Super Easy King Cake!

Posted on Tuesday, February 25, 2014 by Angie

You might not be celebrating on Bourbon Street, but you can still bring a little Mardi Gras home this year with this super easy King Cake Recipe!

What you’ll Need:

1 (13.9-ounce) can bread sticks
1 (1-inch) heat proof plastic baby
1 (12-ounce) can whipped cream cheese frosting
¼ cup heavy cream
Green sanding sugar
Purple sanding sugar
Gold (yellow) sanding sugar

What you’ll do:

Preheat oven to 400° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.

Open bread sticks. Press together the ends of 2 of the sticks to make 1 long stick. Repeat with the remaining bread sticks giving you 6 long sticks. Taking 3 at a time, loosely braid together. Repeat with remaining dough. Pinch the braids together end to end.

Leaving a 3-inch hole in the middle, loosely coil braids around one another on prepared baking sheet. Press ends together.

Bake in preheated oven for 16 to 20 minutes or until completely golden brown. Remove from oven and cool completely. Carefully insert the baby into the cake in between the seams of the braid.

In a medium pot combine the cream cheese frosting and heavy cream. Heat over low heat until warm and smooth, stirring constantly. Pour glaze over cake and sprinkle with sanding sugars.

That’s it! Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler!

Giveaway: Bubblebum Boosterseat

Posted on Monday, February 24, 2014 by Angie

Have you heard of this nifty little gadget? If you’re looking for a way to save space in your car, take a look at the Bubblebum booster seat.

BubbleBum, the cost effective, portable, lightweight, brightly colored, inflatable car booster seat for children aged between 4-11, easily deflates and folds flat so that kids or mom and dad can carry it in a backpack or purse, making it perfect for vacations, rental cars, taxis, school pick up or car pooling.

Suited for all vehicles fitted with a three point seat belt and meets all US safety testing standards.

We have 1 Bubblebum up for grabs for one lucky BirminghamMommy.com Reader.

Just a leave a comment on this post and we’ll draw a winner at noon at Wednesday, February 26th.

Good Luck!

Birmingham Events Calendar: February 23rd – March 2nd

Posted on Sunday, February 23, 2014 by Angie

We hope you’re all out taking advantage of this spring like weather. Check out the libraries this week if you’re looking for some fun!

Barnes and Noble Summit will be hosting a LEGO Movie Building Event, which will be perfect for any LEGO fan in your family and you can celebrate Seuss at the McWane Science Center on Saturday.

Have a great week everyone!

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

Sunday February 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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Monday February 24th:

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

Monday at the Movies – Hoover Public Library
The story about how Jackie Robinson paved the way for minorities by becoming the first African-American to play in Major League Baseball.
6:30pm

Tot Time with Ms Eve – Avondale Library
School’s out today, so be kind and bring your brothers and sisters as we go on a Safari! Geared for 2 to 4 years old with a caregiver. 24-hour advanced notice of attendance required.
9:30am

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Tuesday February 25th:

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 February 26th:

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 celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday with a special Storytime. We will read his delightful book Hop on Pop!
11am

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Thursday February 27th:

PJ Storytime – Hoover Public Library
Wear your pajamas for stories, song and a bedtime snack with Ms. Laura.
6:30pm

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 February 28th:

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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Saturday March 1st:

Dr. Seuss Birthday – McWane Science Center
One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish! Discover Seuss Science with exciting programs on Dr. Seuss’s Birthday!
10am – 6pm

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.

LEGO Movie Building Event – Barnes and Noble Summit
The LEGO Movie Building Event. Build a scene from the movie! For ages 4 and up. Space is limited.
4pm

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us as we read this charming story by Joshua Prince about a switchman’s encounter with an ant.
11am

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Sunday March 2nd:

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

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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 7

Posted on Saturday, February 22, 2014 by Angie

Moving right along with our New Things.

Angie –
I’m quite obsessed with chapstick. I’m sure that’s been mentioned on this blog at some point in the past 6 years. I have chapstick every where, and not just 1. In my car console at any given time there are 3 or 4. In my purse, 2 or 3 not counting the lip gloss. I store them in the kitchen, by my bed, in the bathroom, in the tables beside the sofa.. You name it.

