Birmingham Area Summer Movies, Free & Discounted – 2013

Free and/or Discounted Summer Movies happening around Birmingham!

Summer is coming and we’re always looking for ways to keep the kids busy, extra bonus points if it’s inexpensive. Super extra bonus points if it’s FREE!

** Quick Note. Rave Motion Pictures are now owned by Carmike Cinemas.

The Deal:

Amstar Cinemas – Alabaster – Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s. Admission is $3.50 per person, price includes Movie, Kids Drink and Popcorn. All movies will start at 10am, box office opens at 9:30. Seating is limited, first come first served. All movies are G or PG.

Carmike Cinemas:
Summit,
Thursdays
Patton Creek,
Wed and Thursday
Lee Branch,
Mon – Thurs
Vestavia
–  Thursday
This year’s series will be a complete package.  $4.00 for each attendee for each feature gets admission, kids tray with popcorn, drink and snack. All movies will start at 10am. Seating is limited, first come first served. Additional concession items will be available for purchase at regular price. All digital format, no 3D —

The Edge 12 – Family Film Festival. $1.00 per show, or a season pass can be purchased for $5.00 per person. 10am on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Seating is limited, first come first served.

Regal Trussville – Summer Movie Express. Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 10am. Admission is $1 and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Will Rogers Institute.

The Alabama Theatre – Saturday/Sunday Matinees – 2pm

Free Friday Flicks – ** Note change of location to Veterans Park in Hoover, not at Homewood Park. Movies are free and begin at dusk.

Helena – Sundown Cinemas – Friday Nights, Free of Charge. Showtime, 8pm. No Outside Food or Drink Allowed. *Schedule TBA

Movies at Avondale Park – Tuesday nights in June, free family movie fun! Silvertron will have box dinners so you can turn the evening into a family picnic under the stars! Showtime 8:15pm

The Movies:

Tuesday, May 28th

Amstar Cinemas, Alabaster – Pirates! Band of Misfits

Wednesday, May 29th

Amstar Cinemas, Alabaster – Pirates! Band of Misfits

Friday, May 31st

Free Friday Flicks, Veterans Park Hoover – Brave

Tuesday, June 4th

Amstar Cinemas, Alabaster – We Bought a Zoo
The Edge – Smurfs
Regal Trussville – The Three Stooges/Ice Age: Continental Drift
Avondale – Up

Wednesday, June 5th

Amstar Cinemas, Alabaster – We Bought a Zoo
The Edge – Smurfs
Regal Trussville – The Three Stooges/Ice Age: Continental Drift
Carmike – Patton Creek Only – Despicable Me

Thursday, June 6th

Carmike Summit,  Patton Creek, Lee Branch and Vestavia – Despicable Me

Friday, June 7th

Free Friday Flicks, Veterans Park Hoover- Ice Age: Continental Drift

Sunday, June 9th

Alabama Theatre – Fried Green Tomatoes

Tuesday, June 11

Amstar Cinemas, Alabaster – Smurfs
The Edge – Zookeeper
Regal Trussville – Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days/Parental Guidance
Avondale Park – Princess Bride

Wednesday June 12 

Amstar Cinemas, Alabaster – Smurfs
The Edge – Zookeeper
Regal Trussville – Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days/Parental Guidance
Carmike – Patton Creek Only – Smurfs

Thursday, June 13th

Carmike Summit, Patton Creek, Lee Branch and Vestavia – Smurfs

Friday, June 14th

Free Friday Flicks, Veterans Park Hoover- Escape from Planet Earth

Sunday, June 16th

Alabama Theatre – Gaslight

Tuesday, June 18

Amstar Cinemas, Alabaster – Diary of a Wimpy Kid
The Edge – Puss in Boots
Regal Trussville – Mr Poppers Penguins/Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked
Avondale Park – ET

Wednesday, June 19

Amstar Cinemas, Alabaster Diary of a Wimpy Kid
The Edge – Puss in Boots
Regal Trussville – Mr Poppers Penguins/Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked
Carmike – Patton Creek Only – Hotel Transylvania

Thursday, June 20th

Carmike Summit, Patton Creek, Lee Branch and Vestavia – Hotel Transylvania

Friday, June 21st

Free Friday Flicks, Veterans Park Hoover – Odd Life of Timothy Green

Sunday, June 23rd

Alabama Theatre – Princess Bride

Tuesday, June 25th

Amstar Cinemas, Alabaster – Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
The Edge – Dolphin Tale
Regal Trussville – Monte Carlo/Rio

Wednesday, June 26th

Amstar Cinemas, Alabaster – Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
The Edge – Dolphin Tail
Regal Trussville – Monte Carlo/Rio
Carmike – Patton Creek Only – Ice Age: Continental Drift

Thursday, June 27th

Carmike Summit, Patton Creek, Lee Branch and Vestavia – Ice Age: Continental Drift

Friday, June 28th

Free Friday Flicks, Veterans Park Hoover- Hotel Transylvania

Sunday, June 30th

Alabama Theatre – Singin’ in the Rain

Tuesday, July 2nd

Amstar Cinemas, Alabaster – Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked
The Edge Karate Kid
Regal Trussville – Coraline/ParaNorman

Wednesday, July 3rd

Amstar Cinemas, Alabaster – Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked
The Edge – Karate Kid
Regal Trussville – Coraline/ParaNorman
Carmike – Patton Creek Only – Rio

