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Kids Eat Free In Birmingham

Posted on by Angie

Eating out as a family can be fun and a much needed break some nights, but it can also be quite costly when you factor in meals for the kids.. Here are some options around Birmingham that allow you to save a little dough when eating out.

*Please remember that these deals can change without notice to us, it’s always best to double check with each location before you head out to dinner. We will do our best to keep this as current as possible and welcome all feed back and additions to this list!

Every Day

Golden Corral – Children 3 and under eat FREE from the buffet with the purchase of an adult meal.

Quizno’ Subs – Kids eat free with purchase of adult meal

Flat Top Stir Fry Grill – Kids under 4 eat free

Sunday

La Dama Pizzeria – 4-9PM: 2 free kids meals per adult entree purchase

Salsaritas – one free kid’s meal per adult meal purchase

Dave’s Deli – All Day, 1 free kids meal per adult entree, meal includes sandwich or pizza with cookie and drink

McCalister’s (in Pelham) – Kids eat free all day

Monday

Flat Top Stir Fry Grill, Summit– Kids 10 and under eat free with the purchase of an accompanying adult entree.

O’Charley’s – Kids eat free Monday – Friday at select locations with the purchase of an adult entree.

Cafe Luigi – 5-9PM: kids eat FREE with adult meal purchase

Moe’s Southwest Grill (Doug Baker Blvd, Mountain Brook) – after 5PM: one FREE kid’s meal per adult entree & drink purchase

Flat Top Stir Fry Grill – All Kids eat free

Tuesday

Max’s Delicatessen – one free kid’s meal per adult meal purchased.

Moe’s Original BBQ – one free kid’s meal per adult entree purchase

Beef O’ Bradys – One free kids meal with purchase of an adult entree

Golden Rule BBQ – Pelham Location – Monday – Saturday after 4pm, one free kids meal with purchase of adult plate purchase of $8 or more.

Pizza Hut – 6pm – 8pm Free kids buffet with purchase of adult buffet

Moe’s Southwest Grill – Multiple Locations (Vestavia, Homewood, Lorna Road) – one FREE kid’s meal per adult entree & drink purchase

Chick-fil-A – At participating locations, kids can eat a free kids’ meal at Chil-fil-A on Tuesdays for Family Fun Night from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. There is a limit of 1 free kid’s meal per adult combo meal purchased.

Lonestar Steakhouse – On Tuesdays Kids 12 and under eat FREE from the kids menu. Limit 2 free kids meals (one per child) per adult entree purchased. Not valid in combination with other offers, coupons or discounts. Dine-in only.

La Dolce Vita – One child under 12 eats free with the purchase of an adult entree

Wednesday 

Pinches Tacos – Family Night 5pm – 7pm. Kids 12 and under eat free with an adult meal purchase.

Dave’s Deli – after 5pm 1 free kids meal per adult entree, meal includes sandwich or pizza with cookie and drink

Baumhauers Wings –  kids eat FREE off the kid’s menu with any $10 purchase. Two children 10 & under per $10 purchase. Drink not included

Schlotsky’s Deli – Inverness Corners after 4PM: one FREE kid’s meal per adult combo purchase

JJ’s BBQ – 4437 Pinson Valley Parkway – 1 kids meal for each adult meal purchased.

Thursday

Johnny Ray’s BBQ – after 5PM: one FREE kid’s meal per adult meal purchase! Dine-in only

Saturday

McCalister’s (in Pelham) – Kids eat free all day

Suggest a Soldier Giveaway from Cheeriodicals

Posted on by Angie

You know how much we have been raving about these glorious little green boxes that bring cheer to your door? Well now we (you) have the chance to have one sent out to bring cheer to a soldier. Do you know someone serving overseas that could use a little pick me up? A little comfort from home? Then follow the instructions below for a chance to have your soldier receive this special gift.

Birmingham-based online specialty gifts company, Cheeriodicals, announced recently that they will send a magazine gift box to a soldier in Afghanistan customers recommend. Back in August, one of their customers sent a gift to a soldier in Afghanistan, so owner, Mary Martha Parisher wanted to create a contest for customers to recommend a soldier each month until the end of the year, to send a gift to.

