Pinterest strikes again! This is a weight watchers recipe that we tried and it was pretty good. The kids actually gobbled them up! It’s a quick and easy snack to make and take to your next playdate!
Mix it up, spread it on the tortilla and roll it up!
Follow us on Pinterest for more Pinspired ideas!
I read this on blogher and had to share. I think we have all heard a conversation that goes something like this. If you haven’t heard it, you’ve seen it played out on Facebook. I’m sure there are tons of reasons as to why some women feel the need to do this. I don’t know those reasons but I do know that this kind of conversation won’t help your children.
Mom 1: We’re trying to keep Felix engaged this summer. It’s so hard since he’s in the gifted program.
Mom 2: I know what you mean! Even though we chose not to do the gifted program since it just seems like such a waste of their time when they’re this young – we’re still struggling with finding more things for Eugenie to learn about. She’s read everything the library has on organic farming, space exploration and algebra.
Mom 3: Oooh…we’re very into organic farming this summer. We found a delightful farm just 60 miles from here where you can go and harvest you own food and pay for it by the pound. It’s such a great deal. The kids and I spent 4 hours picking blueberries and I paid 30 dollars. It was only 90 degrees, but we took water and it was wonderful! I took pictures. Do you follow me on Instagram?
Have you witnessed moms one-upping one another? How do you deal? Walk away?
Sunset Namaste, Super Slimey Saturday and more Harry Potter at the Alabama Theatre this week! On Friday you can dress like a cow and get free food from Chick Fil A, so hit the dress up box and see what you can find!
We hope you are having a great summer so far and are finding fun and unique ways to keep the kiddos entertained!
Don’t forget the Free and Discounted Movies still going on each week at local theaters and parks.
Kidzpalooza – Splash Adventure Waterpark
Join us for a Meet & Greet with DORA THE EXPLORER & DIEGO, Inflatable Slides, and More!
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
11:30am -8pm
Bart’s Art Cart, Artistic Flags – Birmingham Museum of Art
Come by in July to show your patriotism by creating an artistic flag!
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
Sunset Namaste – Railroad Park
Join the Birmingham yoga community for a moving yoga meditation at Railroad Park! Experience 108 Moon Salutations led by area yoga teachers, kids moon dance circles and activities, $5 henna tattoos, free samples, giveaways, and more!
6pm – 8pm
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Mark Seymour: Drums from around the World – Vestavia Hills Library
Children and parents alike will love local drummer Mark Seymour! His “Drums From Around the World” includes an exciting and entertaining adventure through percussion instruments.
Recommended for children ages preschool to Grade 3. This program will be held at the Vestavian Room at the Vestavia Hills Civic Center so please park there! Shuttle service will be available after the program to take you to and from the library.
6:30pm
Kids Flix – Adamsville Library
Join us for a movie and popcorn at the Community Center. This weeks film tells the story of the changing life of a businessman after he inherits six penguins!
3pm – 5pm
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The Puppet Guy – Hoover Public Library
Atlanta-based puppeteer Lee Bryan presents The Giant, the Beanstalk & Jack
FEE-FI-FO-FUN! Jack outwits the Giant, gets the gold and saves the farm in this one-man mini-musical puppet show in The Library Theatre.
10:30am, 1:30pm and 6:30pm
Summer Science Studio – McWane Science Center
Join us for a summer of fun and learning in the new Summer Science Studio for early childhood education programs. Junior League of Birmingham volunteers will be guiding activities for children ages two to six in the studio that are designed to help children learn while they play. The Studio will offer a fun, hands-on educational environment that inspires creativity and exploration. Little ones are sure to have a blast using their imaginations to paint, make music, dress up in costumes, and more.
10am – 1pm
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The Puppet Guy – Hoover Public Library
Atlanta-based puppeteer Lee Bryan presents The Giant, the Beanstalk & Jack
FEE-FI-FO-FUN! Jack outwits the Giant, gets the gold and saves the farm in this one-man mini-musical puppet show in The Library Theatre.
