Giveaway: McWane Model Train Preview Party

Posted on Thursday, November 7, 2013 by Angie

The Magic of Model Trains Exhibit is coming to the McWane Science Center and they’re kicking it off with a preview party this Saturday night.

Thanks to the Magic of Model Trains/Winter Wonderland sponsor, Royal Cup Coffee, we have some passes to giveaway to the event.

Magic of Model Train Preview Party – Mcwane Science Center
Be the first to experience both the Magic of Model Trains exhibit and Rocky Mountain Express IMAX film.

Event Includes:
Admission to the museum and a screening of Rocky Mountain Express
Hot chocolate and cookies in the museum
Train rides
Small popcorn
Free train whistle following the film screening for all kids 12 and under
5pm – 8pm
5 PM – 8 PM, Film Screenings at 5 PM & 7 PM

This will be a quick giveaway open until Midnight tonight, 11/7/2013. Winners will need to be able to pick up in Homewood sometime tomorrow. 3 winners will be chosen and notified via email.

To Enter:

Leave a comment here on the post letting us know you want the tickets.

For an extra entries:

Like the the Royal Cup Facebook Page and thank them for the giveaway. (1 per person)

Like the EspresShip Facebook Page and thank them for the giveaway. (1 per person)

Good Luck!

Pinspired Recipe: Baked Pumpkin Spice Doughnuts

Posted on Tuesday, November 5, 2013 by Angie

It seems like everyone else is on a Pumpkin Flavored kick these days so we thought we would give you an option to add to the every growing Pumpkin Craze.

What you’ll need:

1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil

3 Large Eggs

1 1/2 Cups Granulated Sugar

1 1/2 Cups Pumpkin Purée (canned pumpkin)

1 1/2 Teaspoons Pumpkin Pie Spice (or 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon plus heaping 1/4 teaspoon each ground nutmeg and ground ginger) – I ended up using the pumpkin pie spice and fresh ground nutmeg and a pinch of ginger.

1 1/2 Teaspoons Salt

1 1/2 Teaspoons Baking Powder

1 3/4 Cups + 2 Tablespoons All Purpose Flour

Coating Ingredients

3 Tablespoons Cinnamon and Sugar Mixed Together
1 Teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice

What you’ll do:

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly spray/grease donut pan. If you don’t have a donut pan, you can bake muffins instead using a standard muffin tin.
Beat together the oil, eggs, sugar, pumpkin, spices, salt, and baking powder until smooth.
Add the flour, stirring again until smooth.
Fill the wells of the donut pan about 3/4 full; use a scant 1/4 cup of batter in each well. If you’re making muffins, fill each well about 3/4 full; the recipe makes about 15, so you’ll need to bake in two batches (unless you have two muffin pans).
Bake the donuts for 15 to 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of one comes out clean. If you’re making muffins, they’ll need to bake for 23 to 25 minutes.
Remove the donuts from the oven, and after about 5 minutes, loosen their edges, and transfer them to a rack to cool.
While the donuts are still warm (but no longer fragile), gently shake them in a plastic or paper bag with the cinnamon-pumpkin spice-sugar. If you’ve made muffins, sprinkle their tops heavily with cinnamon-pumpkin spice-sugar.
Cool completely, and wrap airtight; store at room temperature for several days.

Happy Fall! Enjoy! Follow us on Pinterest for more of our fun finds!

What Does Your Birth Order Say About You?

Posted on Monday, November 4, 2013 by Angie

We’ve all heard of Middle Child Syndrome and the stereotypes of the First born being a leader, the youngest the “baby?” But did you know that your birth order can actually shape your personality? Where you fall on the family tree can have a huge impact on the type of person you will grow up to be. Birth order is often believed to have a profound and lasting effect on psychological development.

The Oldest – Will usually excel in school, be a leader, like to be in charge and be well organized. First borns also exhibit determination, confidence and are usually bringing to their family many first experiences. Because they are center of the new Parent’s life (at least for a while) it can create a lot of natural self confidence. Many also go on to become entertainers.
Notable First Borns: Oprah Winfrey, George W. Bush, Bill Cosby, Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber.

In the Middle – Middles will have a lot of friends, and will be more likely to resolve a fight than to start one. They are peacemakers who see all sides of a situation, They can usually read people well, and are independent and inventive. If a firstborn is a company’s CEO, the middle child is the entrepreneur.
Notable Middles: Donald Trump, Bill Gates, JFK, Julia Roberts, Warren Buffet.