Thursday, July 4th

Carmike Summit,  Patton Creek, Lee Branch and Vestavia – Rio

Friday, July 5th

Free Friday Flicks, Veterans Park Hoover-  Lorax

Tuesday, July 9th

Amstar Cinemas, Alabaster – Hotel Transylvania
The Edge – Yogi Bear
Regal Trussville – Lorax/Big Miracle

Wednesday, July 10th

Amstar Cinemas, Alabaster – Hotel Transylvania
The Edge – Yogi Bear
Regal Trussville – Lorax/Big Miracle
Carmike – Patton Creek Only – Horton Hears a Who

Thursday, July 11th

Carmike Summit, Patton Creek, Lee Branch and Vestavia – Horton Hears a Who

Friday, July 12th

Free Friday Flicks, Veterans Park Hoover- Madagascar 3

Sunday, July 14th

Alabama Theatre – The Help

Tuesday, July 16th

Amstar Cinemas, Alabaster – Rio
The Edge – Lorax
Regal Trussville – Yogi Bear/Journey 2 The Mysterious Island

Wednesday, July 17th

Amstar Cinemas, Alabaster – Rio
The Edge – Lorax
Regal Trussville – Yogi Bear/Journey 2 The Mysterious Island
Carmike – Patton Creek Only – Madagascar 3

Thursday, July 18th

Carmike Summit, Patton Creek, Lee Branch and Vestavia – Madagascar 3

Friday, July 19th

Free Friday Flicks, Veterans Park Hoover – Wreck It Ralph

Sunday, July 21st

Alabama Theatre – To Kill a Mockingbird

Tuesday, July 23rd

Amstar Cinemas, Alabaster – Zookeeper
The Edge – Madagascar 1
Regal Trussville – Racing Stripes/Happy Feet Two

Wednesday, July 24th

Amstar Cinemas, Alabaster – Zookeeper
The Edge – Madagascar 1
Regal Trussville – Racing Stripes/Happy Feet Two
Carmike – Patton Creek Only – Happy Feet Two

Thursday, July 25th

Carmike Summit, Patton Creek, Lee Branch and Vestavia – Happy Feet Two

Saturday, July 27th

Alabama Theatre – ET

Sunday, July 28th

Alabama Theatre – The Sound of Music

Tuesday, July 30th

Amstar Cinemas, Alabaster – Ice Age: Continental Drift
The Edge – Madagascar 2
Regal Trussville – African Cats/Chimpanzee

Wednesday, July 31st

Amstar Cinemas, Alabaster – Ice Age: Continental Drift
The Edge – Madagascar 2
Regal Trussville – African Cats/Chimpanzee
Carmike – Patton Creek Only – Yogi Bear

Thursday, August 1st

Carmike Summit, Patton Creek, Lee Branch and Vestavia – Yogi Bear

Sunday, August 4th

Alabama Theatre – Goonies

Tuesday, August 6th

The Edge – Madagascar 3

Wednesday – August 7th

The Edge – Madagascar 3
Carmike – Patton Creek Only – Chimpanzee

Thursday August 8th

Carmike Summit, Patton Creek, Lee Branch and Vestavia – Chimpanzee

Sunday, August 11th

Alabama Theatre – Forest Gump

Sunday, August 18th

Alabama Theatre – Gone with the Wind


* Please note that movies are subject to change or cancellation without notice to BirminghamMommy.com. If you’re concerned that your movie time or showing has been changed or canceled, it’s always best to call your theater directly to double check.
We will always do our best to keep the list current and make any changes we are made aware of.

Bedtime Math?

At bedtime we all think.. “Time to read or tell a story..” but have you ever thought about incorporating some math into your bedtime routine? No? Me either, honestly. Until now.

Summer is fast approaching and we’re always looking for ways to keep our kids on their toes and learning.

A Princeton trained astrophysicist turned Mom is on a mission to make math fun for kids. Every night she posts a short blog with 3 math problems, varying in levels.

Playing off of the recent Kentucky Derby, here is an example of a recent set of problems:

Wee ones: If your horse can jump over objects 4 feet tall, and you’re 3 feet tall, can your horse jump over you?

Little kids:
 If during practice you and your horse jump over 2 fences, 9 ditches and 4 rows of bushes, how many obstacles did you guys jump?  Bonus: How many more ditches did you jump than everything else put together?

Big kids: If your horse can long-jump 16 feet, and a sandbox is 4 1/2 feet long, how many end-to-end sandboxes can your horse clear completely?  Bonus: If your horse needs 32 feet of a running head start for each 16-foot jump, how many sandboxes can your horse jump in a 150-foot-long yard? (Assume only complete jumps with the jumpable number of sandboxes.)

For a fun new math problem every night, check out her site at BedtimeMath.org

Do you already use bedtime as a learning opportunity? How so?

How to start a garden with kids

This summer would be the perfect time to start a garden with your kids. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Try Herb Gardening. Growing herbs is every easy and it’s fast so the kids will see immediate results. The bonus is that your summer cooking will be flavored with fresh herbs!

Themed Container Gardening. Think of a food your kids love and grow it. If yours love Mexican food, plant a container garden that has jalapenos, cilantro, onions, and other themed plants. If you are a pizza family, plant tomatoes, green peppers, oregano, and basil in a container.

Don’t let the thought of starting a garden overwhelm you, start small with these suggestions and who knows? Next year you might want to tackle something bigger!

If you need a little help to get going,  head to a local nursery where you can get some advice. Collier’s Nursery on Old Rocky Ridge is especially helpful.

