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Birmingham Events Calendar: October 9th – October 16th

Posted on by Angie

More beautiful weather, more decisions to make on how you’re going to spend those days! It’s going to be a fun week at the McWane Science Center with Dinosaur Day and Weatherfest happening this week.

Railroad Park and Ruffner Mountain Nature Center will both be offering free movies and you can check out Cocktails in the Gardens if you can sneak a night out without the kids!

If you’re looking for Pumpkin Patches or more fall activities, make sure to check out our list of Fall Happenings.

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

Sunday October 9th:

Vulcan Aftertunes – Vulcan Park
enjoy cool tunes, fresh brews and sweet views on Sunday afternoons with your favorite cast iron statue, Vulcan. Chill out in Birmingham’s backyard and end your week with some of the area’s best music while witnessing spectacular views of Birmingham’s city skyline.
3pm

Break ‘n Bread – Railroad Park
Food and wine festival, will feature tastings from a number of premier Birmingham-based restaurants, including Hot n’ Hot Fish Club, Daniel George, Little Savannah, Silvertron, Nabeel’s, Ted’s, Cafe de Paris, Cantina, 26, Sol y Luna and Ocean to name a few. Additionally, a dedicated children’s area will be set up and will feature entertainment and a petting corner from the Birmingham Zoo, as well as pumpkin decorating, face painting with the clowns from the Birmingham Children’s Hospital, a Desert Island Supply Company writing workshop and a cooking demonstration just for kids by Campus Dining, Inc’s Chris Vizzina. American Idol winner and co-owner of ORE Bar & Grill Taylor Hicks is also confirmed as the headliner for the event, as well as Memphis-based singer/songwriter Eliot Morris.
Tickets are $35 for regular, $75 for VIP and children under 12 years old get in free. Tickets are available for purchase at www.birminghamoriginals.org
1:00pm – 5:00pm

Hot Strings, Birmingham’s Blazin’ Bluegrass Festival – The Preserve
Family friendly festival which features some of the best names in Bluegrass. Artists, great food, and a kid’s area.
12pm – 8pm

Boo at the Zoo –
Put on your favorite family-friendly costume and have a ghoulish time as you experience haunted attractions and make your way through safe candy villages organized by local non-profit organizations and child-centered business. Go round and round on the Scarousel*, attend Ghoul School at Grandma’s Back Porch, ride The Eerie Express*, cut a rug at the “Monster-Mash” Dance Party, monkey-around at the Planet of the Apes Experience*, attend a Wildlife Show and much, much more!
5pm – 9pm
Admission: $8 (Members & Non-Members), tax included

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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Monday October 10th:

Dinosaur Day – McWane Science Center
A prehistoric party all day! Join us for dino-mite programs in the museum designed for all ages programs range from fossil making to learning about rare finds in McWane Science Center’s natural history collection.

Guests who dress up in dinosaur clothes will get a surprise!
Included in cost of admission, FREE for members

Visit their site for a schedule of special events happening throughout the day

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Tuesday October 11th:

Family Night – Emmett O’Neal Library
The Reluctant Dragon – David Stephens’ All Hands Productions brings you a puppet special, “The Reluctant Dragon,” Dinner at 5:30, show at 6:00. All ages. No registration required.

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 October 12th:

After School Special – Emmet O’Neal Library
“JACK AND THE BEANSTALK”
David Stephens’ All Hands Productions brings you a puppet presentation of “Jack and the Beanstalk.”  3:30. Ages 3 and up. No registration required.

Wonderful Wednesday Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Lets hunt for a big, beautiful pumpkin with everyone’s favorite friends, Duck and Goose. Hear as they search through the leaves, in a log and even under water for the perfect pumpkin. Sip on a treat from Cafe and draw us your best pumpkin 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 October 13th:

Cocktails in the Garden – Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Live local music, delicious hors d’oeuvres and signature cocktails at Birmingham’s most scenic happy hour. Bands, menus and ticket info will be announced in the summer, so stay tuned!

http://www.bbgardens.org/cocktails.php

Sunset Cinemas – Railroad Park
Back to the Future– 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!