Youngest – Aren’t afraid to speak up and say what they think. Babies of the family are social and outgoing, and tend to be the most financially irresponsible of all birth orders. The Youngest love attention and could be your class clown.
Notable Last Borns: Jim Carey, Billy Crystal, Goldie Hawn, Steve Martin

Multiples – Typical birth rules above apply and is usually true even if you have siblings other than your twin or triplet.
Notable Multiples: Jenna and Barbara Bush, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, Ronde and Tiki Barber

Only Child – Only Children are typically rich with imagination. They are hard working and goal oriented. Usually independent and comfortable meeting new people. They will have focus, determination and
Notable Only’s: Lance Armstrong, Natalie Portman, Franklin Roosevelt, Condoleezza Rice, Frank Sinatra.

What do you think.. Do these descriptions match up with your birth order, your kids?

Best Children's Books for 2013

Posted on Sunday, November 3, 2013 by Angie

When reading for 20 minutes a night is a school assignment, you quickly start looking for some fun books that will hold your children’s attention night after night.

Here is a rundown of some of the most notable children’s books of 2013, according to the Association of Library Service to Children.

For Younger Readers (ages Preschool-grade 2 (age 7), including easy-to-read books)

And Then It’s Spring. By Julie Fogliano. Illus. by Erin E. Stead. Roaring Brook/Neal Porter.

A spare, lyrical narrative and delicate woodblock print and pencil illustrations capture the anticipation of spring. Accompanied by a coterie of animals, a boy plants seeds and waits expectantly for them to sprout.

Hippopposites. By Janik Coat. Appleseed.

A hippo demonstrates a clever variety of opposites in this oversized board book designed to amuse and instruct the youngest readers.

Bear Has a Story to Tell. By Philip C. Stead. Illus. by Erin E. Stead. Roaring Brook/Neal Porter.

Seasons change but friendship remains as Bear patiently awaits to tell his story in a world created through delicate illustrations and a strong message.

Dogs on Duty. By Dorothy Hinshaw Patent. Walker.

Brave, loyal dogs are hard to resist, especially those trained to serve on difficult military missions. Easy-to-read blocks of text are paired with photos to walk readers through the history of these hero hounds.

Dreaming Up: A Celebration of Building. By Christy Hale. Illus. by the author. Lee & Low.

Poetry combined with images illustrates how children’s play influences the creative process as it pertains to the buildings we inhabit and will inspire readers to dream big.

Nighttime Ninja. By Barbara DaCosta. Illus. by Ed Young. Little, Brown.

A ninja stealthily goes about his mission until his mother catches him and puts him to bed. A dark palette of cut paper and mixed-media illustrations intensify the story’s intrigue.

Oh, No! By Candace Fleming. Illus. by Eric Rohmann. Random/Schwartz & Wade.

With exuberant rhythmic phrases and jungle colored illustrations, five animals are disturbed by a grinning tiger and fall into a hole, one by one. This suspenseful cumulative tale is an engaging read-aloud.

One Cool Friend. By Toni Buzzeo. Illus. by David Small. Dial/Penguin.

Energetic line and dizzying perspective combine for a rollicking tale of Father, Elliot, and a highly improbable pet (or two). (A 2013 Caldecott Honor Book)

For Middle Readers (Grades 3-5, ages 8-10)

Abraham Lincoln & Frederick Douglass: The Story behind an American Friendship. By Russell Freedman. illus. Clarion/Houghton.

Though one was born a free man and the other a slave, Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass had much in common. In this dynamic study, Freedman explains how their influential lives intersected and benefitted a nation.

The Beetle Book. By Steve Jenkins. Illus. by the author. Houghton.

With jewel-like collage art, this over-sized edition examines different beetle species and their distinctive characteristics.

A Black Hole Is Not a Hole. By Carolyn Cinami DeCristofano. Illus. by Michael Carroll. Charlesbridge.

Using analogies within a child’s experience, this deceptively clear, engaging introduction to black holes describes, explains, excites, and sparks a sense of wonder.

Iceberg, Right Ahead!: The Tragedy of the Titanic. By Stephanie Sammartino McPherson. illus. Lerner/Twenty-First Century.

Drawing from official documents, logs, and diaries and illlustrated with plentiful photographs, this well-organized, gripping chronicle records the tragic story, from the original design and construction to the discovery of the ship’s remains and motion picture recreations.