When I find a new chapstick (and I will admit a lot of it is based on packaging) – I jump on it. I get giddy and buy it up. This has gone horribly wrong and incredibly right. Most recently I purchased this one from a little store called A Little Something, in Cahaba Heights.

It comes in the orange and peppermint. The orange is awesome, smells just like a creamsicle! I haven’t tried the peppermint, but stay tuned. That just might be my new thing for next week 🙂

Kristen-
My new thing this week is sticking to a Budget. Like, actually sticking to a budget. It is no fun. But, I do find myself making more careful choices, which should lead to owning less stuff I don’t need. Still, I do like stuff.

Shirley-
I love photography and art. Especially trying to capture and create art using my iPhone and iPad. You can do some amazing things with photo apps. My latest discovery is an app called “Waterlogue.” It turns your photos into water color art! I’m not a fan of the typical photo editing apps that all have the same filters. This one is different and produces some beautiful work. I even have a friend who printed some of hers out and framed them. She gets so many compliments on her “paintings.” Extremely authentic looking!

So, if you’re looking for some good inexpensive art.. “Waterlogue” is a great place to start your collection!

Pinspired Recipe: Stuffed Peppers

Posted on Thursday, February 20, 2014 by Angie

I used to make stuffed peppers pretty often, but somewhere along the way I lost my recipe. I came across this one the other day on Pinterest via House 54, tried it and it was a huge hit! Bonus… It’s gluten free!

What You’ll Need:

5 Bell Peppers (any color)
Olive Oil
1/2 Medium Onion
1 Garlic Clove
1 Pound Ground Turkey
1 14.5oz can of diced tomatoes
1 Cup cooked rice
1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon basil
Salt and Pepper
1/2 cup Shredded Cheese

What you’ll do:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Prep: dice onion, 1 bell pepper, cut tops off remaining peppers, remove seeds, stems and membranes. Set aside.

Drizzle some olive oil in the bottom of the baking pan, place peppers cut side down on the pan, run olive oil on all sides of peppers, bake for 25 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat oil in skillet on medium heat, add onion, diced peppers, garlic and saute until onions are translucent. Add ground turkey and cook until browned. Add rice, and tomatoes with liquid, worcestershire sauce, oregano, basil, salt and pepper.

Remove peppers from oven, flip them over and fill each pepper with turkey mixture and top with cheese.

Put back in over and back for another 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted. Cool slightly and serve.

Enjoy!

For more gluten free recipes make sure to check out this site.

Practical Hacks for Parents: Where to Store the Hair Accessories

Posted on Thursday, February 20, 2014 by Angie

As you can imagine, a house with 4 girls can accumulate a massive amount of hair thingys. They vary in shape and size. We have bows, clippies, elastics, headbands with bows, headbands with no bows, some that stretch and some that don’t. I could go on but I’ll stop there for fear of sounding like a Dr Seuss book.

The point is, hair things. They were everywhere in my house and I had reached my limit of picking them up off the floor, the counters and collecting them from school bags when the little storage bin was completely empty.

I decided on a whim to take a trip to Target in search of something… Anything that would help me get this under control and here’s what I came up with. Food Storage Containers. Yep. Cute, functional and not terribly expensive.

I went ahead and got an entire set because, like I said, we have a lot of hair thingys. I love that the large one is just the right size for the headbands to fit around the outside. The inside of them are filled, but contained. Contained is a good thing.

Do you have any creative ways for keeping up with the hair thingys in your house?

The Who's and What's of your first Pediatric Dental Appointment

Posted on Tuesday, February 18, 2014 by Angie

One question that we seem to hear from other Moms on a regular basis is “when should you schedule your child’s first dentist appointment?” Kids teeth come in at various ages, so it’s hard to pinpoint when your child should visit the dentist. My oldest started cutting teeth at 3 months, the twins didn’t have a tooth even close to poking through until they were almost a year.. Where is the common ground there?

We spoke with Pediatric Dentist Michael Vann, of Vann Pediatric Dental in Trussville, to get a better idea on how to navigate the the complicated waters of keeping those pearly whites healthy from the very beginning.