Have you started your garden for this season? What are you growing?

Birmingham Events Calendar: May 5th – May 12th

Mother‘s Day Week! Have you been snooping for gifts or trying to pry the surprises out of your kids like we have? We have no shame!

Spring means Festivals in the Magic City and this week is no exception. Buck Creek Festival, Mudbugs and Music, Homestead Hollow, lots to do!

If you’re a big on Library storytimes, make sure to check with your favorite Library before heading out. Many have canceled programming for May as they gear up for Summer Reading that kicks off later this month. SUMMER READING!! That means we are super close to SUMMER!

Have a great week everyone!

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

Sunday May 5th:

Eco-Wheels – Railroad Park
It’s the first green vehicle show in Birmingham! Aside from a showcase of green vehicles and on-site industry related groups, there will be plenty of fun activities for the kids to enjoy as well!

Featured as our Event of the Week, you can get all of the details here.

Birmingham Barons – Regions Park
Barons take on Chattanooga Lookouts
3:00 pm

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Monday May 6th:

Toddler TalesNorth Shelby Library
A story program for children and a caregiver. Stories, songs, finger plays and crafts make up a lively program designed especially for short attention spans. Best suited for ages 19 months to 3 years. Must Register
9:30am and 10:30am

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Tuesday May 7th:

Lunch With Vulcan – Vulcan Park
In Celebration of National Travel and Tourism Week (May 4 – 12), we invite you to join us for lunch on Tuesday, May 7. Shindigs Food Truck will be on hand so come grab a tasty lunch and spend some time with Vulcan. Visit Vulcan Center Museum and Observation Tower before you head back to work (regular admission rates apply) or bring your laptop and work outside. We have WiFi! You don’t have to travel far to be a tourist. Be a tourist in your own city and explore the many wonderful attractions that are within a short drive from home!
11:30 – 1pm

Hippo Adventures – Birmingham Museum of Art
Meet at the Information Desk outside Bart’s ArtVenture! Join us for a new in-gallery family experience! Children aged 3 – 8 and their adult companions are invited to join Museum educators to explore Hip, Hippo, Hooray!, discover activities that make looking at art fun and exciting, and create new family memories about art and hippos.

No reservations required. Hippo Adventures 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

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Wednesday May 8th:

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us as we celebrate Mother’s Day and read Are You My Mother? Find out what happens when a baby bird can’t find his mother. We will make cards for mom and have something delicious from the Cafe.
11am

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

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Thursday May 9th:

Brookwood Live! Colonial Brookwood Village
Live Music On the Street – Featured Band, Honey Island Swamp Band
5pm – 9pm

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Friday May 10th:

Drive In Movie – Emmet O Neal Library
Join us for a drive-in movie as we celebrate the grand opening our our expanded parking lot.
7:45

Buck Creek Festival – Helena Amphitheater
The Buck Creek Festival is a free, family-friendly community event held on the second weekend of May in Helena’s Amphitheater Park. On the banks of Buck Creek, just below the dam, the heavily wooded site together with the incredible stage provides a wonderful venue for people of all ages to enjoy crafts, children’s activities, great food, and fabulous music. During the life of the Festival, over $170,000 has been returned to the community for a variety of projects that benefit all of Helena.
6pm – 10pm

Homestead Hollow 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.

Homestead Hollow’s General store is open for you to visit and shop for those home-made fried pies and other great items all day during show dates.

Directions: Homestead Hollow is located in Springville, Alabama, just 2 miles off I-59, exit 154. 27 acres of parking and our trams make it easy to park, get to the entrance and start having fun immediately.

Admission Info:

Adults – $7 ~ Children (ages 3 to 12) – $3
Children (ages 2 and under) – Free.
Groups of 20 or more-$6 each. Free Parking. NO PETS ALLOWED.
9am – 5pm

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Saturday May 11th:

Buck Creek Festival – Helena Amphitheater
The Buck Creek Festival is a free, family-friendly community event held on the second weekend of May in Helena’s Amphitheater Park. On the banks of Buck Creek, just below the dam, the heavily wooded site together with the incredible stage provides a wonderful venue for people of all ages to enjoy crafts, children’s activities, great food, and fabulous music. During the life of the Festival, over $170,000 has been returned.
10am – 10pm

Mudbugs and Music – Avondale Brewing Company
Mudbugs & Music is a family-friendly fundraising event complete with live music all day long, kid’s activities, auction and crawfish & fixin’s cooked on-site. You’ll have plenty of beer to cool you off, a children’s area with activity stations, moonwalk, face painting and other activities for the kiddos, and pups are always welcome!

Tickets are $25/person in advance and $30/person day-of and includes your entry into the event as well as one plate of crawfish and fixin’s.

Drink tickets are $1 each.
12pm – 8pm

Mother Daughter Tea Party – Birmingham Museum of Art
$60 ($50 Bart’s Kids Club Members) per mother/daughter couple, extra kids add-on
Education Studio and Oscar’s Café

Tea for two and a hippo, too! The Hippo Service is the inspiration for this pre-Mother’s Day event! Explore the teacups in the exhibition and then decorate your own custom ceramic teacups and plates. Following the activity, enjoy a light lunch tea party in the café upstairs!
10:30am

Bart’s Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
Spring into May!This drop-in art program for kids and families features a different gallery activity each month. Stop by to make art with Bart!

Be inspired by the weather and craft your own three-dimensional flower still life!
11am

Homestead Hollow 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.

