By Harmony Hobbs:
Reese Witherspoon is pregnancy PERFECTION. I mean, look at her. I don’t know how she does it, but I’m jealous.
Also, can we discuss her gorgeous children?! I may go out right this minute and buy myself some blue-framed glasses.
Fall is in the air, and there’s no better way to celebrate than with cookies! These will make you and your kids smile. We found this recipe on MyBakingAddiction.com, check her out for more great ideas.
Yield: 24 Cookies
Ingredients:
1 cup butter flavored shortening
1 cup unsalted butter; softened
2 cups white sugar
2 cups canned pumpkin (solid; not pie mix)
2 eggs
2 teaspoons baking soda
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons butter, softened
4 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (extract will also work)
2 tablespoons milk
Directions:
1. Cream shortening, butter, white sugar and pumpkin. Add eggs and mix well.
2. Sift together the baking soda, ground cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, salt and flour. Add to pumpkin mixture and mix well.
3. Drop from spoon to cookie sheet. Bake 13-15 minutes at 350°F (175°C).
1. Mix the cream cheese with the butter, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, and milk in a bowl.
2. Heat in a microwave for 15 seconds.
3. Drizzle spoonfuls over the cooled cookies and smooth with the back of a spoon or a spatula.
Enjoy!
Lenore Skenazy has started a new movement of parenting, free-range parenting. It is based on the notion “that we can give our children the same kind of freedom we had [as kids] without going nuts with worry,” Skenazy says. “When you let children out, all the good things happen – the self-confidence, happiness, and self-sufficiency that come from letting our kids do some things on their own,” she says.
The question that has come to light, especially after Skenazy’s appearance on the Dr. Drew Show, is just how safe or dangerous is this idea? We all know that things were different when we grew up. We played outside and roamed the woods until dark. So why aren’t we letting our children do the same? Skenazy likes to point out how important it is to base your philosophy on your neighborhood. But when I asked myself why I don’t let my kids have the freedom that I had, the obvious answer is this: Knowledge. Blame it on technology or whatever, the fact is that I KNOW what is happening around me. I know that someone who seems nice may be hiding a dark secret. I know that terrible things happen when you least expect them. You can’t predict disasters. So for me, it just makes sense to keep a watchful eye on my children until they’re old enough to fight off an attacker. My parents let me roam because they didn’t think anything bad could or would happen. Fortunately for them, they were right. Some might say lucky.
What’s your take? Would you let your child roam free? Just because I don’t let mine loose on the subways of NYC, that doesn’t make me a hovering helicopter mom. There’s always a nice middle ground.
Ahhh, Fall in Birmingham! Most Moms we know absolutely love this time of year! With Fall comes the fun of Pumpkin Patches, Trick or Treating and Fall Festivals. Here is a rundown of what you can do to keep your family busy over the next month or so!
Old Baker Farm – Harpersville – September 29th – October 31st. Just off Hwy 280.
Open weekdays 3pm – dark
Saturdays 9am – dark
Sundays 1pm – dark
ADMISSION COST:
$10 per person (children under 2 free)
Admission includes pumpkin and all events except food, arts and crafts, and horseback rides.
Great Pumpkin Patch – Hayden – 65 North to the Hayden Corner Exit. September 24th – October 31st
Open Monday – Thursday 8am – 4pm,
Friday and Saturday 8am – 6pm,
Sunday 1pm – 6pm.
Admission to the Pumpkin Patch is free, pay for each activity.
Grand Ole Patch – Clanton – 65 South to the Clanton/Lay Dam exit 212. October 1st – October 31st
Open Monday – Thursday 8am – 5pm.
Friday and Saturday 8am – Dark.
Sunday 1pm to dark.
Pay Per Activity
Bennett Farms – Heflin – I-20 toward Atlanta, exit 199. Opening day, Saturday September 29th. In October – Open Thursday and Friday, 2pm – 5pm, Saturday 9am – 5pm and Sunday 1pm – 5pm.
Pumpkin Patch Express – Heart of Dixie Railroad Musuem – Open Every Saturday and Sunday in October, beginning October 6th. Hayrides, jump stations, coloring and more! It is recommended you purchase tickets in advance.
