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Birmingham Events Calendar: September 9th – September 16th

Posted on by Angie

Cooler temps are here BirminghamMommy’s, at least for now, and we plan on enjoying them!! Lots of fun happening around town!

Make sure to stop by the McWane Center, the Dora and Diego exhibit will leave for good on Tuesday. Friday storytime is back at Whole Foods, or you can check out Oktoberfest Saturday in Trussville.If you’re a food truck fan, then Railraod park is where you want to be on Sunday for Trucks by the Tracks!

Have a great week everyone!

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

Sunday September 9th

Happy Grandparents Day!

Celebrate Grandparents Day at Splash Adventure Waterpark
Children can always count on a little extra love from their grandparents. This weekend Splash Adventure Waterpark provides yet another golden opportunity to shower the grandkids with something extra special as they celebrate Grandparent’s Day. Grandparents get one free admission with the purchase of a $19.99 junior ticket.  Celebration Street has been bursting with fun all summer long.  Don’t miss one of your last chances to soak up the fun and make some long-lasting family memories.

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!
1pm

Mala Making and 108 Meditative Chants – Villager Yoga
Malas are beaded garlands that are used during meditation to help still the mind. Join us to make your very own mala with 108 beads, after which we will learn how to use them during a group meditation of 108 chants led by Shannon Andrews Skipper and Terri Heiman.  $20 per person; partial proceeds benefit Sweet Om Alabama and Alabama Possible
Register at villageryoga.com or call 262-2012
6:30pm

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Monday September 10th:

Character Kids – Gardendale 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

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Tuesday September 11th:

Last Day to visit the Dora and Diego Exhibit at the McWane Science Center!

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 12th:

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us for Storytime as we read It’s Time for Preschool. It’s time to have fun, meet new friends and learn something new. 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 13th:

Oragami for Kids – Bessemer Public Library
Kids ages 5 to 10yrs old can learn basic origami. Parents please SIGN UP in the Youth Department to ensure your child’s place at the program. Space is limited.
4:30pm

Cocktails in the Gardens – Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Tickets to Birmingham’s Most Beautiful Happy Hour are $5 for non-members and free to members. Admission includes entrance to the event and live entertainment from Birmingham’s own The UnKnamed Band, Jeff Otwell Duo and India Ramey. Drinks and food are available for purchase, but are not included with admission. All proceeds from Cocktails in The Gardens benefit The Gardens educational programs, including its flagship Discovery Field Trips.
4:30pm – 7:30pm

Brookwood Live, Flashbacks – 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 14th:

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 15th:

Oktoberfest Trussville – Holy Infant of Prague
Family fun for ALL ages! Traditional German food, Polka music, & desserts PLUS arts & crafts, cash raffle ($1750 cash plus a raffle for a FREE set of braces – up to $4500 – transferable to family member or charity) & door prizes. There is a hay ride to the pumpkin patch where you pick your pumpkin to take home, plus other fun activities including bingo, silent auctions and a white elephant auction. Lots of vendors, gift items, organic homemade jams, jellies and preserves, cookies, cakes and delicacies plus free orthodontic screenings, balloon animals, face painting, kid games, bingo, bargains, ponyrides, Swinging Bridge, Pepsi Toss, GIANT LEGO DISPLAY, and inflatables like the Bouncy House and others! This is a jam-packed day of fun and festivities for the whole family!
9am – 3pm

Red Panda Day – Birmingham Zoo
Come to the Zoo and participate in Red Panda Day! Join others all around the world in the Red Panda Games, where kids will have the chance to become a Red Panda Ranger. A Red Panda Ranger is a special title given to those who become experts on these fascinating animals by completing three of the five Red Panda Games and share their knowledge with others. During the event, kids can have their faces painted, create their very own red panda masks, discover the threats these animals face, learn what red pandas eat and enjoy a special photo opportunity. Join the Zoo in raising awareness of red pandas and celebrating their uniqueness.

12:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Face Painting
1:00 pm: Red Panda Enrichment and Keeper Chat
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Raffle Ticket Sales – Sponsored by the American Association of ZooKeepers (AAZK). (Tickets cost $1.00. All proceeds will benefit the Red Panda Network)
2:00 pm: Red Panda Training and Keeper Chat
3:00 pm: Raffle for red panda keepsakes

Read and Romp Birmingham – Railroad Park
A free family event for children 3-5 years of age. At Read and Romp-Birmingham, children will be engaged in fun, learning-based activities themed around favorite children’s books. Children will leave the event with goodies that they have created from an activity at each station, along with a stamped passport and books. For example, children will be playing Hopscotch at the Books-A-Million station and hearing the story of a familiar Dr. Seuss book, Hop On Pop.  Also this year one of the stations will be providing and fitting bicycle helmets for children.
9am – Noon

Bart’s Books _ Birmingham Museum of Art
Bart selects one book each month about art that he thinks 4–7 year olds will enjoy. This month’s selection is Clever Jack Takes The Cake by Candace Fleming.
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
Biscuit is coming for a visit! Join us as we welcome this lovable character and read about his adventures. We’ll make our own paw prints today too!
11am

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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

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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.

Pinspired Dinner: Sweet & Spicy Bacon Chicken and Crockpot Corn Chowder

Posted on by Angie

I love chicken and corn together. Throw in a crockpot to make it easy! This made a hearty meal that left us with yummy leftovers.

Sweet & Spicy Bacon Chicken

4 chicken breasts cut in thirds
12 slices of bacon
salt and pepper to taste
garlic powder
chili powder
brown sugar

Cut each breast into 3 pieces, season all the chicken with the spices, then wrap a bacon slice around each piece, roll in brown sugar and place into an oven proof dish….make sure you have some olive oil in the dish too, like 2 or 3 tablespoons is fine {I skipped this since I grilled them.  I honestly think you could coat your dish with nonstick cooking spray instead to save a few calories}.

Bake at 400 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and bacon is nice and brown and crispy.  Delicious served with mashed potatoes with some of the gravy from the chicken drizzled on top.

**Also great on the grill!  No juices to drizzle on anything, but still delicious!

Crockpot Corn Chowder

6 slices bacon, fried until crisp
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cups potatoes, peeled and cubed *I only used 1 potato*
2 cups fresh or frozen corn
16 oz. cream corn
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup water, cream, broth, milk, or half and half (or any combination)

Combine all ingredients in the crock pot except the cream. Cook on high for 3-4 hours. Add in the cream (or liquid of choice) until heated through.

For more Pinspired recipes and ideas, make sure to follow our boards on Pinterest.

Storytime Spotlight: Homewood Public Library

Posted on by Angie

With several options to choose from when it comes to storytimes, Homewood Public Library is another one of our favorite places to stop in and hear or story or just play around in the Children’s Department.

Here is a list of their weekly storytimes:

All Ages Storytime –
Every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10:30am.

Mommy and Me Storytime –
Every Thursday at 10:30am. A Story Time for our younger patrons (birth-30 months) and their lap partner.

Leaps and Bounds –
Every other Friday at 10:30am. A movement class for our friends who are 2 1/2 to 4 years old with an adult. Registration Required, call 332-6619.

In addition to their great storytimes, you can catch a movie every other Monday at 3:00pm or join them for cartoons and cereal every other Saturday morning at 10:00am

For more information on all of the great programming and special events happening at the Homewood Public Library, visit their website.

StyleMommy: Ready for fall fashion? Belk is!

Posted on by Angie

We are! A few weeks ago we attended the Belk fashion preview show. When you’re a mom, you don’t have time to stay on top of every little trend, so we’ve highlighted the biggies for this season.

Color is big. Modern southern style. Day to dinner fabrics with a pairing of day and evening.

Color blocking and pattern mixing. Feminine form but not too tight. Nude shoes and Peter Pan collars. Unpredictable earrings and single sole pumps. Platforms are not going away. Whether you like them or not. We suggest embracing them.

Ankle boots and shine and sheen. Mixing of metals in jewelry.

And my most favorite thing… red Frye boots. They were so amazing!

