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Patience: Remember How Small They Are

Posted on by Angie

Today’s great tip was found on a site called momgrind.com: Remind yourself how small they are and how much you love them.

We all know how angry they can make us, but if we can just get a fraction of a second to stop and realize that they are simply so small. Physically, they are still so little. Emotionally, they’re not capable of being in control all of the time.

Something personal that has impacted me was the death of a friend’s toddler daughter. I can’t count the times in the past year that I’ve been to the point of losing my temper, then I look in my daughter’s eyes and think about some of the alternatives. It makes me grateful that she is here to anger me and drive me crazy.

How are you doing with the patience challenge?

Birmingham Events Calendar: February 19th – February 26th

Posted on by Angie

President’s Day this week means a long weekend for most, how will you spend your extra day?

There is one day left to see the dinosaurs at the BJCC, lots of storytimes, and our next GenBump Event is coming up this Thursday, Go Natural or Give Me Meds? If you haven’t registered yet, make sure to do so soon, space is limited.

Whatever you choose to do this week, we hope you make it great!

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

Sunday February 19th:

Discover the Dinosaurs – BJCC
Over 60 replica an moving museum quality dinosaurs. Dino dig, Dino theater, Dino coloring, scavenger hunt and More!
Sunday 10:00-7:00

Admission*:
Adults : $14.00(12yrs & older)
Children:$9.00 (2-11yrs)
Seniors:$9.00 (65+)
Children under 2 free

*Admission includes entrance to the Dinosaur Exhibit, Dino Dig, Dino Den, DIno Theater, Dino Coloring Station and Scavenger Hunt.
Other attractions require seperate tickets.

Barts Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
In February, Bart will draw inspiration from The Look of Love exhibition to create Valentine’s jewelry boxes fit for tiny treasures.

Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some art of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month highlights a different gallery and features 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 February 20th:

Presidents Day!

Zoo Presidential Elections – Birmingham Zoo
Last day to vote! Ballot boxes will be available in the Membership Office, the Kudzu Cafe and the Gift Shop during Zoo hours so visitors can vote for their favorite animal candidates. Each animal area has nominated a President and Vice President candidate. The winner will be announced on February 23.

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Tuesday February 21st

Babes in the Zoo – Birmingham Zoo
This fun class introduces children to the experience and wonder of animals in a safe environment. Children must be 6 months to 2 years old and accompnay with an adult. Classes are 30 minutes long.

Members -$6 Non-Members -$12
9am

Critter Tales: Eagles – Birmingham Zoo
In this class, students will explore different animal topics, enjoy story time, make a craft and go on a train ride and a carousel ride!

A parent/caregiver may not stay with the child.

During this adventure, children will explore their “wild” side as they are introduced to exciting animal topics. Children activities include creating a cool craft, experiencing up-close animal encounters, riding the train and carousel and enjoying other fun activities.

Animal interactions may include mammals, birds, invertebrates, snakes and other reptiles.

Advanced Registration Prices: $12.00/student/class for members or $18.00/student/class for non-members

Same Day Registration: Registrations for a class that are completed on the same day that the class was scheduled will be subject to a $2 charge in addition to the standard class price.

Info Phone: (205) 397-3877

Buy Tickets

10am – 11:30

Storytime – Homewood Public Library
Join us for the fun of it!  All ages welcome.
10:30am

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Wednesday February 22nd:

Babes in the Zoo – Birmingham Zoo
This fun class introduces children to the experience and wonder of animals in a safe environment. Children must be 6 months to 2 years old and accompnay with an adult. Classes are 30 minutes long.

Members -$6 Non-Members -$12
9am

Critter Tales: Eagles – Birmingham Zoo
In this class, students will explore different animal topics, enjoy story time, make a craft and go on a train ride and a carousel ride!

A parent/caregiver may not stay with the child.

During this adventure, children will explore their “wild” side as they are introduced to exciting animal topics. Children activities include creating a cool craft, experiencing up-close animal encounters, riding the train and carousel and enjoying other fun activities.

Animal interactions may include mammals, birds, invertebrates, snakes and other reptiles.