Tuscaloosa Barnyard
“Petting and Fun Farm” is open every Friday in October from 10am to 1pm. Saturday, October 20th and 27th will be family day! Bring your lunch & friends! 248-0773 (Pony ride, boat ride, animal feeding, hands on petting area, pumpkin patch, hayride, playground, etc ONLY $15 per person)
A Night Dark and Grimm: October 19th, 6pm
Fairytale Forest Maze, Crafts, Costume Photo Booth, Costume Parade, Games, Fairytale Foods and More! Movie on the Lawn will be Mirror Mirror. *Rain date, October 20th
Trick or Treat Around the Library – October 31st, 9am -6pm
Live Ghost Hunt: October 27th 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Homewood Public Library has been certified by several paranormal groups and psychics as having “paranormal activity.” Come tour the premises after dark with real ghostbusters. Two tours will be available; one at 6:30pm and the other at 8:30pm.
Paranormal Rules: Must be 12 years old and older to attend; 15 year olds and younger must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Appropriate clothing is required. Non-reflective materials, closed toe shoes, minimal jewelry, no perfume or scented lotions.
This Event will be limited to 30 per session; Tickets are $20 per person. Ticket sales begin October 1st.
Halloween Tricks and Treats: October 31st, 1pm – 5:45pm
Stop by in your costume and perform a trick for a treat!
Turn a pumpkin into a work of art (NO CARVING, PLEASE) and display it at the library! Each entry will receive a prize and a medal and will be entered into a grand prize drawing. Drawing at 9 a.m. on Monday, October 29th.
October 16-28, 2012
Annual Pumpkin Painting Workshop
It’s time to get out those pumpkins and bring them to the library to decorate and enter our Pumpkin Painting Contest.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012 at 6:30 am
Full Moon Fright Fest: October 29th, 6:30pm
Wear your costume to the library for and evening of haunted games, crafts and snacks.
Halloween Carnival: Saturday October 20th 2pm- 3pm
Come in your favorite costume to play some carnival games and leave with plenty of treats.
Boo at the Zoo –
Wear your favorite costume for the 22nd annual Boo at the Zoo. Make your way through safe candy villages and game zones, organized by local non-profits and child-centered businesses. The Zoo will close at 4pm on each day of Boo at the Zoo.
Admission: $8 (tax included)
Some attractions require ride tickets. Ride tickets are $3.50, or you can purchase an unlimited attraction wristband for only $12. Wristbands do not include Children’s Pony Rides. Children’s Pony Rides are $5.50. Riders must weigh less than 80 lbs.
October 5th – 7th, 12–14, 21, 25, 28 & 31 (5pm–9pm)
October 19, 20, 26, 27 (5pm–10pm)
OzTober at Desoto Caverns –
Every Saturday in October for an interactive, roaming production of the Wizard of Oz. Show times are 10:15 and 4:15.
McWane Science Center
SpookTacular Sleepover – Spend the night inside the haunted museum and enjoy spooktacular science experiments from Frankenstein’s lightning show to mixing up crazy concoctions in a cauldron! This spooky celebration is fun for all ages. Event includes dinner, breakfast, late night snack, Rocky Mountain Express in IMAX , and all activities. Reservations are required. Please call (205) 714-8414
October 19 from 6:00 PM – 9:00 AM
TICKETS: $40.00 Kids, $20 Adults (Members get $5.00 OFF)
Southern Museum of Flight –
Family Halloween Event
October 27th
Oak Mountain State Park
Come out and enjoy the festivities at the 2nd Annual Fall Festival at the Dogwood Pavilion. We will have a dunking booth, face painting, cake walk, hayrides, and more. Park admission is $3 adults, $1 children (6 to 11), 5 & under free, $1 seniors (62+). Activities require 1 ticket each, and they can be purchased under the Dogwood Pavilion for $1 each.
Saturday October 13th, 1oam – 2pm
Tannehill –
The Tannehill Halloween Festival, a non-scary fun-filled holiday event focused on the campgrounds, annually attracts over 6,000 visitors, most of them children. Begun in 1992, the October 31 event features park-sponsored programs during the afternoon and traditional Halloween candy “trick or treat” stops at more than 200 campsites during the evening. Park events include a moon walk, clowns, face painting, pony rides and sand art. A special tradition is the festival’s annual Halloween Festival T-shirt. Campground site decorations and lights are extensive, creative and surreal.
October 27th
Jefferson Christian Academy –
The Jefferson Christian Academy Annual Heritage Festival is an exciting event in the Irondale Community. Families can enjoy a variety of entertainment such as carnival rides, huge inflatables, live music, arts and crafts vendors, informational booths, several food choices, silent auction, pony rides, games, and more!