From the Town and Country Style Statement (One of our favorite collections!)

Madison

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Belted long sweater vest with pockets
Bow Blouse and Ponte Pant

From the My Fair Lady Style Statement:

SophieMax Sleeveless

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sophie Max sleeveless dress with lace trim. Exclusively at Belk.

The Mod Modern Style Statement was another favorite (We had a lot of favorites when viewing these collections)

Jessica Simpson Jewelry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jessica Simpson jewelry – linear pave earring and collar necklace

If you would like to see more of what Belk is going to have to offer this season, and we highly recommend that you do! Make plans to attend their Fashion Night out this Thursday, September 6th at the Summit. Party with Belk as they present an entire evening of fashion-centric activities. During their celebration of New York’s Fashion Night Out. Birmingham’s own Megan LaRussa, style coach and stylist from Southern Femme, will be on hand to present the hottest looks for fall! 6:30pm – 7:30pm in the Statements Shop at Belk.

So gather up your girlfriends and get ready to find out what you’re going to need to update your wardrobe for this fall!

 

Birmingham Events Calendar: September 2nd – September 9th

Posted on by Angie

We hope you are enjoying a long Labor Day Weekend with your family! We have some fun things on the calendar for you to choose from on Monday. Meet Dora and Diego at the McWane Center, SpongeBob at Splash Adventure or, if you’re a fan of Moon Pies, check out the Labor Day celebration and Moon Pie eating contest at Tannehill State Park.

Storytimes start back up at many local libraries this week, we’ll be highlighting some of our favorite programs over the nest couple of weeks, first up in our storytime spotlight is Hoover Public Library, make sure to check that out and see all of their programming.

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

Sunday September 2nd

Meet Dora and Diego at the McWane Science Center
Spend the day with Dora and Diego! Meet and greet the beloved Nickelodeon stars, then have a blast as you take on the many adventures of the Dora & Diego: Let’s Explore exhibit. This will be your last chance to see the exhibit at McWane so you won’t want to miss it. And don’t forget your camera—it is sure to be a day to remember.

Included in cost of admission to the museum, FREE for members
1:00 PM and 3 PM

Meet SpongeBob Squarepants – Splash Adventure Waterpark
Join us for a Meet & Greet with Spongebob at Splash Adventure!
11:30am-7pm

Admission Info:

Adult General Admission Ticket: $25.99 (42″ and above)
Junior General Admission Ticket: $19.99 (anyone under 42″).
Children 3 and under are FREE
Senior General Admission Ticket: $19.99

Alabama State Fair – Oak Mountain Amphitheater
Come ride the rides, eat your favorite fair food, and see some fantastic shows. Vegas style thrill shows; Kids, bottle feed baby farm animals; Be part of the action with our interactive roaming circus; Exotic petting zoo; And monkeys riding dogs.
Admission Info:
Adult:                  $9.00
Kids ages 5-12:  $6.00
Kids 4 & Under   Free

Wristbands for Rides: $20.00 Ride all day. Cannot be purchased in advance or at the gates. Wristbands purchased at wristband booths on the grounds. Everyday is a Wristband Day at the Alabama State Fair.
Noon – Midnight

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!
1pm

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Monday September 3rd:

Labor Day!

Good Luck to all of the Color Runners!

Meet SpongeBob Squarepants – Splash Adventure Waterpark
Join us for a Meet & Greet with Spongebob at Splash Adventure!
10:30am-7pm

Admission Info:

Adult General Admission Ticket: $25.99 (42″ and above)
Junior General Admission Ticket: $19.99 (anyone under 42″).
Children 3 and under are FREE
Senior General Admission Ticket: $19.99

Meet Dora and Diego at the McWane Science Center
Spend the day with Dora and Diego! Meet and greet the beloved Nickelodeon stars, then have a blast as you take on the many adventures of the Dora & Diego: Let’s Explore exhibit. This will be your last chance to see the exhibit at McWane so you won’t want to miss it. And don’t forget your camera—it is sure to be a day to remember.

