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Storytime Spotlight: Martha Moore Public Library, Gardendale

Posted on by Angie

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

  1. Arrive early! We begin each program right on time, and you do not want to miss any fun!
  2. Visit the restroom before storytime begins.
  3. Please be considerate. Take crying or disruptive children out of the story room.
  4. Listen, listen, listen! Parents and children should be as quiet as possible while the storyteller is speaking. Each storytime incorporates fingerplays, songs, and movement, so you’ll have plenty of time to shake out your sillies!
  5. Parents should sit with children under three to prevent distractions.
  6. Enjoy yourselves. Each program is designed to introduce kids to the pleasures of reading. Books and libraries are fun!

Busy Mommy Bonding Series: Nature ABC's

Posted on by Angie

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.

Our start to the word "Fall"

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!

 

 

 

Modern Mommy Madness: Maladjusted Mommy

Posted on by Angie

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.

 

Museum Day Live!

Posted on by Angie

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.

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

Participating Alabama Museums include:

For more information or to see participating museums outside of our area, visit their website.

 

Discipline: The Teacher Way

Posted on by Angie

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.

Birmingham Events Calendar: September 16th – 23rd

Posted on by Angie

Exciting things happening in and around Birmingham this week! Trucks by the Tracks at Railroad Park, Tigers for Tomorrow at Homewood Library, and LEGO Wars!!

Wednesday is Talk Like a Pirate Day! Celebrate with a free Doughnut at Krispy Kreme, if you go in and talk like a Pirate! Aargh!

Have a GREAT Week!

 

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

Sunday September 16th

Trucks By the Tracks – Railroad Park
The food truck phenomenon has taken Birmingham by storm! In an effort to support local food, music, and Railroad Park, the Junior Board of the Railroad Park Foundation is hosting the first annual Trucks by the Tracks event.  Join us for live music, entertainment, food trucks, and beverages.

Trucks by the Tracks is sponsored by Coca-Cola, B-Metro, Birmingham Mountain Radio, Vision Landscape, Alabama Furniture Market, State Farm and My Green Birmingham.
11am – 5pm

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

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Monday September 17th:

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 September 18th:

Family Fun Night – Springville Road Library
Join Mr. Justin for stories and songs about the library. Everyone will also design and create their very own Library Card Man!
All ages welcome.
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

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Wednesday September 19th:

Aargh Matey! It’s Talk Like A Pirate Day! If you use proper pirate lingo at participating Krispy Kremes (both Hoover and 280 are participating) you’ll get one free original glazed donut. And if you dress up like a pirate, you’ll get a dozen original glazed donuts for free!

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us for Storytime as we read The Pout-Pout Fish. Find out why there is a permanent pout stuck on Mr. Fish’s face. 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

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Thursday September 20th:

Tigers for Tomorrow – Homewood Public Library
Join us as we welcome Sue Steffens, president of Tigers for Tomorrow, an exotic animal park and rescue preserve, which is home to over 100 animals. This program will provide an environmental educational program using live animals from the Legacy Living classroom. Join us for this family event, age appropriate for everyone.
6:30pm – 8pm

Talk Like A Pirate Day After Party – Homewood Library
Wear your best pirate gear and join swashbuckling Captain Chris for a seafaring good time.
6pm

Brookwood Live, StreetKar – Brookwood Mall
Join us on the street for great live music, family fun and dancing in the street. Feature musical talent is Flashbacks.
5pm – 9pm

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Friday September 21st:

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

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Saturday September 22nd:

Scaredy Squirrel: Be Prepared – Hoover Public Library
Scaredy Squirrel is coming down from his tree to talk about emergency preparedness. Bees and sharks are discouraged from attending. Call 444-7833 to register
10:30am

Lego Wars – Vestavia Hills Library
We will have a different theme each month and our huge collection of Legos for you to use and create your Lego masterpiece! September’s theme is “Skyscrapers”and we will give out prizes for the best creation in different categories. Bring your creativity and build something! Intended for 2nd – 6th grade.
11am

Bart’s Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
Stop by in September to create a diorama (3-D scene) inspired by the Intimate Interiors 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!
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 Marley Goes to School. It’s the first day of school and guess who goes along with Cassie? We will make a craft and have something delicious from the Cafe.
11am

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Sunday September 23rd:

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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: 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.

Mamarazzi: Bikinigate

Posted on by Angie

By Harmony Hobbs:

Rock that Bikini, Baby!

Oh, Jessica Simpson. You never disappoint.

On Monday, Jessica made her first post-baby appearance on Katie Couric’s new talk show, which is aptly named “Katie.” I recorded it on my DVR for the sole purpose of seeing what she looked like – in case you aren’t aware, she has been following the Weight Watchers plan to lose the baby weight.

In an unexpected turn of events, it wasn’t Jessica’s figure that stole the show – it was her daughter’s. This photo of 4-month-old Maxwell, posing in what I would consider a fabulous bikini, has sparked quite a controversy.