Homestead Hollow’s General store is open for you to visit and shop for those home-made fried pies and other great items all day during show dates.

Directions: Homestead Hollow is located in Springville, Alabama, just 2 miles off I-59, exit 154. 27 acres of parking and our trams make it easy to park, get to the entrance and start having fun immediately.

Admission Info:

Adults – $7 ~ Children (ages 3 to 12) – $3
Children (ages 2 and under) – Free.
Groups of 20 or more-$6 each. Free Parking. NO PETS ALLOWED.
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
Join us as we read Can I Play Too? Find out what happens when a snake wants to join Elephant and Piggie, who are playing catch. We will make something fun and have a treat from the Cafe.
11am

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Sunday May 12th:

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!!!

Homestead Hollow 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.

Homestead Hollow’s General store is open for you to visit and shop for those home-made fried pies and other great items all day during show dates.

Directions: Homestead Hollow is located in Springville, Alabama, just 2 miles off I-59, exit 154. 27 acres of parking and our trams make it easy to park, get to the entrance and start having fun immediately.

Admission Info:

Adults – $7 ~ Children (ages 3 to 12) – $3
Children (ages 2 and under) – Free.
Groups of 20 or more-$6 each. Free Parking. NO PETS ALLOWED.
9am – 5pm

Birmingham Barons – Regions Park
Against Montgomery 3pm

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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: The Last Reef, Santa and the Snowman, Rocky Mountain Express

The Tornadoes of April 27th – Looking Back — Moving Forward, a new exhibit at McWane Science Center, reflects on the experiences of the April 27th, 2011 storms. The exhibit shares personal stories from those who experienced the devastation of the storms firsthand, while emphasizing the importance of tornado preparedness and explaining the science behind tornadoes.

Photos and stories from The Birmingham News help tell the story of the storms and the affect they had on survivors, volunteers, and the community as a whole. Students from Daniel Payne Middle School also help tell the story of their school and community through photos and artifacts from the storm for the exhibit. UAB students worked with the children from Daniel Payne Middle School to create short documentaries that can be seen in the exhibit as well.

In addition to sharing the personal stories from that day, the goal of this exhibit is to inform the community about how to prepare for extreme weather conditions, explaining the science of tornadoes and stressing awareness.

With vivid displays, the exhibit allows visitors the opportunity to learn about the scientific side of tornadoes. Graphics within the exhibit illustrate tornado formation and anatomy, educating visitors on how such extreme weather conditions develop. Additionally, the exhibit displays statistics and disputes common myths concerning the destructive storms.

Guests can watch live video from the storms that rolled across our state on April 27th, 2011, including the
weather forecasts from that day and actual images of the tornado as it made its way through our area provided by FOX6 WBRC. The exhibit is located in the City Gallery on Level 2 of the museum this summer.

Be Ready Alabama Exhibit Presented by:
The Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives
www.readyalabama.org

Animal Grossology
Experience a new exhibit that is oozing with science as you meet some of the slimiest and yuckiest creatures on Earth! You’ll never look at the animal kingdom the same way after you see “ANIMAL GROSSOLOGY!”

The Animal Grossology exhibition, based on a popular series of books by science teacher Sylvia Branzei, is an educational experience grounded in the theory that the best way to get kids interested in science is to present it in terms they find most appealing. Let’s face it, topics such as slime, vomit, dookies and other gross stuff are completely fascinating for your average six to 14-year-old.

By physically stepping into the Animal Grossology exhibition, these subjects have become an interactive, larger-than-life biology lesson that harnesses kid’s natural curiosity about themselves and teaches them about how animals function.

Oozing with disgusting science and interactive learning games, the all-new “Animal Grossology” exhibit is sure to provide a unique perspective on the animal kingdom. Museum guests will experience some of the slimiest, stinkiest and downright yuckiest creatures on earth.

The exhibition contains solid science and introduces it in a way that makes kids giggle. It’s science disguised in interactive entertainment and kids are more apt to learn when they’re having fun doing it. You may think leeches are pretty gross but they’re used after some surgeries to assist in the healing process. Did you know that cows are one of the gassiest animals on earth? Learn why the dung beetle is nature’s living pooper scooper and why scientists are studying slug and snail slime production for clues in treating cystic fibrosis.

Animal Grossology is a temporary travelling exhibit created and produced by Advanced Exhibits, a division of Advanced Animations LLC, in collaboration with Sylvia Branzei, the author of the GROSSOLOGY series of books. The books are published through Price Stern Sloan, a member of Penguin (USA) Inc.

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.

Event of the Week: Eco-Wheels at Railroad Park

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend around Birmingham, check out Eco-Wheels, a unique and family friendly event taking place at Railroad Park on Sunday.

It’s the first green vehicle show in Birmingham! Aside from a showcase of green vehicles and on-site industry related groups, there will be plenty of fun activities for the kids to enjoy as well!

Here’s a rundown of what else you can expect at the event:

 

– Eco-Wheels is a green car expo showcasing the latest alternative transportation vehicles on the market (hybrids, electric, natural gas, etc). Some of the cars include the Chevy Volt, Tesla Sedan and Roadster, Toyota Prius v, Ford Escape, Nissan Leaf, and more.

– Sunday is Cinco De Mayo and most folks will have Mexican food and margaritas on their mind and they’ll  have them covered! George’s Boxcar at Railroad Park will have Mexican fare, margaritas, beer, and wine for purchase. Nola-Ice will also have their famous New Orleans style snow balls!