Advanced Registration Prices: $12.00/student/class for members or $18.00/student/class for non-members

Same Day Registration: Registrations for a class that are completed on the same day that the class was scheduled will be subject to a $2 charge in addition to the standard class price.

Info Phone: (205) 397-3877

Buy Tickets

10am – 11:30

Storytime – Pinson Public Library
Come join us for stories, songs and a snack at the library!
10:30am

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us as we read You Will Be My Friend by Peter Brown. This book tells the humorous story of an enthusiastic bear and her search through the woods for new friends. We’ll have bear crafts, snacks and a chance to play with NOOK, too!
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 February 23rd:

GenBump – Go Natural or Give Me Meds?
Consider the choices for your customized birth plan.  Whether you’re close to your due date or just starting your journey to motherhood, you’ve probably thought about the options for the labor and delivery of your child. In this free seminar, an OB/GYN and a Labor and Delivery nurse will join us for candid conversations about what you can expect whichever option you choose. They’ll share their knowledge and experiences about natural and medicated childbirth, options for coping with pain, birth plans and more. And, there’ll be plenty of time for questions and answers to satisfy your curiosity about what the big day will be like.

Refreshments will be served.
Location
The New Brookwood Women’s Medical Center
4th Floor Classroom
2010 Brookwood Medical Center Drive
Homewood, AL 35209

Space is limited so register now at GenBump.com

The Taste of Homewood – Rosewood Hall in Soho
Taste of Homewood has become a tradition in Homewood showcasing the cities ever growing number of Homewood food purveyors and giving the public a chance to sample a taste of cuisine from their menus. We are expecting over 30 vendors. In addition to the culinary sampling and wine and beer tasting, there will be musical entertainment.

$30 in advance and $35 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at the Chamber of Commerce located the Homewood Library, online, or from several other locations.
5:30pm – 8:30pm

Storytime – Five Points West Library
Celebrating Mardi Gras! Come and join Ms. Pam for storytime as we “Celebrate Mardi Gras with Bayou Tales
10:00am – 10:45am

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Friday February 24th:

Story Day with NeNe – Whole Foods
Stories, songs, and snacks as Mrs. Renee Schmidt leads the fun.
10am

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Saturday February 25th:

Picadilly Circus – Pelham Civic Complex
PICCADILLY CIRCUS has everything you’d expect to see at a Circus. Celebrating 25 years entertaining families throughout North America “we’ve pulled out all the stops!” You’ll see the ‘Elephant Extravaganza’, an elephant stands on one foot; ‘Motorcycle Madness’ has motorcycle daredevils somersaulting and spinning in a big Globe of Doom; ‘Katunga’ the giant jungle monster; the fabulous ‘Mongolian Angels’ outstanding contortionists; the ‘White Tiger Spectacular’, crazy comedy with circus clowns, even a 1923 Model T with a mind of its own; daring aerialists; cirque artists and much much more! Its 1½ hours of excitement and fun at PICCADILLY CIRCUS.

Special “Buy One Get One Free” adult tickets are available on-line at www.TheFunCircus.com (limited time offer!!) See site for details and ticket pricing.

1:30, 4:30 & 7:30

Barts Art Cart –  Birmingham Museum of Art
In February, Bart will draw inspiration from The Look of Love exhibition to create Valentine’s jewelry boxes fit for tiny treasures.

Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some art of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month highlights a different gallery and features a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!
11am

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

Saturday Storytime – Barnes and Noble
Join us for Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems. This funny, delightful Caldecott Honor book tells the story of Trixie and the bunny she loves. We’ll make some bunnies of our own during craft time and sip some sweet fraps from the Cafe.
11am

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Sunday February 26th:

Picadilly Circus – Pelham Civic Complex
PICCADILLY CIRCUS has everything you’d expect to see at a Circus. Celebrating 25 years entertaining families throughout North America “we’ve pulled out all the stops!” You’ll see the ‘Elephant Extravaganza’, an elephant stands on one foot; ‘Motorcycle Madness’ has motorcycle daredevils somersaulting and spinning in a big Globe of Doom; ‘Katunga’ the giant jungle monster; the fabulous ‘Mongolian Angels’ outstanding contortionists; the ‘White Tiger Spectacular’, crazy comedy with circus clowns, even a 1923 Model T with a mind of its own; daring aerialists; cirque artists and much much more! Its 1½ hours of excitement and fun at PICCADILLY CIRCUS.