One common rule among Pediatric Dentists is that One + One = Zero. No this is not some crazy new math, it means that 1 baby tooth + One Pediatric Dentist visit = Zero Cavities. Your first dental visit is mostly educational. While this “well baby” check is for the baby, it does help set a guideline with the parents to make sure that they help their children remain cavity-free.

AAPD, recommends beginning a dental routine at birth, cleaning your baby’s gums with a soft infant toothbrush or wet washcloth daily. Once teeth are visible, brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste using a soft, age-specific toothbrush. The AAPD recommends using a “smear” amount of toothpaste for children less than 2 years old and a “pea-sized” amount for children 2 to 5 years old. Your child’s first visit to the dentist should be before age 1 for early detection and prevention of dental problems.

What to expect from your child’s first visit:
For the first visit, your child may do great, they may be a little fussy, or they may be totally uncooperative. These are all normal for the first few visits. Each child develops and reacts differently. It’s important to find an office that works in partnership with the parent/caregiver to help your child overcome their fear and start to enjoy the dentist. Sometimes it takes one or more visits for your child to understand the dentist office can be fun and exciting for everyone.

Typically a first visit includes an exam, cleaning and fluoride. The doctor will perform an exam on the teeth, gums, and bite. X-rays may or may not be necessary. The doctor will spend much of the time discussing the findings and educating the patient and parent. Dr. Vann encourages patients and parents to ask any questions they may have during or after their visit.

As adults, we have to be very careful not to influence our children or project our fears of the dentist on to them. So no matter how you feel about the Dentist, try to remember that your children will take their cues from you. If they overhear you say you hate the Dentist, chances are they will be less cooperative too.

Birmingham Events Calendar: February 16th – February 23rd

Posted on Sunday, February 16, 2014 by Angie

Looks like the temps around Birmingham are warming up this week. Which is a very welcome change!!

Lots of fun happening at the local libraries, including a Family Fun Night with LEGOS and an American Girl Doll Movie Night!

Consignment sales are still happening around Birmingham, if you’re looking to shop, make sure to check out our Mother Of All Consignment Sale Lists.

Have a great week and enjoy the warm weather, you never how long it will last!

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

Sunday February 16th:

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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Monday February 17th:

Tot Time with Ms Eve – Avondale Library
School’s out today, so be kind and bring your brothers and sisters as we go on a Safari! Geared for 2 to 4 years olds with a caregiver. 24-hour advanced notice of attendance required.
9:30am

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Tuesday February 18th:

We love our LEGOS Family Fun Night – Avondale Library
It’s Lego night at the library. Join us for an evening 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 ages 4 and up. Space is limited so register early. 24-hour advanced notice of attendance required.
6:30pm

Homewood Public Library Film Festival
Join us and discover what really happened after the princess kissed the frog in an inspired twist on the world’s most famous kiss. This hilarious adventure leaps off the screen with stunning animation, irresistible music and an unforgettable cast of characters. Enter Princess Tiana’s world of talking frogs, singing alligators and lovesick fireflies as she embarks on an incredible journey through the mystical bayous of Louisiana.
Overflowing with humor and heart, this is an incredible motion picture experience your whole family will want to enjoy again and again!
Bring the whole family!

This event is supported by the City of Homewood and is free and open to everyone. Popcorn and soda will be served.
6pm

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 February 19th:

Engineering Showcase – McWane Science Center
Engineers make a difference in our world! Give your students the opportunity to learn from experts in the field! Biomedical, Civil, Material, Nuclear, Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical and Aersopace Engineers will be on hand to talk with your students and provide them with a deeper understanding of what it means to be an engineer in today’s world.

WHAT TO EXPECT

• Hands-on activities!
• Learn about career opportunities!
• See how engineering changes the world!
• Tour the Mobile Robotics Lab!