– There will be a lot of giveaways from participating sponsors, as well as My Green Birmingham.  (Think Baron’s baseball gear, tickets etc…!)

-Meet & greet with the Baron’s Baseball Mascot!

-Free kites to children while they last.

-Toyota is sponsoring a fun contest for kids to design their own Eco-Car.

-Face painting & picture coloring

– There will be a very cool DJ on the plaza from 12-3

– A promotion called the “@mygreenbham #ecowheels giveaway” – they will give one $350, one $150, and one eco-swag bag to the best social media post of one of the cars at the park using our hashtags/username.

– There will be free emissions testing available at the 18th Street and Powell entrance of the park – cars can pull up to the tent and have emissions tested in about three minutes.

– A number of non-dealer organizations at the park as well including Commute Smart, Eco-Three, Phoenix Energy, Cars.com, Earth Fare, etc.

Sunday, May 5th. Railroad Park, 11am – 5pm. For more information, check out their Facebook Page


Mint Julep Mocktail

The Kentucky Derby is just around the corner and as much as we like to sit around with our friends watching the live coverage, drinking Mint Juleps all day, we need something festive for the kiddos to drink. You’ll love this version of the Derby Day Tradition.

Kentucky Derby Mint Squeeze:

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup white sugar
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint leaves
  • 2 cups crushed ice
  • 1/2 cup prepared lemonade
  • Fresh mint sprigs, for garnish
Directions:
  1. In a small saucepan, combine the water, sugar and 1 tablespoon of chopped mint. Stir and bring to a boil. Cook until sugar has dissolved, then remove from heat and set aside to cool. After about an hour, strain out mint leaves.
  2. Fill 2 cups or frozen goblets with crushed ice. Pour 1/2 of the lemonade into each glass and top with a splash of the sugar syrup. Garnish each with a mint sprig and a straw. Serve on a silver platter.

Parenting with a PhD: Separation Anxiety

By: Kristen Berthiaume PhD

Every Time You Go Away…
Helping Your Kid Deal with Separation Anxiety

My thanks to Hall & Oates for the title (you’re singing it in your head now, aren’t you? Sorry about that…). Separation anxiety is a normal part of development that typically occurs in infants between 9 and 18 months of age. It’s a process that protects the baby from being taken from her primary caregivers by a stranger (although, grandma may get screamed at, too). When separation anxiety occurs in older children, it can be heartbreaking for parents who just want our kids to feel happy and secure. If you’ve noticed your child becoming increasingly clingy, terrified that something awful will happen to her, you, or someone else, and avoidant of regular activities she used to go to willing, you may be dealing with separation anxiety.

Start by arming your child with some tools to help relieve anxiety and build self-reliance. Together, come up with a list of positive reminders that you can both agree are true. For example: “I am safe;” “My mom is a careful driver;” “My teachers will take care of me;” or “I know how to get help if I need it.” Post these reminders places your child will see them – by his bedside, on his wall, in his backpack, in his pocket, on the fridge. Consider putting together a book of reminders and having your child illustrate it. Practice them together frequently. The goal is for these to become second nature so they’re accessible when the worried thoughts get going. Practice deep breathing and talk your child through tensing and releasing each of his major muscle groups, one at a time. Right before bed is a particularly good time for relaxation. Teach him to rate his anxiety on a scale from 1 (feeling great!) to 10 (full blown panic) so that he can tell you specifically how nervous he’s feeling in a given situation. If he rates everything at a 10, try to help him calibrate that by saying, “You look fairly calm to me – just a little shaky. I would guess you’re lower than a 10 right now – maybe a 5.” Most kids can tolerate a 3 or 4 on a 10-point scale on their own but it’s time to start using some relaxation skills if the anxiety gets higher than that. You can help your child learn to monitor his level of concern by talking about what physical symptoms he’s noticing as anxiety increases. Beating heart? Sweaty palms? Butterflies in his tummy? Those are all signs he has some work to do to calm down.

Now that your child has some tools to use, it’s time to get serious. It’s very important that you don’t cancel important plans or activities, or allow your child to stay home from school because of her anxiety. Doing so will strongly send the message that being apart is DANGEROUS and should be avoided at all costs. As much as you want to take away your child’s hurt and worry, giving in to irrational fears is not the answer. Although this may seem helpful temporarily, it will make things much worse long-term. You may decide to be apart a bit less during this period to avoid unnecessary battles but you can’t glue your child to your side so she doesn’t have to feel bad.

Preparation for being apart is KEY to managing separation anxiety. Keep a family calendar with everyone’s appointments. Color-code the schedule so the kids know at a glance which is a whole family activity and which will require separation. Pick a time on Saturday or Sunday to review the upcoming weekly schedule in advance. Talk about the events for which you’ll be apart. When do they start and end? Who will take your child to his activities and who will pick him up? Who will your child stay with on date night? Explain which activities are optional (i.e., a play date) and which are not (i.e., going to school). Give her some control to skip the optional activities if she’s not up for them but talk about the pros and cons of missing out. You might even consider providing extra incentive if your kid goes ahead and tries the optional activities despite her hesitation, even if she has to come home early. Be sure to go over changes as they come up. For longer periods of separation (e.g., work trips), have the person staying with your child mark off the days as they happen so she can see the return date getting closer and closer.

