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Built to Amaze, Circus Giveaway

Posted on by Angie

The circus is coming to Birmingham and we have some tickets to give out!

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!

Performance Schedule:

Thursday, January 24 at 7 p.m.

Friday, January 25 at 7 p.m.

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

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

BirminghamMommy has 2, Family Four Packs up for grabs, the tickets are good for several different shows, including opening night.

To Enter:

1. Leave a Comment here telling us you want them (1 per person, per day)

2. Share this post on your FB Page (come back and let us know that you did, or tag @BirminghamMommy on the status update)

Giveaway will end Sunday night at 6pm, winners will be notified via email.

Good Luck!

 

Mistakes Parents Make at the Dinner Table- Are you guilty?

Posted on by Angie

Battling our children over meal times can seem like a never ending battle. But the dinner time battle goes beyond just getting them to eat a fruit or vegetable. Here are a few other things to keep in mind around meal time.

1. Don’t make them clean their plate. Kids typically eat when hungry and stop when full. Let them learn how to be in tune with their bodies and truly understand the feeling of hunger and fullness.

2. Sugary Rewards: If you eat your veggies, you get a cupcake! This approach implies that the veggie is not appealing, but the dessert is the best thing ever. Make dessert a separate dish.

3. No Sweets, EVER! Limit sweets but don’t forbid them, be reasonable and try to teach them moderation.

4. Snacking too much- Kids don’t need to snack every hour. That’s called grazing and is a bad habit to fall into. Don’t give snacks for boredom, and make the 2 hours before dinner snack-free.

5. Sodas and liquid calories- fruit juices, sports drinks, sodas and more should not make up a large portion of their calories. Limit them to water or milk, and on occasion a very diluted fruit juice.

What are some of your dinner time rules?

Giveaway: Back to the Future, Alabama Theatre

Posted on by Angie

Giveaway Time! We’ve got tickets to giveaway to the upcoming Back to the Future Series at the Historic Alabama Theatre.

January 22nd – Back to the Future, A teenager is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his friend, Dr. Emmett Brown, and must make sure his high-school-age parents unite in order to save his own existence.

January 23rd – Back to the Future II, After visiting 2015, Marty McFly must repeat his visit to 1955 to prevent disastrous changes to 1985… without interfering with his first trip.

January 24th – Back to the Future III, Enjoying a peaceable existence in 1885, Doctor Emmet Brown is about to be killed by Buford “Mad Dog” Tannen. Marty McFly travels back in time to save his friend.

We’ll have a total of 4 winners that will win a pair of tickets to each movie.

To Enter:

1. Leave a comment letting us know you want them. (1 per person, per day)

2. Head over to the Alabama Theatre Facebook page and thank them for the giveaway. (1 per person)

All movies begin at 7pm and the doors will open at 6pm. Good Luck and thanks to the Alabama Theatre for the tickets!

Giveawaty ends at 6pm on Wednesday Jan. 16th – Tickets will be left at Will Call.

 

Birmingham Events Calendar: January 13th – January 20th

Posted on by Angie

We hope you were able to get out and enjoy a little bit of this warm weather we’ve been having the past few days.

Events are starting to pick back up this week. If you have a LEGO fan in your house, you will want to make plans to attend the BrickFair LEGO Fan Event at the BJCC this coming weekend. Birmingham Museum of Art has lots of “Bart” events happening an Clifford will be making an appearance at the McWane Science Center.

Lots of storytimes and if you have a fan of the Bad Kitty Book Series, you can meet the author this week a the new Kids A Million (Books A Million) at Brookwood Mall.

Have a great week!

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

Monday January 14th:

Monday Movie – Homewood Public Library
A movie for all ages. Real movie popcorn and juice are provided for 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 15th:

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 16th:

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us for Storytime as we read Delia’s Dull Day. We will find out if Delia’s day was really as dull as she thought it was. We will make something fun 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 17th:

Nick Bruel Book Signing – Books A Million, Brookwood Shopping Center
Join Books-A-Million as we host New York Times bestselling author, Nick Bruel, of the best-selling series “Bad Kitty”

Free Signing with purchase of book
6 pm

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Friday January 18th:

Leaps and Bounds – Homewood Public Library
A movement class for our friends 2½ to 4 yrs. Please no younger or older siblings. Registration is required and begins January 7th at 10:00 a.m. Call 332-6619.