Saturday October 13th, 10am – 3pm
Chelsea Park Elementary –
Annual Fall Festival, something for everyone! The event will have games, inflatables, cake walk, vendor booths, silent auction, tons of food and much more. Tickets can be purchased the week of the event at the school for $.50 or the night of the event for $.60. This is the largest fundraiser for Chelsea Park Elementary’s PTO and proceeds will help the PTO provide support and assistance to the school and faculty throughout the year. All are welcomed!!!!
Friday October 26th. 5:30pm – 8:30pm
Dawson Baptist Church
Bring your family to Dawson’s Family Fall Festival! Games, rides, carnival foods, and candy!
October 26th, 6pm – 9pm
Town of Mt Laurel
Harvest Festival –Farmers Market & Craft Fair, complete with Hayrides, MoonWalks, Cotton Candy, Music and much, much more!
Saturday, October 13th. 10am – 3pm
Mountain Chapel UMC
Fall Kids Festival, grades 5 and under
Games, Pony rides, food, face painting, shaved ice and more.
$5 Pass covers all rides and games unlimited. Cash for Food and drink
Sunday, October 15th. 1pm – 3pm
Ruffner Mountain
Pumpkin Carving Party. Join us for a pumpkin carving party at the Backporch. Let your creativity run wild as you create your very own Jack-O-Lantern. You may either bring your own and carve it for free, or purchase one from Ruffner (price depends on size). You are free to take your pumpkin home with you, or leave it at Ruffner to display for Faces in the Forest.
October 25th, 3pm – 5pm
Face in the Forest Hike – Visit Ruffner for a truly spooktacular evening. Walk along the forest trail with only the guidance from glowing Jack-O-Lanterns to lead the way. Booths and other hair-raising activities will be offered as well. Costumes encouraged. Fun for the whole family. Please arrive within the thirty minute time frame you selected. *These price reflects a $1 discount for reserving your spot online. Please note that tickets might not be available at the door on the days of the event if event is sold out. We strongly recommend purchasing your tickets online to guarantee a spot and save money. Reserve your spot at http://shop.ruffnermountain.org/
October 25th and 26th. 6:30 – 8:30pm
Homewood Parks and Recreation
Fall Festival – A variety of games, goodies, a concession stand, inflatable and a costume contest.
Thursday, October 25th. 6pm – 8pm
Buck Creek Park and Buck Creek Trail – Alabaster
Fall Fest
Saturday, October 27th, 9am – 3pm
Barnes and Noble – Summit Shopping Center
Harry Potter Halloween Party and Costume Contest! Scavenger hunt and costume contest. Best Costume wins a NOOK Simple Touch! Register before the event at www.pottermore.com to get sorted into your Hogwarts House. Ages 7-16 welcome!
October 13th, 7pm – 8pm
If you’re a scary movie buff and can get a sitter, the Alabama Theatre will be hosting Halloween Movie Week starting Tuesday October 23rd. Visit their site for a full schedule.
If you have a festival or fall event you would like added to our list, email us at: contact@birminghammommy.com subject line, Fall Festival
Fall is officially here! We. Love. Fall. Pumpkins, Mums, Falls Festivals and more! It’s going to be a great month full of family fun!
The Greek Food Festival is back and this Friday Night we highly suggest getting a sitter and checking out this one time only event, Live @The Lyric. The historic Lyric Theatre will open it’s doors to the public for it’s first concert in the 21st Century!
Happy Fall Everyone!
Bart’s Art Cart – Make a Pop Art Car – Birmingham Museum of Art
Stop by to design your own sports car inspired by Andy Warhol and the Warhol and Cars: American Icons exhibit!
Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month will highlight a different gallery and feature a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!
1pm
——-——————————————————————————
Monday Movie – Homewod Public Library
A movie for all ages! There will be real movie popcorn and juice for kids who come to watch.
3pm
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
—————————————————————————————
Fly High, Fly Guy – Hoover Public Library
It’s a Buzz-worthy party with amazzzing games and crafts based on the popular book series by Tedd Arnold.
