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The Flu: What to Know

Posted on by Angie

It hasn’t gotten us in about 4 years, but when the flu gets you, you remember. The flu was probably as sick as my kids have ever been. This winter it started early. Here’s a few tips to keep you ahead of the game:

1. Tell your kids to wash their hands more often because of the flu. Discuss what the flu looks like in others- if they see a red-faced kid with snot everywhere, explain to them to stay our of their face.

2. Stay home if you have it! We’ve all seen victims of the flu at the library, the store, etc. Please stop! A person with the flu is contagious for about a day before symptoms begin and for about five days after.

3. Notice the signs- a sudden, high fever is usually the first symptom of the flu. If your child already had coughing or congestion, it may just be a cold. For us, the flu was immediate and debilitating. Kids slept for most of the day.

4. If you have a baby, follow this advice found on BabyCenter.com:

Call your baby’s doctor if your baby:

  • Is younger than 3 months old and has a fever of 100.4 degrees F or higher. A baby this young needs to be checked for serious infection or disease.
  • Is between 3 and 6 months old and has a fever of 101 degrees F or higher.
  • Is 6 months or older and has a fever of 103 degrees F or higher.
  • Has any fever that lasts longer than three days.
  • Develops a cough that is not improving after a week.
  • Develops signs of the flu and is HIV-positive or has a chronic illness (such as cancer; sickle-cell anemia; diabetes; or heart, lung, or kidney disease).
  • Develops signs of the flu and has rheumatoid arthritis or Kawasaki disease, both of which are treated with long-term aspirin therapy. (In such cases, the benefits of aspirin outweigh the tiny risk of Reye’s syndrome.)
  • Seems to have an earache. (He may pull on his ear and fuss.)
  • Is wheezing or seems to be working harder than usual to breathe.
  • Becomes sick again soon after bouncing back from the flu. (He may have a secondary infection that needs to be treated.)
  • Shows any signs of dehydration.

Beaker Bash 2013: Who Done It?

Posted on by Angie

It’s time for the McWane Science Centers Annual Beaker Bash! Are you ready to crack the case? Science sleuths are invited to help solve mysteries in the museum, collect clues and have dinner with other junior detectives on the scene at Beaker Bash 2013: Who Done It?.

Beaker Bash is McWane Science Center’s annual family-friendly fundraising event that directly supports statewide science education programs.

TICKETS:
Click here to buy tickets online.

$30 Kids
Child general admission applies to ages 2 – 20.

$50 Adults
Adult general admission applies to anyone 21 and older. Includes 2 drink tickets.

$150 Family Four Pack
Includes 4 general admission tickets and 4 drink tickets

$500 Mad Scientist VIP Package
Includes 6 VIP tickets, detective badges, evidence goody bags for the kids, open bar for adults and recognition at the event

$40 Additional VIP Ticket

CLICK HERE TO BUY ONLINE or call(205) 714-8414.

MAD SCIENTIST DONATION
Can’t make it to Beaker Bash?  In lieu of tickets, make a tax-deductible donation that will directly benefit the educational programs that McWane Science Center offers students, teachers and families this year.

Your support will help McWane Science Center offer field trips for students from low income communities, provide classroom programs for school systems across Alabama and even train teachers how to incorporate hands-on learning in their classrooms.

Mad Scientist Donor                            $100
Includes recognition for your donation at Beaker Bash

Grandparent Mad Scientist Donor          $250
Includes special regognition for your grandchildren at Beaker Bash
(Please list grandchildren’s names under Additional Information)

General Donation
In lieu of recognition at the event, please accept my donation to directly support McWane Science Center’s education programs.