Included in cost of admission to the museum, FREE for members
11:00am, 1:00 PM and 3 PM

Labor Day Celebration and Moon Pie Eating Contest – Tannehill State Park
Participate in Alabama’s largest moon pie eating contest and compete for prize money in both children and adult categories. Across the park, the United Mine Workers hold their annual Birmingham District Labor Day celebration. There’s also plenty of good BBQ and some “picking and singing” too.

Day-Use Admission: $3.00 Adults (12 years and older) $2.00 Seniors (Ages 62 and older) $1.00 Children (Ages 6-11) ages 5 and under free
The visitor center is open from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. It is closed on Sundays. Parking lots, restrooms and hiking trails are open every day.Hours for the Iron & Steel Museum of Alabama are from 9 a.m.– 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m.– 4 p.m. on Saturdays and 1 p.m.– 4 p.m. on Sundays.

Say Good Bye to the Lion Cubs – Birmingham Zoo
We’re so sad to see them go but the Birmingham Zoo has been advised by the AZA to find new homes for our “baby” lions.

The Zoo invites you to come say goodbye to the five African lion cubs during Labor Day weekend. During the weekend, there will be special send-off Predator Zones at 11:30 am and 3:30 pm for the cubs.

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Tuesday September 4th:

LEGO Mini Build – Riverchase Galleria
LEGO Owl – Quantities are limited and offer is good while supplies last only
5pm

Storytime is back at 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 5th:

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us for Storytime as we read Grumpy Cat. Once there was a cat who lived alone, then he heard a meow. 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 6th:

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

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Friday September 7th:

Artwalk – Birmingham’s Loft District
Artwalk is an arts festival that transforms Birmingham’s loft neighborhood into an arts district, featuring the work of more than 100 visual artists, live musicians, street performers, food and drink vendors, and children’s activities.
5pm – 10pm

Alabama State Fair – Oak Mountain Amphitheater
Come ride the rides, eat your favorite fair food, and see some fantastic shows. Vegas style thrill shows; Kids, bottle feed baby farm animals; Be part of the action with our interactive roaming circus; Exotic petting zoo; And monkeys riding dogs.
Admission Info:
Adult:                  $9.00
Kids ages 5-12:  $6.00
Kids 4 & Under   Free

Wristbands for Rides: $20.00 Ride all day. Cannot be purchased in advance or at the gates. Wristbands purchased at wristband booths on the grounds. Everyday is a Wristband Day at the Alabama State Fair.
4pm – Midnight

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Saturday September 8th:

Free Family Day – Birmingham Museum of Art
Zoom in to the BMA for a day of fun with a focus on cars. Bart is celebrating the bright, bold, pop art of Andy Warhol and his love for cars. Cruise through the Museum on a scavenger hunt. Drive in to see the film Cars 2. Create your own cool car with a POP, enjoy POPcorn refreshments, and much more! Visit www.artsbma.org for more information and a full schedule.
11am – 3pm

Family Mala Making and Meditation – Villager Yoga
Family mala making and meditation (for ages 4+)
Malas are beaded garlands that are used during meditation to help still the mind. Each family member will make a wrist
mala for themselves and one to be sold at Global Mala on September 22 to benefit Sweet Om Alabama and Alabama Possible.
After we craft our malas, we will use them during a group meditation on peace and happiness.
$20 per family (up to 4 people), $5 additional family member; partial proceeds benefit Sweet Om Alabama and Alabama Possible
9:30 – 10:15am

Register at villageryoga.com or call 262-2012

Alabama State Fair – Oak Mountain Amphitheater
Come ride the rides, eat your favorite fair food, and see some fantastic shows. Vegas style thrill shows; Kids, bottle feed baby farm animals; Be part of the action with our interactive roaming circus; Exotic petting zoo; And monkeys riding dogs.
Admission Info:
Adult:                  $9.00
Kids ages 5-12:  $6.00
Kids 4 & Under   Free

Wristbands for Rides: $20.00 Ride all day. Cannot be purchased in advance or at the gates. Wristbands purchased at wristband booths on the grounds. Everyday is a Wristband Day at the Alabama State Fair.
Noon- Midnight