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Friday October 14th:

Boo at the Zoo –
Put on your favorite family-friendly costume and have a ghoulish time as you experience haunted attractions and make your way through safe candy villages organized by local non-profit organizations and child-centered business. Go round and round on the Scarousel*, attend Ghoul School at Grandma’s Back Porch, ride The Eerie Express*, cut a rug at the “Monster-Mash” Dance Party, monkey-around at the Planet of the Apes Experience*, attend a Wildlife Show and much, much more!
5pm – 9pm
Admission: $8 (Members & Non-Members), tax included

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

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

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Saturday October 15th:

Weatherfest – McWane Science Center
FREE activities on plaza, $5 OFF Museum admission all day
Join the National Weather Association for the first ever WeatherFest at McWane Science Center from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Weather enthusiasts of all ages are invited for a rare chance to meet meteorologists from all over the country. Learn about the science of meteorology and meet weather personalities from The Weather Channel, FOX6, ABC 33/40, NBC 13, CBS 42 and many others. Check out weather equipment on the plaza including a Doppler on Wheels, a mobile wind profiler and more. You’ll also have an opportunity to get your NOAA radio programmed. Outdoor activities will be free and open to the public.
Visitors receive $5 off museum admission on October 15.
Tornado Alley will also be showing in McWane’s IMAX® Dome Theater – the largest movie screen in Birmingham.
For more information, visit www.mcwane.org. To learn more about the National Weather Association Annual Meeting in Birmingham, go to www.NWA2011.com.

Mt Laurel Harvest Festival
Farmer’s Market & Craft Fair, Inflatables, Hay Rides, Music, Face Painting, Festival Concessions, Doggie Dress-up
10am – 3pm

Boo at the Zoo –
Put on your favorite family-friendly costume and have a ghoulish time as you experience haunted attractions and make your way through safe candy villages organized by local non-profit organizations and child-centered business. Go round and round on the Scarousel*, attend Ghoul School at Grandma’s Back Porch, ride The Eerie Express*, cut a rug at the “Monster-Mash” Dance Party, monkey-around at the Planet of the Apes Experience*, attend a Wildlife Show and much, much more!
5pm – 9pm
Admission: $8 (Members & Non-Members), tax included

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

Saturday Market – Pepper Place
7am – Noon

Saturday Storytime– Barnes and Noble Summit
Our favorite trouble making dog is back in Trick or Treat, Marley. Find out how Marley helps his family throw a big Halloween party and what a mess he makes while doing it. Play in our Toys & Games and color your favorite picture.
11am

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Sunday October 16th:

Boo at the Zoo –
Put on your favorite family-friendly costume and have a ghoulish time as you experience haunted attractions and make your way through safe candy villages organized by local non-profit organizations and child-centered business. Go round and round on the Scarousel*, attend Ghoul School at Grandma’s Back Porch, ride The Eerie Express*, cut a rug at the “Monster-Mash” Dance Party, monkey-around at the Planet of the Apes Experience*, attend a Wildlife Show and much, much more!
5pm – 9pm
Admission: $8 (Members & Non-Members), tax included

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: That's What She Said

Posted on by Angie

Today we tried to have a quickie during naptime. The babe woke up just as we were gettin’ down, screaming all bloody hell, and suddenly my boob was in his mouth. And then it was time for my partner-once-lover to go back to work. And our desert grew dyer. And I couldn’t help but wonder if we (the parents) will ever find the time and energy required to reboot our sex life.

Yes, I said sex life. From what I understand, some married couples with children still have one.

Later, as I paced the baking goods aisle at the grocery store, I fantasized about what got us in this mess (I say that with great humor and respect) in the first place. We have two kids, so dare I say we found time at some point. And then I ran my buggy straight into a stranger’s buggy and I swear that particular middle-aged, ring-wearing man looked straight in to my psyche and thought to himself, “That one’s not measuring up. Thank goodness she’s not my wife.”

Here’s the pressure point: I feel so much pressure – pressure to perform, pressure to satisfy, pressure to meet every need…And here’s the kicker…my “pressure points” aren’t working! Maybe it’s the breastfeeding. Maybe it’s the sleepless nights. Maybe they fell out during labor and delivery?

I’m a closet case. My favorite shorts still don’t fit. And I suspect they never will again. I also have a substantial collection of heels, all of which stare at me in disappointment every time I open the closet and reach in for the clogs. Tucked between those cute shorts and assortment of shoes hangs the private wardrobe of a woman who once felt sexy and sophisticated in fishnets and lace… I sigh and shove my way to the back of the closet for one more loose-fitting tunic to mask the shame of a body that’s borne children and is now left wrinkled and worn.

I wish I could be happier about all I have, about the incredible body that has allowed me to carry and deliver our children. But instead I feel the sabotaged sex life is actually a gift. At least this way he won’t be disappointed in what’s left and the lack thereof.