10:30am, 1:30pm
Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us for Storytime as we read It’s a Tiger. See what happens when a boy tries to get away from a tiger in the jungle. We will make a craft and have a yummy 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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Summer Science Studio – McWane Science Center
Join us for a summer of fun and learning in the new Summer Science Studio for early childhood education programs. Junior League of Birmingham volunteers will be guiding activities for children ages two to six in the studio that are designed to help children learn while they play. The Studio will offer a fun, hands-on educational environment that inspires creativity and exploration. Little ones are sure to have a blast using their imaginations to paint, make music, dress up in costumes, and more.
10am – 1pm
Mr Jeremy’s Summer Storytime – Hoover Public Library
Summer storytime for children under four.
10:30am
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Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix– Alabama Theatre
With their warning about Lord Voldemort’s return scoffed at, Harry and Dumbledore are targeted by the Wizard authorities as an authoritarian bureaucrat slowly seizes power at Hogwarts.
We’re showing all of the Harry Potter movies this summer! Enjoy Butter Beer and Bertie Botts Beans from the concession stand.
Doors open at 6, come dressed up and enter the costume contest for some fun prizes! Movie starts at 7pm
Tickets will be $8 at the door. Passes to all 8 movies will be available for $40 at the door.
Water and Melon – Homewood Public Library
Come dress for a wet sticky day of fun. We’ll provide the melons and you bring your seed spitting skills.
10:30am
Cow Appreciation Day – Chick Fil A
For one day only, black and white spots, cow bells and furry ears will be appropriate attire at Chick-fil-A restaurants all across the nation. In celebration of July 13, Cow Appreciation Day (an unofficial yet nationally recognized holiday), Chick-fil-A will award a FREE Meal (breakfast, lunch or dinner) to any customer who comes to one of our 1,600+ restaurants fully dressed as a cow.
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Slippery Slimey Saturday – McWane Science Center
Bigger, better and slimier than ever! Join us for a Slippery, Slimy Saturday with lots of ooey gooey fun as educators conduct slimy experiments and show you how to make your own creations. On the plaza, you can enjoy even messier experiments this year and an oobleck pool.
SLIME ALERT: If you dare try the slimy activities outside on the plaza, guests will not be permitted inside the museum after being slimed if they are not cleaned off properly. A change of clothes and a towel are recommended. T-shirts and towels are available for purchase if needed.
Included in cost of admission to the museum, FREE for members
Chill Out! Water Games – Ruffner Mountain
As summer heats up, let’s cool down! We will play water games and make snow cones! Perfect for elementary age children.
2pm
Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinic
Your child’s favorite movie characters are back at Lowe’s this weekend! Bring your child to Lowe’s and they can master building and Kung Fu with this weekend’s project; Kung Fu Panda Spinning Attack!
10:00am – Follow this link for participating stores and to register.
Summer Science Studio – McWane Science Center
Join us for a summer of fun and learning in the new Summer Science Studio for early childhood education programs. Junior League of Birmingham volunteers will be guiding activities for children ages two to six in the studio that are designed to help children learn while they play. The Studio will offer a fun, hands-on educational environment that inspires creativity and exploration. Little ones are sure to have a blast using their imaginations to paint, make music, dress up in costumes, and more.
10am – 4pm
Bart’s Art Cart, Artistic Flags – Birmingham Museum of Art
Come by in July to show your patriotism by creating an artistic flag!
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
Yard Sale and Market –
Yard Sale, Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, Baked Goods, Local Arts and Fun Children’s Activities. For more information please contact the Norwood Resource Center at 205.322.7361.
Norwood Community @ 15th Avenue and 32nd Street North on Norwood Community Blvd.
10:00 am – 2:00 pm.
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 There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Shell. Find out what happens when the old lady eats a lot of things at the beach and what she ends up making. There will be a craft, and we will have a treat from the Cafe.
