Birmingham Events Calendar: October 6th – October 13th

Posted on Sunday, October 6, 2013 by Angie

Cooler weather is coming and the fall activities are in full swing!

We hope you will take the time to get out this week and enjoy some of what Birmingham has to offer.

Boo at the Zoo has officially kicked off, you can catch the Kick’n Chick’n Wing Fest or the Mt, Laurel Fall Festival happening this weekend.

If you’ve got a LEGO Fan in the house, check out the Special LEGO Event happening at Barnes and Noble Summit on Friday!

Have a great week!

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

Sunday October 6th:

Boo at the Zoo
Watch as the Zoo transforms into a destination of spooky attractions for 15 nights of Wells Fargo Boo at the Zoo. This year, you can seeyour favorite ©Marvel characters like Spider-Man, Iron Man, Thor and Captain America*! Don’t miss your chance to experience special meet and greets with the heroes, get their autographs and take your very own pictures!
Be sure to come dressed in your favorite family-friendly costume to search for Bigfoot on the Sasquatch Safari*, jump on the Eerie Express train*, take a spin on the Scarousel*, participate in animal-themed games at the Creepy Carnival tent, trick-or-treat your way through safe candy villages and much more! Boo at the Zoo is one spook-tacular event you won’t want to miss!
*©Marvel character appearance dates: October 4-5 (Captain America), 11-12 (Thor), 18-19 (Iron Man) & 25-26 (Spider-Man)
*The Zoo will close at 4pm on each day of Boo at the Zoo.
*Animals will not be on exhibit for Boo at the Zoo.
* Daily attraction fees still apply
* Wristband includes unlimited access to: Eerie Express Train, Sasquatch Safari, Scarousel, Creepy Carnival, Gruesome Golf, Ghost Rollers and Cajun Sadie’s Fortune Telling Adventure
$8 Non-members*
$6 Members*–NEW MEMBER DISCOUNT!
$11.50 wristbands*
$3.50 attractions*
5pm – 9pm

Southern Women’s Show – BJCC
The Southern Women’s Show returns to the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex.
One of the largest consumer events in Birmingham, the annual Southern Women’s Show attracts thousands of local women each year for four jam-packed days of fashion shows, cooking demonstrations, beauty tips, health screenings, decorating ideas and personal growth opportunities — all tailored especially for women — as well as celebrity appearances.
The 2013 edition features Miss Kay from A & E’s wildly popular Duck Dynasty.
Admission is $10 at the door, $8 in advance online, $7 in advance at participating Piggly Wiggly’s, $5 for children 6–12 years old and free for children under 6 years of age (with paying adult). Special $5 after 5 pm pricing is available every day.
11am – 5pm

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Monday October 7th:

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

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

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Tuesday October 8th:

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
10:30am

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Wednesday October 9th:

Annual Fire Prevention Parade – Downtown Birmingham
The Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service annual Fire Prevention Parade will follow 20th Street from Powell Ave to Rev Abraham Woods Blvd then over to 19th Street North to 10th Ave N. The parade will include new and antique fire apparatus from the city of Birmingham and surrounding areas, various mascots, bands, and other organizations.
11:30am

Storytime – Homewood Public Library
All Ages
10:30am

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 a little girl on her exciting trip to the local farm. From apple picking to finding the best pumpkin, discover how much fun the harvest season can be!
11am

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Thursday October 10th:

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Friday October 11th:

Special LEGO Event – Barnes and Noble Summit
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

Magic Tree House – Hoover Public Library
Join Annie and Jack for an adventure of games, crafts and snacks inspired by one of Hoover’s favorite series. Grades 1 – 3.
4pm – 5pm

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Saturday October 12th:

Fresh Air Family Fossil Hunt – Walmart Sumiton
Giant creatures crawled out of a swamp in Alabama millions of years ago, leaving footprints for modern fossil hunters in an abandoned coal mine. On one of our digs, we found a museum-quality fossil! On October 12, you can dig for rare fossils in one of the most important fossil sites in world, where scientists study ancient sea creatures. And you keep what you find! Sponsored by Dayjon, Inc. a company creating products for the modern coal industry.