Mommy For Hire

Posted on by Angie

By LK Whitney:

Magic City MamaWhat I’m about to say might grossly offend you.

It’s Tuesday morning.  The sun is shining through a fluffy herd of big white clouds.  There are waves crashing just about fifty feet from where I sit now.  It’s the Atlantic Ocean.  I’ve found a moment alone during a two-week beach tour that has included family, friends, the white sands of the Gulf of Mexico, and the slightly darker variety found along the eastern coastline.  From the second floor of a charmingly rustic beach house, I’m writing alone, with leisure.

I think this might be heaven; it’s just the escape I needed.  You are allowed to hate me.

Don’t think, though, that this type of indulgence comes free. You know what it’s like to travel Griswald-style with two young kids in late summer heat.  I’ve seen you at that dark and dirty Burger King just off I-95.  I know well, too, that it’s the only place with an indoor playground in, like, 100 miles…

But already, I digress.

Considering that this “vacation” really feels more like a production (something I’m actually quite used to, give my former life, sans kids/potty-training breakout sessions/tantrum mediating), I wondered how I’d gotten myself in to this situation of non revenue-producing cattle-herding. And it occurred to me – I’m now a full-time, unpaid employee of this house, this family of four (plus cat), this “Iife as we know it”.

Reality Check:  By making the decision to forego static income in order to raise two small boys I made a huge career shift.  And yes, I think speaking in terms of “career” still applies, as it (“The Mom Job”) requires substantial commitment, focus, follow-through, patience, productivity, and wit. (Skills, I might add, I’m still working on.) After all, I didn’t “apply” for this new job; it all just sort of happened, played out in bright colors and with little Disney/Pixar characters.

A recent late-night blog binge brought me to a website written by an Atlanta mom who gave up her lucrative career after the birth of her first child.  (A lot of us can relate, yes?)  This stay-at-home mom and keeper of all things “household” took her decision (and shift in professional focus) a step further by awarding this new “career” a title.  She gave herself a job description.  She mapped out goals and objectives.  She took herself seriously.

After I’d stalked this modern mama online for a bit, I thought to myself, “This is so incredibly brilliant.  I’m going to hire myself.  I’m going to give myself an appropriate title for the holding-it-together-like-glue position I juggle within this household.”

And so that’s what I’ve been up to.

I sat down (with a frothy piña colada, made with love by my sun-kissed baby-daddy) and thought about what I would need in a “household manager” candidate. No, scratch that. This position is a bit more advanced, and I’m rather qualified, what with two kids. I think I’ll go with “Family & Lifestyle Director”.

You think it has a ring to it? Yes? No? Are you judging me right about now, wondering if I’m just wasting my time writing out a job description for a post that doesn’t pay (in cash or 401K)? Well, according to Publix’s Baby Club “Birth – Four Months” newsletter, “typical needs of mothers of young children” include “significance (I need to know that mothering matters), instruction (sometimes I need to know what to do), and perspective (sometimes I need to regain focus). Still not convinced that my approach is legitimate? Go get your own newsletter and read the six other needs listed. Yeah, this job of mothering ain’t easy. It’s glorious, but it certainly requires some justifications.

The following is a first draft, first stab outline of the responsibilities of this new “career”.  And, to be fair, I also included benefits and compensation details. At the very least, give me credit for being creative in my method for some degree of measurable rewards.

Behold, my new career…

Director of Family & Domestic Affairs / Lifestyle Specialist

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

•    Inspirational fountainhead.
•    Behavioral development and oversight of up to three male, live-in bodies (one thirty-something, all others under three).
•    Estate administrative tasks (Scheduling, Accounts Payable, Errands, Etc.).
•    Coordinator for (family-friendly) special events, milestones, surprises, and memorable gatherings; responsible for unit’s social network and status.
•    Janitorial tasks and general maintenance of unit headquarters.
•    Chief nose-wiper, snack-maker, sore-soother, gift-wrapper.
•    Manager of main database (Division sometimes referred to as Motherboard).
•    Maker of home-processed, organic baby food and breast milk.
•    Acquirer of diapers, groceries, weather-appropriate clothing, goodies, Halloween costumes, picnic gear, framed family photographs, birthday cards, bibs, etc.