11am
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Ice Cream Sundae Sunday – Homewood Library
Hey Summer Readers! Join us as we celebrate National Ice Cream Week with a special ice cream sundae.
2:30pm
Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinic
Your child’s favorite movie characters are back at Lowe’s this weekend! Bring your child to Lowe’s and they can master building and Kung Fu with this weekend’s project; Kung Fu Panda Spinning Attack!
10:00am – Follow this link for participating stores and to register.
Bart’s Art Cart, Artistic Flags – Birmingham Museum of Art
Come by in July to show your patriotism by creating an artistic flag!
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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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: Born to Be Wild, & Flying Monsters.
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.
Here at BirminghamMommy.com we love to read. When summertime rolls around we seem to increase the pace at which we are checking out books and loading up our Nooks. We’ve come across some great reads and thought we would share them with you.
Angie:
What I’m reading right now:
The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker. I think I came across this book from a friends Facebook Feed. I wasn’t really sure what it was about but she raved about it so I requested it from the library and have had a hard time putting it down since I checked it out.
On a seemingly ordinary Saturday in a California suburb, Julia and her family awake to discover, along with the rest of the world, that the rotation of the earth has suddenly begun to slow. The days and nights grow longer and longer, gravity is affected, the environment is thrown into disarray. Yet as she struggles to navigate an ever-shifting landscape, Julia is also coping with the normal disasters of everyday life—the fissures in her parents’ marriage, the loss of old friends, the hopeful anguish of first love, the bizarre behavior of her grandfather who, convinced of a government conspiracy, spends his days obsessively cataloging his possessions. As Julia adjusts to the new normal, the slowing inexorably continues.
Just Finished:
The Poison Study Series by Maria Snyder (3 book series: Poison Study, Magic Study and Fire Study) I have recommended these books to everyone I know. I absolutely LOVED this series and devoured the first book in 1 day. The first is the best of the series as the writing declines a bit with each book, but by then I was so hooked on the story I couldn’t get enough. I even read the short stories that go along with the series on the Authors website. If you like the Graceling series, you will love this.
Locked in a coffin-like darkness, there is nothing to distract me from my memories of killing Reyad. He deserved to die—but according to the law, so do I. Here in Ixia, the punishment for murder is death. And now I wait for the hangman’s noose.
But the same law that condemns me may also save me. Ixia’s food taster—chosen to ensure that the Commander’s food is not poisoned—has died. And by law, the next prisoner who is scheduled to be executed—me—must be offered the position.
*Note, there is a spin off on some of these characters in The Glass Series.
Next up on my To Read List:
Heading out to Wonderful by Robert Goolrick. Stumbled upon this while perusing GoodReads, and think it sounds great. Can’t wait to get my hands on it!
“Let me tell you something, son. When you’re young, and you head out to wonderful, everything is fresh and bright as a brand-new penny, but before you get to wonderful you’re going to have to pass through all right. And when you get to all right, stop and take a good, long look, because that may be as far as you’re ever going to go.”
It is the summer of 1948 when a handsome, charismatic stranger, Charlie Beale, recently back from the war in Europe, shows up in the town of Brownsburg, a sleepy village of a few hundred people, nestled in the Valley of Virginia. All he has with him are two suitcases: one contains his few possessions, including a fine set of butcher knives; the other is full of money. A lot of money.
Finding work at the local butcher shop, Charlie befriends the owner and his family, including the owner’s son, Sam, who he is soon treating as though he were his own flesh and blood. And it is through the shop that Charlie gradually meets all the townsfolk, including Boaty Glass, Brownsburg’s wealthiest citizen, and most significantly, Boaty’s beautiful teenage bride, Sylvan.
This last encounter sets in motion the events that give Goolrick’s powerful tale the stark, emotional impact that thrilled fans of his previous novel, A Reliable Wife. Charlie’s attraction to Sylvan Glass turns first to lust and then to a need to possess her, a need so basic it becomes an all-consuming passion that threatens to destroy everything and everyone in its path.