“We know from customer feedback that the soldier who received the gift last month really enjoyed getting it,” said Mary Martha Parisher. “Often times soldiers serving in our military get a few glimpses of things from home, so we felt like it would be nice to randomly choose a soldier each month to send a little piece of home to. It is our way of saying ‘thank you’ for serving.”

Cheeriodical customers are asked to go to the Cheeriodicals Facebook page and nominate a soldier. Cheeriodicals will randomly select the first soldier to receive a Cheeriodical on October 15 and announce it on Facebook.

In November, the company will give away another Cheeriodical to a veteran in honor of Veteran’s Day.

A Mother's Shade of Green: Create A Slow Home, Enjoy More of Life

Posted on by Angie

By Kate Agliata:

How many times this month alone have you said to yourself, “I just want  things to slow down, and to be simpler,”? Those who know me well enough, have heard me say this over and over during the last few years. Each  year it seems that I take on more responsibilities, extend my growing  passions, and continuously assume a greater variety of roles. The  result: my life began to feel as though it would burst at any given  moment. I felt overwhelmed, disorganized, and a slave to the never  ending chaos. That’s when I discovered the Slow Home movement, a concept that focuses on celebrating quality, efficiency, and getting back to
basics.

The Slow Home movement was founded in 2006 by a small group of architects  who wanted to steer the residential building community away from the  fast paced, cookie cutter designed industry. Their goal is to produce  homes that are compact in nature, support the use of natural cooling and heating methods, (as well as natural lighting) and promote efficient architectural design made to enhance a home’s overall functionality. The main objectives of this concept appealed to me greatly. Just thinking about a Slow Home and the efficiency and calm it tends to promote, was  enough to inspire me to take the leap.

I decided it was time for my family to re-evaluate our priorities, and take the time to begin transitioning our home into my perception of a Slow Home. This includes, an environment that fosters a minimization of waste, (energy, water, and most important to us-clutter!) environmental responsibility, and is a true reflection of our family’s personal growth
and progress. For me, motivation is key. I am pushing through this transformation in an attempt to rid my life of chaos, so that I can enjoy more of life, and also begin achieving higher levels of efficiency.

This week I started a Slow Home Challenge. My family and I will spend the next twelve weeks working to transition our home. We’ll be tackling nearly every room, and just for the heck of it, I’ll also give my personal life (schedules, e-mail, commitments) a serious re-haul.

To learn more about the Slow Home movement, or better yet, to join my challenge (!) visit Kate’s Musings.

About Kate:

Kate, a freelance writer and mother of two, most often finds creative inspiration in writing, but occasionally at the bottom of an empty wine glass. She has hijacked her family’s former lifestyle and is in the midst of creating a simpler and greener approach to life. To follow her family’s challenges and successes in this endeavor, visit her blog, at Kate’s Musings. She and her family have lived in Birmingham since 2009.

Working Mommy Madness: Why I Quit Breastfeeding

Posted on by Angie

My boobs hate me.

You see, I just had a baby. It went well, considering I pushed an 8-pound infant out of my vajay-jay without any pain medication. I planned for a natural birth and I had one, proving that I am indeed tougher than I thought. It was a truly amazing experience.

You might think that, having lived through natural childbirth, breastfeeding would seem like a walk in the park. I guess for some women, it is. Since I have big boobs I mistakenly thought it would come naturally, but no … it doesn’t work that way. I managed to breastfeed my first child for only about a week before having a gigantic meltdown and switching to formula, so I had high hopes that I would last longer with my second.

It was going really well at first. I was tired as hell and hated my husband, but we were all still alive, so that counted for something. I was hanging in there, coping with the hour-and-a-half breaks I got between feedings. My girlfriends who managed to successfully breastfeed their kids assured me it would get easier. If they could do it, so could I. And so I pressed on.

I liked the bonding aspect. I thought to myself, “I can tough this out. It’s what is best for the baby. I can put myself aside for a few more months. I mean … I don’t HAVE to shower … or sleep … or take care of my older child … or feed and clothe myself.”

But then, on Day Five, something happened.