Special “Buy One Get One Free” adult tickets are available on-line at www.TheFunCircus.com (limited time offer!!) See site for details and ticket pricing.

1:30, 4:30 & 7:30

Barts Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
In February, Bart will draw inspiration from The Look of Love exhibition to create Valentine’s jewelry boxes fit for tiny treasures.

Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some art of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month highlights a different gallery and features 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: Born to Be Wild, & Flying Monsters.

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.

GenBump: Go Natural or Give Me Meds?

Posted on by Angie

Consider the choices for your customized birth plan.  Whether you’re close to your due date or just starting your journey to motherhood, you’ve probably thought about the options for the labor and delivery of your child. In this free seminar, an OB/GYN and a Labor and Delivery nurse will join us for candid conversations about what you can expect whichever option you choose. They’ll share their knowledge and experiences about natural and medicated childbirth, options for coping with pain, birth plans and more. And, there’ll be plenty of time for questions and answers to satisfy your curiosity about what the big day will be like.

Refreshments will be served.
Location
The New Brookwood Women’s Medical Center
4th Floor Classroom
2010 Brookwood Medical Center Drive
Homewood, AL 35209

Space is limited so register now at GenBump.com

Explore and Share African American History and Culture with Kids Books!

Posted on by Angie

African American History month has been celebrated every February since 1976. It was the dream of Carter G. Woodson, a historian who was considered to be the “Father of African American History.” In 1926 Woodson initiated the celebration of Negro History Week which eventually expanded to include the entire month, to now having gained support throughout the country as people from all ethnic and social backgrounds learn and discuss black history.

Here are a few books we’ve come across that will help you share African American History and Culture with your kiddos.

I See the Rhythm By Toyomi Igus and Michele Wood –

Gr. 5 – 8. Igus’ prose poems and Wood’s evocative paintings combine to give a succinct overview of African American music. A useful time line sets the social context, and brief paragraphs describe the various types of music, from African origins and slave songs through ragtime; the blues; big band, bebop, and cool jazz; gospel; rhythm and blues; and the contemporary sounds of rock, hip-hop, and rap. Igus effectively uses snippets from song lyrics to communicate both a feel for the music itself and a sense of how the various styles played to the emotions of the musicians and their fans (“From the basements to the rooftops, / I see the cool tones of modern jazz / escape the city heat”). Wood’s paintings are equally suggestive. Mixing modernist and primitive styles and using color nicely to communicate musical style and tone, her art not only complements the text but vivifies it. Audience may be a problem: the supportive text is too sophisticated for younger readers to grasp themselves, and the format may alienate some older readers. Perhaps best used in a junior-high classroom with audio accompaniment, this striking book, in the hands of a creative teacher or librarian, could give kids a feeling for the majesty, creativity, and continuity of African American music

Ellington Was Not a Street By Ntozake Shange –

Grade 3-8-Nelson illustrates the noted poet’s “Mood Indigo,” from her collection entitled A Daughter’s Geography. The book begins with the opening lines of the poem set against a pale gray page: “it hasn’t always been this way/ellington was not a street.” Opposite, a full-page painting shows several people walking beneath a green sign that reads Ellington St. A young African-American woman carrying a red umbrella is prominently featured, and readers will soon understand that she is the child narrator, all grown up (the resemblance is striking). In the poem, Shange recalls her childhood when her family entertained many of the “-men/who changed the world,” including Paul Robeson, W.E.B. DuBois, Ray Barretto, Dizzy Gillespie, “Sonny Til” Tilghman, Kwame Nkrumah, and Duke Ellington. Both the words and the rich, nostalgic illustrations are a tribute to these visionaries. Done in oils, the skillfully rendered portraits emphasize facial expressions, clothing, and physical positioning on the page, and provide unmistakable insight into the persona of each individual. Although presented in picture-book format, the poem is sophisticated, and therefore it may need to be read aloud and explained to younger readers. A biographical sketch of each man appears at the end, along with the poem reprinted on a single page.