Told through the eyes of Sam, now an old man looking back on the events that changed his world forever, Heading Out to Wonderful is a suspenseful masterpiece, a haunting, heart-stopping novel of obsession and love gone terribly wrong in a place where once upon a time such things could happen.
Trish:
What I’m reading right now:
Still working on book 2 of Game of Thrones. It’s so good but is draining.
Just Finished:
Bringing Up Bebe- a parenting book about French moms. It was right up my alley. It was parenting combined with anthropological observation of the French culture. Their take on everything from eating to structure was intriguing.
When American journalist Pamela Druckerman has a baby in Paris, she doesn’t aspire to become a “French parent.” French parenting isn’t a known thing, like French fashion or French cheese. Even French parents themselves insist they aren’t doing anything special.
Yet, the French children Druckerman knows sleep through the night at two or three months old while those of her American friends take a year or more. French kids eat well-rounded meals that are more likely to include braised leeks than chicken nuggets. And while her American friends spend their visits resolving spats between their kids, her French friends sip coffee while the kids play.
Motherhood itself is a whole different experience in France. There’s no role model, as there is in America, for the harried new mom with no life of her own. French mothers assume that even good parents aren’t at the constant service of their children and that there’s no need to feel guilty about this. They have an easy, calm authority with their kids that Druckerman can only envy.
Of course, French parenting wouldn’t be worth talking about if it produced robotic, joyless children. In fact, French kids are just as boisterous, curious, and creative as Americans. They’re just far better behaved and more in command of themselves. While some American toddlers are getting Mandarin tutors and preliteracy training, French kids are- by design-toddling around and discovering the world at their own pace.
With a notebook stashed in her diaper bag, Druckerman-a former reporter for The Wall Street Journal-sets out to learn the secrets to raising a society of good little sleepers, gourmet eaters, and reasonably relaxed parents. She discovers that French parents are extremely strict about some things and strikingly permissive about others. And she realizes that to be a different kind of parent, you don’t just need a different parenting philosophy. You need a very different view of what a child actually is.
While finding her own firm non, Druckerman discovers that children-including her own-are capable of feats she’d never imagined.
Next Up:
Poison Study because Angie has raved about it! I also have another French parenting book on hold- “French Kids Eat Everything.”
Other notable recommendations:
50 Shades of Grey – Of course. What summer reading list would be complete without this. It’s not good writing and it’s complete smut but sometimes it’s just what we need.
Divergent/Insurgent – If you liked Hunger Games you will most likely enjoy this series.
Gone Girl – We have several friends reading this right now – putting it on our list of “To reads”
The Night Circus – We’re split on this one, several of our friends really liked it, several did not.
So, what say you BirminghamMommy readers.. What should we be adding to our Summer Reading list? We want some recommendations from you!
If you ask your child what they could do to improve the country, what would they say?
Middle-school students at Allison Academy in North Miami Beach were asked that question and they focused on what they understood – bullying, violence and racism.
Those problems are all rooted in the same issues, says Rachel Albert, author of “Quest to Telos,” (www.QuestToTelos.com), a young adult novel where fantasy meets reality and even world peace is possible.
“They stem from a lack of personal integrity and absence of social responsibility,” she says.
“Children who choose to put those values into practice are actively working toward peace. But they can only put into practice what they’ve learned; instilling those values may seem simple, but many parents miss the mark and actually model the opposite.”
Throwing money at social problems like racism or violence doesn’t resolve them, Albert says. But children can.
“The energy from kids’ excitement can make a real difference and we need their energy focused right here at home,” says the mother of four. “They see problems; it’s up to us to give them the tools to address them.”
The following tips can help parents teach their children personal integrity and social responsibility, giving them the keys to world peace.
• Never lie in front of your kids. It may seem obvious, but many parents lie in front of their children or encourage them to lie; misstating a child’s age to save money on movie tickets or allowing them to take credit for school projects completed by the parent. These seemingly inconsequential lies suggest it’s OK, even good, to distort the truth. This causes long-term damage a million times more costly than whatever was gained in the short term.