6:30pm
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
—————————————————————————————
Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us for Storytime as we read The Rainbow Fish. Learn how to make new friends by sharing with others. There will also be a craft and 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
—————————————————————————————
40th Annual Greek Food Festival – Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church
OPA! It’s that time of year again, so mark your calendar and come hungry to one of Birmingham’s most highly anticipated events. A true cultural experience, this festival is an act of love of Birmingham’s Greek community and more than 100 parish volunteers. Besides delicious Greek cuisine, you’ll enjoy live Greek music, Greek dancing by the youth, and a warm, spirited atmosphere that embraces everyone as family. As thousands of returning patrons can attest, you will leave a devoted fan. Birmingham is home to the seventh oldest Greek Orthodox parish in the United States. The Cathedral architecture is breathtaking so don’t miss the chance to take a guided tour.
he festival also offers both Drive-Thru and Walk-up lines 10:30a.m.-7:00 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. The year’s menu will include all the authentic Greek dishes and mouthwatering homemade pastries.Free parking in the Liberty National Building Parking Deck one block away located between 20th Street and Richard Arrington Blvd.
10:30am – 10:00pm
Brookwood Live, Lil Malcolm & The House. – Brookwood Mall
Join us on the street for great live music, family fun and dancing in the street. Feature musical talent is Lil Malcom & the House.
5pm – 9pm
—————————————————————————————
Live @The Lyric – Historic Lyric Theatre
Come be apart of a one-night-only event at The Lyric Theatre! It’s the first concert in the 21st century!
Bring your own lawn chair and blankets to experience the great acoustic sounds of the Lyric! Beverages including beer and wine will be sold at the event.
From Chad Fisher and Gary Wheat backing The Temptations at Radio City Music Hall, to guitarist Steve Lewis’ recent appearance on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, to jamming alongside Wynton Marsalis at a small club in their native city, the various members of the CFG are perpetually in the spotlight and are likely to turn up in any musical context, no matter the genre.
Doors Open at 7pm, Music begins at 7:30pm
Tickets are $20 and you can purchase here.
40th Annual Greek Food Festival – Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church
OPA! It’s that time of year again, so mark your calendar and come hungry to one of Birmingham’s most highly anticipated events. A true cultural experience, this festival is an act of love of Birmingham’s Greek community and more than 100 parish volunteers. Besides delicious Greek cuisine, you’ll enjoy live Greek music, Greek dancing by the youth, and a warm, spirited atmosphere that embraces everyone as family. As thousands of returning patrons can attest, you will leave a devoted fan. Birmingham is home to the seventh oldest Greek Orthodox parish in the United States. The Cathedral architecture is breathtaking so don’t miss the chance to take a guided tour.
he festival also offers both Drive-Thru and Walk-up lines 10:30a.m.-7:00 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. The year’s menu will include all the authentic Greek dishes and mouthwatering homemade pastries.Free parking in the Liberty National Building Parking Deck one block away located between 20th Street and Richard Arrington Blvd.
10:30am – 10:00pm
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
Friday Night PE – Railroad Park
Friday Night P.E. is a mix of your favorite childhood games such as kickball, dodge ball, ultimate frisbee, musical chairs, Simon says and 1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10 Red-light to help you burn calories and improve your health. This class is perfect for groups. So if you want to socialize, have fun, get heart healthy and celebrate the the inner kid in you try Friday Night P.E., the reason people say, T.G. I. F. This class is FREE thanks to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama!
6pm – 7pm
—-———————————————————————————
40th Annual Greek Food Festival – Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church
OPA! It’s that time of year again, so mark your calendar and come hungry to one of Birmingham’s most highly anticipated events. A true cultural experience, this festival is an act of love of Birmingham’s Greek community and more than 100 parish volunteers. Besides delicious Greek cuisine, you’ll enjoy live Greek music, Greek dancing by the youth, and a warm, spirited atmosphere that embraces everyone as family. As thousands of returning patrons can attest, you will leave a devoted fan. Birmingham is home to the seventh oldest Greek Orthodox parish in the United States. The Cathedral architecture is breathtaking so don’t miss the chance to take a guided tour.
The festival also offers both Drive-Thru and Walk-up lines 10:30a.m.-7:00 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. The year’s menu will include all the authentic Greek dishes and mouthwatering homemade pastries.Free parking in the Liberty National Building Parking Deck one block away located between 20th Street and Richard Arrington Blvd.