I was feeding the baby at our usual time. My husband, always supportive, brought me a snack.  It was an UNOPENED package of graham crackers, and a bowl of peanut butter and honey mixed together with a spoon stuck in it.

Let’s take a minute here to discuss. Has anyone else tried to open graham crackers with one hand? Let alone smear them with peanut butter and honey?!? I am here to tell you, it ain’t easy. I got crumbs all over the baby’s head.

This was the beginning of the downward spiral.

Since I was exhausted and in need of quiet, I sent my husband and three-year-old out with a long list of errands to run. I planned to nap while they were away. Unfortunately, the baby had other plans. He ate. And ate. And ate. An hour passed. Then two.

I maneuvered downstairs with him still attached—no easy feat—and got on the internet. I Googled my situation, which turned up nothing useful. I sat on my living room couch and shouted into the air, “HOW DO PEOPLE DO THIS?!?!?!?” And then I did the most sensible thing I could think of, which was to get on Facebook.

My Facebook friends told me it would get better, not to give up. Everything I read sounded like he was going through his 10-day growth spurt, but it wasn’t time yet. He was only five days old. I was at my wit’s end. If I detached him, he screamed. I tried everything I could think of, but it was obvious that he was just hungry, and nothing but boob would do. I was locked in mammary purgatory.

Three hours passed. I texted my husband that he needed to come home immediately, because I was about to LOSE it. I started eyeing the can of formula that was in the pantry.

Hour four. My boobs were absolutely killing me. Sharp pains were shooting from my armpits. I physically could not handle any more. I looked at the baby and politely informed him that I wouldn’t be doing this again, cracked open that can of formula, and fed him an ounce. He sucked it down and promptly fell asleep.

I promptly popped pain medication. And then I wondered how “the girls” could possibly still be intact after that harrowing experience. I promised them that they would see better days from here on out.

When my husband came home, I told him I never, ever want to breastfeed again. Ever. I know it is best for the baby, but I have limits. Some women might be able to push through days like that, but not me. Does that make me a bad mother? I don’t think so. I honestly don’t know how women manage to breastfeed with other children around. It totally stressed me out to be worried about what my older child was getting into (the kitchen knives? My makeup bag? Permanent markers?) while I was tied down. Maybe it’s just that I didn’t give it enough time, or learn how to run around the house properly whilst breastfeeding. Frankly, just thinking about THAT causes me physical pain.

Natural childbirth, I can do. Exclusive breastfeeding, not so much. And as selfish as this may sound, I like having my body back to myself. It helps me cope with the stresses of motherhood to feel … normal. Yes, it’s a battered, lumpy, stretched-out version of “normal” – but I can sleep for several hours in a row, and as a result, feel relatively sane.

Kudos to all of you moms out there who have managed to breastfeed successfully! I don’t know how you’ve done it. You should pat yourselves on the back and treat yourselves to something nice, like a fancy new bra. I’m sure the girls would appreciate you thinking of them.

About Harmony:

Harmony blew into Birmingham after Hurricane Katrina and is a self-proclaimed “never home maker” striving for a balance between her career and family life. Visit her blog Working Mommy Madness to read more!

Birmingham Events Calendar: September 25th – October 2nd

Posted on by Angie

Fall is finally here and we couldn’t be happier! It’s our favorite time of year for so many reasons, one being the incredibly amount of events happening around Birmingham.

Festivals, pumpkin patches, carnivals, and events galore!

This week is packed with the Greek Food Festival, Kick’n Chick’n Wing Fest, Vulcan Aftertunes, and a special breast cancer awareness storytime at Barnes and Noble.

Thursday we will be kicking off our new series with Brookwood Medical Center. GenBump, the secrets of Mommyhood. If you’re an expectant Mom, new Mom or a Mom that wants to be in the know here in the city, make plans to join us!

Have a great week!