Proficiencies:

•    Strong organizational and management skills.
•    Excellent negotiator.
•    High ethical standards, tact, and diplomacy skills.
•    Ability to stay calm under immense pressure.
•    Spousal delegation (goes hand-in-hand with spousal trust).
•    Promptness, reliability, and sound judgment.
•    Handiness with a variety of tools (including, but not limited to, screwdriver, sewing needle, neti pot, can-opener, beer-opener, martini-shaker, remote control, eyelash curler).
•    Stain-removal.
•    Capacity to execute full lifecycle of projects (renovations, mending, potty training, etc.) with budgetary guidelines and timely delivery.
•    Ability to manage budget, with cost-saving measures:  Must be comfortable with coupon-clipping and market (discount) research.

Compensation & benefits package:

•    (At least) one half-hour per day of “absolute alone time”, to be used at my discretion. As infant boy grows, so, too, shall this “absolute alone time”. Goal:  Five hours per week.
•    I’m not asking much, am I?  Okay, fine…
•    Spouse is allowed similar weekly benefit.
•    Parenting approach supported and uplifted by spouse.
•    Required family mealtime supported and uplifted by spouse and children.
•    Annual (solo) weekend road trip (to destination of choice).
•    Gratitude offered (by male bodies) in regards to motherly tasks and subsequent sacrifice.
•    Complete ownership of one bathroom.
•    Unconditional love and respect.

Additional terms:

•    Quarterly evaluation to be executed by spouse/baby-daddy/roommate
•    High marks guarantee choice of:
•    Date night, complete with two hours (left alone) for appearance preparation; at least (1) new piece of flair to showcase;          dinner and/or special event; dessert; flirting; attentive affection.
•    Night off, to do whatever-the-hell-I-want, no questions asked.
•    Both choices include “morning-after support”, so that Motherboard can recover from the previous evening’s “reboot).

At some point during the (give or take) thirty hours of driving from beach to beach, I told my husband I needed to feel more significant as the caretaker and chief instructor for his children. “What do you want, a trophy?” he asked. Well, yes. Now that you say that…

 

About LK:

Magic City maven Laura Kate Whitney is a full-blooded Southerner who’s found herself planting roots in Sweet Home Alabama. Life circumstances have brought her to Birmingham, along with husband, two young sons, and grumpy old cat. In her “free time” she enjoys long walks, long showers, lots of yoga, Birmingham history, culinary programming, and date night. You can follow Laura Kate’s adventures on Magic City Manifesto and also on Twitter.

Droolicious Cuisine at BirminghamMommy.com: Brunswick Stew

Posted on by Angie

I have to say, this is one of my favorite things to eat, and I swear, the cool weather makes it taste even better. For me, there is nothing more comforting than a good stew. I have always loved the Brunswick stew at Country’s Barbecue since it isn’t quite as sweet as other versions that I have had. I think that I have finally tried enough recipes and done enough tweaking to achieve a recipe that is very similar. I even came up with a recipe that can be prepared in the crockpot…what busy woman doesn’t love that? Keep warm and enjoy! Yields 6 servings.

Ingredients:
1- 14.5 ounce can chicken broth
1 cup frozen baby lima beans
1 package Simply Potatoes Diced Potatoes & Onion
6 chicken tenders
2 tablespoons + 2 tablespoons butter, divided
1- 14.5 ounce can stewed tomatoes, chopped with juice
1- 14.5 ounce can creamed corn
1- 14.5 ounce can yellow corn
1 cup ketchup
1/8 cup yellow mustard
1/4 cup white vinegar
1 and 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons Liquid Smoke
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon Texas Pete hot sauce
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon brown sugar

Directions:
1) In a large crockpot, combine 2 tablespoons of butter, chicken broth, lima beans, potatoes, and chicken tenders. Cook on high heat setting for 4 hours.
2) Reduce heat to low setting. Stir stew, breaking up chicken into shredded pieces. Add tomatoes with juice, creamed corn, and yellow corn.
3) In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons melted butter with ketchup through brown sugar and whisk together until well mixed.
4) Add sauce mixture to crockpot and cook for 1 hour over low heat setting.

 

About Kim:

I have been blessed with 2 beautiful kids, one funny little girl & one sweet little boy. They are always the best part of my day. I’m also the luckiest gal in the world because I am married to my soulmate, the kindest and most selfless man I know.

Birmingham Area Fall Festivals and Happenings

Posted on by Angie

Ahhh Fall! There are so many things we love about this season. Football, comfort soups and stews, the crispness in the air, the turning leaves and of course the many many activities happening around Birmingham!

If you’re looking for something to do, there’s no shortage!