Fresh Air Family has scheduled the fossil hunt for at the Union Chapel coal mine, near Suniton. The hike will be led by Carl Sloan of the Birmingham Paleontology Society, which has been credited with many of the discoveries on the site.

At one fossil hunt, we found seven human-hand-sized prints left there more than 300 million years ago by a sailback reptile, which roamed a Coal Age Forest that covered Alabama. The six-foot-long amphibian resembled a giant salamander with a fin on its back, in an age predating dinosaurs.

This fossil site has been rated as the most important Coal Age footprint in the world by international experts, according to Congressional findings that resulted in saving the mine from being destroyed by the Mining Reclamation Act. Only three other places in the world are known to have these types of fossils: Scotland, Nova Scotia and the Czech Republic.

Please note that this site has jagged rocks and uneven surfaces. Children must be supervised by parents.
$15 non-members
$10 members

Two sessions
9:00 am – noon
1:00 – 5:00 pm

Kicki’n Chick’n Wing Fest – SOHO Square
The 2013 Magic Moments Kick’n Chick’n Wing Fest is upon us! The outdoor wing cook-off, referred to as the “ultimate tailgate party” by the Birmingham News, features local restaurants, games for kids, local celebrity judges, a wing eating contest and, of course, live football games on big screen TVs. More football, more wings, more people, and more fun! Come eat some wings and show your support of Magic Moments. It’s all about the MAGIC baby!
$10 per person
11am – 4:30

Oktoberfest – Trussville, Holy Infant of Prague
Trussville is again hosting a family-fun Oktoberfest. Everyone is welcome and there is no charge to attend. Enjoy Authentic German food and live music along with lots of other treats such as German pretzels, cakes, strudels, funnel cakes, cookies and other goodies such as cotton candy, peanuts, pizza and nachos.

There are plenty of activities planned for the entire family from tots to seniors and everyone in between. Some of the offerings include hayrides to the pumpkin patch, a rock wall, obstacle course, pumpkin painting, jewelry- making, lots of children’s games with prizes, football toss, ring toss, corn hole, hole-in- one, grab bag wheel, balloon figures, miniature golf and face-painting. There are opportunities to win prizes, cakes, and even cash with games, the cake wheel, bingo, and a raffle that includes a $1500 vacation, large screen TV and iPad. Grandma’s back porch will be open with homemade jellies & jams, pickled vegetables and hand- made candies, cookies and other delicacies, including gluten-free and sugar-free selections.
9am – 3pm

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. October’s theme is fall foliage.
1pm – 2:30pm
$5/ $7 (non-members) per child.
Chaperones are free.

Mt Laurel Fall Festival
Farmers Market and Craft Fair with music, food, hay rides, petting zoo and rides for children
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! Sugar Skulls // Trick us with your sweet skills while decorating these ornamental treats!
11am

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.

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Sunday October 13th:

Fall Scavenger Hunt – Ruffner Mountain
Enjoy a walk through the forest and search for answers to the clues from Ruffner’s Fall Scavenger Hunt. Once you have found all the answers, return your paper to the front desk and claim your prize! Children of all ages. Scavenger sheets will be at the front desk.
This event is on-going. Come any time between 1 and 5.

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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: Flight of the Butterflies, Titians 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.

Revive Birmingham.

Posted on Wednesday, October 2, 2013 by Angie

By Nanci Scarpulla:

I was born and raised in Birmingham. My mother was born and raised in Birmingham, as was my grandmother and so on…

Birmingham is in my blood as much as Alabama is in my soul.

My husband has an equally heavy Birmingham story. His great grandparents embraced the American dream as Italian immigrants and came through Ellis Island, on their way to the Magic City.

Whether the Magic City was a playground for a little curly headed girl, whose sweetest memories were growing up in Woodlawn, and awaiting the day she could pick her father up at the Birmingham Terminal after his overseas service in World War II, or a sweet Italian family who came over to celebrate their faith, and freedom, in a city that offered the opportunity to those who sought change in their lives, Birmingham held a special place in our families, and it still does.

For the next month, REV Birmingham will host the Street Life Project, including Pop Up stores and businesses through out several Birmingham neighborhoods. REV Birmingham is an economic development program that encourages entrepreneurs and business owners to grow their business in our city and bring new life to areas.