 

 

CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP LEVELS

Forensic Specialists: $10,000 Sponsors
VIP ticket package that includes 30 VIP tickets to Beaker Bash 2013
75 general admission tickets to McWane Science Center for use at a later date
Name recognition on event promotional material
Name recognition on sponsor signage throughout building

Medical Examiners: $5,000 Sponsors
VIP ticket package that includes 20 VIP tickets
50 general admission tickets to McWane Science Center for use at a later date
Name recognition on event promotional material
Name recognition on sponsor signage throughout building

DNA Technicians: $2,500 Sponsors
VIP ticket package that includes 10 VIP tickets
25 general admission tickets to McWane Science Center for use at a later date
Name recognition on event promotional material
Name recognition on sponsor signage throughout building

Lab Analysts: $1,000 Sponsors
VIP ticket packet that includes 6 VIP tickets
10 general admission tickets to McWane Science Center for use at a later date
Listed among other donors at this level on signage in the Grand Lobby Entrance

Corporate Sponsorships may be purchased by calling (205) 714-8219.

Parenting with a PhD: School Safety

Posted on by Angie

By: Kristen Berthiaume

It’s been over a month since the horrible tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, and many of us parents are still feeling pretty powerless. We send our kids to school each morning with a big hug and silent prayers that it’s just a normal day. Fortunately, there is more that we can do to help promote safety at our children’s schools. Consider some of these ideas:

Open Communication. Most serious incidences of violence at schools came with some kind of advanced warning. We can teach our children to take threats of violence seriously and to tell an adult right away if they see or hear something that makes them nervous. Say to your child, “You can tell me anything – even if it’s awful or I won’t like it – and I’ll do my best to help you.” But, once you’ve said this, you have to mean it. As much as possible, react calmly to the minor things your child tells you so that, if he has something major to tell you, he won’t fear your reaction. Also, identify a few adults at school who your child trusts that he could go to if he had a concern. Talk about the kinds of warning signs that might indicate violence: a friend bringing a knife to school, a kid obsessed with getting revenge, someone talking about having access to a gun. Then, praise your child for telling you something he thinks is important even if it seems pretty trivial. Check in on what’s going on with peers. How much teasing or bullying has your child witnessed? Is anyone doing these things to him? Use your judgment to decide if you need to step in or tell a teacher or administrator what your child is reporting. Real threats of harm, whether they come from another student or your own child, should be taken seriously. Every. Single. Time.

Be Present at School. Form relationships with your child’s teachers and the school administrators. Make sure they know your face. This practice will help improve communication about your child and will make you feel more comfortable talking to the school about safety concerns you have. It also sends your child the message that you’ll be around and in touch. Also, be open to feedback from the school. Even if you don’t see a problem and your child denies it, listen to what the school is telling you and try to work with them on a plan. Our kids don’t always admit that they’re being bullied and they’re even less likely to fess up to hurting others. No matter how difficult the feedback is to hear, things will likely get much worse if you disregard what you’re being told about your child.

Ask About the Safety Plan. Not sure what to ask? Try some of the questions suggested on this site:  Notice item #10, which is directed back at you. Do you follow safety protocols at your school (e.g., not letting others in the building if they’re supposed to show i.d., always signing in, etc.)? Do you ask questions of the teachers and administrators in an open, non-judgmental way? Are you addressing safety issues at home? You have the right to expect the school to do its part but have to do your own, as well. Once you know about your school’s safety plan, be sure to go over it with your kids to ensure they understand and remember it. Run through a couple of different scenarios like being in the bathroom or cafeteria when a code is called. Don’t make this a daily discussion , though – you don’t want to freak them out.

Limit Exposure to Violence. No, you haven’t missed a major announcement – no casual link between video game violence and actual violence has been established. There is concern, though, that repeated exposure to violent movies, T.V., and games may desensitize kids to violence in real-life, making them more tolerant of violence and giving them the impression that violence is more commonplace than it really is. These consequences are even more likely when a child is exposed to real-life violence. Consider movie and game ratings. Monitor what your child is looking at online by putting parental controls in place and keeping computers in a central location so it’s harder for your child to conceal what he’s doing. Frequently check the search history and talk with your child about anything that concerns you. Explain that you’re putting these limits in place to protect your child’s brain from things he’s not ready for or that might be too disturbing. Certainly, all kids don’t react to exposure to violent media the same way and many can distinguish easily between virtual and real-life violence; however, there are benefits for all kids when exposure to violent media (and, really all media) is limited. For example, limiting media, violent or otherwise, leaves more time to play outside, read, and interact – all of which can help inoculate your kiddo against perpetrating and being victimized by violence.