First up, Pumpkin Patches:

Old Baker Farm – Harpersville – September 24th – October 31st Just off Hwy 280. Open weekdays 3pm – dark, Saturdays 9am – dark and Sundays 1pm – dark

Western Cowboy Day – Saturday October 8, 2011, 9am until Dark and Sunday, October 9, 2011, 1pm until Dark
Shootouts, Western Music, Hay Wagon Rides, Hay Mountain, Pumpkin Patch, & More!
Kids, come dressed in your western attire!

Cotton Pickin’ Celebration – Saturday October 22nd 9am – 5pm and Sunday October 23rd 9am – 5pm. Exhibitors from all over the South including handmade Indian arts & crafts, blacksmiths, basket makers, broom maker, goats milk soap, and many more!

Great Pumpkin Patch – Hayden – 65 North to the Hayden Corner Exit. Open Monday – Thursday 8am – 4pm, Friday and Saturday 8am – 6pm, and Sunday 1pm – 6pm. Admission to the Pumpkin Patch is free, pay for each activity.

Grand Ole Patch – Clanton – 65 South to the Clanton/Lay Dam exit 212. Open Monday – Thursday 8am – 5pm. Friday and Saturday 8am – Dark. Sunday 1pm to dark.

Bennett Farms – Heflin – I-20 toward Atlanta, exit 199. October – Open Thursday and Friday, 2pm – 5pm,  Saturday 9am – 5pm and Sunday 1pm – 5pm. Live music every Saturday.

Pumpkin Patch Express – Heart of Dixie Railroad Musuem – Open Every Saturday and Sunday in October. Hayrides, jump stations, coloring and more! It is recommended you purchase tickets in advance.

Tuscaloosa Barnyard
“Petting and Fun Farm” is open every Friday in October from 10am to 1pm, also open Oct. 10th & 11th from 10am to 1pm. Bring your lunch & friends! 248-0773 (Pony ride, boat ride, animal feeding, hands on petting area, pumpkin patch, hayride, playground, etc ONLY $15 per person)

You can always count on the Local libraries for some FREE Halloween fun! *Some of these events require registration.

Alabaster Library

Children’s Costume Capers!
Monday, October 31: Costume Capers Party Children may come in costume to enjoy Halloween treats and the wonder of comic magician Russell Davis. The fun, surprises, and refreshments begin at 4:15 p.m. in the mobile unit. Children 6 years old and younger must be with an adult.

Birmingham Central Library

Spooky Fun Movies for Halloween. Refreshments provided.
October 22nd, 10am – 3pm

Emmet O’Neal

Spooktacular Monster Mania –
Monsterous Movie on the Lawn, Monster Maze, Mini Monster Crafts
October 25th, 6pm – All Ages with a Care Giver.

Homewood Library

Family Pumpkin Carving
Tonight we will have all the makings of a howling good time!  For complete details call 332-6619. October 27th 6:00pm

Hoover Public Library –

Turn a pumpkin into a work of art (NO CARVING, PLEASE) and display it at the library!  Each entry will receive a prize and a medal and will be entered into a grand prize drawing. Drawing at 9 a.m. on Monday, October 31.
October 15-30, 2011

4th Annual Pumpkin Painting Workshop
It’s time to get out those pumpkins and bring them to the library to decorate and enter our Pumpkin Painting Contest. Call 444-7833 to register beginning Sep. 30.
Saturday, October 15, 2011 at 10:30 am

Scooby Doo’s Howl O’ Ween
Show off your Halloween costume early when you join Scooby and the gang for games, crafts and snacks throughout the Kid Zone.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011 at 6:30 pm

Trick or Treat
Trick or treat throughout the library on Halloween!
Monday, October 31, 2011
2-6 p.m.

Pelham Library

Halloween Carnival: 2pm- 3pm, Come in your favorite costume to play some carnival games and leave with plenty of treats.
October 22nd

Springville Road Library

Spooktacular Family Event
October 25th, 5pm

Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest

Halloween Family Night
Bring the entire family to an awesome evening of Halloween fun. Refreshments will be served. Registration Required for this event. Register in the Children’s Department or call 978-0158.
October 17th, 6pm

Festivals are always a favorite – We’ve got bunches along with some other activities to enjoy over the next few weeks!