Why is this important? As a mom, I believe this so very important to the success of not only our economic recovery, but to the revitalization of neighborhoods by providing jobs, cleaning up abandoned or neglected areas, increasing tourism, providing events and programs, and most importantly, encouraging civic pride and community in our children.

Plus, if you are interested in opening up your dream business, this is a great opportunity to learn the ins and outs with the help of REV Birmingham’s Retail Revolution.

Each week for the next month, I will feature the Pop Up Projects and events going on around the city. I encourage you to shop, walk, eat, and see what our city has to offer.

Whether you are a native to Birmingham, or you relocated and now call Birmingham your home, this is our city and this is our chance to REVive it.

As a city, we have created and recreated ourselves many times. Neighborhoods change, laws change, people change, and environments change, yet the very soul of our city never seems to change as long as we have people who will continue to believe
in the magic of the Magic City.

#ReviveBham

#walkeatshop

Week One: Downtown Birmingham

(For more information, visit www.revivebirmingham.com)

For one week, downtown’s 1900 block of 3rd Avenue North will be vibrant with street life, pop-up retail and art installations. We ask you to celebrate this vision of revitalization by joining the street life as you walk, eat and shop. Come grab a doughnut before work, grab a quick lunch and catch an outdoor dance class, then come back by to shop a bit in the evening.

Check out the Revive Birmingham Calendar for up to date events including FREE dance lessons, parties, and unique new businesses in the area.

This weeks pop up stores include:

BIG City Brand, with Yellowhammer Creative,

Made in the Magic City

Rugged & Fancy

Harold & Mod

Freshfully

The REVIVE 2013 Schedule Includes:

Downtown, 3^rd Ave. N. – September 30 – October 4

East Lake – October 7 – October 11

Ensley – October 14 – October 18

Five Points South – October 21 – October 25

Woodlawn – October 28 – November 1

Bedtime Book Club: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Posted on Monday, September 30, 2013 by Angie

Moving from the toddler board books that are loaded with pictures was a big deal for us. Our very first “real” book was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. We chose this book because of our friend Rachel at Grasping for Objectivity’s recommendation. (See her list of over 200 great books here.)

Charlie was a perfect transition book for the kids. Though there were only a few pictures, the imagery and creativity were right on target for my kids, ages 4 and 6. The book moved at a great pace that kept them excited and engaged. It was a joy for me to hear, “Read 1 more chapter, pleeeease!!” That is how I want my kids to feel about reading, and Charlie delivered the passion for a story.

After different parts of the book we had some great discussions:

Why was Veruca Salt so spoiled? What is spoiled? Was it her fault? Her parents?

Who deserved a golden ticket?

Why did Charlie’s dad step aside so that Grandpa Joe could go?

What is greed? Was Augustus Gloop greedy?

What does it mean to be grateful? Which child was grateful?

BirminghamMommy’s Bedtime Book Club gives Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 2 sticky thumbs up!

Bedtime Book Club is an original BirminghamMommy.com series that focuses on great books for the tiny humans.

Birmingham Events Calendar September 29th – October 6th

Posted on Sunday, September 29, 2013 by Angie

Fall is one of our most favorite times in Birmingham. We get the best weather and the calendar really starts to heat up with so many cool local events.

From food truck festivals, music at Vulcan to Fall Festivals and one of the kids all time favorites, Boo at the Zoo!

Lots of great things happening this week! Have a good one!

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

Sunday September 29th

Vulcan AfterTunes – Vulcan Park
Birmingham’s unique musical event returns to Red Mountain this fall for its 9th season! Enjoy cool tunes, fresh brews, and sweet views on Sunday afternoons with Birmingham’s hip iron man, Vulcan. Chill out in Birmingham’s backyard and end your week with friends and family (of all ages) while listening to some of the area’s best music.
Concerts will take place at 3 p.m. on select Sundays
Gates open at 1 p.m. Tickets and seating are first-come, first-served and general admission. Lawn chairs and blankets strongly encouraged. Food, beer, wine and soft drinks will be available for purchase. No pets or outside alcohol allowed. All shows rain or shine. For additional concert details and up-to-date artist information, log onto www.visitvulcan.com.
General Admission – $15 (Includes concert, admission to Vulcan Center Museum and Observation Tower and tax)
Children 12 & under are FREE!
Vulcan Members – $7.50
VIP Ticket Packages are available for $75

Truck By the Tracks – Railroad Park
Trucks by the Tracks is back, this year with more food trucks and even more fun! Make plans to join the Railroad Park Foundation Junior Board on for live music, entertainment, food trucks, and beverages. Admission is free!

