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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, 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 9

Posted on by Angie

Lots of New Things for us this week but we managed to narrow it down for you! What did you do that was New?

Angie –
It seems as if I have a new obsession with stuffed peppers (and Philly Cheesesteaks.) It started out this week with trying a new recipe for Philly Cheesesteak stuffed peppers, they were amazing. But after that, all I could think about was an actual Philly Cheesesteak sandwich, so I googled for the best one in Birmingham and came up with Salem’s Diner. This was also a new thing as I had never eaten there before. Boy! I’ve been missing out, Big Time! Next time you’re in the Homewood area, stop in and try their Philly with Onion Rings. You will not be disappointed.

2 new things for the price of one!

Kristen –
There must be something in the water  because I have a sweet new niece, too! She was actually born last week but since it didn’t occur to me to make her my good thing last week, you’re hearing about her now! We got to Face Time with her but are looking forward to actual face time soon!

Shirley –
This week I decided to check out what everyone seems to be raving about… Coconut water.
well, I can officially say I tried it, and I don’t like it.. At all. In fact I had to force myself to finish the bottle I bought. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about some coconut. Just not the water that comes from them. I think I’ll leave that for when I’m stranded on a deserted island.

Severe Weather Tips for Families

Posted on by Angie

You may remember this article we ran a while back about how to talk to your child about Severe Weather Circumstances. But how prepared is your family to deal with a severe weather outbreak?

Here are some things to keep in mind and to have on hand and easily accessible in the event we are directed to our safe place.

First of all.. Have a safe place. Create a family emergency plan and sit down with your family to make sure they know what to do and where to go in the event of a tornado. If you can get underground in a basement go there, if you don’t have a basement take shelter in the lowest possible part of your home in an interior room. Stay away from windows and put as many walls between you and the outside as possible.

Use sturdy tables, bike helmets, and blankets to cover yourself and help protect you from debris.

For families with small babies, utilize your baby carriers. To keep infants safely-contained and leave you with free hands for your other children, use those wraps and strap them to you. Carriers are also a great idea for your child if he or she is still in one of those. Severe weather can scare the tiny humans, and they may not move very quickly. Putting them in the carrier will serve as extra protection and will also keep them easily next to you. Make sure everyone is wearing shoes and grab your wallet or purse.

Prepare ahead of time. It’s best, if you have the space in or near your safe place to stock a box with a few supplies. This way in the event of severe weather, the plan is for everyone to go straight to your safe place. No wandering around the garage looking for the helmet they were using while riding their bike the day before. Have an extra helmet along with a flashlight, batteries, blankets and weather radio. You will need another option for getting those weather updates.

Once you have your plan in place and you’re stocked up… Practice. Practice. Practice. Run through this drill just like the kids do at school for fires and tornadoes. The key to a great safety plan is making sure everyone in the family knows the plan and is ready to follow through, without having to think to much about it.

Does your family have a safety plan in place? Do you have any tips you can share that have worked in past severe weather situations?

 

Pinspired Recipe: Crockpot Grits

Posted on by Angie

I love grits. Like… Love, Love them. But I don’t really care for the instant and since mornings can get hectic it’s hard to slow cook them while getting the tiny humans ready for school and out of the house.

I came across this recipe on a year of crockpot cooking blog via the always wonderful Pinterest. I’ve done them this way several times and they cook perfectly and the beauty is, you put them on before you go to bed and they are ready in the morning when you wake up.

I start mine around 10:00-10:30pm and they are ready around 6:00am. Note: First thing I do when I get up is stir them and dump in some shredded cheese and let them stay on warm for about 15-20 minutes so you get the melted cheesy goodness.

What You’ll Need:

1 cup grits – (NOT instant.)
5 cups of water
1/4 cup butter
1/2 t salt – (I use way more but I like lots of salt.)
What You’ll Do:
Combine all ingredients in crockpot and cook on low for 8 hours. I use a crockpot liner to help with the cleanup.
If you like cheese, dump that in when you first wake up and warm until it’s melted.
That’s it. Perfectly cooked grits while you sleep!