Artwalk – Birmingham’s Loft District
Artwalk is an arts festival that transforms Birmingham’s loft neighborhood into an arts district, featuring the work of more than 100 visual artists, live musicians, street performers, food and drink vendors, and children’s activities.
noon – 6pm

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 Under the Ocean. We will make a craft and have a treat from the Cafe.
11am

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Sunday September 9th:

Alabama State Fair – Oak Mountain Amphitheater
Come ride the rides, eat your favorite fair food, and see some fantastic shows. Vegas style thrill shows; Kids, bottle feed baby farm animals; Be part of the action with our interactive roaming circus; Exotic petting zoo; And monkeys riding dogs.
Admission Info:
Adult:                  $9.00
Kids ages 5-12:  $6.00
Kids 4 & Under   Free

Wristbands for Rides: $20.00 Ride all day. Cannot be purchased in advance or at the gates. Wristbands purchased at wristband booths on the grounds. Everyday is a Wristband Day at the Alabama State Fair.
Noon – Midnight

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!
1pm

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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.

Storytime Spotlight! Hoover Public Library.

Posted on by Angie

Once summer reading winds down and school starts back there is always a small lull in the storytimes that are offered by the local libraries around Birmingham.

We tend to wander aimlessly during that time, as storytime is kind of a staple in our weekly routine. But have no fear! Many programs will be starting back up after the Labor Day Holiday. Yay!

Over the next couple of weeks we’re going to highlight a few of those for you. First up, Hoover Public Library. HPL is known for some of the best storytimes in town. Always well attended and they have a great variety for all ages. Choose the right one for you and your little one.

Teletale – Call 444-7838 every week to hear a new story read by the Hoover Public Library staff!

Together with Twos with Mr Jeremy – Every Monday at 9:30 & 10:30 am (repeat)
SEPTEMBER 10 – DECEMBER 3, 2012. 30 minutes of stories and crafts for two-year-olds and their caregiver. Please register each week. Call 444-7833.

Mother Goose with Miss Shawna – Every Tuesday at 9:30 & 10:30 am (repeat) SEPTEMBER 4 – DECEMBER 4, 2012
25 minutes of stories, songs and snacks for one-year-olds and their caregiver. Please register each week. Call 444-7833.

Early Birds with Miss Polly – Every Tuesday at 10 & 11 am (repeat) SEPTEMBER 4 – DECEMBER 4, 2012
20 minutes of stories, songs and fingerplays for babies (birth to 12 months) and their caregiver. Please register each week. Call 444-7833.

Tiny Tot Tales with Miss Laura – Every Wednesday at 9:30 & 10:30 am (repeat) SEPTEMBER 5 – DECEMBER 5, 2012
30-minute action-packed storytime for children under 4.

After Lunch Bunch with Miss Katie Jane – Every Wednesday at 1:30 pm SEPTEMBER 5 – DECEMBER 5, 2012
45 minutes of storyteller shenanigans for ages 3-up.

Storytime Live with Miss Traci – Every Thursday at 10:30 am SEPTEMBER 6 – DECEMBER 6, 2012
45 minutes of stories and songs for ages 3-up. Groups must register. Call 444-7833.

PJ Storytime with Miss April – Every Thursday at 6:30 pm SEPTEMBER 6 – DECEMBER 6, 2012
45 minutes of stories, songs and a bedtime snack for all ages.

As you can see, there really is something for every age! In order to help make your storytime experience the best, The Hoover Public Library has some Guidelines for you to follow:

  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 infants and 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 finger-plays, songs and movement, so you have plenty of time to shake out your sillies.
  5.  Parents should sit with children to prevent distractions.
  6.  Enjoy yourselves. Each program is designed to introduce kids to the pleasures of reading.

For more information or to find out about special programming, visit their website.