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

Sunday September 25th:

Vulcan Aftertunes: Will Hoge
Birmingham’s unique musical event returns to Red Mountain this fall for its 7th season! Enjoy cool tunes, fresh brews and sweet views on Sunday afternoons with Birmingham’s hip iron man, Vulcan. Chill out in Birmingham’s backyard and end your week with friends and family (of all ages) while listening to some of the area’s best music.  Tickets and seating are first-come, first-served and general admission. Lawn chairs and blankets strongly encouraged. Food, beer, wine and soft drinks will be available for purchase. No pets or outside alcohol allowed. All shows rain or shine.
3pm – Gates open at 1pm
General Admission $15, Children (12 & under) Free

Cahaba River Fry Down – Trussville Springs
Benefting the Cahaba River Society
11a.m. – 4p.m.
Tickets: $20
(Children 12 and under free)
www.frydown.com

Barts Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
Make a drum inspired by African musical instruments with Bart! The Museum now offers a fun and free drop-in art program for kids and families! Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to discover 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, then stop by and make art with Bart!
11am

Symphony 30 Picnic – Birmingham Botanical Gardens
The Symphony 30 nonprofit group of women in Birmingham, Ala. will host its annual Symphony 30 Picnic. The event this year will be held once again at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, with the proceeds going to help the Alabama Symphony Orchestra and specifically their family and education programs. We are pleased to announce Jim ‘N Nicks Bar B Q and Brookwood Medical Center as our lead sponsors to the 2011 event. Along with dinner generously donated by Jim ‘N Nicks and a symphony concert, activities will include an art table where children can make their own musical instruments.

The Symphony 30 Group is comprised of approximately 80 young women, who are committed to the legacy and future of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. The Symphony 30 Group has raised more than $330,500 for education programs at the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.
4pm

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Monday September 26th:

Holy Inappropriateness! We couldn’t find any special events happening in the Ham’ today. Make sure to check our list below for fun exhibits happening daily at our local attractions.

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Tuesday September 27th:

Storytime – Homewood Public Library
Join us for the fun of it! All ages welcome. For larger groups, a call is nice but not necessary.
10:30am

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Wednesday September 28th:

Brookwood Live – Colonial Brookwood Village
Join Colonial Brookwood Village this September for Brookwood Live, Birmingham’s newest live music event series. Enjoy live music in the street, outdoor vendors, food, drinks and fun for all ages.
Jazz it up with Top Secret with Shaun Pezant
5pm – 9pm

Wonderful Wednesday Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Jack and the Beanstalk is today’s Storytime book! Learn about Jack and the magic beans he finds, and what adventures await him as a result. Create some arts and crafts, enjoy a cool treat from our Cafe and play with NOOK.
11am

Family Story Time with Mr Mac – North Shelby Library
Storyteller Extraordinaire – Come join Mr Mac and his musical storytime complete with puppets! All Ages, no registration required.
10:45am

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Thursday September 29th:

GenBump – Secrets of Mommyhood, DIYC in Homewood
Brookwood Womens Center and BirminghamMommy.com are partnering up for a series of events just for you Modern Moms! Join us for the best kept secrets in Birmingham, where mommy experts will share tips on where kids eat free, stores with great membership programs, the best online sites for sales and shopping, how to get free books for your kids, must-have mobile phone apps and more.

Food provided by Zoe’s and each Mom will have the chance to make a free tile to take home!
Visit www.genbump.com or call 205.877.8800 or 888.276.6596 for more information and to register for this great event. We can’t wait to see you there!
6pm

Sunset Cinemas – Railroad Park
Remember the Titans – 7pm
George’s Boxcar Cafe and Jim ‘N Nick’s Barbecue will be selling food and drink during the movies! George’s Boxcar Cafe will have all of your movie favorites, including popcorn, nachos, and candy; PLUS they will be serving cocktails! Jim ‘N Nick’s will be grilling their famous barbecue and will have other delectable Southern treats, including their famous cheese biscuits!

What to bring: a blanket or lawn chair and cash or credit card to so that you can purchase delicious food and beverages from George’s Boxcar Cafe and Jim N Nick’s!

Greek Food Festival
OPA! It’s that time of year again, so mark your calendar and come hungry to one of Birmingham’s most highly anticipated events. A true cultural experience, this festival is an act of love of Birmingham’s Greek community and more than 100 parish volunteers. Besides delicious Greek cuisine, you’ll enjoy live Greek music, Greek dancing by the youth, and a warm, spirited atmosphere that embraces everyone as family. As thousands of returning patrons can attest, you will leave a devoted fan. The Cathedral architecture is breathtaking so don’t miss the chance to take a guided tour. The festival also offers both Drive-Thru and Walk-up lines 10:30a.m.-7:00 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. The year’s menu will include all the authentic Greek dishes and mouthwatering homemade pastries. Free parking in the Liberty National Building Parking Deck one block away located between 20th Street and Richard Arrington Blvd.