In a Glass Grimmly. By Adam Gidwitz. illus. Dutton/Penguin.

Inspired by the tales of Grimm and Andersen, Gidwitz leads Jack and Jill on a quest full of adventure and fantastical creatures. Wit and wisdom packaged as fun.

Island: A Story of the Galápagos. By Jason Chin. Illus. by the author. Roaring Brook/Neal Porter.

Vivid illustrations and brief text explain the evolution of one Galápagos island and its animal inhabitants. Back matter adds weight to the information and prompts further research.

See You at Harry’s. By Jo Knowles. Candlewick.

Fern’s family life revolves around her family’s restaurant and upbeat-three-year-old Charlie until tragedy strikes. A surprisingly funny book about a family coming together as they grieve.

Splendors and Glooms. By Laura Amy Schlitz. Candlewick.

Lizzie Rose, Parsefall, and Clara are caught in the clutches of a wicked puppeteer and a powerful witch in this deliciously dark and complex good-versus-evil tale set in Dickensian England. (A 2013 Newbery Honor Book)

Older Readers (Grades 6-8, ages 11-14)

Drama. By Raina Telgemeier. Illus. by the author. Graphix/Scholastic.

Callie’s personal drama on the tech-crew — unrequited crushes, a first kiss, middle-school cliques — is a spot-on tribute to teamwork, strong friendships, and individuality. (A 2013 Stonewall Honor Book)

A Game for Swallows: To Die, to Leave, to Return. By Zeina Abirached. Illus. by the author. Lerner/Graphic Universe.

This graphic novel memoir focuses on one night during the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990) during which the author, her brother, and neighbors huddle in the safest corner of their apartment sharing memories, food, and comfort. (A 2013 Batchelder Honor Book)

We’ve Got a Job: The 1963 Birmingham Children’s March. By Cynthia Y. Levinson. illus. Peachtree.

Four children, who risked their lives in the momentous march, provide their personal accounts of that historic event. Beautifully designed and illustrated with archival photographs.

Seraphina. By Rachel Hartman. Random.

In Goredd, dragons and humans live in uneasy peace. Hartman pulls Seraphina, a half-human/half-dragon teen musician, into the intrigue at court. Internally logical, suspenseful with just a hint of romance. (The YALSA 2013 William C. Morris Award Book)

My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece. By Annabel Pitcher. Little, Brown.

A painful, sometimes comic, but ultimately hopeful, story about a family coping with grief, while confronting their own biases against Muslims.

For All Ages (Has appeal and interest for children in all of the above age ranges)

Little Bird. By Germano Zullo. Illus. by Albertine. Enchanted Lion.

The expressive, simple illustrations wordlessly show how a man’s kindness is repaid by a grateful bird; a graphic depiction of “It’s the little things that count.”

National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry: 200 Poems with Photographs that Squeak, Soar, and Roar! Ed. by J. Patrick Lewis. illus. National Geographic.

In a collection for all ages, Lewis pairs poems by classic and modern poets with breathtaking photos from the National Geographic archives that capture the amazing diversity of the animal world.

Step Gently Out. By Helen Frost. Illus. by Rick Lieder. Candlewick.

Frost’s poem, paired with Lieder’s luminous photographs, invite readers to examine insects’ lives as they soar through the air or somersault across a blade of grass.

To see their entire list of notable books for 2013, visit their site.

Birmingham Events Calendar: November 3rd – November 10th

Posted on Sunday, November 3, 2013 by Angie

Daylight Savings Time! Whether you like it or not it’s time to “fall back.”

Disney on Ice is skating into Birmingham this week with it’s Princesses and Heroes. Lots of options for show times.

If your family is a fan of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid, you’ll want to check out the book release party happening at Barnes and Noble at the Summit.

Homestead Hollow Arts and Crafts Festival is happening this weekend and you can catch Kids in Nature at the Ruffner Mountain Nature Center.

Have a Great Week!

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

Sunday November 3rd:

Moss Rock Festival – The Preserve
grab friends and family and get outside to the Moss Rock Festival at The Preserve in Hoover. Explore Nature, Eco Ideas, Art + Design at Alabama’s premier eco-creative festival now in its 8th year. Innovation, imagination, and fun await 15,000 visitors under a blanket of fall colors at this idyllic neighborhood setting adjacent to Hoover’s own 350 acre Moss Rock Preserve. MRF features something for everyone.