Before an activity, talk again about the specifics. Explain if you’ll be hanging around or dropping off, and where and when you’ll pick your child up. Answer questions and provide some reassurance but don’t dwell on the anxiety. Once you’ve made details clear, try to move on to a new topic. It’s important to validate your child’s feelings but if you spend too much time on them, you’ll send the message that there is real reason to worry. When picking up your child, do your best to get there when you said you would to help increase her trust that things usually go as planned. But, make very clear to her that something could come up and to use her reminders to help with the waiting. “If I’m a little late, it’s just because I didn’t leave on time or got stuck in traffic. Remind yourself that I always come back to get you and that I’m a very careful driver if you start to get worried.” Give her a goal to focus on such as: “If I am five minutes late, you can call my cell phone to see when I’ll get there” or, “I will call you if I’ll be more than ten minutes late.” Whatever plan you make, stick to it.

Talk with your child about what she could do in the unusual event that you’re not where you said you’d be for pick up. Older, responsible children can manage having a cell phone with them. Program in back-up numbers (e.g., a friend’s mom, granddad) in case you’re not answering your phone for some reason. Talk about who your younger child can go to for help in various situations – teachers, camp counselors, coaches, friends’ moms, etc. – and be sure some of these sources have your contact information and that of the child’s other parent or a relative.

Some kids need more help than you as a parent can give them. When the separation anxiety is causing stress and disruption for the whole family, it might be time to call in an expert. Ask your pediatrician for a referral for therapy. Ideally, you’re looking for a therapist who works with children and uses cognitive-behavioral techniques to treat anxiety. Plan to attend weekly sessions, at least for a while. Your therapist will talk to you if he or she feels that medication might need to be considered. Therapists don’t prescribe medication for anxiety but they can help you find a treating physician.

Know going in that the process of working through separation anxiety will be a bit of a roller coaster. Some days you’ll feel enormous empathy for your sweet son who just wants constant hugs. Other days you’ll want him to stop touching you and get on the bus already. Do the best you can to limit displays of frustration in front of him. Showing annoyance with his attachment may actually make the problem worse because he’ll double his efforts to stay close. Be caring but always firm when it comes to maintaining limits. He still has to attend school. He still has to go to bed. You still have to have privacy when you go to the bathroom. If you have a spouse or partner (or sister, brother, parent, neighbor), tag team with each other so no one gets burned out.  There will be tears (His. Yours.) but you will all survive. Promise. The skills you’re teaching your kids now for dealing with the anxiety will serve them well throughout life.

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 (www.graysonmentalhealth.com). 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 daughter and two-year-old son, and as incubator to a third kiddo.

Birmingham Events Calendar: April 28th – May 5th

Sunday will be your last day to enjoy the State Fair at Oak Mountain. Open from 1pm – 11pm, you will find fun for the whole family!!

Food Trucks are coming to the 2nd Annual Food Truck Round Up at Colonial Brookwood Village, if you’re at the mall on Thursday or want to hear some live music, Brookwood Live! Is back again for the month of May.

Barons are at their beautiful new home again this week, and if you’re in the Trussville area, check out Trussville City Fest! Another great event for the whole family! Have a great week!

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

Sunday April 28th:

Oak Mountain, State Fair
The Oak Mountain State Fair has partnered with North American Midway Entertainment, the world’s largest traveling outdoor amusement park. They provide a safe midway experience including Rides, Games and Food to over 15 million fair-goers every single year in 20 states and 4 Canadian provinces, including 10 of the top 50 fairs in North America.

Your family will experience a clean and safe environment while at the Oak Mountain State Fair with something for everyone from babies to 70 years old.

On our music stages we have Casey James, winner of Fox6′s American Idol; Colt Ford and Alan Jackson w/ Tate Stephens, from Fox’s X-Factor. You also won’t want to miss the Nerveless Knocks or Animal Planet’s Gator Boys.

This is guaranteed fun for the whole family!!
1pm – 11pm

Family Fun and Fitness Day – City of Montevallo, Orr Park
The City of Montevallo will hold its annual family festival, Montevallo Family Fun and Fitness Day. This year, through the efforts of the Park and Recreation Board, the University of Montevallo, ValloCycle, and the Boys and Girls Club, the event will offer a variety of activities and demonstrations. Health, nature, and sustainability will be emphasized in displays through out the park.

Participants in the Montevallo Elementary School PE ½ Marathon and the Middle School Marathon Run will complete their challenge beginning at 3:00 pm on FFF Day and receive medals for their accomplishments.

Hikers will have an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the Parks Trail and bikers will have a guided 3-4 mile ride. Exciting activities such as rock climbing, golf, tai chi, yoga and zumba will be demonstrated during the day.

Don’t miss this opportunity to experience a day of outdoor activities with your family! Admission to the event is FREE! Crafts and food will be available for purchase.
2pm – 4pm

Bargain Carousel – Former JCPenney location at the back of Century Plaza mall.
A 1000-family garage sale, Bargain Carousel has been labeled the “largest garage sale in Birmingham.” The Junior League of Birmingham’s Bargain Carousel provides shoppers with quality items at affordable prices.

The proceeds raised at Bargain Carousel are returned to the community through the Junior League of Birmingham’s 30 Community Projects.
1pm – 5pm

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Monday April 29th:

Toddler TalesNorth Shelby Library
A story program for children and a caregiver. Stories, songs, finger plays and crafts make up a lively program designed especially for short attention spans. Best suited for ages 19 months to 3 years. Must Register
9:30am and 10:30am

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Tuesday April 30th:

Hippo Adventures – Birmingham Museum of Art
Meet at the Information Desk outside Bart’s ArtVenture! Join us for a new in-gallery family experience! Children aged 3 – 8 and their adult companions are invited to join Museum educators to explore Hip, Hippo, Hooray!, discover activities that make looking at art fun and exciting, and create new family memories about art and hippos.