 

School Tips: Handwriting

Posted on by Angie

If you’ve ever visited an elementary classroom, you probably noticed that some kids have messy handwriting and some have beautiful letters. You may have even noticed that boys tend to write messier than girls. Here are some ways to help your child improve their handwriting:

  • Evaluate. If your child’s writing looks very messy, ask the teacher if it’s on grade level. You may even ask your pediatrician for a referral for occupational therapy.
  • Go slow. Make sure your kids  aren’t rushing- that seems to be the main probelm with messy writing.
  • Handwriting without tears. This is a curriculum program that many schools use, but if yours doesn’t you could always get it on your own.
  • It’s okay to make mistakes. Don’t let them be too hard on themselves. Make erasing a skill that they practice.
  • Find out what your child’s kindergarten requires. Many schools don’t want kids to write their name in all caps. Be proactive and get your child in the proper habit.
  • Pencil is properly positioned. The pencil should rest near the base of the thumb, held in place with the thumb, index, and middle fingers. If your child isn’t doing that, try giving them a very small pencil or crayon. Because it’s only a few inches long, they will have to hold it the proper way.
  • Expose your child to lots of words. You can do this by reading regularly together, pointing out words that surround you (such as street signs or product labels), and by hanging up examples of your child’s writing around the house.

Book Review: Bringing Up Bebe

Posted on by Angie

As a devoted reader of all kinds of parenting books, I have to say this one was great. It’s not just a list of how things should be done, it’s more of an anthropological survey of a way of life. The author, Pamela Druckerman, is an American who moves to France and notices that French women and families operate differently than Americans. Her observations about pregnancy are something I think most neurotic moms would love to hear– French women don’t worry about their pregnancy as much as we do, they embrace it as part of their life and they don’t overindulge. There are no cravings to satisfy, they just continue with life.
The birth of baby was also very interesting- the government supplies most of the literature about childraising, and it tends to have a goal of creating independent, respectful children.

The author’s observations of French toddlers were the best part. French kids eat veggies, salads, fish, fruits, and many other foods. They have a wide palate and are taught from birth that flavors are important and are to be appreciated. Their schooling is also government provided. In preschool, the focus is not on letters, but on socialization. All French kids are expected to acknowledge adults and respect them.

One of the most valuable pieces of information I picked up on was that French kids aren’t disciplined. They are educated. It’s such a positive mindset to think of discipline in.

Overall, I would say READ IT! It doesn’t bash our American way, it really just highlights parts of the French way. It made me look at a few things differently- especially the food, the pause before responding to a crying baby, and the discipline/education philosophy.

Medical Minute: Pregnancy and Weight Gain, What to Know

Posted on by Angie

 

Everyone wonders how much weight they should or shouldn’t gain during pregnancy. It really all depends on your weight before pregnancy, but the real goal is always to eat healthy and do what is best for baby. Many Moms will use pregnancy as an excuse to eat whatever they want, or to “eat for two” but be careful, gaining too much weight and not eating healthy can deprive your baby of the nutrients that he or she will need.

If your pre-pregnancy weight was in the healthy range you will typically gain about 25-35 pounds, gaining only 1-5 of those pounds in the first trimester.

If you were underweight, the numbers are closer to 28-40 lbs.

If you were overweight, most doctors will tell you that 15-25 pounds is what you should gain. Though if you were obese, 11-20 is more in line.

Multiples are a different story- you will gain 37-55 pounds if you were healthy, 31-50 if you were overweight, and 25-41 if you were obese. Because many twins are born before their due date, so a higher birth weight is important to their health.

Have you ever wondered where all of that extra weight goes? Here’s an example:

  • Baby: 8 pounds
  • Placenta: 2-3 pounds
  • Amniotic fluid: 2-3 pounds
  • Breast tissue: 2-3 pounds
  • Blood supply: 4 pounds
  • Stored fat for delivery and breastfeeding: 5-9 pounds
  • Larger uterus: 2-5 pounds
  • Total: 25-35 pounds

It may sound stressful, but if you focus on eating a healthy diet and setting up a moderate exercise program it will make things easier. And remember to always consult your physician for more details on weight gain or loss during pregnancy.

How did your pregnancy numbers compare to these recommended weight ranges?