10:30am – 10:00pm
Flutter and Flight Fest – Ruffner Mountain
Many fall migrating butterflies pass through Alabama in September. Come explore and celebrate the beauty and wonder of butterflies, as well as birds with the dedication of Ruffner as an Appalachian Highlands Birding Trail Site. Crafts, games, and educational activities will take place throughout the day, as well as butterfly and bird hikes. Check Ruffner’s website for a detailed schedule of the day. Fun for the whole family. In partnership with Birmingham Audubon Society.
9am
Museum Day Live!
In the spirit of Smithsonian Museums, who offer free admission everyday, Museum Day Live! is an annual event hosted by Smithsonian magazine in which participating museums across the country open their doors to anyone presenting a Museum Day Ticket… for free.
For more information visit this post
Bart’s Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
Stop by to create a headpiece inspired by the ruffles and feathers of the Rococo!
Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month will highlight a different gallery and feature a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!
11am
Saturday Market – Pepper Place
Re-open again for the season! Pepper Place Saturday Market brings the best local growers, food producers and artisans to you each Saturday morning. Rain or shine!
7am – Noon
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 Llama, Llama Misses Mama. Find out how a little Llama misses his mama and all the Llama drama he causes. We will make a craft and have something delicious from the Cafe.
11am
—————————————————————————————
Bart’s Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
Stop by to create a headpiece inspired by the ruffles and feathers of the Rococo!
Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month will highlight a different gallery and feature a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!
1pm
—————————————————————————————
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: Rescue and The Last Reef
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
Dora and Diego, Let’s Explore Exhibit
Get ready for adventure with Dora and Diego at McWane Science Center in the new exhibit Dora & Diego—Let’s Explore! The exhibit features beloved characters Dora and Diego from Nickelodeon’s hit preschool series Dora the Explorer and Go, Diego, Go!, along with their friends Boots, Map, Backpack, Isa, Tico, and of course Swiper, now in their own exhibit for children to explore as they learn and play along.
This new, interactive traveling exhibit, was created by The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis in partnership with Nickelodeon, and presented by the WellPoint Foundation.
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.
Storytime Spotlight this week comes from the Martha Moore Public Library in Gardendale. Not only does this library offer weekly storytime, they also host a wide variety of other programs for your entire family!
It’s Storytime!
Wednesday’s at 9:30am. Stories, music and fun for alll ages!
Toddler Time –
Friday’s 10am and again and 10:30am. A lapsit storytime focusing on stories, action songs, and rhymes that are shared with toddlers and adults who bring them.Toddlers will be introduced to first Spanish words, numbers and colors. The goal is to develop nurture a child’s love for books and prepare them for the family storytime experience.
Best suited for ages 3 and under.
Kids Book Club –
1st Tuesdays at 3:30pm. Read a different book every month and stay to enjoy games, snacks and lots of fun!
First Saturday Matinee –
1st Saturdays at Noon. Watch a new release on the big screen. Popcorn provided!
American Girl Club –
Every 3rd Tuesday at 3:30pm. Explore America through the eyes of a different American Girl. Bring your dolls and your books and you’re even welcome to dress up from that time period. We’ll watch movies and learn! Best suited for ages K-5 and Up.
Character Kids –
2nd and 4th Monday’s at 3:30pm. A fun interactive time for children grades 1 – 3. Stories, a craft, snack and other activities may be included to enhance character development in your child.
Here are some guidelines to keep in mind when attending a storytime at Martha Moore Library. For more information on their programs or special events, visit their website.
Storytime Guidelines
There’s nothing like the crisp fall weather to make you want to get outside. Grab the kids and head outdoors to collect your materials.
Materials:
13 sheets of scrapbookpaper (or construction paper)
leaves, acorns, pine cones, sticks, pine straw… head outside and collect nature
What to do:
Cut each piece of paper in half and assign a letter to that page. Then let your kids make a letter out of the nature supplies they collected. If they understand what they’ll be doing before they start collecting, they’ll be especially aware of how handy curved twigs can be! Then you can even add in a corresponding word. An example would be L is for Leaf, then make an “L” out of a leaf.
This is not a one day project- all 26 letters will take a while! If you want to shorten it, you can choose a special word, such as the child’s name, or “family” or “nature” to spell out.
Hang your completed letters on some twine with clothespins and enjoy!
By: Harmony Hobbs
A few months ago, we moved from Birmingham back to our hometown in South Louisiana. I was originally planning to write about moving with small children and how mind-numbingly exhausting it is, but it seems I’ve coped with that experience by trying to forget most of it. I don’t wish to relive it. So … let’s not.