Desoto Caverns –
Celebrate the beauty of fall – Hayrides, Panning for Pumpkins, Scarecrow Scramble Maze, prizes and More!
Every Saturday in October

Chelsea Park Elementary –
Fall Festival lots of games, food, inflatables and a fabulous silent auction!!! We have a lot of vendors who will be there with some great merchandise to sell. Admission is free but games and food require tickets.
Friday October 14th. 5:30pm – 8:30pm

Town of Mt Laurel
Harvest Festival –Farmers Market & Craft Fair, complete with Hayrides, MoonWalks, Cotton Candy, Music and much, much more!
Saturday, October 15th. 10am – 3pm

Mountain Chapel UMC
Fall Kids Festival, grades 5 and under
Games, Pony rides, food, face painting, shaved ice and more.
$5 Pass covers all rides and games unlimited. Cash for Food and drink
Sunday, October 16th. 1pm – 3pm

Desoto State Park
Spook A Palooza
Ghosts on the Mountain. Family fun – Movies, treats and games, storytelling and more! Guaranteed to run shivers up your spine!
Friday, October 21st. 6pm – 7pm & Saturday October 22nd, 3pm-7pm

Ruffner Mountain
Fall Scavenger Hunt – Enjoy a walk through the forest and search for answers to the clues from Ruffner’s Fall Scavenger Hunt. Once you have found all the answers, return your paper to the front desk and claim your prize! Children of all ages. Scavenger sheets will be at the front desk. • FREE. October 15th, ongoing, all day.

Jack O Lantern Face Off – Join us for a pumpkin carving party. Let your creativity run wild as you create your very own Jack-O-Lantern. Your pumpkin will then displayed along our trail for the evening Faces in the Forest Hike. October 29th

Face in the Forest Hike – Visit Ruffner for a truly spooktacular evening. Walk along the forest trail with only the guidance from glowing Jack-O-Lanterns to lead the way. Booths and other hair-raising activities will be offered as well. Costumes encouraged.  Fun for the whole family. October 29th 6:30 – 8:30pm

Homewood Parks and Recreation
Fall Festival – A variety of games, goodies, a concession stand, inflatable and a costume contest.
Thursday, October 27th. 6pm – 9pm

Railroad Park Sunset Cinema:
Poltergeist,  October 27th 2010 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Join us at 7 PM for this movie at Railroad Park.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Fall Pumpkins! Meet Mr. Pumpkin and his cousins! Watch the life cycle of a pumpkin plant unfold, carry out experiments with pumpkins, taste some freshly roasted pumpkin seeds, plant pumpkin seeds to take home, and learn a fun song about pumpkins. All this and more as you join Mary Marcoux and Fontaine Haskell in fun explorations of the fascinating “Cucurbita” family!

Tickets:
$20 Members / $25 Non-Members
Saturday, October 29th. 10am – 12:30pm

Helena Amphiheater
Trunk or Treat
Saturday, October 29th – 4pm – 9pm

Buck Creek Park and Buck Creek Trail – Alabaster
Fall Fest
Saturday, October 29th, 9am – 3pm

Valley Elementary School – Held at Verizon Wireless Music Center
Fall Festival and Silent Auction – A day of fun for the whole family!
10am – 3pm

Crossbridge Community Fall Festival
Free Food, Inflatables, pony rides, games and more!
Sunday, October 30th. 4pm – 7pm

Trick or Treat in the Museum – McWane Science Center
Bring your little monsters for a not-too-scary but totally spooky adventure! Try science “tricks” like sticking your hands in slime, learning how to mix mysterious potions, and even touching pumpkin guts! Wear a costume to the museum and get a special treat!
Included in museum admission, FREE for members
October 30th, 12:00pm – 4:00pm

Trick or Treat for the Pink – Summit Shopping Center
Bring the kids dressed in costume and help them trick-or-treat for a cause.  Visit participating stores for yummy treats and bring your change to support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama.  Stop by the patio at Sephora from 2-5pm to get your FREE trick-or-treat bag.
Monday October 31st 10am – 9pm

Bass Pro Shops – Crafts, Trick or Treating and Halloween Fun
Friday October 28th –
Halloween Reflector Necklace 5pm – 7pm
Trick or Treating – 4pm – 7pm
Costume Parade 6pm – 7pm

Saturday October 29th –
Color a wood pumpkin 1pm – 4pm
Marshmallow roast 1:30, 2:30 and 4:30

Sunday October 30th –
Color a wood pumpkin 1pm – 4pm
Marshmallow roast 1:30, 2:30 and 4:30

Monday October 31st
Peanuts Trick or Treat Bag – 5pm – 7pm
Trick or Treating – 4pm – 7pm

Coloring sheets and Photo Ops also available at various times throughout the week.