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Friday September 30th:

Greek Food Festival
OPA! It’s that time of year again, so mark your calendar and come hungry to one of Birmingham’s most highly anticipated events. A true cultural experience, this festival is an act of love of Birmingham’s Greek community and more than 100 parish volunteers. Besides delicious Greek cuisine, you’ll enjoy live Greek music, Greek dancing by the youth, and a warm, spirited atmosphere that embraces everyone as family. As thousands of returning patrons can attest, you will leave a devoted fan. The Cathedral architecture is breathtaking so don’t miss the chance to take a guided tour. The festival also offers both Drive-Thru and Walk-up lines 10:30a.m.-7:00 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. The year’s menu will include all the authentic Greek dishes and mouthwatering homemade pastries. Free parking in the Liberty National Building Parking Deck one block away located between 20th Street and Richard Arrington Blvd.

Barts Art Cart – Sculpture
October is Bart’s favorite month! Come out to create your own Bart the Art Bat Sculpture.

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

Free Friday Flix – Hoover Library
See Rio, an animated hit set in both Rio de Janeiro and the lush jungles of Brazil.  Free admission and snacks in the Library Theatre.
6:30pm

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

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Saturday October 1st

Shelby Blues and BBQ
enjoy great food and great music, and even watch football. We will have a Kids Area, Tailgating Area to watch Alabama or Auburn football on large screens (both away games), tons of vendors, and great blues music. This is a family-friendly event so invite everyone you know to come on out for a great time!
1pm – 9pm

Barts Art Cart – Sculpture
October is Bart’s favorite month! Come out to create your own Bart the Art Bat Sculpture.

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

Storytime on the Mountain – Ruffner Mountain Nature Center
Nature inspires creativity in children by engaging a full range of the senses. During Story Time we will stimulate the imagination by reading themed books about nature, wildlife, and the great outdoors. After the story, we make a craft that reflects the theme of the day. This program encourages a child’s limitless imagination. We will gather in the Treehouse’s Activity Hall for this Story Time adventure. FREE, Suited for pre-school age children.
10am

Fiesta Hispanic Cultural Festival – Regions Park Hoover
Alabama is represented by many different cultures and backgrounds and has a large Hispanic population. The success of Fiesta continues to grow and evolve because the community continues to embrace this event as its own and has done so since its inception. As in past years, Fiesta will continue to showcase what the Birmingham Region can provide to its community in terms of multiculturalism, sensitivity and acceptance. All Hispanic cultures will be celebrated, and patrons will leave Fiesta with a rich appreciation of our Latino neighbors.

food and fun for all ages. Fiesta not only features a Music and Dance Stage, but will also include Arts, Culture, Children’s Activities, Health and Wellness Information, Multi-Cultural Food, and Community Villages, where event-goers can sample the various customs and traditions in Spanish-speaking countries. New to the event this year will be the Infinity Insurance “Read Conmigo” village, in which books will be provided to parents, so that they can read with their children in English and in Spanish.

Bluff Park Art Show
The first show was held in Bluff Park to benefit the Bluff Park Elementary School library and has grown into a prestigious annual event. The top award is a purchase award, and the winning work is added to the permanent collection. These works are displayed in local schools, colleges and other public buildings.

Proceeds from the Annual Show go to support the Arts in the greater Birmingham community. Over the years we have undertaken many projects, both large and small. These have varied from buying art books for school libraries to commissioning public sculpture and paintings.
9am – 5pm

Bark in the Park – Columbiana
Shelby Humane Society (SHS) and Alabaster Parks and Recreation will host the fifth annual Bark in the Park.   This event is filled with a fun day of activities will feature a variety of pet and family friendly events.