Admission is free! Hours are 10am-5pm Saturday and 10am-4pm Sunday. Parking, shuttle, and collections for electronics recycling will take place at the Hoover Met. For all the details, please visit MossRockFestival.com or call 205-595-6306. And follow us on Facebook & Twitter all year long for important announcements, special offers, eco posts, and updates! Join the eco-creative conversation!

For more information on the festival, activities and parking visit their site.

—————————————————————————————

Monday November 4th:

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

Tot Time with Ms Eve – Avondale Library
Storytime for 2-4-year-olds with a caregiver. Includes stories, songs, and craft. 24-hour advance registration required.
10:30am

—————————————————————————————

Tuesday November 5th:

Book Release Party – Barnes and Noble Summit
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck
Join us for a special release party for the new ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ book, Hard Luck. Enjoy Wimpy Kid games, activities and trivia.
6pm

Rangers Apprentice – Hoover Public Library
Araluen needs your help. We have a shortage of Rangers and we are accepting new recruits. You will be trained in archery and camouflage as you learn to defend the kingdom. Grades 4-6
Registration required.
6:30 – 7:30

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 November 6th:

Disney on Ice – Princesses and Heroes
Enter a world of wonder where heroes and hearts prevail. Join Ariel as she yearns to explore the world above the waves and Prince Eric breaks Ursula’s slithering spell to reclaim his one true love. See Price Philip defeat the evil Maleficent as she transforms herself into a fire-breathing dragon in a race against time to rescue Sleeping Beauty’s Aurora. Be there to discover a whole new world with Jasmine and Aladdin. And, watch in awe as the dreams of Cinderella, Belle, Snow White and Tiana all come true. High flying jumps, daring acrobatics, breathtaking skating and loveable Disney friends are just a wish away! There’s even a special appearance by Disney’s newest princess, Rapunzel.
7pm

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 Storytime and activities as we join Pete the Cat on his newest adventure, Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses.
11am

—————————————————————————————

Thursday November 7th:

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

—————————————————————————————

Friday November 8th:

Special LEGO Event – Build It Here
If you love Lego, then this is the event for you! Adults, teens, older children, will have the opportunity to try out the new Lego Architecture Studio line of kits. Learn about scale, models, and other aspects of design — with Lego!
7pm

Homestead Hollow Arts and Crafts Festival –
Homestead Hollow festivals feature fine arts, unique – one of a kind – hand made crafts, pioneer demonstrations of the old time days. See wood carving, ironwork, blacksmithing, smoke house cooking, gardening, quilting, whiskey making at our original working still, and tour original cabins as they were built by the early settlers. Relax by one of our many streams and listen to live local entertainment all day. Enjoy our great food that makes your mouth scream for more.

Children’s activities: ride the ponies, circle in our wagon ride or jump in the moon walk. Visit and talk with our Herbalist and find out more about grandma’s remedies or those nature produces naturally.
Adults – $7
Ages 3 to 12 – $3
Ages 2 and under – Free.
Groups of 20 or more – $6 each.
Free Parking. NO PETS ALLOWED. NO COOLERS ALLOWED.
9am – 4pm

—————————————————————————————

Saturday November 9th:

Kids in Nature – Ruffner Mountain Nature Center
Let’s go outside and explore! KIN programs focus on a different topic each month and includes a naturalist-led hike and a craft. We will be building fairy houses!
$5/ $7 (non-members) per child. Chaperones are free.
1pm

Magic of Model Train Preview Party – Mcwane Science Center
Be the first to experience both the Magic of Model Trains exhibit and Rocky Mountain Express IMAX film.
Event Includes:
Admission to the museum and a screening of Rocky Mountain Express
Hot chocolate and cookies in the museum
Train rides
Small popcorn
Free train whistle following the film screening for all kids 12 and under
$15 Adults, $10 Kids (Members: $12.50 Adults, $7.50 Kids)
5pm – 8pm
5 PM – 8 PM, Film Screenings at 5 PM & 7 PM

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

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! Portrait Project // Look at the people around you. Who do you see?
11am – 1pm

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

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
It’s bedtime in the woods of Burrow Down, and all the animals are ready for their bedtime story. But books are mysteriously disappearing. Join us as we find out where all the bedtime stories have gone.
11am

—————————————————————————————

Sunday November 10th:

—————————————————————————————

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: Flight of the Butterflies, Titans of the Ice Age

Unearthing Alabama’s Ice Age – through December 31st, 2013
McWane Science Center is home to Alabama’s second largest natural history collection. Made up of over 500,000 specimens and objects pertaining to the natural history of the state, this important collection focuses on the preservation, education, and research of Alabama’s rich biodiversity and paleobiodiversity. One of the more significant subsets of the collection is Alabama’s largest collection of Late Pleistocene faunal remains – or Ice Age fossils.