Prevent Access to Weapons. Duh. You know your child shouldn’t have unsupervised access to something that might be used as a weapon and certainly that she can’t bring such items to school. But, it’s important that we don’t overestimate our ability to secure potential weapons or underestimate our kids’ ability to get to them. When it comes to properly securing guns, use guidelines such as those found here. Adult scissors, knives, and tools should only be handled by older, mature children and under careful supervision. After use, they should be stored in an inaccessible place or, if your child is prone to aggression, in a locked cabinet or drawer. It’s also crucial to talk with your child about what could happen if she took something to school that appeared to others to be a weapon – even if she meant no harm. What if the item was discovered and she was suspended or expelled? What if someone else got ahold of and used it? How would her peers treat her in the future if they thought she was trying to bring a weapon on school grounds? How would her teachers and administrators react?

Get Help. If there is physical or emotional abuse going on in your home, get help immediately. Research shows that kids who live in homes where there is domestic violence are more likely to perpetrate and be victimized by violence in other settings (e.g., school), regardless of whether they are actually being hurt or only witnessing the violence. This goes for overly harsh punishments and emotional or verbal abuse, too. Kids in these situations are also more likely to have a multitude of other social and emotional problems. You can find the number for reporting child abuse in your area by calling Childhelp at 1-800-4-A-CHILD. You should tell your child’s pediatrician right away if you know of or suspect domestic violence and he or she can help you get therapy started. Kids with any history of violent or overly aggressive behavior are also in need of treatment. Seek emergency services for your child if he expresses violent thoughts against himself or others. Don’t ignore threats, even if you think they’re just for attention. These warnings signs may well escalate into action if left unaddressed. Once treatment is started, stick with it until things are better. You can break the cycle of violence but not by sticking your head in the sand. Safety starts in the home so take care of this part first.

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.

 

3rd Annual Moms Rock!

Posted on by Angie

It’s nomination time! Time to thank a deserving mommy!

Mark your calendars now for our 3rd Annual Moms Rock Event, presented by Brookwood Medical Center and The Outlet Shops of Grand River.

Do you know a mom who manages to make “mommy” look like a verb? We’re not looking for the “perfect” moms, we’re looking for the ones who love their families and make mommying fun. We want the women who manage to keep their life balanced, all while putting their kiddos first. Face it, the moms who rock are everywhere… they’re at the grocery store in stained sweats, they’re at work in a business suit, they are donating their time to local charities, driving carpool and rockin’ the PTA with baked goods, they’re all around you!

We want you to nominate your friends or loved ones who are a “Birmingham Mom who ROCKS!” 10 finalists will be chosen by panel for the chance to win some fabulous prizes and swag, including a vacation trip from San Destin!

This will be an exciting and fun night out with live music by Justin Gannon, food, prizes, swag, and of course some Rockin’ cocktails! It’s sure to be a great night of fun for you and your Mommy Friends so make plans to join us that night and find out who will be Birmingham’s Most Rockin’ Mom. Our special guest will be one of the Magic City’s most rockin’ moms, Brooke Smith from CBS42. We will also be holding a silent auction to raise funds for Magic Moments- win a great prize and help make a local child’s wish come true.

March 7th at Cantina at Pepper Place – To RSVP for this event, check out the event page on Facebook

Use the form below to nominate your Rockin’ Mom. We will accept nominations until February 17th. 10 finalists will be chosen from the nominees and the winner will be selected via reader voting. A grand prize will be awarded to the winning Mommy at the event on March 7th.

*Nominees from last years event are eligible for nomination again this year, the winner from last year’s event is not.

Email nominations to contact@birminghammommy.com. Subject Line: Moms Rock Nom.

MUST Include:

Nominees Name, Email and Phone Number
Your Name, and Phone Number
A brief description of why your Nominee ROCKS!!

Birmingham Events Calendar: January 27th – February 3rd

Posted on by Angie

It’s the last week of January! How are you doing on those New Year’s Resolutions? Moving into February brings even more things going on around Birmingham.