Now … I’m not quite sure what the problem is here. Who has enough time on their hands to get upset over a baby in a bikini? You know who should really be pissed off right now? Nick Lachey and Vanessa Whats-Her-Name, that’s who. Everyone is so worked up over Maxwell, that no one really cared or noticed when their son, Camden John Lachey, was born. But I guarantee you, if they put that boy in a bikini, people would sit up and take notice.

About Harmony:

Harmony recently quit her job to stay at home with her two boys. Her sanity is in question. Visit her blog at www.modernmommymadness.com.

Storytime Spotlight: North Shelby Library

Posted on by Angie

Any Library that is home to Mr. Mac is alright in our book! North Shelby Library is located off of Hwy 119 and offers a variety of storytimes to choose from, including a Monday story! It’s not always easy to find something to do around town on Monday’s!

Toddler Tales –
Monday’s at 9:30am and again at 10:30am –  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

Baby Tales –
Tuesdays at 9:30am. A story program especially for babies and a caregiver. Stories and music provide interaction for the babies and time for caregivers to share with each other. 18 months and younger. Must Register.

Mr. Mac –
An All Ages Storytime every Wednesday at 10:45am that will not disappoint! Stories, puppets, and lots of music for every member of the family. Truly a storyteller extraordinaire!

PJ Storytime –
Daytimes not good for your family? Check out the PJ Storytime happening every Thursday evening at 7:00pm. Bedtime stories for all ages. Wear your PJs and bring your favorite snuggly. We will provide the milk and cookies. Great for all ages!

In addition to these great storytimes, the North Shelby Library offers great children’s programming with special events happening year round. To keep up with all that they have going on, or to register for one of the above storytimes, visit their website.

Naptime Confessions: Consignment Chaos!

Posted on by Angie

I started out strong thinking I was going to be on top of things this year when it came to consignment season. I’m not. Am I the only one still feverishly hanging and tagging?

 

 

 

Raise a World Changing Child

Posted on by Angie

Raising a world changer is no easy task. Parenting is one of the most difficult, yet most rewarding positions there is! While raising a child with strong, healthy values, it’s important to keep in mind that being an intentional parent produces a great outcome. The same principles apply to child rearing.  What is put into raising, imparting and guiding a child in the present, will harvest a strong, forward-thinking world changer later.

Here are 5 tips to apply in your home:

1. STUDY YOUR CHILD –As the parent of a world-changer child, you must start with a vision. What are your child’s natural gifts? What are their interests? Sit down with each child in your household and ask them what they believe their gifts are and how do they want to use them to bring change into the world? Incorporate their answers with who you know them to be.

2. HAVE A STRATEGIC PLAN. Now that you have identified a few of your child’s gifts, talents and interests, now is the time to start taking action and putting those gifts into practice. Begin to set goals and a purpose with a desired outcome to keep you on track. Depending on the interest and/or gift, ask your child what he would like to do to bring about change in the world using his/her gifts. For example: if your son or daughter loves animals, together, come up with ways that his/her love for animals can change the world. Depending on the age of your child, volunteer at an animal shelter or dog sit for a friend. If reading is your child’s interest, bring her to read to seniors at a retirement community. It’s a great way to serve happiness and impact someone’s life for the better.

3. BE CONSISTENT – Consistency requires commitment and discipline. Consistency is going to be the glue that holds your child’s strategic plan together. If you are wishy-washy or don’t follow through, you can’t expect to gain the same results. Be intentional and have integrity with what you set out to do, so that you can be sure to keep your commitment.

4. ALLOW ROOM FOR EXPLORING – Experience is the best teacher!  When we create the space for our child/children to explore, learning and development takes place at any age. A child who explores their ideas, thoughts and beliefs through action gains the freedom to engage with others on a deeper level. Exploring helps us to discover who we are, what we like and what we don’t.  Can you imagine creating an environment for your child/children where “failure” is embraced? What a wonderful gift to give your child.

5. BE YOUR CHILD’S CHEERLEADER! Your words hold power and your position has long-lasting influence. Make the decision to support and encourage your child throughout the trials and tribulations of parenthood.  Be careful with your words; choose them wisely. Be a parent that your son or daughter can trust with their innermost secrets and fears. If your child trusts you, he or she will give you their heart and you will gain access to walking with them along their journey to changing the world!

About Christy Little Jones:

Christy is a highly sought after national speaker that passionately expresses her love, joy and experience as a single woman, wife and mom in a very real and engaging way.

With a successful father hailed the NFL Football Hall of Famer, Class 2010 (Floyd Little: Denver Broncos) and a mother graced as one of the first black models in Seventeen and Mademoiselle Magazines in the early 1960’s, Christy has maintained that invigorating entrepreneurial spirit and ventured into the world of marriage and relationship coaching.

For More Information on Christy Little Jones, please visit www.myrelationshiprevolution.com and viewhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-B3eVRxy8A&feature=plcp.

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