No reservations required. Hippo Adventures 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 – Homewood Public Library
Join us for the best part of your week with stories that make you laugh and songs that make you dance! Join us for the fun of it! All ages welcome. For large groups, a call to 332-6619 is nice.
10:30am

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Wednesday May 1st:

Birmingham Barons – Regions Park
Barons take on Chattanooga Lookouts
7:05 pm

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us as we read Peepsqueak Wants a Friend. Find out what happens when a little chick goes into the woods to find a new friend. We will have a delicious treat from the Cafe and make something fun.
11am

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

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Thursday May 2nd:

Brookwood Live! Colonial Brookwood Village
Live Music On the Street – Featured Band, Chevy 6
5pm – 9pm

Birmingham Barons – Regions Park
Barons take on Chattanooga Lookouts
7:05 pm

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Friday May 3rd:

Trussville City Fest – The Mall in Trussville
Welcome to the 33rd Annual Trussville City Fest (formerly Dog Daze) located in the heart of historic downtown Trussville. This festival has something for everybody: music, dance, children’s activities, food, booths, fireworks, and much more! Come on down!
Admission to the festival is free. We will sell wristbands for the kids’ rides at $10 per child.
6pm – 9pm

Birmingham Barons – Regions Park
Barons take on Chattanooga Lookouts
7:05 pm

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Saturday May 4th:

Trussville City Fest – The Mall in Trussville
Welcome to the 33rd Annual Trussville City Fest (formerly Dog Daze) located in the heart of historic downtown Trussville. This festival has something for everybody: music, dance, children’s activities, food, booths, fireworks, and much more! Come on down!
Admission to the festival is free. We will sell wristbands for the kids’ rides at $10 per child.
9pm – 4pm

Food Truck Round Up – Brookwood Mall
Second Annual Food Truck Round Up Benefitting PreSchool Partners. Join us for a culinary experience – an opportunity to taste cuisine from local food trucks. From burgers to tacos to cupcakes there is something for everyone. Live music, amazing gourmet food, kid-friendly entertainment and fun for all ages.
10am – 2pm Rain or Shine

PopUp Project Avondale
The Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham (RPCGB) is teaming up with several partners to create “Pop-Up Project.” Pop Up Project will educate the public on pedestrian and cyclists’ safety while promoting the implementation and maintenance of sidewalks and bike paths.

Temporary actions can inspire permanent change. Come out to Avondale and see what is popping up!
Bring your bike, yoga mat, and tennis shoes! Pop-Up Project will have plenty of activities for ALL ages!
Daily Activities will include: Yoga, Zumba, Martial Arts, Tragic City Rollers Expo, Bike Rodeo, and a temporary bike lane to encourage the need for bike lanes in Avondale!
We will also be bringing back our Pop-Up Shop with all new local vendors!
Activities will be continuously going on throughout the day
8am – 2pm

Birmingham Barons – Regions Park
Barons take on Chattanooga Lookouts
6:30 pm

Family Storytime – Emmet O’Neal Library
Bring the entire family and join Mr. Mac for stories and music each Saturday morning.
10:30 a.m.

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us as we read Let’s Go, Hugo! We will find out what happens when a bird would rather walk than fly. Will he be able to overcome his fear? There will be a craft and we will have something yummy from the Cafe.
11am

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Sunday May 5th:

Birmingham Barons – Regions Park
Barons take on Chattanooga Lookouts
3:00 pm

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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: The Last Reef, Santa and the Snowman, Rocky Mountain Express

The Tornadoes of April 27th – Looking Back — Moving Forward, a new exhibit at McWane Science Center, reflects on the experiences of the April 27th, 2011 storms. The exhibit shares personal stories from those who experienced the devastation of the storms firsthand, while emphasizing the importance of tornado preparedness and explaining the science behind tornadoes.

Photos and stories from The Birmingham News help tell the story of the storms and the affect they had on survivors, volunteers, and the community as a whole. Students from Daniel Payne Middle School also help tell the story of their school and community through photos and artifacts from the storm for the exhibit. UAB students worked with the children from Daniel Payne Middle School to create short documentaries that can be seen in the exhibit as well.

In addition to sharing the personal stories from that day, the goal of this exhibit is to inform the community about how to prepare for extreme weather conditions, explaining the science of tornadoes and stressing awareness.

With vivid displays, the exhibit allows visitors the opportunity to learn about the scientific side of tornadoes. Graphics within the exhibit illustrate tornado formation and anatomy, educating visitors on how such extreme weather conditions develop. Additionally, the exhibit displays statistics and disputes common myths concerning the destructive storms.

Guests can watch live video from the storms that rolled across our state on April 27th, 2011, including the
weather forecasts from that day and actual images of the tornado as it made its way through our area provided by FOX6 WBRC. The exhibit is located in the City Gallery on Level 2 of the museum this summer.

Be Ready Alabama Exhibit Presented by:
The Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives
www.readyalabama.org

Animal Grossology
Experience a new exhibit that is oozing with science as you meet some of the slimiest and yuckiest creatures on Earth! You’ll never look at the animal kingdom the same way after you see “ANIMAL GROSSOLOGY!”