Cahaba River Frydown – Trussville Springs
The best amateur catfish fryers in Alabama will square off for the 4th Annual Cahaba River Society Fry-Down, a competitive catfish cooking contest and riverfront festival to celebrate the beauty and significance of the Cahaba River. A fundraiser for the Cahaba River Society. At Trussville Springs, along the banks of the Cahaba in Trussville, Ala.

The Fry-Down is like a BBQ or chili cook-off, but with catfish and hushpuppies. Local teams of enthusiastic chefs will prepare catfish and fixings for a panel of celebrity judges. Fest-goers can sample their efforts and learn about the diversity of the Cahaba River and its role as a source of drinking water and recreation for Alabama.
Noon – 4:00pm

The Dish on Downton Abbey – Barnes and Noble Summit
While you are waiting for Downton Abbey, come join us! BYOTC (Bring Your Own Tea Cup) and enjoy Harney Tea and our famous cranberry orange scones. 10 am in our Cafe!
10am

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Monday September 30th:

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

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Tuesday October 1st:

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
10:30am

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Wednesday October 2nd:

Storytime – Homewood Public Library
All Ages
10:30am

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Wow, look around – the colors of the leaves are changing! Instead of green, the leaves are red, yellow and orange. It’s fall! Join us as we read about all the different changes fall can bring.
11am

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Thursday October 3rd:

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Friday October 4th:

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Saturday October 5th:

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
Monster, monster everywhere! Join us as we learn all the fun things you could do if you were a monster.
11am

Star Wars Reads – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us for Star Wars Reads Day on Saturday, October 5, with costume contests, trivia, crafts and more. All ages welcome. May the Force be with you!
6:00pm

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Sunday October 6th:

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Local Attractions Open Daily!

McWane Science Center:

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:

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:

Trucks By The Tracks – Railroad Park

Posted on Thursday, September 26, 2013 by Angie

If you’ve been reading BirminghamMommy.com for a while, you may have realized that we have a food truck obsession. And this is the perfect event to feed our need and our bellies!

Trucks by the Tracks is back, this year with more food trucks and more fun! Make plans to join the Railroad Park Foundation Junior Board on Sunday, September 29 for live music, entertainment, food trucks and beverages. Admission is free!

Trucks include Slice Pizza & Brew, Shindigs, Spoonfed Grill, Cantina, Melt, Nola Ice, Jim n’ Nick’s, Hank’s Famous Hot Dogs & Italian Ice, Dreamcakes, Repicci’s Italian Ice, Avalanche Delights, Birmingham Fashion Truck, Steel City Pops, Urban Wings, Off the Hook, and Biscuit Love! 10% of your purchase from these trucks during the event will go directly to Railroad Park Foundation, the non-profit organization that runs Railroad Park.

11am – 5pm

Hope to see you there!!

Giveaway: Southern Women's Show Passes

Posted on Tuesday, September 24, 2013 by Angie

The Southern Women’s Show is coming and BirminghamMommy has some passes to give out to 2 lucky readers.

The Southern Women’s Show returns to the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex October 3-6, 2013.
One of the largest consumer events in Birmingham, the annual Southern Women’s Show attracts thousands of local women each year for four jam-packed days of fashion shows, cooking demonstrations, beauty tips, health screenings, decorating ideas and personal growth opportunities — all tailored especially for women — as well as celebrity appearances.
The 2013 edition features Miss Kay from A & E’s wildly popular Duck Dynasty.

Admission is $10 at the door, $8 in advance online, $7 in advance at participating Piggly Wiggly’s, $5 for children 6–12 years old and free for children under 6 years of age (with paying adult). Special $5 after 5 pm pricing is available every day.

Oct 3, 2013: 10 am – 7 pm (Thu)
Oct 4, 2013: 10 am – 8 pm (Fri)
Oct 5, 2013: 10 am – 7 pm (Sat)
Oct 6, 2013: 11 am – 5 pm (Sun)

We’ll be giving out 2 pairs of tickets good for admission on any day of your choice. Winners name will be left at will call.