Made up of nearly 10,000 cataloged specimens, the McWSC Pleistocene collection contains a unique diversity of fauna that not only includes those native to North America, but migrants to the state from both South America and the Old World. This collection includes mammals, both extant and extinct, reptiles, amphibians, birds, fishes, and botanical remains collected from both cave and stream localities in the state. Extinct mammals represented in the McWSC collection include mammoths, mastodons, giant beavers, saber-toothed cats, giant armadillos, tapirs, peccaries, and giant ground sloths.

This spring, visitors will have an opportunity to view some of the fossils in the collection with a new exhibit titled — “Unearthing Alabama’s Ice Age.” This exhibit will not only highlight many of the Ice Age animals from the McWane Science Center Collection, but will highlight and dispel many of the common misconceptions surrounding the Ice Age in the state. The goal is for visitors to have a better understanding and appreciation for this time in Alabama. For example, guests might learn that Alabama was on average only five degrees colder than today, glaciers did not reach farther south than southern Illinois or that all the Ice Age animals did not go extinct at the end of the Ice Age. While the largest animals, such as mastodons, giant ground sloths, and saber-tooth cats died out, nearly all the animals that are living in Alabama today were also around in the Ice Age.

The Unearthing Alabama’s Ice Age Alabama display is located in the City Gallery on Level 2 of the museum. It is included in the cost of admission to the museum and free to members.

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.

Fall Crock Pot: Clean Eating Southwestern Chicken

Posted on Friday, November 1, 2013 by Angie

We found a great recipe for the crock pot, and it’s perfect for fall! Clean Eating Southwestern 2 Bean Chicken will be a hit with the whole family- muchas gracias to thegraciouspantry.com for the recipe!

Clean Eating Slow Cooker Southwestern 2 Bean Chicken
(Makes approximately 10 cups)

Ingredients
4 raw, boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 8 oz. each)
1 (15 oz.) can pinto beans (rinsed and drained) or 1 1/3 cup home cooked beans
1 (15 oz.) can black beans (rinsed and drained) or 1 1/3 cup home cooked beans
1 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes in juice, low sodium is best
1 lb. frozen and thawed organic corn (organic to avoid GMO corn)
1 (12 oz.) jar of your favorite salsa, no sugar added

Directions

Step 1 – Place the chicken breasts on the bottom of your slow cooker. Pour the tomatoes and salsa over that and then layer on the beans and corn.

Step 2 – Cook on low for 5-7 hours, or until the chicken easily falls apart when the pot is stirred.

Eat and Enjoy!

Dia de los Muertos, Birmingham

Posted on Thursday, October 31, 2013 by Angie

This November 2nd falls on Saturday! It is sure to be an energetic All Soul’s Day, Dia de los Muertos, and Alabama’s Day of the Dead Festival. This year is the eleventh celebration! It will take place in the same great spot on 1st Avenue South in Birmingham, AL. If you’re looking for some family fun this weekend this is your event.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Gates open at 4:00

Food & Beverages on 1st Avenue:
Cantina, Mi Pueblo, Cosmos, Shindigs, Spoonfed Grill, Beverages by Event Concessions

Food & Beverages in the Alley:
Greg’s Hotdogs, Beverages by Event Concessions

4:00-7:30 Day of the Dead Crafts in the Alley Parking Lot – priority given to children

(Milk Jug Mask Decorating & Hand-Made Marigold Mourning Paper)
Free

4:00 – 10:00 Day of the Dead Face Painting in the Alley by Magic City Face Art

Various prices

4:00-11:00 Art Mercado in the Fenced Lot

(T-shirts, Masks & Art by Local Artists)

Various prices

4:00-4:50 INTERNACIONAL MARIACHI RIOVERDE

Strolling through the Festival

DANCE PERFORMANCE STAGE in the Fenced Lot

DJ – JAVIER FLORES throughout the evening

8:15-8:20 CREATIVE MINDZ DANCE CREW

8:35-8:45 BURNING DESIRE directed by Spider Kilgore

8:55-9:20 BALLET FOLKÓRICO CORAZÓN AZTECA

BAND CONCERT STAGE on 1st Ave at the Viaduct

5:00-6:00 INTERNACIONAL MARIACHI RIOVERDE

6:00-6:15 MATT LAYNE, RACHEL REINHART & Memorial Roll Call

6:15-6:40 Parade – leaves from the side of the band stage

6:40-6:45 Frida Ceremony w/ Susan & Clemencia

6:45-8:00 SUSAN TORRES y CONJUNTO CLEMENCIA – facebook Susan-Torres-y-Conjunto-Clemencia