This week we hope you will take the time to check out the event details for the 20113 Beaker Bash at McWane Science Center. It’s the one big fundraiser that they do each year. It’s a great night of family fun and goes to help support all of the educational programs we enjoy throughout the year at the center.

If you’re looking for Consignment sale, you can find our list here. Whether you’re shopping or selling, you should be able to find what you need.

Have a great week, everyone!

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

Sunday January 27th:

Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus
Elephants, tigers, acrobats and aerialists join together from across the globe, each a spectacular piece of the puzzle, forming one exquisite design of magnificence and precision. From the blueprints to the band, from the crates to the clowns, from the hammer to the high wire comes one breathtaking performance of non-stop thrills so astonishing you have to see it to believe it.

Be a part of the brand-new spectacles from around the world immersed in the circus tradition you have come to know and love. Experience it live and feel the amazement! Children Of All Ages will be inspired for years to come at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents Built To Amaze!

Sunday, January 27 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

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Monday January 28th:

Monday Movie – Homewood Library
All ages welcome. Delicious freshly popped popcorn along with juice will be served to all children in attendance.
3:30pm

Toddler Tales – North 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 January 29th:

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 January 30th:

Storytime – Books a Million, Brookwood Mall
Storytime and Craft
“The Three Snow Bears”
11am

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us as we read One of a Kind. What happens when a little boy is the only one who is not a twin in his class? There will be a fun activity and we will have a treat from the Cafe.
11am

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

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Thursday January 31st:

PJ Storytime – Hoover Public Library
Wear your pajamas to this all ages storytime with Ms. Laura. Includes stories, songs and a bedtime snack. No registration required.
6:30pm

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Friday February 1st:

Holy Inappropriateness! We couldn’t find any special events happening in the ‘Ham today. Make sure to check our list below for fun exhibits happening daily at our local attractions.

—-———————————————————————————

Saturday February 2nd:

Beaker Bash 2013, Who Done It? – McWane Science Center
Are you ready to crack the case? Science sleuths are invited to help solve mysteries in the museum, collect clues and have dinner with other junior detectives on the scene at Beaker Bash 2013: Who Done It?.

Beaker Bash is McWane Science Center’s annual family-friendly fundraising event that directly supports statewide science education programs.
TICKETS:
Click here to buy tickets online.

For more information on this GREAT event check out their website!!

Movie on the Backporch – Ruffner Mountain Nature Center
Join us for the family-friendly movie, “Horton Hears a Who!” Start your weekend with a movie under our covered pavilion. This is the perfect family activity. Bundle up and bring blankets or comfy chairs and find yourself a spot on the porch. We will have the outdoor heaters on. In the event of severe weather, we will move to the Treehouse. Snacks will be available for purchase.
6:30pm

Groundhog Day – Birmingham Zoo
Will there be six more weeks of winter or an early spring? Join the Zoo for Birmingham Bill’s annual prediction at the Wildlife Stage. If he doesn’t see his shadow, that means an end to winter. If he does see his shadow, that means Alabamians will have to endure six more weeks of winter.

Vote on what you think Birmingham Bill will decide, enjoy a round of Woodchuck Chuck Toss, create a paper bag groundhog, and grab a recipe card to make groundhog cupcakes or pudding at home. Coffee and hot chocolate will be served courtesy of Red Diamond (while supplies last), and you can take advantage of a special photo opportunity with Birmingham Bill after the show.

*These activities are included with the price of Zoo admission.
Activities start at 9:30am
Show starts at 10am

Groundhog Day – Hoover Public Library
Will Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow? Whatever the outcome, we know how to celebrate. No registration required.
10:30am

Bart’s Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
This drop-in art program for kids and families features a different gallery and activity each month. Stop by to make art with Bart! This month, slither into the Museum to make a snake for Chinese New Year!
11am

Bart’s Books – Birmingham Museum of Art
Bart’s Books is a storytelling program for children ages 4-7. Bart selects a new book and related work of art each month that he thinks kids will enjoy.

This month, Bart has selected Oliver Chin and Jennifer Woods’ The Year of the Snake: Tales from the Chinese Zodiac.