To enter:

Leave a Comment here on this post

Share this post with your Facebook Friends (come back here an let us know you did)

That’s it.. We’re making it easy on you.

Giveaway will end Thursday, September 26th at Noon. Winners will be notified via email.

Good Luck.

Parenting with a PhD: Helping Your Child Deal with “Mean Girls” (& Boys)

Posted on Monday, September 23, 2013 by Angie

By Kristen Berthiaume:

Now that we’re fully into the school year, the shine is wearing off and true colors are showing through. Your child may have come home with tales of a classmate who is belittling or blows hot and cold, depending on her mood. Although it’s tempting to write this off as kids being kids, sometimes the problem grows to astronomical proportions. If your child has been the victim of or a witness to bullying, or is exhibiting some bullying behavior him/herself, consider some of these resources to help everyone cope.
For parents who want to find ways to prevent or stop bullying:

Queen Bees and Wannabees: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends, and the New Realities of Girl World by Rosalind Wiseman – This book was the inspiration for the movie “Mean Girls” and is a seminal work in understanding relational aggression (or why sticks and stones have nothing on words when it comes to bullying).

Little Girls Can Be Mean: Four Steps to Bully-proof Girls in the Early Grades by Michelle Anthony – Learn to recognize early bullying behavior and steer your child towards more rewarding friendships.

The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander: From Preschool to High School. How Parents and Teachers Can Help Break the Cycle by Barbara Coloroso – This book includes ways to identify if your child is bullying others, gives advice on how bystanders can safely help when they witness bullying, and provides ideas for helping victims.

For middleschoolers and older, here are a few resources:

A Smart Girl’s Guide to Friendship Troubles by Angela Martini – This book from the American Girl series covers everything friend-related, especially the darker side. Girls will love the real-life situations and advice, and the format is very user-friendly and fun.

Stand Up for Yourself and Your Friends: Dealing with Bullies and Bossiness and Finding a Better Way by Angela Martini – This book is very similar in format to A Smart Girl’s Guide and gives additional practical advice.

The “Mean Girls” movie – If you let your daughter see it, consider watching together and spending some time discussing. Make sure she gets the ultimate message that bullying is harmful in any form – even if the so-called “mean girl” is the target.

If your child is still in elementary school, consider:

Fancy Nancy and the Mean Girl by Jane O’Connor – Everyone’s favorite sesquepedalian (look it up – it’s a fun word) deals with an unkind classmate with her usual flair.

Tease Monster: A Book about Teasing vs. Bullying by Julia Cook – This is a good one for both boys and girls. It covers the misunderstandings that often lead to problems getting along with others. It’s great for kids who have trouble telling the difference between friendly teasing and more harmful behavior.

Stop Bullying Bobby: Helping Children Cope with Teasing and Bullying by Dana Smith-Mansell – This story for 4-8 year olds shows how a concerned bystander along with her teacher helped a classmate who was being bullied.

Dealing with your own “Mean Girl?” Check out Mean Girls at Work: How to Stay Professional When Things Get Personal by Kathi Elster and Mean Girls, Meaner Women: Understanding Why Women Backstab, Betray, and Trash-Talk Each Other by Dr. Joan Rosenberg.

About this column: Send your parenting- and kid-related questions my way and I’ll tell you what I can: parentingwithaphd@gmail.com Please be aware that email is not a secure method of transmitting personal information so it’s best to keep your questions general. If your question is featured, your name and email will not be published. Submitting a question does not constitute a professional relationship in any way and this column is not meant to substitute for face-to-face therapy. If you feel you’re doing the best you can and still need help, it may be time to bring in a professional. Start by talking with your child’s pediatrician to get a referral.

Kristen Berthiaume, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist with Grayson and Associates. She obtained her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Kentucky. She completed a predoctoral internship in clinical psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a post- doctoral fellowship in the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD) Program at Duke University Medical Center. She specializes in providing assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and families dealing with the following issues: ADHD, learning disorders, social skill deficits, organizational problems, behavioral difficulties, anxiety, and depression. She generally focuses on behavioral and cognitive- behavioral techniques, but maintains a flexible approach to therapy. Her other day job is as mom to her six-year-old and newborn daughters and three-year-old son.