• Give your kids a reason why. Author Mark Twain once said that the two most important days of your life are the day you are born and the day you figure out why. If you fail to tell your kids why we are here, you have missed the opportunity to
figure out what motivates them and gets them excited. This is the most important key to getting kids’ cooperation and empowering them to help the world.
• Don’t criticize your children. Criticism is toxic, so why do almost all parents criticize their kids? When we focus on what they aren’t, they believe they can’t. This creates angry children who express their pain by bullying others. It’s better to tell them how you feel rather than what you think of them, e.g., “I feel frustrated that you didn’t listen to me,” or “Can you say that in a more loving way?”
• Don’t speak badly about other people. This is probably one of the hardest things to do, considering we’re a generation that pays for gossip. Speaking badly about others teaches kids to look for what they view as the negative in others and take joy in sharing it.
• Model charity. Actions speak louder than any words. When you teach kindness to children, they tend to feel empathy and have more successful lives, a crucial step toward achieving world peace.
Kids are hungry to form an identity and make their mark on the world. What tools are you using to empower your children?
About Rachel Albert
Rachel Albert is a certified court reporter and business owner. “Quest to Telos” is her debut novel; it’s being used by a private school to develop an inspirational, critical-thinking curriculum for middle-school students ready by the summer. Albert is currently working on a sequel. She is a staunch advocate of boosting teen literacy while inspiring kids to make a difference starting with their own hearts.
Here are some fun facts to wow your guests at your 4th of July cookoff!
Happy 4th everyone! If you’re looking for a great fireworks show, make sure to check out our list of celebrations going on around town.
My name is Trish, and I’m a Pinterest Addict. When the kids take a snooze, I tend to find myself online looking at organization tips and recipes. Can I call it “mom research” and get a pass?
By the Way, are you following BirminghamMommy on Pinterest? You should be!
Ok, so as a Mom of 3 girls I know that I’m supposed to come on here and rave about how awesome this movie is because of the strong female lead. And the fact that Merida doesn’t need to fall in love and be saved by a Prince makes for a great role model. And how it’s great that Disney finally had a female heroine in one of their movies…
But I’m not going to.
Not because it isn’t all of those things and more, it’s because I don’t tend to lend a ton of merit to my girls being overly “Princessed Out” and can enjoy toys and movies for what they are. Entertainment and fun. This movie, is both.
Since ancient times, stories of epic battles and mystical legends have been passed through the generations across the rugged and mysterious Highlands of Scotland. In “Brave,” a new tale joins the lore when the courageous Merida (voice of Kelly Macdonald) confronts tradition, destiny and the fiercest of beasts.
We had been anticipating the release of this movie for quite a while, and we are happy to say that it did not disappoint. It entertained me, another adult my age, an almost 7 year old boy, a 6 year old girl and three 4 year olds. It’s a great tale with lots of heart, humor and a young girl who can’t seem to get along with, or understand her Mother. Something that as a Mother, and a Daughter, I could relate to.
Merida is not a stereotypical Princess. She’s rough, tumble and doesn’t follow the rules that are expected of her. She’s very much like an animated version of Katness Everdeen. During her journey, she grows up and learns the importance of responsibility. She learns that no matter what choice you make, good or bad, you are held accountable for those actions.
While the movie was a bit scary and intense in parts for the 4 year olds, I have to say all around this movie is great for the 4 and up crowd. This should definitely be on your list of summer movies to see (and own once it hits DVD and Blu-Ray.)
About Brave:
A grand adventure full of heart, memorable characters and signature Pixar humor, “Brave” uncovers a new tale in the mysterious Highlands of Scotland where the impetuous Merida (voice of Kelly Macdonald) defies an age-old custom and inadvertently unleashes chaos, forcing her to discover the meaning of true bravery before it’s too late.”