Storytime with NeNe – Whole Foods
NeNe is back and better than ever! Join Whole Foods most Fridays’ for storyday! There will be storyboards, songs and snacks!
10am

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Saturday January 19th:

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.

Kids In Nature – Ruffner Mountain Nature Center
Let’s go outside and explore! KIN Club focuses on a different topic each month and includes a naturalist-led hike and a craft. KIN Club is suited for 3rd – 5th graders and their family.
KIN (Kids in Nature) Club, $5/$7 per child (chaperones are free)
1:00pm

M Studio for Kids – Birmingham Museum of Art
Students will create their own Face Jugs using the exhibition Face Jugs: Art and Ritual in 19th-Century South Carolina as inspiration. Students will construct a vessel out of slabs of clay, resulting in a blank canvas upon which they will sculpt a face. They will experience the benefits and limitations of using clay as a sculptural medium and will also learn about different types of clay, the firing process, and various ceramic finishes.
$50 ($40 for Bart’s Kids Club Members) includes all supplies // Eduation Studio // Kids ages 8-14
Instructor: Chad Nelson of Nelson Studios, creator of UGCHUGS, whimsical and functional pottery!
10am

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 This Is Not My Hat. Find out what happens when the little fish takes a hat from the big fish. We will make something fun and have something yummy from the Cafe
11am

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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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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.

The Gray Area: Post-It to SMS

Posted on by Angie

By: Misty Smith

The Mayans projected that the world would end in 2012, but we are all still here. As I sit here thinking about the events that took place in my life in 2012, I am drawn to some of the “endings” that occurred that still weigh heavily on my mind: the ending of a business, the ending of child’s pre-school enrollment (Wow, how time flies!), and the ending of my early 30s. The most concerning endings were the endings of friendships. Through these thoughts I was reminded of something a bit lighter, and that was one of my favorite Sex and the City episodes.

The “Post-It Note” episode, as we have all come to know and love it. Come on…anyone who is a true fan of the series should be able to remember that episode. I mean “I’m Sorry. I Can’t. Don’t Hate Me”….on a Post-It!  It seems that there are a variety of relationships (friendships, couples, family) that end through this method of cowardice. Yes, I said it. COWARDICE! I cannot find a better name to call it. Now, let’s be honest…in today’s world of technology it’s not usually done on a Post-It, but more likely through a text message and/or an e-mail. What happened to picking up a phone and being an adult about it??? Women, men… it doesn’t matter your gender or the type of relationship you are in. People deserve the respect of a phone call, or Heaven forbid a face-to-face encounter. You know exactly who you are, and shame shame on you. Is it that difficult to pick up the phone, state your case, and then actually listen to what the other person has to say? If you are in a romantic relationship, you have probably spent a lot of time with this person; serious quality time. You have probably seen this person in very vulnerable situations (i.e., NAKED.) They may have thought you were their “One.” You may have been the only person that knew how to talk to them or really “knew” them at all, and now you can’t even call them to say it is not going to work out? I’m not even asking that someone make an appointment to do the break-up in person, but simply saying that you should allow the person whose heart you are breaking to have a conversation about why you are crushing their dreams. Allowing them to scream and yell at you over the phone is just COMMON COURTESY!

Now let’s move on to the “friends” scenario. You are best friends. You tell one another everything. You discuss your deepest, darkest secrets and the most intimate details of your life over endless gossiping, drinking, dancing, getting your nails done, and shopping, but you “end” it in a text. Are you kidding me?  You have no desire to listen to this friend you have had for years. And why?  Because you would rather take the easy way out. You couldn’t handle saying the words out loud and hearing the hurt in the other person’s response. This is an extremely selfish act. Is this the type of person you want to be? Whatever has led you to making this decision is something that deserves dialogue, not a one-sided written message sent through some version of social media. Come on people… be respectful, courteous, and be a good human being.

You will respect yourself more when it is over, and you will be able to retain the respect of other people.

Ending relationships (friends or couples) via text message or sms, would you? Have you?