Birmingham Events Calendar: September 22nd – September 29th

Posted on Sunday, September 22, 2013 by Angie

Hello Cooler Weather! Looks like it’s going to be a great week to get outside and enjoy the cooler temps. But don’t over do it, this weekend in Birmingham is PACKED with so many fun things to do, you won’t be able to fit it all in.

Vulcan AfterTunes is back, Museum Day Live will allow you free access to participating museums, Harvest Fest at the Museum of Art, Whistle Stop festival, and Trucks by the Tracks… And that doesn’t even scratch the surface.

So sit down and work out a plan so that you make the most of what our city has to offer this week!

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

Sunday September 22nd

Leeds Fall Festival – Leeds Historic Downtown
You’ll find fun for the whole family at the Leeds Fall Festival and John Henry Celebration. The event will feature local food vendors, a juried art show and sale, live musical entertainment, special activities for children and a car show. The festival will celebrate the life of John Henry, steel drivin’ man and local legend, with three outdoor performances of “Listen to that Cold Steel Ring.”
Noon to 5 pm
Admission and parking are free. www.leedsfolkfestival.org.

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Monday September 23rd:

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

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Tuesday September 24th:

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
10:30am

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Wednesday September 25th:

Storytime – Homewood Public Library
All Ages
10:30am

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Have you ever wanted to catch a star? Join us as we find out what happens when one little boy decides to catch one of his very own.
11am

Crocodile Creek Circus Tower Puzzle – Barnes and Noble Summit
Kids ages 3 to 7 will have fun at this group activity as they build a beautiful, four-foot-high Circus Tower puzzle. They’ll practice counting animals and naming them too! Space is limited. Ask any bookseller how to sign up.
11:30am

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Thursday September 26th:

Cloth Diapering 101 – Gardendale Library
If you are considering cloth diapering come join us to learn about how to get started. If you’re already cloth diapering we’d love for you to join us so you can share your tips, tricks, and favorite brands. Bring examples of what you’ve used. We’re a casual mommy (and mommy to be!) group that meets each 4th Thursday of the month from 10-11. Children of all ages are welcome and we set up a snack station and play area in our meeting room so kids can play while we chat. We hope to see you here!

Brookwood Live! – Colonial Brookwood Village
Great bands and great fun! This weeks band is De’Ja Blue Band of Birmingham.
5pm – 9pm

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Friday September 27th:

Minecraft – Hoover Public Library
Challenge your friends in our first ever tournament. Minecraft themed games and food will keep you occupied while avoiding the Creeper. Registration going on now. Grades 4 – 8.
4pm

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Saturday September 28th:

Keep It Simple Silly Program – Ruffner Mountain Nature Center
Join us for this monthly mini program. This month we will be making sand candles!
$2/ $3 (non-member)
1 pm – 1:45 pm (Sat)

Museum Day Live! – Participating Birmingham Museums
In the spirit of Smithsonian Museums, who offer free admission everyday, Museum Day Live! is an annual event hosted by Smithsonian magazine in which participating museums across the country open their doors to anyone presenting a Museum Day Ticket… for free.

Only an official Museum Day Live! ticket is eligible for free entry. Official tickets can be found here on the Museum Day Live! Website.
One ticket per household, for two people.
A ticket will gain entry to only one of the participating museums, excluding parking and special events and exhibits.
If museum reaches capacity, museum has the right to limit the number of guests until space becomes available.

Participating Museums in Birmingham and surrounding areas are

Family Day, Harvest Fest– Birmingham Museum of Art
Celebrate the harvest season with Native American dancers and music, artist demonstrations, snacks, and art activities!

Try your hand at finger weaving with artist Monica Newman Moore.
Sample Native American foods with Rosa Hall.
Explore symbols with shell carver Dan Townsend.
Dance and make some noise!
Explore more in our new Native American galleries!