Other Halloween staples around Birmingham are the ever popular  Boo at the Zoo each weekend in October and if you think you’re brave enough to spend the night in a haunted Museum you can reserve your spot for a Spooktacular Sleepover McWane Center! Event includes dinner, breakfast, midnight snack, Flying Monsters IMAX® film, and all activities.
Reservations are required in advance.
Please call (205) 714-8414 to buy tickets.

If you’re a scary movie buff, the Alabama Theatre will be hosting Halloween Movie Week starting Monday October 17th. Visit their site for a full schedule.

If you have a festival you would like added to our list, email us at: contact@birminghammommy.com subject line, Fall Festival

Early Access Breaking Dawn Midnight Premiere

Posted on by Angie

Buy your ticket HERE

(Please make sure to print your Eventbrite ticket (receipt) and bring with you to avoid any confusion on the night of the event.)

Join BirminghamMommy.com as we hang out in our own theater before the Midnight Premiere of the Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn.

You’ll have the opportuntity to win some swag, prizes and seats in our VIP rows. But most importantly you get to skip the hours of standing in line and hang out with some fellow Twilight Moms.

Your tickets must be bought through BirminghamMommy.com in order to receive early access. Start time for the movie is 12:01am on Friday, November 18th. Early Access to the theater will begin at 10:30pm –

All tickets will be held at the BirminghamMommy.com Will Call table to pick up the night of the event. Absolutely NO REFUNDS will be given once the tickets are purchased.

Birmingham Events Calendar: October 2nd – October 9th

Posted on by Angie

Boo! It’s October, the spookiest month of the year! The Pumpkins are out the festivals have started and its time to think about what you’ll be dressing up for this Halloween.

We’ve got some great ideas on keeping you busy this week, Boo at the Zoo kicks off and of course the weekend will be filled with tons of family activities that will get you outside enjoying the beautiful weather!

Watch the site this week, we’ll be posting our entire list of Fall Festivals and Happenings – You won’t want to miss that list!

Happy October!

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

Sunday October 2nd:

Family Day – Summit Shopping Center
Bring the whole family for an afternoon of fun.  Kick off the day in Saks Plaza with fun and fitness with a Family Yoga class from Villager Yoga.  Afterwards, don’t miss one of the many activities going on at various stores throughout the shopping center.  Click here for a full listing of events.
1pm – 5pm

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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Monday October 3rd:

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 October 4th:

10 Cent Cookie Tuesday – Whole Foods
Barring any cookie monster attacks we’ll have our silver dollar-size chocolate chip cookies, baked fresh in the Bakery, for just 10 cents each. Buy a whole bushel and freeze them for later!
While Supplies Last

Lego Mini Build – Riverchase Galleria
Lego Vampire – 5pm until supplies last
One free per child. Event is open to children aged 6 to 14 only.

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 October 5th:

Wonderful Wednesday Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Lots of leaves all around; it’s time to read Let It Fall! Mounds of color, raked up high… Jump right in and watch the sky. Enjoy all the whispy ways of fall while we whip up some art and whoosh our way through the Toys & Games.
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 October 6th:

Cocktails in the Gardens – Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Live local music, delicious hors d’oeuvres and signature cocktails at Birmingham’s most scenic happy hour.  For more info:
http://www.bbgardens.org/cocktails.php

Sunset Cinemas – Railroad Park
Jaws – 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!

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Friday October 7th:

Boo at the Zoo –
Put on your favorite family-friendly costume and have a ghoulish time as you experience haunted attractions and make your way through safe candy villages organized by local non-profit organizations and child-centered business. Go round and round on the Scarousel*, attend Ghoul School at Grandma’s Back Porch, ride The Eerie Express*, cut a rug at the “Monster-Mash” Dance Party, monkey-around at the Planet of the Apes Experience*, attend a Wildlife Show and much, much more!
5pm – 9pm
Admission: $8 (Members & Non-Members), tax included

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

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

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Saturday October 8th:

Boo at the Zoo –
Put on your favorite family-friendly costume and have a ghoulish time as you experience haunted attractions and make your way through safe candy villages organized by local non-profit organizations and child-centered business. Go round and round on the Scarousel*, attend Ghoul School at Grandma’s Back Porch, ride The Eerie Express*, cut a rug at the “Monster-Mash” Dance Party, monkey-around at the Planet of the Apes Experience*, attend a Wildlife Show and much, much more!
5pm – 9pm
Admission: $8 (Members & Non-Members), tax included