About this column: Please be aware that this column potentially addresses sensitive issues that might, at times, be considered offensive. Feel free to send your relationship-related questions to my email: mistysmithphd@convenienttherapy.com. 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 in the column, 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 seek counseling services from a professional. You may also join in on the conversations over on her Facebook page.

Misty Smith, Ph.D. is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She owns a private practice, Smith Counseling Services, Inc. She obtained her Master’s degree in Counseling from Jacksonville State University, an Educational Specialist degree from The University of Alabama, and her Doctorate in Counselor Education from Mississippi State University. She provides counseling services in the following areas: couples/marriage, family, stress management, employee assistance services, time management, divorce, and other major life changes. She generally focuses on solution-focused brief therapy, as well as, behavioral and cognitive-behavioral techniques, but feels a flexible approach to therapy is necessary because all people are different. She is a wife of 10 years and a mom to a 5 year-old daughter, a 3 year-old son, a 19 year-old step-son, a 16 year-old step-daughter, and a 20 year-old Russian exchange daughter.

Savory Nibbles: Bacon & Chicken Bites

Posted on by Angie

This is the perfect nibble to bring to any potluck gathering!

1 package of boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 package of sliced bacon
1/2 c firmly packed brown sugar
1-2 tbsp chili powder

Preheat oven to 350.
Cut chicken breasts into 1″ pieces, cut bacon slices into 1/3’s.
Wrap a bacon around each chicken and secure with a toothpick.
Mix the brown sugar and chili powder, and roll the chicken/bacon cube in it.
Spray a broiler pan with non stick spray. Place the cubes on the pan.
Bake for 35 minutes, or until bacon is crisp.

Say Cheese: Staying in the (Facebook) Picture

Posted on by Angie

By: Lissa Peterson

If you are a young mother, I’m willing to bet you don’t have a lot of recent pictures of yourself. What about your Facebook photo? Are you in it, or is it just of your children? Are you in your family’s Christmas card?

I’ve read a lot of opinions over the past few months about how the current generation of young mothers has a tendency to disappear from pictures. On Huffington Post, Allison Tate begged mothers to allow pictures of themselves to be taken. Not doing so, she says, takes us out of the story of our family.  She recently posted an update on the topic that discusses Christmas cards in particular.

And then there’s Katie Roiphe, who attacks women who use photos of their children as their profile pics on facebook (guilty). In an essay that is dripping with snark, she wonders why women who work, are in book clubs, and have “interests outside the home” still choose to put their little cuties on the profile page instead of themselves. Sarcastically, she says she understands the urge: “After all, it frees you of the burden of looking halfway decent for a picture, and of the whole excruciating business of being yourself.” Ouch.

Roiphe must have a full-time nanny and personal assistant to have so much energy. I feel the day is a success if I didn’t lose either of my children. Sorry, but “looking halfway decent” and “being [my]self” are well beyond the scope of my daily abilities.
I won’t spend too much time on Roiphe’s article, except to say that Erin Newcomb summed up my thoughts on her piece better than I think I could have myself. For example: “If mothers martyr themselves for their children, that’s not an issue of failing to be sexy enough (as Roiphe suggests), but of lacking support and viable alternatives for making life meaningful.” And further, “Roiphe misses the fact that motherhood is a calling for many women, and that engaging in it joyfully was supposed to be a valid choice in feminism.”

It’s interesting to me that Tate situates her argument in the idea of being there for your children, while Roiphe’s focus is on being yourself. Both arguments are valid and important. I’m certainly not immune to this phenomenon. As I mentioned, my current Facebook profile pic is of my children. Finding a pic of me for my Twitter account was a challenge. Heck, the best I could do for my blog was a picture of my whole family.

Why don’t I have any pictures of myself?

First, at the risk of seeming to push blame on others, I must point out that when you become a mother, people mysteriously stop taking pictures of you. And why not? Your kids are so gosh darned cute! And they are brand new. And they won’t stay this young forever. And you are so tired. After motherhood, a woman’s cheering section often starts cheering for the little ones instead.
Then, of course, mothers don’t really help the issue. We don’t encourage anyone to take a picture of us. I know that I tend to scoot out of the way when the cameras come out. I never feel like I am “fixed” enough for documentation. Again, surviving the day is an accomplishment.