10AM-3:30PM // Art activities, snacks, and surprises
10AM-3PM // Artist demonstrations
10:30AM and 12:30PM // Storytelling

Earth Fare Block Party – Earth Fare
Join Earth Fare for samples, demos, kids activities, and fun for the whole family!
12 pm – 4 pm

Whistle Stop Cafe – Irondale Cafe
The 22nd Annual Irondale Whistle Stop Festival will be held on Saturday, September 28th. The Whistle Stop Festival annually brings a wide variety of food, crafts, music and other activities to Irondale’s Historic District. The Irondale Chamber of Commerce is located in the center of the festival.
9am – 5pm

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
Have you ever wanted to catch a star? Join us as we find out what happens when one little boy decides to catch one of his very own.
11am

LEGO Master Build Academy Robot
Kids ages 8 and up will learn sideways building and alternate uses while creating a robot from Lego Master Building Academy. Space is limited to 25 participants, so sign up early! Ask any bookseller for details.
11:30am

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Sunday September 29th:

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Local Attractions Open Daily!

McWane Science Center:

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:

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:

Yummy Eats: "Better than sex" cake

Posted on Friday, September 20, 2013 by Angie

We don’t know if the title is completely accurate, but with a name like that… you have to try it to find out!

Cake–
1 (18 1/4 ounce) boxes yellow cake mix
1 1/3 cups water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
1 (20 ounce) cans crushed pineapple
1 1/3 cups sugar

Pudding–
1 (3 1/2 ounce) boxes French vanilla instant pudding
2 cups cold whole milk
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 cup flaked sweetened toasted coconut

Directions–
1 Preheat oven to 350.
2 Prepare yellow cake mix as directed using a greased 13x9x2-inch pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes.
3 While cake is baking, combine the pineapple and 1 cup of sugar in a saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium heat stirring constantly. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
4 Remove cake from oven and using a fork, pierce holes into cake.
5 Pour pineapple mixture over hot cake and set aside.
6 Prepare pudding according to package directions.
7 Spread pudding over cake and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.
8 Whip heavy cream and remaining 1/3 cup sugar until stiff. (Or just use premade whipped cream)
9 Cover top of cake with whipped cream and sprinkle toasted coconut on top.

Helping your child deal with anger

Posted on Thursday, September 19, 2013 by Angie

Being angry is hard business- I always tell my little man that it may feel like a storm inside you, but you have to push the storm clouds out with a few deep breaths. This usually works, but now that he’s getting older and his feelings are growing, we need a few better strategies.

Here are four coping strategies from kidshealth.com:

Take a break from the situation. If you’re in an argument with someone, go to another part of your house. Your room or the backyard are good choices. Just say, “I want to be alone for a while so I can calm down.

Put yourself in a timeout. If you’re feeling angry and think you need a timeout to calm down, don’t wait for a parent to tell you — go ahead and take a timeout for yourself. Let your family know that when you’re taking a timeout, they need to respect your space and leave you alone to calm yourself down. For kids old enough to do it for themselves, a timeout isn’t a punishment: It’s a cool-down. While you’re sitting in your timeout chair, try this cool-down exercise: Put your hands under the seat of the chair and pull up while you count to 5. Then stretch your arms over your head. Take a nice deep breath and let it out. One kid who tried these steps said he used this time to think about the consequences — like getting in trouble if he let his temper go wild.

Get the anger out. We don’t want you punching walls (or even punching pillows), but why not do a bunch of jumping jacks or dance around your room to your favorite music? Turn it up a little. If you go outside, run around or do cartwheels across the lawn. You also could pick up your pen and write it all down. What made you so upset? Keep writing until you’ve covered everything. If you don’t like writing, just draw a picture that helps you express your feelings. Use strong colors and strong lines to show your strong feelings. You also can try the “Be a Volcano” exercise.

Learn to shift. You’ll have to work hard to do this. This is where you get that puppy under control. The idea is to shift from a really angry mood to a more in-control mood. After you get some of the angry feelings out, you have to start thinking about other things. Sometimes, when people are angry, they’re not really thinking clearly. They’re just mad, mad, mad. Only angry thoughts are flying around their brains. A person might even say mean things to himself or herself, like “I’m such an idiot. I lost my temper again!” But you can replace those thoughts with better ones. For instance, you can say, “I lost my temper, but I’m going to get myself under control now.” Instead of thinking of the person or situation you’re angry with, think of something else. Think of something that will put you in a better mood.