BRAVE is now playing in theaters everywhere.
Have you seen the movie? Tell us your thoughts!
Whew! We sure hope you all are finding fun ways to stay cool!
It’s 4th of July Week and there are lots of celebrations happening around Birmingham that will be fun for the whole family!!
If you’re looking for ways to beat the heat, now would be a great time to check out the Dora and Diego exhibit at the McWane Science Center, Bart’s Artventure at the Birmingham Museum of Art or one of the great programs happening at your local Library.
Splash Adventure Waterpark will be hosting Kidzpalooza this weekend, if you have to be out, you might as well be in the water!
We hope you have a great week!
Mamma Mia Sing a Long – Alabama Theatre
The story of a bride-to-be trying to find her real father told using hit songs by the popular ’70s group ABBA.
Tickets will be available at the door one hour before showtime.
2pm
Cost is $8.00
Bart’s Art Cart, Artistic Flags – Birmingham Museum of Art
Come by in July to show your patriotism by creating an artistic flag!
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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Celebrate the 4th at the Birmingham Zoo
Come to the Zoo this Fourth of July to visit the Zoo’s animals! You won’t want to miss the birthday celebration for the Zoo’s three Red River Hogs on July 4th at 1:30pm. Star, Spangle and Banner are sisters who were born on July 4, 2006. Come learn interesting facts about Red River Hogs during an educational keeper chat and see Star, Spangle and Banner receive patriotic enrichment birthday gifts. Enjoy all the Zoo has to offer during the holiday, such as exploring the Zoo’s newest exhibit, Kiwanis Giraffe Encounter, cooling off in one of the Zoo’s water features, Foam Zone and experiencing an up-close and personal look at the Sea Lion Splash Show.
In honor of our nation’s birthday, all active and retired military (20+ years) and their dependents get free admission to the Zoo on July 2nd, 3rd and 4th with valid military identification.
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Skip Cain the Magic Guy – Emmet O’Neal Library
Magic for the whole family.
10:30 and 3:30.
Hoop There is Is – Avondale Library
Did you know that hula hoops make dreamy dance partners? Be a member of the hula hooping craze as you listen to some tunes and learn how to move and groove with your hoop. The library is a circle of fun when the hoops are here.
24-hour advance registration required.
6:30pm
Walkabout Puppets – Hoover Public Library
Mr Blister’s Toy Circus – Madame MooMoo, Steenko the Strongman and more incredible performing toys bring laughter to the big top in The Library Theatre.
10:30am, 1:30pm and 6:30pm
Summer Science Studio – McWane Science Center
Join us for a summer of fun and learning in the new Summer Science Studio for early childhood education programs. Junior League of Birmingham volunteers will be guiding activities for children ages two to six in the studio that are designed to help children learn while they play. The Studio will offer a fun, hands-on educational environment that inspires creativity and exploration. Little ones are sure to have a blast using their imaginations to paint, make music, dress up in costumes, and more.
10am – 1pm
Celebrate the 4th at the Birmingham Zoo
Come to the Zoo this Fourth of July to visit the Zoo’s animals! You won’t want to miss the birthday celebration for the Zoo’s three Red River Hogs on July 4th at 1:30pm. Star, Spangle and Banner are sisters who were born on July 4, 2006. Come learn interesting facts about Red River Hogs during an educational keeper chat and see Star, Spangle and Banner receive patriotic enrichment birthday gifts. Enjoy all the Zoo has to offer during the holiday, such as exploring the Zoo’s newest exhibit, Kiwanis Giraffe Encounter, cooling off in one of the Zoo’s water features, Foam Zone and experiencing an up-close and personal look at the Sea Lion Splash Show.
In honor of our nation’s birthday, all active and retired military (20+ years) and their dependents get free admission to the Zoo on July 2nd, 3rd and 4th with valid military identification.
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Happy 4th of July!!