The Animal Grossology exhibition, based on a popular series of books by science teacher Sylvia Branzei, is an educational experience grounded in the theory that the best way to get kids interested in science is to present it in terms they find most appealing. Let’s face it, topics such as slime, vomit, dookies and other gross stuff are completely fascinating for your average six to 14-year-old.

By physically stepping into the Animal Grossology exhibition, these subjects have become an interactive, larger-than-life biology lesson that harnesses kid’s natural curiosity about themselves and teaches them about how animals function.

Oozing with disgusting science and interactive learning games, the all-new “Animal Grossology” exhibit is sure to provide a unique perspective on the animal kingdom. Museum guests will experience some of the slimiest, stinkiest and downright yuckiest creatures on earth.

The exhibition contains solid science and introduces it in a way that makes kids giggle. It’s science disguised in interactive entertainment and kids are more apt to learn when they’re having fun doing it. You may think leeches are pretty gross but they’re used after some surgeries to assist in the healing process. Did you know that cows are one of the gassiest animals on earth? Learn why the dung beetle is nature’s living pooper scooper and why scientists are studying slug and snail slime production for clues in treating cystic fibrosis.

Animal Grossology is a temporary travelling exhibit created and produced by Advanced Exhibits, a division of Advanced Animations LLC, in collaboration with Sylvia Branzei, the author of the GROSSOLOGY series of books. The books are published through Price Stern Sloan, a member of Penguin (USA) Inc.

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.

Medical Minute: Breastfeeding Difficulties

Breastfeeding isn’t always easy for everyone. There are obstacles that you may face such as insufficient milk supply, sore nipples, mastitis, and plugged milk ducts.

Most mothers worry at some point that they do not have enough milk. A delay in the time when milk “comes in” sometimes occurs in mothers dealing with certain health conditions. Do not wait to get help if milk production is ever a concern. The sooner you intervene, the better. Ask a certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) and your doctor to help you figure out what might be the problem affecting milk production, so that you and your baby can begin to correct it.

Infrequent or insufficient breastfeeding (milk removal) is the most common reason for a delay in the time when the milk “comes in,” for insufficient milk production, or for any drop in production. A review of the number and length of breastfeedings should always be first thing you do if you are ever concerned about milk production.

Occasionally, a mother has a health condition that may temporarily delay the large increase in milk production usually seen between three to five days following birth (postpartum). These mothers may not begin to produce large amounts of milk until seven to 14 days after giving birth. If this happens to you, do not feel discouraged. Continue to breastfeed frequently even if you also must give your baby infant formula for a few days.

Research has yet to discover whether the cause for a delay in increased milk production is due to a health-, pregnancy-, or birth-related condition; certain medical treatments for such conditions; or a delay in frequent breastfeeding that often occurs with such conditions. Some of the conditions, or treatments, that experts think may contribute to a delay include the following:

  • Severe stress
  • Cesarean (surgical) delivery
  • Postpartum hemorrhage
  • Maternal obesity
  • Infection or illness with fever
  • Diabetes–juvenile, adult-onset and gestational
  • Thyroid conditions
  • Strict or prolonged bed rest during pregnancy

A plugged duct feels like a tender lump in the breast. Some mothers seem to be more prone to developing them, but usually they occur when a mother goes too long without emptying her breasts, or if insufficient milk is removed during feedings. Review your baby’s feeding routine and see if the time between one or more feedings has recently changed for any reason. Sometimes, a mother gets busy again with a task and does not realize feedings are being delayed. Ineffective sucking may contribute to plugged ducts. Also, check that the material of nursing bras or clothing bunched during feedings is not putting pressure on milk ducts in a certain area of the breast.

If you develop a plugged duct, be sure to breastfeed or remove milk often and alternate different feeding positions. It often helps to apply warm compresses to the area or soak the breast in warm water. Massage above and then over the affected area when breastfeeding and after application of warm compresses.

Mastitis is often used interchangeably with the term breast infection, but mastitis may also be due to an inflammation. Often a reddened area is noted on the breast. Inflammatory or infectious mastitis may develop for reasons similar to those for plugged duct development, and the same interventions usually are helpful.

It is especially important to keep the affected breast “empty” through frequent breastfeeding. If you develop flu-like symptoms or your temperature increases to 100.4° F or higher, call your physician. An antibiotic probably will be prescribed for 10 to 14 days. Be sure you take the entire course of the medication or you may experience a recurrence.

What tips do you have to share with new Moms? What tips or tricks did you use to help with any difficulties you may have had?

Online Auction: Round Two

We have some more great items up to auction off. We are still raising money to send our sponsored child, Jordan to Disney.

You will be able to bid on these items directly on our Facebook Page.

Item 1:

Cinderella Birthday Party (guest appearance from Cinderella herself)  with Birthday Banner and Cake from Mercy Cakes Alive.
Total Package Valued at $200 +

Item 2:

2  Season Tickets to the Alabama Ballet (2013-2014 season)
Value $400+

Item 3:

SunCana single Pod brewer with 6 boxes of assorted coffee pods (16 pods/box)
Valued at $100+

Item 4:

Nine West Red Leather Purse with Assorted Avon Products.
Value $60+

Auction Rules
You must bid on the photo on Facebook. All bids must be in $5 increments. Invalid bids will be deleted. The last and highest bid in before the end of the auction wins. Bidding on these items will end Monday, April 25th at 2pm. Once payment is made item will be mailed to the winner. Payments accepted by check, paypal or can be directly donated to our E-Campaign