Are we really being fair to women with these comments, or are we just requiring them to look great in addition to all of the other expectations we place on them? Those Christmas cards that don’t have moms in them — the dads aren’t in there either. A quick scan of my Facebook page showed that a large number of dads use their kids in the pictures, too. Why make such a big deal about it for women?

I’m constantly struggling to find my own personal level of balance — a way of spending quality time with my children but also connecting with and impacting the world outside my home. I often ask myself why I can’t just give up the urge to do other things. It would be so much easier to stay home and focus solely on my family. I think for me the decision has to do with my own perception of visibility.

I know this will probably sound judgmental of moms who stay home (which I don’t intend at all), but for me it is important to have an active presence outside the home — whatever that may mean. I love spending time with my kids, but I also strongly feel I need to have an impact on the outside world for my own good and to set a good example for my children. I don’t want to perpetuate the idea that the well-being of my family is all that matters. I want to show my children that we help others — friends, extended family, and even strangers — as well. No, that doesn’t mean that I have to “work” outside the home, but it does mean that I need to occasionally focus my attention on others besides my kids.

So, I think visibility is important too, but a different kind. I prefer the kind of visibility that suggests I want to leave the world a little better than I found it. It doesn’t have anything to do with how I look, or even with making sure I’m identified by my own image and not that of my children. Yes, some of the reluctance with having my picture taken is because I don’t look the way I used to. But I also just don’t see the point of spending as much time on my looks as I used to either.

We all have our own different ways of making an impact on the world. If someone else doesn’t think it’s a priority to always have a recent, perfect snapshot of themselves, maybe it’s because they are too busy making a difference some other way. Maintaining an active social media presence isn’t the only way to change the world.

Birmingham Events Calendar: January 6th – January 13th

Posted on by Angie

Happy New Year! We’re back and slowly easing back into the swing of things! We hope you all enjoyed your Holiday Break!

The library calendars are starting to pick up and storytimes are back. Today is the last day to check out the Winter Wonderland at the McWane Science Center. If you haven’t made time for that yet, load the kids up and head on out. It’s worth it!

There are free kids yoga classes happening at Villager Yoga and Bart’s Art Cart is kicking off the New Year with a special about the Chinese New Year!

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

Sunday January 6th:

Last day to play in the Winter Wonderland at the McWane Science Center!!

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Monday January 7th:

Free Kids Yoga Classes – Villager Yoga
Come check out our kids classes for free as we prepare to start our 2013 yoga series.

Yoga is a fun and interactive way for children and teens to build strength, release excess energy and develop a healthy body and body image. Kids tend to lead intense lifestyles due to overstimulation, academic and social pressures, blended families and busy schedules, all which create stress that can be hard for them to identify and clearly communicate. Our yoga practice provides tools children, teens and families can use to alleviate stress and find calm and balance in a safe, non-competitive environment.
1:30 – 2:15

Character Kids – Gardendale Public Library
A fun interactive program for kids K5, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades. Ms. Molly uses character development through games, stories, science, and more.
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 8th:

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 9th:

Free Kids Yoga Classes – Villager Yoga
Come check out our kids classes for free as we prepare to start our 2013 yoga series.

Yoga is a fun and interactive way for children and teens to build strength, release excess energy and develop a healthy body and body image. Kids tend to lead intense lifestyles due to overstimulation, academic and social pressures, blended families and busy schedules, all which create stress that can be hard for them to identify and clearly communicate. Our yoga practice provides tools children, teens and families can use to alleviate stress and find calm and balance in a safe, non-competitive environment.
4:00 – 4:45pm

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us for Storytime as we read I Need My Own Country. Find out what happens when a little girl decides to make her own country. There will be a craft 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 10th:

Free Kids Yoga Classes – Villager Yoga
Come check out our kids classes for free as we prepare to start our 2013 yoga series.