4th of July Flag Making and Parade – Oak Mountain State Park
Let’s celebrate our freedom and those that have given us the opportunity to have that freedom. Come make a flag or other patriotic craft, then parade through the campground showing off our flags. Meet at 10a.m. at the Oak Mountain State Park Campground Pavilion (B-side). Free after admission to Park, but donations accepted to cover cost of craft materials.
10am
Celebrate the 4th at the Birmingham Zoo
Come to the Zoo this Fourth of July to visit the Zoo’s animals! You won’t want to miss the birthday celebration for the Zoo’s three Red River Hogs on July 4th at 1:30pm. Star, Spangle and Banner are sisters who were born on July 4, 2006. Come learn interesting facts about Red River Hogs during an educational keeper chat and see Star, Spangle and Banner receive patriotic enrichment birthday gifts. Enjoy all the Zoo has to offer during the holiday, such as exploring the Zoo’s newest exhibit, Kiwanis Giraffe Encounter, cooling off in one of the Zoo’s water features, Foam Zone and experiencing an up-close and personal look at the Sea Lion Splash Show.
In honor of our nation’s birthday, all active and retired military (20+ years) and their dependents get free admission to the Zoo on July 2nd, 3rd and 4th with valid military identification.
Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us for Storytime as we read The Fourth of July Mice. Find out how the mice celebrate the Fourth of July. We will make something fun and have a treat from our 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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Liberty Park Outreach with Juggler Todd Key
Todd Key is a one man club throwing, ball spinning, ladder balancing, torch manipulating, comedy EXTRAVAGANZAPALOOZA! This exciting program will be at Liberty Park Middle School and is open to all patrons, but especially those in the Liberty Park and Cahaba Heights areas.
10:30am
Todd Key: The Flying Debris Extravaganza Juggle Palooza! – Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest
Todd Key is a one man club: throwing, ball spinning, ladder balancing, torch manipulating, comedy extravaganapalooza!
This event will be held in the Vestavia Hills Rec Center Gymnasium. Parking will be available at the Rec Center with a shuttle bus to take you to the library after the event.
3pm
Popcorn and a Movie – Emmet O’Neal Library
A sheltered chameleon accidentally winds up in the gritty, gun-slinging town of Dirt, where the townspeople are in need of a courageous sheriff.
10:30am.
Summer Science Studio – McWane Science Center
Join us for a summer of fun and learning in the new Summer Science Studio for early childhood education programs. Junior League of Birmingham volunteers will be guiding activities for children ages two to six in the studio that are designed to help children learn while they play. The Studio will offer a fun, hands-on educational environment that inspires creativity and exploration. Little ones are sure to have a blast using their imaginations to paint, make music, dress up in costumes, and more.
10am – 1pm
Summer Song Sing a Long – Homewood Public Library
Join us for a special music driven story time with Homewood Library’s very own Chris.
10:30am
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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire– Alabama Theatre
Harry finds himself selected as an underaged competitor in a dangerous multi-wizardary school competition.
We’re showing all of the Harry Potter movies this summer! Enjoy Butter Beer and Bertie Botts Beans from the concession stand.
Doors open at 6, come dressed up and enter the costume contest for some fun prizes! Movie starts at 7pm
Tickets will be $8 at the door. Passes to all 8 movies will be available for $40 at the door.
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Kidzpalooza – Splash Adventure Waterpark
Join us for a Meet & Greet with DORA THE EXPLORER & DIEGO, Inflatable Slides, and More!
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
10am – 8pm
Summer Science Studio – McWane Science Center
Join us for a summer of fun and learning in the new Summer Science Studio for early childhood education programs. Junior League of Birmingham volunteers will be guiding activities for children ages two to six in the studio that are designed to help children learn while they play. The Studio will offer a fun, hands-on educational environment that inspires creativity and exploration. Little ones are sure to have a blast using their imaginations to paint, make music, dress up in costumes, and more.
10am – 4pm
Bart’s Art Cart, Artistic Flags – Birmingham Museum of Art
Come by in July to show your patriotism by creating an artistic flag!