Bart’s Books is sponsored by Publix Charities.
11am

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

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us for Storytime as we read Goodnight Dragons. Everyone needs a cuddle. Maybe dragons more than most. We will make a craft and have something delicious from the Cafe.
11am

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Sunday February 3rd:

Superbowl Sunday!!

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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

Adventures with Clifford the Big Red Dog
Join Clifford, Emily Elizabeth, and all their friends in the Adventures with Clifford The Big Red Dog™ exhibit! Featuring the people and places of the beloved children’s book and PBS Kids television series, this new interactive exhibit brings Clifford’s home on Birdwell Island to life with playful activities and enchanting environments for early learners to explore.

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.

Weeknight Dinner: Poppyseed Chicken

Posted on by Angie

Yum. Easy to prepare and delicious to eat, this is the perfect weeknight dinner. Even the kids liked it!  We served ours over rice, with a side of broccoli cheese pasta. The flavors were perfect together!

Poppyseed Chicken from The Girl Who Ate Everything (great blog of recipes)

5 cups chicken breasts, cooked and cubed
1 cup sour cream
2 cans condensed cream of chicken soup
2 cups crushed Ritz crackers (about 1 1/2 rolls of crackers)
1/2 cup melted butter
1 T poppy seeds
Additional Ingredients to make it fancy: (I used none of these)
1 tsp Worchestire sauce
1 tsp celery salt
1 tsp minced garlic
1 T lemon juice
1/4 tsp pepper
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Boil raw chicken breasts with salt and pepper until done. I like to boil it with half an onion cut into large chunks to give it more flavor. Let chicken cool slightly and cut into one inch cubes. Place cubed chicken in a 9X13 casserole dish.
Stir together the condensed soup and sour cream. If you wish to add the additional flavorings stir in the worchestire, celery salt, garlic, lemon juice, and pepper to the soup and sour cream mixture. Pour over the chicken.
In a separate bowl, stir together the crushed crackers, poppy seeds and melted butter. Sprinkle over the chicken and sauce.

Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until the top of the casserole is browned and the sauce is bubbly. Serve plain or over rice. We like to eat it with steamed broccoli and we mix it all together.

Medical Minute: Are you high risk for Breast or Ovarian Cancer?

Posted on by Angie

Risk factors are different for different cancers. Women need to pay attention to these in particular:

Age- The risk is higher with age. Ovarian cancer is rare in women under 40, usually occurring after menopause.

Obesity- A body mass index (BMI) over 30 has been linked to a higher risk in developing ovarian cancer.

Children- The risk goes down with each child you give birth to. Using birth control pills for more than 5 years has shown to reduce your risk.

Family History- Your risk goes up if your mother, sister, or daughter has had ovarian cancer. It doesn’t just apply to your mother’s side of the family either- your paternal side counts as well.

Personal History- If you have had breast cancer, your may have an increased risk of ovarian cancer.

Getting Ready for Consignment

Posted on by Angie

It seems like it sneaks up on us every season, but Spring Consignment is underway. Registration has started and in some cases is all ready full.

If you’ve been considering selling but don’t know where to start, keep these tips in mind. First of all, breathe. Getting started is the hardest part. Once you get your system started you’ll be Rockin’ and Rollin’ like a pro. Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed by mounds of clothes, it’s easy to do.

Wire hangers will be your new best friend, find a good supplier and hit them up, like now! Make sure to read over the rules of the sale that you will be participating in, each sale has their own guidelines. Some accept the wire hangers with the cardboard, some do not.

We spoke with Melinda from Whale of a Sale in Vestavia and she offered these additional tips for selling:

–          Clean and pressed items sell best

–          Name brands always sell best.

–          Items should be stain & odor free

–          Make sure to follow the rules & guidelines for each sale to make sure your items sell and you are able to make more money!

–          If you would not buy the item for your child, it may be better just to donate that item, rather than consign.

When it comes to pricing, remember a good guideline is about 1/3 of what you paid for it. Brand names or items new with tags will get a little more.