Birmingham Events Calendar: August 26th – September 2nd

Posted on by Angie

Just in case you aren’t busy enough with back to school and starting your after school activities, we’re going to give you a few more options of things to do around town this week!

Check out the Alabama State Fair going on all week out at the Oak Mountain Amphitheater, and Dora and Diego will be hanging out at the McWane Science Center next weekend for the wrap up of that great exhibit we’ve had over the summer.

Make plans to join us this Thursday at Swaddle in Homewood for Brookwood Medical Center’s What to Expect Event. This will be great for Moms-To-Be!

Story times at the local libraries will be back after Labor Day and we can’t wait to add those back onto our calendar!

Have a great week and make sure to keep on eye on the weather. Some events may be cancelled based on the storm, watch our Facebook page for up to date info.

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

Sunday August 26th

Sidewalk Film Festival – Downtown Birmingham
The 14th annual Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival, a celebration of new independent cinema in downtown Birmingham, is set to take place August 24-26, 2012. Since its debut in 1999, filmmakers from across the country and around the world have come to Birmingham to screen their work at Sidewalk and have been thrilled to discover fresh, enthusiastic crowds eager to devour new independent cinema.

With nine venues located within Birmingham’s historic Theatre District (featuring the newly restored Alabama Theatre, a 2,200 seat movie palace built by Paramount in 1927), spontaneity rules the schedule of Sidewalk attendees. Low-priced weekend passes provide easy access to Sidewalk venues, encouraging attendees to seek out new films and sample programming they may not otherwise see. The result is a crowd rich in diversity and united in a hunger for new film.
Ticket Prices Range from $10 to $275 Many Festival Events are FREE!

For more information on the films and venues, visit the Sidewalk Film Festival Website.

Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinic –
Build and Grow Clinics are free to the public. Our DreamWorks Summer is coming to an end this week. Don’t miss the fun! You child will love this cool Onion Carriage featuring Shrek and Fiona!
2:00pm Register Here

UniverSoul Circus – Legion Field Stadium
An all-new show that delivers irresistible fun for the entire family!

Laugh, dance in the aisles, and be amazed by world-class acts from around the globe, including Chinese aerialists, pretzel twisting contortionist, pampered pooches, tigers that will have you roaring, and more!

$19.50 Ticket + $6.65 Fees = $26.15
$25.00 Ticket + $7.15 Fees = $32.15
$28.50 Ticket + $7.15 Fees = $35.65

Children 12 months and older MUST have a ticket. Children 11 months and younger are FREE but MUST sit on Adult’s Lap. No outside toys, strollers or car seats.
2:30pm & 5:30pm

Bart’s Art Cart, Warhol Inspired Sports Car – Birmingham Museum of Art
Stop by in August 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

Alabama State Fair – Oak Mountain Amphitheater
Come ride the rides, eat your favorite fair food, and see some fantastic shows. Vegas style thrill shows; Kids, bottle feed baby farm animals; Be part of the action with our interactive roaming circus; Exotic petting zoo; And monkeys riding dogs.
Admission Info:
Adult:                  $9.00
Kids ages 5-12:  $6.00
Kids 4 & Under   Free

Wristbands for Rides: $20.00 Ride all day. Cannot be purchased in advance or at the gates. Wristbands purchased at wristband booths on the grounds. Everyday is a Wristband Day at the Alabama State Fair.
Noon – 11pm

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Monday August 27th:

Railroad Park’s Get Healthy Zumba
Zumba at Railroad Park, is a Latin inspired dance fitness class. It blends easy Latin dance moves with aerobic steps. The class is fun, energizing, and easy to follow.

GET HEALTHY participants will receive top-level instruction in popular workout regimens at no cost. To participate in classes, visitors simply sign in with the instructor of that day’s workout. Different GET HEALTHY classes will take place in various locations throughout Railroad Park Monday through Friday at 6pm.