 

D is for Drinking Gourd: An African American Alphabet by Nancy I. Sanders –

The tapestry of American history is made up of countless threads marking the contributions of people from many different backgrounds and cultures. D is for Drinking Gourd: An African American Alphabet showcases many of the remarkable achievements of and contributions from African Americans throughout our history. Evocative watercolor paintings from acclaimed artist E. B. Lewis perfectly capture the spirit of each letter topic’s poem and expository text.

D is for Drinking Gourd,
and the North Star that led through the night
from station to station on the Underground Railroad,
escaping on a dangerous flight.

From the bravery of the early abolitionists to the cultural legacy of the Harlem Renaissance, D is for Drinking Gourd illuminates the amazing and ongoing role the African American community has played in the shaping of our country.

Let It Shine: 3 Favorite Spirituals By Ashley Bryan –

Vibrant illustrations interpret and energize three beloved songs: “This Little Light of Mine,” “Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In,” and “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” Although the artistic style is similar to that in All Night, All Day (Atheneum, 1991), here Bryan uses intricate cut-paper collages to accompany the lines of text at the bottom of the pages. Energy and movement course through many of the full-bleed illustrations, as when children-depicted in rainbow-colored silhouettes-use a boat, an airplane, a bicycle, and other means to carry their lights “Ev’ry where I go.” At other times, the images offer comfort and security, as large multicolored hands embrace the world’s wonders and “the little bitty baby” is cradled in an adult’s protective arms. Simple melody lines and an explanation of the origin and importance of spirituals are appended. Yet, Bryan’s illustrations demonstrate more than words the dynamic inspiration that these songs still provide. Readers will find themselves humming as they turn the pages.

Event of the Week: Big Machines Day at McWane!

Posted on by Angie

It’s that time again! Big machines are taking over the McWane Science Center so get your motors running and head on down for a truckload of fun.

Spend a constructive day getting up close and personal with some big machines including backhoes, excavators, dump trucks, loaders, dozers and cranes! Learn the science of simple machines and participate in fun building programs througout the day! Machines provided by CraneWorks.

10 AM – 4 PM
COST: Included in cost of admission to the museum, FREE for members

Parenting with a PhD: Getting Kids to Listen

Posted on by Angie

PARENT QUESTION: We are having serious issues right now with our girls not listening. How much leniency do you allow for their age (preschool)?

PARENTING WITH A PHD RESPONSE: Selective Hearing Loss, or “SHL,” is a serious condition that affects millions of kids every second. SHL can be made worse by situations like a messy room, being plugged in to a gaming device, or the presence of broccoli on the plate. There is no known cure for SHL but you can help reduce the occurrence for your children.

I joke. But, seriously – listening is a pretty major struggle between parents and kids, leading to a lot of tantrums, anger, and frustration (And, the kids get upset, too!). There are ways to increase the likelihood that your child will listen but, unfortunately, this can’t be accomplished through a magical pill. You may have to change how you’re giving commands and addressing the resulting misbehavior. Consider some of the following techniques:

Get Close: Unless you have one of those kids who is constantly eager to please (and you wouldn’t be writing this letter if you did), you need to be physically close to your child when you give her a command. In many cases, you need to put your face level with your child’s and make physical contact to direct her attention to you. When I need the attention of a child client, I’ll often instruct her, “Look at my nose.” This command is specific and points her gaze in the right direction. Also, she’s more likely to follow the instruction because looking at someone’s nose is silly and a novel concept. If this instruction doesn’t work, you may have to gently take your child’s face in your hands and guide it towards yours.

Reduce Distractions: Make sure that electronic devices are off or paused when you give commands and don’t expect to be heard in a loud or chaotic environment. Minimize internal distractions by waiting out a tantrum before you start giving commands. Otherwise, you run the risk of escalating the anger. Besides, you don’t have a prayer of your commands being heard when your child is really upset.