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
Yard Sale and Market –
Yard Sale, Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, Baked Goods, Local Arts and Fun Children’s Activities. For more information please contact the Norwood Resource Center at 205.322.7361.
Norwood Community @ 15th Avenue and 32nd Street North on Norwood Community Blvd.
10:00 am – 2:00 pm.
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 Red Knit Cap Girl. We will find out what happens when a little girl wants to talk to the moon. There will be something fun to make and we will have a delicious treat from the Cafe.
11am
Family Picnic for Adoptive Families – Orr Park
This is a free picnic for families thinking about or involved in foster care, adoption, or orphan care. Bring your own lunch and enjoy meeting other families and making new friends.
Orr park has a wading creek, shaded playground and beautiful walking trails.
We’ll have door prizes to give away and more information about adoption for anyone who is interested.
10am – 2pm
Wetlands – Oak Mountain State Park
What is a wetland? Are wetlands beneficial to us? What can be found in a wetland? Come learn about wetlands. They are interesting ecosystems. Meet at 10a.m. at the Campground Pavilion (B-side). Free after admission to Oak Mountain State Park.
10am
Saturday Movie at Noon – Gardendale Public Library
Fun for the WHOLE family! Family friendly movies, free popcorn, and fun at your library.
Noon
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Kidzpalooza – Splash Adventure Waterpark
Join us for a Meet & Greet with DORA THE EXPLORER & DIEGO, Inflatable Slides, and More!
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
11:30am -8pm
Bart’s Art Cart, Artistic Flags – Birmingham Museum of Art
Come by in July to show your patriotism by creating an artistic flag!
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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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: Born to Be Wild, & Flying Monsters.
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.
The temps are rising,
you’re melting, and your iphone is giving you that scary “over heated” exclamation point. But have you tried telling your kids it’s too hot to play outside? I don’t know about you, but that just doesn’t fly with my kids.
Most kids just don’t care how hot, cold or rainy it is outside and after a few days stuck inside with them fighting and bickering, you probably won’t care either. In fact, you might even pull a trick that my Mom used to pull on us and lock the screen door behind us, with a cheery “Don’t come back until the street lights come on..”
When the temps rise, so do the precautions we have to take when allowing the tiny humans to play outside or participate in sports.
Hot, dry weather can be extremely dangerous. Because sweat evaporates very quickly in such conditions, your child won’t feel sweaty, and neither you nor your child may recognize how much water he or she has lost.
As the relative humidity increases, the effectiveness of sweating in cooling the body decreases.
When the relative humidity is high, sweat drips off the skin so that the cooling benefit of evaporation is lost even at cooler temperatures, resulting in a build-up of body heat.
How do you know when hot is too hot?
According to Athletic Trainer Brendon McDermott, PhD. at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, ” A kid’s tolerance depends on what they are used to” and advises that you take extra caution during heat waves.
Your child will need to drink lots of extra water, eat balanced meals and go to bed early. If your child isn’t feeling well, keep them out of the heat – it’s harder for the body to stay cool when fighting an infection.
Keep in mind the following tips to keep your kids cool during these hot summer days!
1. Kids won’t stop playing on their own. You must remind them to take a break and drink some water.
2. Avoid sugary beverages. Water is always best!
3. Familiarize yourself with current sunscreen guidelines. Apply and re-apply (and reapply) sunscreen. If a shady option is available for play, try to encourage your kids to play out of the direct sunlight.
4. Try to get out earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon, avoiding the hottest part of the day.
5. Make sure they are wearing the appropriate clothing. We all know how kids like to dress themselves and during a heat wave, layers of winter clothing just won’t cut it.
When playing outside in the heat watch for signs of fatigue, becoming uncomfortable, and limit your outdoor play to just a few minutes at a time. If we are fighting red ozone levels, it’s probably best to change your plans and look for indoor activities or air conditioned play spaces.
Where is your retreat when we hit the triple digits?
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