Dealing with Post-Partum Depression

Posted on by Angie

Most women expect pregnancy and childbirth to be times of great happiness and joy, but as many as 60 to 80 percent of women may have bouts of depression or “baby blues”  during the first year after giving birth. These feelings may be caused by a number of factors including a sudden drop of hormones after birth, sleep changes, struggling with the changes of caring for an infant, financial problems or lack of support. The symptoms of baby blues may include:

  • Feeling sad without knowing why
  • Mood swings
  • Anxiety
  • Irritability
  • Crying
  • Lack of concentration
  • Problems sleeping

Baby blues generally last only a few days or weeks, but it is important to mention any of these symptoms to your doctor. You can talk to friends and family members about your symptoms and ask for their help. Sometimes, just taking a nap or a walk outside can help with mood changes. You should avoid using alcohol, which can make symptoms more severe.

Post-partum depression is a more serious form of blues that affects about 10 percent of mothers. The symptoms are more intense and last longer than those of baby blues. These symptoms can interfere with a woman’s ability to cope with daily tasks. A mother with post-partum depression may not be able to care for her child and may have problems bonding. The symptoms of post-partum depression include:

  • Loss of appetite
  • Insomnia
  • Intense anger and irritability
  • Overwhelming feelings of fatigue
  • Loss of interest in everyday activities, including sex
  • Feelings of guilt, shame or inadequacy
  • Severe mood swings
  • Problems bonding with the baby
  • Withdrawal from family and friends
  • Thoughts of harming self, the baby or others

Post-partum depression is a real medical condition and should be treated like any other disease. If you or someone you know has any of these symptoms, you should seek medical help. Talk to your doctor about your feelings and work out a treatment plan.

Post-partum depression can be treated with counseling and medication. Your doctor may refer you to a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health counselor. You may need to take antidepressants, which are a proven treatment for post-partum depression. Some antidepressants can be taken while breastfeeding, so talk to your doctor to see what’s best in your situation.

Some research is being conducted on using hormone replacement therapy to help with the symptoms of post-partum depression. Left untreated, post-partum depression can last up to a year or longer and may result in a chronic depressive disorder.

In very rare cases, post-partum psychosis may occur. Post-partum depression requires immediate treatment that may include hospitalization. The symptoms of post-partum psychosis include the symptoms of post-partum depression plus confusion, disorientation, hallucinations, delusions, paranoia and attempts to harm yourself or the baby.

Post-partum depression requires treatment with medications such as antidepressants, antipsychotics and mood stabilizers. These medications may be prescribed in combination to treat the different aspects of this disease. These treatments may mean that the mother cannot breastfeed.

Here are some tips for any new moms (and dads) who are experiencing feelings of depression:

1.  Pay attention to your own health. Get as much sleep as possible, including naps during the day. Eat a healthy diet with lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Avoid alcohol, which may make symptoms worse.

2.  Don’t overdo. You don’t have to be supermom. Set realistic goals of what must be accomplished each day.

3.  Ask for and accept help. You don’t have to do everything yourself. If a friend or family member offers to help by running errands, cooking or cleaning, take them up on it!

4.  Try to take some breaks. It may be hard to leave your new baby, but taking even a few minutes by yourself can help. Plan a special date night as a couple.

5.  Reach out to other new moms and dads. You’d be surprised by how many people are going through similar issues. Talking to someone about problems and solutions can help.

6.  For new dads, remember that sometimes the best thing you can do is listen. Encourage her to take breaks and give lots of verbal reassurance. Help with housework and baby chores. If you aren’t comfortable taking care of a new infant, check to see if your local hospital has classes in infant care or new dad classes.

Resources for help with post-partum depression:

Jenny’s Light
www.jennyslight.org

National Postpartum Depression Hotline:
1-800-PPD-MOMS

Post-Partum Support International (PSI) – Alabama Chapter
Misty Johnson, Co-Coordinator
205-427-2883

In an emergency: PSI is a volunteer organization devoted to providing social support and resources to women and their families. We will return your call or email as quickly as we can, but we can not provide an immediate response in an emergency. If you do need immediate assistance, please use one of the following resources now:
EMERGENCY: 911
SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

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