•Mutt Strut – 1 mile pet walk, now accepting registration!
•Vaccine/Microchip Clinic- low cost vaccines and micro chipping
•Pet adoptions
•Free nail trimming for pets
•Quick Fix Information-low cost spay/neuter program
•Obedience Training Demonstrations
•Music, great food from Johnny Rays and Dreamcakes, crafts and more!
9am – 2pm – Admission is free

Greek Food Festival
OPA! It’s that time of year again, so mark your calendar and come hungry to one of Birmingham’s most highly anticipated events. A true cultural experience, this festival is an act of love of Birmingham’s Greek community and more than 100 parish volunteers. Besides delicious Greek cuisine, you’ll enjoy live Greek music, Greek dancing by the youth, and a warm, spirited atmosphere that embraces everyone as family. As thousands of returning patrons can attest, you will leave a devoted fan. The Cathedral architecture is breathtaking so don’t miss the chance to take a guided tour. The festival also offers both Drive-Thru and Walk-up lines 10:30a.m.-7:00 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. The year’s menu will include all the authentic Greek dishes and mouthwatering homemade pastries. Free parking in the Liberty National Building Parking Deck one block away located between 20th Street and Richard Arrington Blvd.

Kick’n Chick’n Wing Fest – Homewood
The Kick’n Chick’n Wing Fest is an outdoor cook-off celebrating Birmingham’s favorite football food while supporting one of Alabama’s oldest non-profits. Bring your lawn chairs and an empty stomach to enjoy a day of music, family fun, good food and football! Local restaurants will compete for various awards by cooking up their finest wing recipes for guests to sample. Aside from the wing competition, guests will also enjoy a family friendly Auburn/Alabama-themed tailgate complete with games shown throughout the event site. Come eat the best chicken wings in town, hang out with good friends, and watch some football at the Magic Moments Junior Board’s 3rd Kick’n Chick’n Wing Fest!
11:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Saturday Market – Pepper Place
7am – Noon

Saturday Storytime– Barnes and Noble Summit
Awesome Autumn Storytim – What do you see when the leaves fall from the trees? Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert shows us where to look for adventure all around us. We will create some leafy art and sip on something from our Cafe. Then, we’ll explore our Toys & Games Department.
11am

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Sunday October 2nd:

Special Breast Cancer Awareness Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Help us welcome Miss Alabama, Madeline Mitchell, for a Special Storytime celebrating everything Pink. We’ll read Pinkalicious and Priscilla and The Pink Planet, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness. Then we’ll color and create some art.
3pm

Barts Art Cart – Sculpture
October is Bart’s favorite month! Come out to create your own Bart the Art Bat Sculpture.

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

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Local Attractions Open Daily!

McWane Science Center:

Eat Well, Play Well Exhibit:
What is in the food we eat? Are fruits and vegetables important? Can everyday activities burn calories? Visitors will find the answers to these questions by exploring nutrition and fitness in this summer’s traveling exhibit called Eat Well, Play Well. This highly-interactive exhibit encourage healthy living by teaching the science of making healthy-food choices and helping children and adults discover that there are many fun and interesting ways to stay active. Visitors will discover what an appropriate serving size looks like, see first hand what it takes to burn off calories, test their flexibility and balance, review the latest clinical research and realize that they can reduce their risk of disease with healthy choices that are within their reach.

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: Tornado Ally,  Born to Be Wild, and Wild Ocean.

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.

aMOMymous: Emotional Desert

Posted on by Angie

“Are you going somewhere, Mommy?”

Our three year old asked if I was leaving.

Deflated and a little caught off guard I asked his father, my husband, “Do you know why he said that?”

“Yes.”

Minutes earlier I’d felt a surge of affectionate energy towards my husband and, after a request to come my way so I could offer it, he slowly slumped his way over.  I grabbed the father of my two children by his shirt collar, pulling him down to my level so I could press my lips hard against his unshaven face.  For the first time in a long time, I inhaled his scent and, enjoying it, let my kiss linger for a moment, remembering those days when he’d drive me to the water’s edge and we’d sit in silence, heads pressed firmly as one, breathing and listening to our hearts growing…

And then there was nothing, as if nothing had happened.  And the room filled again with a silent void.  And we were strangers again.

“Mommy! Are you going somewhere?”