While we are frequent shoppers at stores like Target, I will not purchase a used t-shirt for a dollar less than what I could have bought it new. Save yourself the trouble of tagging it and just donate it.

When it comes to shopping, Melinda says, “consider volunteering. Volunteers who help work the sale get to shop first and get some of the best deals. Also, be sure to arrive early.  At many of the more popular consignment sales a line will form in advance of the opening door time and whatever you do have fun!  Consignment sales are a good place to find great deals while helping out local preschools and those who sell at consignment sales.”

Have any tips or tricks you’ve picked up from participating in consignment sales, share with the class!

Don’t forget to check out Mother Of All Consignment Sale Lists for this spring!

 

 

Mother of All Consignment Sale Lists: Spring 2013

Posted on by Angie

Consignment Sales are taking over Birmingham, are you ready to shop and sell? Here’s a list of where to go and when!

Happy Consigning!

Alabaster:

Renewed Threads Fall Consignment Sale
Alabaster First United Methodist Church
10903 Highway 119, Alabaster
Restore Building
Friday, March 8th
Saturday, March 9th
Sale Info

Gardendale:

Kingdom Kids Consignment
Gardendale Mt.Vernon United Methodist

February 17th – February 23rd
Open to the Public 2oth– 23rd
Sale Info

Helena:

New 2 You Consignment Sale
Church of Cahaba Bend –

Friday, March 8th – 9am-7pm
Saturday, March 9th – 9am-1pm
Sale Info

Homewood:

Lil Lambs Consignment
Trinity United Methodist –

Open to the Public:  March 9th and 10th
Friday – 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday – 9:00 AM – 12 Noon
Sale Info

Kids Market and Mom
Old Academy Sports location at Wildwood Shopping Center

Receiving (by Appt)
Tue, Feb 19th,   9am – 7pm
Wed, Feb 20th,   9am – 7pm

Regular Receiving:

Sat, Feb. 23rd   7a – 6p
Mon, Feb. 25th,   9a – 6p
Tues, Feb. 26th,   9a – 6p
Wed, Feb. 27th,   9a – 3p
(Clothing items only on the 27th)

Public Sale:

Tue, Mar. 19th,   9a – 8p
Wed-Fri. Mar. 20, 21, 22,   9a – 6p
Sat. March 23,   9a – 4p

CLOSED Sun. March 24th

Mon-Wed. Mar. 25-27   9a-3p

Site Info

Hoover:

Kids Wear Plus
Hoover Gallery Shopping Center

Receiving: February 16th, 18th and 19th
Open to the Public: February 25th – March 2nd
Visit Site for hours
Sale Info

Bargains on the Bluff
Bluff Park United Methodist –

Open to the Public:
Friday, February 22nd, 9am
Saturday, February 23rd, 9am – 2pm Discount Day

Sale Info

Kids Corner Children’s Consignment
Mountain Chapel UMC

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Wednesday, February 27th 9am – 3pm
Wednesday, February 27th 5pm – 8pm Half Price of Select Items
Sale Info

TNT Sale
Riverchase United Methodist –

Open to to the Public:

Friday, March 8th –  9:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Saturday, March 9th –  8:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Hueytown:

Twice Blessed Sale
Garywood Assembly of God –

Public Sale:
Thursday, February 21 – 6:00 – 8:30 pm
Friday, February 22 – 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Saturday, (1/2 off day) February 23 – 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

*** Please note that this sale will be a CLOTHING ONLY SALE this season
Sale Info

Irondale:

Twice as Nice Sale
BAMOM – Birmingham Area Mothers of Multiples –

Private/Invitation Only Sale:
Friday February 22nd
5pm – 9pm
$2 Cover Charge

Open to the public:

Saturday, February 25th
7:30am – 1:00pm
11:00am – 1/2 price sale begins
Sale Info

Mountain Brook:

Sweet Repeats Children’s Consignment
Mountain Brook Community Church

Friday, February 8th
Saturday, February 9th

Sale Info

Oak Mountain:

Giggles and Grace
Asbury United Methodist

Receiving: February 6th and 7th

Open to the public:
February 8th 8am – 7pm
February 9th – 8am – 1pm
Sale Info

Odenville:

Valley Kids Consignment
900 Woodland Circle, Odenville, AL 35120

Friday, March 8th 9am-7pm
Saturday, March 9th 8am-1pm (50% off day)
Sale Info

Trussville

Growing Kids
Trussville Methodist Church –

Friday, March 1st  8:00am – 6:00pm
Saturday, March 2nd , 2012 8:00am – 2:00pm
(Saturday is 50% off many items in sale)

Sale Info

Vestavia

Whale of a Sale
Vestavia Hills Untied Methodist Church
Friday, February 15th 9am – 6pm
Most items 1/2 off 4pm – 6pm
Sale Info

Market on the Mountain
Family Life Center, Mountaintop Community Church –

Friday, February 22nd
Saturday, February 23rd
Sale Info

** Please remember that all dates and times are subject to change without notice to BirminghamMommy. Please make sure to double check the sales website for the most current and up to date information. If you have a sale you would like to see on our list, email us at contact@birminghammommy.com

Birmingham Events Calendar: January 20th – January 27th

Posted on by Angie

MLK Day is Monday and there are a few special events happening around town you can take advantage of while the kiddos are out of school.

The circus kicks off on Thursday and the Animal Walk is tentatively set for Wednesday the 23rd in the AM.. More details on that coming soon.

The new Kids a Million at the Books a Million, Brookwood now offers weekly programming for kids, we’ll be covering those now here in addition to all of the other great events happening around town.

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

Sunday January 20th:

Meet Clifford – McWane Science Center
Meet Clifford the Big Red Dog at McWane Science Center January 20 & 21! Be sure to bring your camera for pictures with the Clifford himself. Enjoy fun early learning activities and explore the Adventures with Clifford the Big Red Dog exhibit!
12:30pm, 2:30pm and 4:30pm
Cost included in the price of admission

BrickFair Lego Fan Festival – BJCC
LEGO models, displays and winding trains sprawled out over 37,000 square feet. BrickFair brings together adult fans of LEGO from across the USA (and Canada, and a few other countries) to show off their projects, great and small, and to share their passion for LEGO – the most awesome toy – ever.

LEGO fan festivals like BrickFair are great fun for the whole family! Join in a game or two – maybe win a LEGO set.

Vendors will be offering all things LEGO, including shirts, hats, minifigures, custom-molded weapons, unique models, keychains and… really… everything you never imagined.

Note: BrickFair is primarily a look-don’t-touch event. Please enjoy the displays with your eyes, not your fingers. The few interactive displays are clearly marked. To satisfy your creative urges, visit the Stay & Play area.

General Info:
$8 at the door.
11:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Please allow 90 minutes or more to enjoy the show.
Doors close at 4:00 pm; expo is vacated at 4:30pm.

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Monday January 21st:

Meet Clifford – McWane Science Center
Meet Clifford the Big Red Dog at McWane Science Center January 20 & 21! Be sure to bring your camera for pictures with the Clifford himself. Enjoy fun early learning activities and explore the Adventures with Clifford the Big Red Dog exhibit!
10:00pm, 12:00pm and 2:00pm
Cost included in the price of admission

Waterfowl Bird Walk – McWane Science Center
Join us this winter for a Family Bird Walk led by members of Birmingham Audubon Society, local bird watching organization and  a chapter of the National Audubon Society. On this full day trip we will travel to Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, a waterfowl hot spot, to locate and identify some of the waterfowl that have migrated here or congregate in this diverse habitat giving us a grand view of many species of birds.
Cost: This event is FREE. Ages 5 and up are welcome
Reservations: Reservations are required. Space is limited, so reserve today by calling (205) 714-8228.

1/2 Price Admission – Birmingham Zoo
The Zoo invites you to give back to those in need and take advantage of half-price admission on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Simply bring a canned good or non-perishable food item to donate to the United Way and receive half-off of admission. One item per person is needed for the discount.

Visit the animals and take part in the Zoo’s many activities on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Experience all the Zoo has to offer, such as exploring the Kiwanis Giraffe Encounter and feeding the giraffes, watching a sea lion training demonstration, enjoying a Children’s Zoo keeper chat, participating in a pelican feeding and much more.