State Commands Positively: Tell your child exactly what you want him to do, using as few words as possible. Instead of, “Stop it! You’re making a huge mess that Mommy’s going to have to clean up!” say: “Draw only on the paper.” Sticking to the behaviors you want to see (e.g., “Keep your hand on the grocery cart while we shop”) instead of those you don’t (e.g., “No running around the grocery store!”) gives your child a very specific goal to shoot for and makes the behavior easier to keep track of and reward if you choose to do so. Avoid overly long explanations for the command. If you need to give a justification, it should go before the command as we discussed here.

Give Feedback: Often when our kids do follow directions, we fail to say anything because: A) We don’t want to clue them in that there’s an alternative to compliance (Pssst! They already know!) and B) We feel like we shouldn’t reward something the child was supposed to be doing anyway. Keep in mind that one important way children learn is through the consequences that follow their behavior. If failing to follow rules gets your attention but following rules does not, guess which one they’re going to choose? This same principal shapes adults’ behavior, as well. Would you be as likely to compliment your best friend, hold the door open for others, or take initiative at work if you never received positive feedback as a result? When your child follows a command, verbally reinforce him: “I love it when you listen the first time!” and avoiding adding any statement like: “Why can’t you do that every time??” You’d probably be a bit irritated if your spouse said, “You look great tonight!” (Pause). “Why can’t you put forth this much effort every day?” A backhanded compliment is not a compliment. When you’re trying to wrangle more than one child, giving praise to the one who is complying may help the other get in line as well. I don’t know many kids who are content to let their siblings hog all the praise.

Follow-up: Ever felt like putting another parent in time out for failing to discipline his child? Ever wanted to scream, “NO MORE CHANCES!” at the mother who continues repeating, “If you do that one more time, you’re in trouble!” Ever been guilty of failing to follow through yourself? Of course – we all have. You’re trying to get something accomplished (even with a crock pot, dinner doesn’t make itself) and don’t really have time to follow through with a consequence right now. So, you make a vague threat, hoping that will stave off more bad choices. How’s that working out for you? I know how well it goes in my house. When you continue to give your child chance after chance, never following through with the promised consequence, you teach him that you don’t mean what you say and you’re not really paying that much attention anyway. If a behavior is important enough to address in the first place, stop what you’re doing and make a point to see the process through. Taking the above suggestions into account, try this:
Give the command.
Wait for compliance.
Give a warning about what will happen if the command isn’t followed.
Wait for compliance.
Put the consequence into action. No excuses. No more chances. The time for begging and bartering is over.

Time out works well as a consequence for failing to listen; however, it’s important that when time out is over, you and your child return to the original situation and you go back to Step 1, giving the command again. That means you may also have to repeat steps 2 through 5 but, eventually, your child will understand that life is on hold until the command is followed so he may as well get it over with.

If you try these techniques for a while and listening still isn’t happening, talk to your child’s teachers and coaches to find out if this is a problem elsewhere or only at home. Trouble listening can be a sign of a more serious attentional or behavioral problem. If you’re concerned that this may be the case for your child, talk with your pediatrician about a referral for an evaluation.

Next month: “Addressing Selected Hearing Loss in Your Spouse.” Just kidding, again – you’re on your own with that one.

About this column: Send your parenting- and kid-related questions my way via email at: parentingwithaphd@gmail.com and I’ll tell you what I can: Please be aware that email is not a secure method of transmitting personal information so it’s best to keep your questions general. If your question is featured, your name and email will not be published. Submitting a question does not constitute a professional relationship in any way and this column is not meant to substitute for face-to-face therapy. If you feel  you’re doing the best you can and still need help, it may be time to bring in a professional. Start by talking with your child’s pediatrician to get a referral.

Kristen S. Berthiaume, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist

Kristen Berthiaume is a clinical psychologist with Grayson and Associates.  She obtained her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Kentucky. She completed a predoctoral internship in clinical psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a post- doctoral fellowship in the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD) Program at Duke University Medical Center.

She specializes in providing assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and families dealing with the following issues:
ADHD
learning disorders
social skill deficits
organizational problems
behavioral difficulties
anxiety
depression

She generally focuses on behavioral and cognitive- behavioral techniques, but maintains a flexible approach to therapy. Her other day job is as mom to her four-year-old daughter and 20-month-old son.