We spent the summer settling in, and then my oldest started preschool. He’s in a five-day-per-week program. He’s going to learn Spanish. I decided if we’re going to do this preschool thing, we’re going to DO IT. Full on. That’s completa, in Spanish.
Everything is going well. My son makes friends easily and we don’t worry about him too much, really. I mean, it’s preschool. I’m trying to be relaxed.
This may be the source of my problem. Me. My relaxation. You see, my son is well-adjusted and blends right in with his peers. He is a normal-looking child. He has a super hero backpack and velcro sneakers. There is nothing odd going on with him, knock on wood.
It’s ME. I am the one who doesn’t fit in.
I came to this realization on the first day of school, when we showed up a little early and had to wait in the hallway for a few minutes. I noticed the other moms who were milling around and every one of them was dressed appropriately. They had on khaki capris or crisp shorts, button down oxford shirts or polos, and tasteful jewelry. They were very Ralph Lauren. It’s not like they looked like they were going to WORK afterwards, or some such. It looked like they were meeting some other classy women for a classy brunch. With classy music playing.
I looked down at the lycra workout gear that I was wearing not because I was going to work out later, but because it was comfortable, and realized I looked out of place. I looked like I was about to go clean the classy women’s houses. And it’s not like I looked out of place because I looked poorer, exactly. More like I didn’t look adult enough to have a child in a respectable preschool. At all.
Since then, I’ve been working on my “mom look.” I just can’t seem to get the hang of it. This week I picked up my kid wearing a neon tank top from Target and showing too much boob (again, with the workout clothes) and texted my husband that I looked like a total whore next to the other moms. I am SURE they hate me, I said. Or they think I’m the babysitter. The slutty one. Not the nice one. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?! Why can I not get the hang of this?? Also, why am I so insecure? My kid is the one going to school, not me!
He laughed and didn’t seem to quite understand what I was getting at, so I snapped a picture of my chest and sent it to him. Visual proof that yes, his wife looked like a whore. For some reason, he couldn’t stay focused on the issue at hand after that and nothing was resolved.
This week, in an attempt to look more respectable, I wore a maxi dress made of a jersey knit when I took my son to school. I felt I looked more appropriate than usual and I gave myself a little pat on the back. Unfortunately, he freaked out when I tried to say bye … and got wrapped up and tangled in my dress and yanked it in directions it wasn’t supposed to go. And so, it seems no matter what I’m wearing, we’re going to make some kind of scene and therefore never fit in.
Fast-forward a week or so. I’m with my mother. I’m flipping through the photos on my cell phone, showing her pictures of the kids playing, and … BAM! There’s that picture of my boobs.
Clearly, there is work to be done. And I don’t just mean on my chest.
About Harmony:
Harmony recently quit her job to stay at home with her two boys. Her sanity is in question. Visit her blog at Modern Mommy Madness.
Mark you calendars now! On Saturday, September 29th you can check out one of the museums around town (or outside of town) that you’ve never been to before. Or one that you would like to visit again, for FREE!
In the spirit of Smithsonian Museums, who offer free admission everyday, Museum Day Live! is an annual event hosted by Smithsonianmagazine in which participating museums across the country open their doors to anyone presenting a Museum Day Ticket…for free.
Participating Alabama Museums include:
For more information or to see participating museums outside of our area, visit their website.
I try to look at discipline as a form of education when I’m with my students or my own children. I’ve said it so many times: I’m so glad I was a teacher before I had kids. I have been a better disciplinarian with my own children because I learned with my students that there are a few keys to authority.
1. Confidence: Act like you know what you’re doing. Kids can pick up on a wishy-washy person in zero seconds flat. If they sense that you’re someone who can be shaken, they will.
2. Be assertive and firm. This goes hand-n-hand with confidence. When you say it’s time to go, it IS TIME TO GO. Whining and fits will not change that. Make statements, not suggestions. “Today we’re going to clean our rooms” instead of “Maybe we should consider cleaning our rooms today.”
3. Build them up. As a teacher, you never know what life is like for your students at home. Say things like, “You’re better than that, I believe you are better and I wish you could see what I see.” With my own kids, I consider this part of helping them construct their identity. I want the little voice inside their head to be one that says positive things and this is one way to get there.
Advertisements