Come make a difference in your community and enjoy a fun-filled day at the Zoo!

Toddler Tales – North 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 January 22nd:

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 January 23rd:

Storytime – Books a Million, Brookwood Mall
National Pie Day Storytime and Craft
“I know an Old Lady who Swallowed a Pie”
11am

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us for Storytime as we read This Moose Belongs to Me. What happens when a little boy finds a moose? We will have a fun activity and have a treat from the Cafe.
11am

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

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Thursday January 24th:

Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus
Elephants, tigers, acrobats and aerialists join together from across the globe, each a spectacular piece of the puzzle, forming one exquisite design of magnificence and precision. From the blueprints to the band, from the crates to the clowns, from the hammer to the high wire comes one breathtaking performance of non-stop thrills so astonishing you have to see it to believe it.

Be a part of the brand-new spectacles from around the world immersed in the circus tradition you have come to know and love. Experience it live and feel the amazement! Children Of All Ages will be inspired for years to come at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents Built To Amaze!

Thursday, January 24 at 7 p.m.

PJ Storytime – Hoover Public Library
Wear your pajamas to this all ages storytime with Ms. Laura. Includes stories, songs and a bedtime snack. No registration required.
6:30pm

SNAP, Zumba – Emmet O’ Neal Library
Zumba mania! 3:30 – 4:30 pm. Grades 3-6. No registration required.

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Friday January 25th:

Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus
Elephants, tigers, acrobats and aerialists join together from across the globe, each a spectacular piece of the puzzle, forming one exquisite design of magnificence and precision. From the blueprints to the band, from the crates to the clowns, from the hammer to the high wire comes one breathtaking performance of non-stop thrills so astonishing you have to see it to believe it.

Be a part of the brand-new spectacles from around the world immersed in the circus tradition you have come to know and love. Experience it live and feel the amazement! Children Of All Ages will be inspired for years to come at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents Built To Amaze!
Friday, January 25 at 7 p.m.

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Saturday January 26th:

Animal Grossology Opens at the McWane Science Center
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!”

Game and Puzzle Day – Books A Million, Brookwood Mall
11am

Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus
Elephants, tigers, acrobats and aerialists join together from across the globe, each a spectacular piece of the puzzle, forming one exquisite design of magnificence and precision. From the blueprints to the band, from the crates to the clowns, from the hammer to the high wire comes one breathtaking performance of non-stop thrills so astonishing you have to see it to believe it.

Be a part of the brand-new spectacles from around the world immersed in the circus tradition you have come to know and love. Experience it live and feel the amazement! Children Of All Ages will be inspired for years to come at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents Built To Amaze!

Saturday, January 26 at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7  p.m.

Bart’s Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
This drop-in art program for kids and families features a different gallery and activity each month. Stop by to make art with Bart! This month, slither into the Museum to make a snake for Chinese New Year!
11am

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

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us for Storytime as we read Calvin Can’t Fly. Find out what happens when Calvin the bird would rather read books than learn to fly. We will make something fun and have a treat from the Cafe.
11am

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Sunday January 27th:

Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus
Elephants, tigers, acrobats and aerialists join together from across the globe, each a spectacular piece of the puzzle, forming one exquisite design of magnificence and precision. From the blueprints to the band, from the crates to the clowns, from the hammer to the high wire comes one breathtaking performance of non-stop thrills so astonishing you have to see it to believe it.

Be a part of the brand-new spectacles from around the world immersed in the circus tradition you have come to know and love. Experience it live and feel the amazement! Children Of All Ages will be inspired for years to come at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents Built To Amaze!

Sunday, January 27 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

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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

Adventures with Clifford the Big Red Dog
Join Clifford, Emily Elizabeth, and all their friends in the Adventures with Clifford The Big Red Dog™ exhibit! Featuring the people and places of the beloved children’s book and PBS Kids television series, this new interactive exhibit brings Clifford’s home on Birdwell Island to life with playful activities and enchanting environments for early learners to explore.

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.

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