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
February is Black History Month. Join us for Storytime and activities featuring Henry’s Freedom Box by Ellen Levine and Kadir Nelson.
11am

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Thursday February 20th:

American Girl Movie Night – Homewood Public Library
Bring your doll and enjoy hot popcorn and a fun American Girl movie!
6:15

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

Stories and Crafts with Ms Karen – Clay Public Library
Join Ms. Karen for Stories and Crafts, and enjoy some “puppy love” stories and a related craft.
Geared toward toddlers through second graders. All ages are welcome! Programs last approximately 30 minutes.
10am

Elephant Piggie Celebrate Friendship – Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest
Mo Willem’s Elephant & Piggie characters will be here to show us all how important friends can be! Please call to register! Ages 5 & under.
10:30

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Friday February 21st:

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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Saturday February 22nd:

Arbor Day – Orr Park
Tree seedlings available for adoption, along with door prizes and information booths. 9 am-noon in Orr Park Recreational Building.

Family Movie Day – North Shelby Library
“Practically Perfect in Every Way” Mary Poppins flies out of the windy London skies and into the home of two mischievous children. All ages are welcome with a caregiver. No registration is required. Snacks served.
10:30am

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 medallion inspired by our Wedgewood Collection!
11am – 1pm

Cartoon and Cereal – Homewood Public Library
Saturday morning cartoons and cereal.
10am – 6pm

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 for a Storytime celebration of Dr. Seuss’ Birthday! The Cat in the Hat will be here as our special guest! Don’t miss this opportunity for your child to meet the beloved Cat in the Hat in person!
11am

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Sunday February 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:

Birmingham Zoo:

PELICAN FEEDING – A great way to see our pelicans in action is to witness them eating their favorite treats near the pelican boardwalk.

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:

Railroad Park:

Southern Museum of Flight:

52 New Things, 2014. Week 6

Posted on Saturday, February 15, 2014 by Angie

Whew…. Another week waiting on winter weather. But we still managed to come up with some new things.

Angie –
I’ve decided to encourage the curl. My hair is not straight and it’s not “pretty” curly either, but I’ve felt for a long time that if done right, I could do something with the curl/wave that I have. I spoke with the amazing Jessica Lazarus from Zaru Salon at my last trim and got some tips from her. The biggest being not to use my regular bath towel on my hair when towel drying. Instead I’m currently using a cotton t-shirt and it’s made a world of difference. I still have to touch up with the curling iron but it takes so much less time letting it do it’s thing and it holds the curl way better.

Kristen –
Fresh Market’s Roasted Chicken Salad. Shut. Up.

Shirley –
My new thing this week is lemonade. Not the lemonade you can drink.. but the “when life gives you lemons” type lemonade.
This week my family had made the trek to the Mountains of North Carolina for some quick, cheap snow skiing. (Which by the way is a great place for families). We were having a blast when we got word that there was over a foot of snow headed our way that would leave us stuck for several days. So we had to make the decision to hit the road before all the weather came through.

We made it to a small Tennessee town and got snowed in at an interstate Econo Lodge. I was left pouting because we left the beautiful mountains for a hotel with a parking lot view. My girls were so excited because they had an indoor pool and we ended up Our little 2 night detour turned out to be one of the best family vacations anyone could ask for. It was simple, inexpensive, and perfect. I’ll take a second helping of that lemonade any day!

What were your new things for this week?

Juicebox Jukebox – Love Songs

Posted on Friday, February 14, 2014 by Angie

Since it’s February, the “Month of Love,” we decided to pick some songs about love for your listening pleasure. Now we fully realize that romantic love songs over Valentines day may be what landed you listening to kids music in the first place, but have no fear these are geared more towards songs you can enjoy with kids around so it will keep you out of trouble this year!

One Love People Get Ready – Bob Marley

Crazy Little Thing Called Love – Queen

How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) – James Taylor

Say Hey (I Love You) Michael Franti [feat. Cherine Anderson]

The Rainbow Connection- Sarah McLachlan

Lovesong – Cure

Two – Ryan Adams

Loves Me Like a Rock – Paul Simon

Love Songs – Anjulie

Sweet Pea – Amos Lee

Love Story – Taylor Swift — relax, I’m not asking you to watch it live.

Now for a little something to tug on the heartstrings of those of you that have daughters:

Daughter – Loudan Wainwright

And for the little boys:

Beautiful Boy – Ben Harper – sorry John Lennon fans, I like this version better. Don’t hate me.

We hope you enjoy these songs and if you would like to purchase one or all of these songs, you can find them here, we’ve made it easy by making it an imix on itunes.