Note: Get Healthy on the Railroad classes sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama will be cancelled in the event of inclement weather. Class instructors are subject to change based on availability; please check our Calendar of Events and Facebook site for timely updates.
6pm

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Tuesday August 28th:

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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Wednesday August 29th:

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us for Storytime as we read It’s Raining, It’s Pouring. Find out what happens when it rains and the kids decide to play inside. We will make a craft and have something cool 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 August 30th:

What to Expect When Baby Comes Home – Swaddle Boutique in Homewood
Expecting? Know someone who is? Join us for the next “What to Expect” event by Brookwood Medical Center. We’ll have a group of Moms, a “baby whisperer” and Ob/Gyn on hand to answer your questions. Make sure to Register Here
6pm

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Friday August 31st:

Alabama State Fair – Oak Mountain Amphitheater
Come ride the rides, eat your favorite fair food, and see some fantastic shows. Vegas style thrill shows; Kids, bottle feed baby farm animals; Be part of the action with our interactive roaming circus; Exotic petting zoo; And monkeys riding dogs.
Admission Info:
Adult:                  $9.00
Kids ages 5-12:  $6.00
Kids 4 & Under   Free

Wristbands for Rides: $20.00 Ride all day. Cannot be purchased in advance or at the gates. Wristbands purchased at wristband booths on the grounds. Everyday is a Wristband Day at the Alabama State Fair.
4pm – Midnight

—-———————————————————————————

Saturday September 1st:

Meet Dora and Diego at the McWane Science Center
Spend the day with Dora and Diego! Meet and greet the beloved Nickelodeon stars, then have a blast as you take on the many adventures of the Dora & Diego: Let’s Explore exhibit. This will be your last chance to see the exhibit at McWane so you won’t want to miss it. And don’t forget your camera—it is sure to be a day to remember.

Included in cost of admission to the museum, FREE for members
11:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 3 PM

Alabama State Fair – Oak Mountain Amphitheater
Come ride the rides, eat your favorite fair food, and see some fantastic shows. Vegas style thrill shows; Kids, bottle feed baby farm animals; Be part of the action with our interactive roaming circus; Exotic petting zoo; And monkeys riding dogs.
Admission Info:
Adult:                  $9.00
Kids ages 5-12:  $6.00
Kids 4 & Under   Free

Wristbands for Rides: $20.00 Ride all day. Cannot be purchased in advance or at the gates. Wristbands purchased at wristband booths on the grounds. Everyday is a Wristband Day at the Alabama State Fair.
Noon- Midnight

Nature Crafts – Oak Mountain State Park
Let’s get creative and do some crafts. Let’s try to use some natural materials from the Earth around us. Meet at 10a.m. at the Oak Mountain State Park Campground Pavilion (B-side). Small donation requested to cover craft materials.
Admission Info:
$1 – $3 park admission

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

Home Depot Kids Workshop
Goal Post Football Game
FREE hands-on workshop designed for children ages 5 – 12
9am – Noon

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 Dewey, There’s a Cat in the Library! We will find out what happens when a kitten is found in the book drop slot of the library. We will make a craft and have a treat from the Cafe.
11am

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Sunday September 2nd:

Meet Dora and Diego at the McWane Science Center
Spend the day with Dora and Diego! Meet and greet the beloved Nickelodeon stars, then have a blast as you take on the many adventures of the Dora & Diego: Let’s Explore exhibit. This will be your last chance to see the exhibit at McWane so you won’t want to miss it. And don’t forget your camera—it is sure to be a day to remember.

Included in cost of admission to the museum, FREE for members
1:00 PM and 3 PM

Alabama State Fair – Oak Mountain Amphitheater
Come ride the rides, eat your favorite fair food, and see some fantastic shows. Vegas style thrill shows; Kids, bottle feed baby farm animals; Be part of the action with our interactive roaming circus; Exotic petting zoo; And monkeys riding dogs.
Admission Info:
Adult:                  $9.00
Kids ages 5-12:  $6.00
Kids 4 & Under   Free

Wristbands for Rides: $20.00 Ride all day. Cannot be purchased in advance or at the gates. Wristbands purchased at wristband booths on the grounds. Everyday is a Wristband Day at the Alabama State Fair.
Noon – Midnight

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!
1pm

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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.

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