Our oldest son thought I was on my way out, since the occasional kiss happens only when one of us is leaving. It’s kind of like clockwork. It’s hit or miss. It’s seldom passionate, always brief and distracted.  It’s the only time he sees his parents openly show their love for each other.  But we do love each other – don’t we?

It’s funny how romance seems to dry up when children enter the home.  The love is still there and, with each birth, it actually grows and evolves in to all kinds of new love.  And we cast so much of that love in to the sea of chaos that is raising a family that we chronically forget to kindle the flame that got us to “family” in the first place.

There’s so much joy and tenderness in our hearts, and it’s mostly because of our kids.  And, ironically, there’s an absence of presence in our marriage because of kids.

Where kids fill up an emotional oasis, my marriage drains in to an emotional desert.

 

3000 Fan Giveaway! Cookbook

Posted on by Angie

Rounding out our giveaways for this week is 1 Hot and Hot Fish Club Cookbook.

This book contains over 200 creative and delicious recipes that are organized to reflect the seasonal nature of local ingredients. It features profiles of over a dozen purveyors who supply the restaurant with the freshest ingredients. With over 50 full-color photographs, lifestyle menus complete with wine and beer pairings, and an extensive sourcing section, it is your guide to eating exquisite fresh cuisine from the hottest restaurant in the South.

Just leave a comment here on the post to be entered, 1 per person, per day. Giveaway will end Sunday, Sept 25th at Noon.

Thanks again to everyone for helping us reach 3000 fans, we hope you will continue to share us. Word of mouth is very important to us and we appreciate you taking the time to pass us along to your friends!

GenBump: Modern Advice for Modern Moms

Posted on by Angie

Brookwood Women’s Center and BirminghamMommy.com are partnering up for a series of events just for you Modern Moms! Think girls night out coupled with meaningful speakers and a panel of Moms that have been through it all already.

Some of the topics we will be discussing throughout the series will include:  surviving baby’s first days at home, blogging your pregnancy and childs life stories and milestones, birthplans, and more!

Join us for our kick off event, September 29th, “Secrets of Mommyhood,” where mommy experts will share tips on where kids eat free, stores with great membership programs, the best online sites for sales and shopping, how to get free books for your kids,  and must-have mobile phone apps.

Visit www.genbump.com or call 205.877.8800 or 888.276.6596 for more information and to register for this great event. We can’t wait to see you there!

Gender Reveal Parties, Sharing the Big News!

Posted on by Angie

It seems like gender reveals parties have become more and more popular thanks to the Todays show and the Duggars. Not that revealing the sex of your child hasn’t always been a big deal but the way people are choosing to announce it to their families (and sometimes learn for the first time themselves) is becoming more and more creative and fun!

In case you aren’t familiar with a “Gender Reveal Party” it goes something like this.. The expectant couple will have a bakery bake a cake that is non-descript on the outside and filled with pink or blue on the inside. They will have a party with family and friends and cut into the cake revealing the pink or blue middle. I know couples that have managed to pull this off without themselves even knowing the gender of the baby so that they were surprised right along with their guests.

But are we expecting too much from our guests to assume that they will be as excited to learn about the sex of our child as we are? Is it presumptuous or narcissistic? I tend to think that anyone you would put on the guest list would be excited about the news and at the very least looking for an excuse to attend a party. Not to mention that you get the opportunity to learn the news yourself in a way that is fun, and takes you out of the sterile Doctors office.

So we say, if you can handle the suspense of not knowing, why not have a little fun with the big news!

What are your thoughts? Are gender reveal parties just a fad? How did you share the big news about your bundle of joy?

Healthy Afternoon Snack Ideas

Posted on by Angie

We recently filmed a fun segment with our friends over at Daytime Alabama and we gave them all of our tips and tricks for making after school snacking healthy and fun.

We of course had to include one of our new favorite finds, Kidfresh Foods. If you haven’t tried them, the quesedillas make a great easy and quick afternoon snack. They are available at Whole Foods and several of our local Publix stores.

Check out the video for some fun ideas! What type of healthy snacks do your children enjoy?

Champions for Health After School Snacks

 

*Buggy snack idea from Little Page Turners

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