Birmingham Events Calendar: February 12th – February 19th

Posted on by Angie

Brrr…. Rabbit! What a difference a week makes when it come to Alabama weather! A cold start to the week but it does look like we’ll warm up some.

We’ve got a busy calendar this week, we’ll be celebrating Valentine’s Day, lots of storytimes and one of McWane Science Center’s most popular events, Big Machine Day is coming this Saturday! You won’t want to miss this special event!

Have a great Valentine Week and enjoy some extra hugs and kisses with your sweetie!

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

Sunday February 12th:

O’Reilly World of Wheels – BJCC
Meet Billy the Exterminator. Back by popular demand! Billy will be at the show meeting fans and signing autographs. Friday Only

Meet Von Hot Rod, West Coast Pin Striper and “Master of the Fine Line”! Hot Rod will be at the show pin striping items for the public. ALL WEEKEND!

Come and meet SpongeBob SquarePants. SpongeBob will be meeting his fans and taking Souvenir Photos. ALL WEEKEND! (Due to the nature of the costume, Sponge Bob must take frequent short breaks)

The First 200 kids through the door EACH DAY receive a FREE Hot Wheels. Race your car for FREE on the Hot Wheels Drag Track. Sponsored by the Alabama Hot Wheels Club. ALL WEEKEND!

Don’t miss the most exciting Extreme Bike team around! “On the Edge” Bike Stunt Team. An annual favorite, “On the Edge” will perform their thrilling bicycle and motorcycle stunts. ALL WEEKEND!

* Due to time constraints and large crowds, paid admission to the show does NOT guarantee you an autograph from the celebrity.

Child (ages 5 & under) – FREE!
Child (ages 6-11) – $ 5
Adult – $16

Tickets will be on sale at the door, plus…Get DISCOUNTED tickets and AVOID WAITING in long lines at the door: Advance discount Tickets for Adults can be purchased at all O’Reilly Auto Parts stores. Save $2.00 on every Adult ticket in Birmingham. Children’s tickets are available for the regular price.

Barts Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
In February, Bart will draw inspiration from The Look of Love exhibition to create Valentine’s jewelry boxes fit for tiny treasures.

Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some art of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month highlights a different gallery and features 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 February 13th:

Celebrating Great African Americans – North Avondale Library
North Avondale Library is celebrating the contributions of African Americans to U.S. history and culture. Kids ages 6-11 are invited to participate in this fun fact hour.
1pm

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Tuesday February 14th

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Happy Heart Day – Hoover Public Library
Share the love this holiday with an assortment of valentine crafts. Kids of all ages.
6:30pm

Critter Tales: Pythons – Birmingham Zoo
In this class, students will explore different animal topics, enjoy story time, make a craft and go on a train ride and a carousel ride!

A parent/caregiver may not stay with the child.

During this adventure, children will explore their “wild” side as they are introduced to exciting animal topics. Children activities include creating a cool craft, experiencing up-close animal encounters, riding the train and carousel and enjoying other fun activities.

Animal interactions may include mammals, birds, invertebrates, snakes and other reptiles.

Advanced Registration Prices: $12.00/student/class for members or $18.00/student/class for non-members

Same Day Registration: Registrations for a class that are completed on the same day that the class was scheduled will be subject to a $2 charge in addition to the standard class price.

Info Phone: (205) 397-3877

Buy Tickets

10am – 11:30

Zoo Tots: Hide and Seek: animals that hide – Birmingham Zoo
This intermediate class introduces children to animals in the classroom  and out in the Zoo!

A parent/caregiver must stay with the child.

You and your little one are certain to enjoy this adventure as you learn about wildlife in our comfortable classroom environment and on guided tours of the Zoo.

Animal interactions may include mammals, birds, invertebrates, snakes and other reptiles.

Advanced Registration Prices: $8.00/student/class for members or $14.00/student/class for non-members

Same Day Registration: Registrations for a class that are completed on the same day that the class was scheduled will be subject to a $2 charge in addition to the standard class price.