Yoga is a fun and interactive way for children and teens to build strength, release excess energy and develop a healthy body and body image. Kids tend to lead intense lifestyles due to overstimulation, academic and social pressures, blended families and busy schedules, all which create stress that can be hard for them to identify and clearly communicate. Our yoga practice provides tools children, teens and families can use to alleviate stress and find calm and balance in a safe, non-competitive environment.
3:30 – 4:15 and 4:30 -5:15

SNAP – Movie and Popcorn – Emmet O Neal Library
Follow a feisty red-headed heroine across the magical moors of Scotland. Thursday, January 10, at 3:30 pm. Call 879-0497 for movie and ending times. Grades 3-6. No registration required.

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Friday January 11th:

Storytime with NeNe – Whole Foods
NeNe is back and better than ever! Join Whole Foods most Fridays’ for storyday! There will be storyboards, songs and snacks!
10am

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Saturday January 12th:

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

Llama Llama Red Pajama Party – Hoover Public Library
Throw on your favorite pajamas and join us as we party party Llama Llama style. Registration going on now.
10:30am

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

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us for Storytime as we read Hey, Presto! Find out what happens when Presto and his friend, Monty, perform a magic show. There will be a fun activity and we will have something delicious from the Cafe.
11am

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Sunday January 13th:

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

 

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Local Attractions Open Daily!

McWane Science Center:

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.

Winter Wonderland

Snow is in the forecast at McWane Science Center this year with the return of the Winter Wonderland exhbit. This magical holiday experience gives families a chance to learn about the science of the season together as they play in the snow, go ice fishing, and watch toy trains zip around the tracks.

Winter Wonderland offers something for everyone in the family to enjoy together. Inside the snow room, children can make snow angels, build snow castles and more. Children can catch fish through the ice in the ice fishing area.

Guests can even sled down the giant slide between the third and second floors in the museum or try the zip line.

Families also have a chance to see toy trains of every shape and size zipping around the tracks in the Magic of Model Trains area. This year children will be able to become conductors at one of the new stations and also see several new additions to the train sets.

Winter Wonderland Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday  10 AM – 5 PM
Saturday  10 AM – 6 PM
Sunday   12 PM – 6 PM

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.

5 Foods Your Children Should Be Eating (And How to Serve Them)

Posted on by Angie

The top 5 healthiest, nutrient-packed foods for kids are:

1. Salmon- Great source of omega-3 fats, good for boosting brain health. DHA is critical for brain cell membranes, and salmon is a great source. Top it with teriyaki or mix flaked off pieces of salmon into pasta.

2. Oats- Fiber-rich and slow-burning, oatmeal is a great way to give the little ones energy- especially as the weather cools down.  You can mix in some cut up fruit or try adding peanut butter or maple syrup.

3. Eggs- As kids grow, they develop new muscle tissue. Having a high quality protein will help. To combat cholesterol issues, use 1 egg combined with 2-3 egg whites. You can mix in veggies or meats, or serve them breakfast tacos. I’ve never seen a kid turn down a taco!

4. Spinach- Good for the eyes and high in nutrients, spinach is great for little ones. To get them past the bitter taste, try baby spinach. You can also add chopped spinach leaves to spaghetti sauce or pizza sauce and sneak it in!

5. Beans- Beans have soluble fiber that helps regulate blood sugars and may help calm mood swings. That’s what moms want to hear!  Try adding beans to taco meat or hamburgers, or let them have hummus as a dip for veggies or pita chips.

How many of these foods do your kiddos eat?

New Year's Resolutions for Moms

Posted on by Angie

We know… it’s hard. Change is always hard, but it can make you a better person. As moms, our resolutions are already geared towards other people. But we need to fit a few in for ourselves too.  Here are some ideas for resolutions & goals to keep in mind as you move through 2013.

1. Spend more time being PRESENT with your children. You’re with them a lot, but how much of that time is spent on your phone or checking emails. Life is not about emails or instagram.

2. Healthy lifestyle for  the whole family. For the most part, we exercise regularly.  We want to make the whole family healthier by doing more activities together and eating healthier. Try for at least 3 healthy family dinners and 1 family activity per week.

3. Better budgeting- Even if you’re not a compulsive shopper, it’s east to lose track of spending. Prepare a family budget and stick to it.

4. Charity-  Choose something you can share with your children. They will be great helpers and you can help them understand how important it is to help others.

What goals do you have for the New Year?

 

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