9:30-11:00 PAVLO – www.pavlo.net

The Lazy Moms Guide to Pumpkin Decorating

Posted on Wednesday, October 30, 2013 by Angie

So, you’ve waited to the last minute to carve or decorate your pumpkin.. Now what? Never fear, here at BirminghamMommy.com we are no strangers to procrastination or “Holy Crap, I forgot to carve the pumpkin” moments.

Here are a few ideas we pulled together for our friends over at Daytime Alabama.

The Mumpkin:

1 pumpkin, a sharpie and some toilet paper.

1 pumpkin, a glue gun and a bunch of buttons – BOO!

1 Pumpkin and a mask: Done

Use your imagination when it comes to decorating your pumpkin. Pull out the paints or raid the the dress up box, you never know what you can create when you’re in a time crunch!

Indoor Options for Trick or Treating in Birmingham

Posted on Wednesday, October 30, 2013 by Angie

It looks like the weather may not cooperate for Trick or Treating this year. If you’re looking for a place to keep your ghosts and goblins dry, check out some of these alternatives.

Harvest Festival – Boutwell Auditorium

On Thursday, October 31^st, the City of Birmingham’s Mayor’s Office Division of Youth Services will host its 2013 Harvest Festival at the Boutwell Auditorium. Harvest Festival is a safe and fun alternative to Halloween for all youth ages 2 to 10.

From 5:30pm to 8:00pm, youth of the city can visit Birmingham’s own Minion Nation! Join Gru and the minions as we have a DYSpicably good time. There will be snacks, games, face painting, rides, prizes and much more at this fall frenzy!

This event is FREE! Youth are encouraged to wear costumes and bring candy pales or bags. Boutwell Auditorium concession stands will be open.

Trunk or Treat Shades Mountain Independent Church
Family Friendly night of costumes, candy and carnival fun. Thursday, October 31st 4pm – 5:30pm

Crossroads Baptist Church
6p-8p inflatables, candy, chilli, etc!!! All FREE!

Emmet O’ Neal Library
Trick or Treat Around the Library – October 31st, 9am -9pm

Halloween Tricks and Treats Homewood Library
October 31st, 1pm – 7:00pm
Stop by in your costume and perform a trick for a treat!

Trick or Treat – Hoover Library
Trick or treat throughout the library on Halloween!

Thursday, October 31, 2012
9am-6 p.m.

Riverchase Galleria

More than 20 stores will have candy for kids, plus guest services and staff at the carousel will hand out candy. Kids – encouraged to wear their costumes but nothing that covers the face
10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Publix – Indoor Trick or Treating

If you know of another in-door event we can add to our list, let us know!

Happy Halloween!

Giveaway: Disney on Ice Princesses and Heroes

Posted on Wednesday, October 30, 2013 by Angie

Disney on Ice Princesses and Heroes are skating into Birmingham and BirminghamMommy.com has a 4 pack of tickets to giveaway.

Through artistic skating and graceful acrobatics, Disney On Ice presents Princesses & Heroes beautifully recreates the defining moments when eight Disney Princesses’ wishes are fulfilled with help from their devoted Princes. Tinker Bell guides guests through the inspiring stories of Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Tiana, Jasmine, Aurora and Snow White as their wishes are being granted and their dreams coming true.

Performance Schedule:

Wednesday, November 6 at 7 p.m.

Thursday, November 7 at 7 p.m.

Friday, November 8 at 7 p.m.

Saturday, November 9 at 11 a.m.

Sunday, November 10 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Our tickets are for your choice of the November 6th, 7th, or 8th show. Here’s how to enter.

1. Leave a comment here on this post.

2. Follow us on twitter and/or tweet the following: “@BirminghamMommy is giving away tickets to Disney on Ice http://ow.ly/qk88w ”

3. Share this link on your Facebook page – http://ow.ly/qk88w (come back here and let us know that you did)

Giveaway will end on Thursday at 6pm. Winner will be notified via email and on our Facebook Page.