Info Phone: (205) 397-3877

Buy Tickets

9:00 am – 9:45 am

Storytime – Homewood Public Library
Join us for the fun of it!  All ages welcome.
10:30am

Kids Scene – Valentine’s Day Bingo – Vestavia Hills Library
Grades 5K – 3rd
Join Ms. Savannah as we play Valentine’s Day Bingo and win some “sweet” prizes.
Make sure to register by calling us at 205-978-0158.
3:30 – 4:30

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Wednesday February 15th:

Zoo Tots: Hide and Seek: animals that hide – Birmingham Zoo
This intermediate class introduces children to animals in the classroom  and out in the Zoo!

A parent/caregiver must stay with the child.

You and your little one are certain to enjoy this adventure as you learn about wildlife in our comfortable classroom environment and on guided tours of the Zoo.

Animal interactions may include mammals, birds, invertebrates, snakes and other reptiles.

Advanced Registration Prices: $8.00/student/class for members or $14.00/student/class for non-members

Same Day Registration: Registrations for a class that are completed on the same day that the class was scheduled will be subject to a $2 charge in addition to the standard class price.

Info Phone: (205) 397-3877

Buy Tickets

9:00 am – 9:45 am

Critter Tales: Pythons – Birmingham Zoo
In this class, students will explore different animal topics, enjoy story time, make a craft and go on a train ride and a carousel ride!

A parent/caregiver may not stay with the child.

During this adventure, children will explore their “wild” side as they are introduced to exciting animal topics. Children activities include creating a cool craft, experiencing up-close animal encounters, riding the train and carousel and enjoying other fun activities.

Animal interactions may include mammals, birds, invertebrates, snakes and other reptiles.

Advanced Registration Prices: $12.00/student/class for members or $18.00/student/class for non-members

Same Day Registration: Registrations for a class that are completed on the same day that the class was scheduled will be subject to a $2 charge in addition to the standard class price.

Info Phone: (205) 397-3877

Buy Tickets

10am – 11:30

Storytime – Pinson Public Library
Come join us for stories, songs and a snack at the library!
10:30am

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Come out and experience I Must Have Bobo! by Eillen Rosenthal. This funny, wonderfully-illustrated book tells the story of a rivalry Bobo, a sock-monkey, causes between a young boy and his kitty. We’ll cat and monkey crafts for you to take home too.
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 February 16th:

Storytime – Five Points West Library
Celebrating Mardi Gras! Come and join Ms. Pam for storytime as we “Celebrate Mardi Gras with Bayou Tales
10:00am – 10:45am

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Friday February 17th:

Story Day with NeNe – Whole Foods
Stories, songs, and snacks as Mrs. Renee Schmidt leads the fun.
10am

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Saturday February 18th:

Big Machines Day – McWane Science Center
Get your motors running and head over to McWane Science Center for a truckload of fun. Spend a constructive day getting up close and personal with some big machines including backhoes, excavators, dump trucks, loaders, dozers and cranes! Learn the science of simple machines and participate in fun building programs througout the day! Machines provided by CraneWorks.
10am – 4pm

Cowboy Day – Downtown Columbiana
Celebrate the 4th annual Cowboy Day featuring the cowboy parade, live music, mechanical bull, chili-eating contest, and more.
10am – 5pm

Barts Books – Birmingham Museum of Art
Fancy Nancy: Heart to Heart. Bart selects one book each month about art that he thinks 4–7 year olds will enjoy.
11am

Barts Art Cart –  Birmingham Museum of Art
In February, Bart will draw inspiration from The Look of Love exhibition to create Valentine’s jewelry boxes fit for tiny treasures.

Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some art of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month highlights a different gallery and features a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!
11am

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

Presidents Day Storytime – Barnes and Noble
Join us for a very patriotic and presidential Storytime featuring selections from Don’t Know Much About the Presidents by Kenneth C. Davis. We’ll make patriotic crafts, play some games, and enjoy refreshing snacks from the Cafe.
11am

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Sunday February 19th:

Barts Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
In February, Bart will draw inspiration from The Look of Love exhibition to create Valentine’s jewelry boxes fit for tiny treasures.

Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some art of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month highlights a different gallery and features 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: Born to Be Wild, & Flying Monsters.

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.

Patience: Soul Fevers

Posted on by Angie

I once read a parenting book, Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne. It talked about how kids can get “soul fevers,” basically an emotion fever similar to a physical fever. We all know what a fever is and how to treat it, but what we sometimes don’t think about is that there are times when things just aren’t right. It’s that way for our kids. They may be having an off day and they don’t understand it or know how to get past it. A lot of times, they may have been feeling sad or confused or neglected, and they just need some attention. The book said to drop the hurried pace and just sit and cuddle the kid.

I can say from personal experience that this has been a very beneficial tip for our family. Sometimes nothing else matters except the fact that we love each other.

Going Back To Work? 5 Tips To Make the Transition Smooth

Posted on by Angie

Making the transition from stay at home mom to working mom was more stressful for me than it was for my kids. i know it affected my kids, but I did several things in advance to prepare them and I think that eased the transition.

1. Talk to them, explain what is happening and why it is happening.

2. Make sure they know they’re still #1. Extra cuddles, extra “I love you’s” and lots of reassurance that they were still my main priority were all crucial.

3. Let their new caregivers know about the transition. My daughter’s new preschool teacher gave her an extra hug and asked about her new routine. Little things go a long way. Take all the help you can get.

4. Leave a surprise for them. I made each kid a little goody bag and left it for them to find. It was a time when I would’ve normally been there, but wasn’t now due to working. My absence was taken better by a few dollar store treats and a sweet note that said “Can’t wait to see you!”

5. Not just in the beginning… The first week isn’t the only time you have to work twice as hard to make sure they’re okay. It’s every week. Keep the extra hugs and kisses coming. Surprise them with little notes. Let them know how much you think about them.

If you’ve made this transition, how did you make it smooth for everyone?

Finding the Perfect Sitter

Posted on by Angie

Moms love to share information. Anytime I need something, I typically put a call out to all of my Mommy friends. Why? because they’re in the know. Whether I need a stylist (for myself or my kids,) a gymnastics class, a pediatrician, a new app for my phone, you name it, they always come through, well almost always.

When you ask for a recommendation on any of the above services you will get tons of replies, ask for the the recommendation of a good sitter and it’s crickets. It’s as if they didn’t hear you, why? Because sharing their awesome sitter means a chance for them to lose her because she’s committed to you on night that they might need her too.

Offering up your sitter is a risky thing, trust me, I’ve done my fair share of playing clueless when I see a call go out. I figure if I have a friend that was so generous that she shared her sitter with me, it would be rude of me to then share her with someone else, right? We’ll go with that.

So, if your friends are being selfish how do you find a good sitter?

Relatives are a great resource if you’re fortunate enough to live near them. They’ll most likely save you some dough too, insisting it’s their pleasure to spend some time with their great nieces and nephews. Plus you already know them so there’s no sweating the stranger-keeping-your-kid-thing.

Remember those Mom friends that didn’t want to share their sitter? How about working out a deal with them where you swap sitter services every few weeks or every month or so? You know you like them or you wouldn’t call them a friend. Your kids probably know their kids and you know they’ll have things at their house to keep your kids entertained. Again, like using a relative,  swapping with your friends will save you some cash.

Try a sitter service. There are many like Southern Nannies Plus to choose from. These sitters have been pre-screened in most cases so you know you’re getting someone that knows what they’re doing, or they will at least look good on paper.  You just need to meet them and make sure you and your children are comfortable with them. Start by having them watch your child in your home while you are there and always check their references.

Check with your local colleges. Many of them will have a list of students looking to babysit. Some of our best sitters are college students.

The current national average is $10 an hour for high school students and $12 an hour for older babysitters. The closer you are to an urban area, the higher the fee. Age, experience, number of children, holidays and the type of chores you expect from your sitter will also determine whether or not their fee should be slightly higher.

While we know that chilling in your jammies watching reality television is fun, you deserve a night out with the hubby every now and then. Put down the remote,  ditch the sweats and start lining up a sitter! Valentines Day is just around the corner!

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