Arts and Music on the Green – Ross Bridge
Arts and Music on the Green is a FREE juried art festival that is held in conjunction with a FREE premiere beer and wine tasting festival. Special features include Battle of the Chefs, Uncorked – a spirited competition of Birmingham’s greatest culiary artists, the Kid’s Art Project – a collaboration with local schools, live music on two stages, Dreamcakes Bakery truck, and more!
8am – 5pm

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

Saturday Market – Pepper Place
7am – Noon

Saturday Storytime– Barnes and Noble Summit
Have you ever tried Pumpkin Soup? See how these woodland critters come together to stir up food, fun and friendship. Learn how there is always enough to share with others. Then, sip on something sweet from our Cafe while creating art of your own.
11am

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Sunday October 9th:

Vulcan Aftertunes – Vulcan Park
enjoy cool tunes, fresh brews and sweet views on Sunday afternoons with your favorite cast iron statue, Vulcan. Chill out in Birmingham’s backyard and end your week with some of the area’s best music while witnessing spectacular views of Birmingham’s city skyline.
3pm

Break ‘n Bread – Railroad Park
Food and wine festival, will feature tastings from a number of premier Birmingham-based restaurants, including Hot n’ Hot Fish Club, Daniel George, Little Savannah, Silvertron, Nabeel’s, Ted’s, Cafe de Paris, Cantina, 26, Sol y Luna and Ocean to name a few. Additionally, a dedicated children’s area will be set up and will feature entertainment and a petting corner from the Birmingham Zoo, as well as pumpkin decorating, face painting with the clowns from the Birmingham Children’s Hospital, a Desert Island Supply Company writing workshop and a cooking demonstration just for kids by Campus Dining, Inc’s Chris Vizzina. American Idol winner and co-owner of ORE Bar & Grill Taylor Hicks is also confirmed as the headliner for the event, as well as Memphis-based singer/songwriter Eliot Morris.
Tickets are $35 for regular, $75 for VIP and children under 12 years old get in free. Tickets are available for purchase at www.birminghamoriginals.org
1:00pm – 5:00pm

Hot Strings, Birmingham’s Blazin’ Bluegrass Festival – The Preserve
Family friendly festival which features some of the best names in Bluegrass. Artists, great food, and a kid’s area.
12pm – 8pm

Boo at the Zoo –
Put on your favorite family-friendly costume and have a ghoulish time as you experience haunted attractions and make your way through safe candy villages organized by local non-profit organizations and child-centered business. Go round and round on the Scarousel*, attend Ghoul School at Grandma’s Back Porch, ride The Eerie Express*, cut a rug at the “Monster-Mash” Dance Party, monkey-around at the Planet of the Apes Experience*, attend a Wildlife Show and much, much more!
5pm – 9pm
Admission: $8 (Members & Non-Members), tax included

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.

Secrets of Mommyhood: A Guide for Birmingham Moms

Posted on by Angie

Being a Mom is a tough job and it’s always nice to have a little help. We can’t come do your laundry or cook dinner for your family but we have complied a great list of resources and secrets that every Mom in Birmingham should know about.

Coupons, Savings and Meal Planning:

There is a coupon craze going on now and there are many sites out there to help you master it, some are even narrowed down by store.

IGoBogo –  A local site that will help you save money with printable coupons, deals, and frugal living tips and money saving advice.

Southern Savers – Couponing with Grocery Deals, Weekly Ads, and Printable Coupons, at your favorite stores! Stores include: Publix, Kroger, CVS, Walmart, Target and more.

EMealz – Helps you manage your food budget and enjoy delicious dinner recipes at home. Menu plans based on weekly grocery store sales, seasonal discounts or diet preferences.

Zulily – Daily Deal site for Moms Babies and Kids.

Retailmenot – Coupon codes and discounts for 100,000 online stores.

In the spirit of savings, Publix Grocery Stores in Alabama offer a program called “Baby Club.” The program is completely free and from the time you learn you’re expecting until your child turns two years old, they’ve got a bundle of good things for you and your little one. Coupons, Newsletters and for first time parents, you’ll receive the American Academy of Pediatrics’ complete guide to raising a child, “Caring for Your Baby and Young Child”—a $20 value. It’s full of invaluable medical and child-rearing advice from birth to age five.

It’s never too soon to start saving for college, Publix also offers a Upromise Program. A FREE program where you turn your everyday spending into money that you can use to pay down a loan, save for college or just spend on anything you would like! For a great explanation of this program see this post on I Heart Publix.

In case the Baby Club and UPromise aren’t enough to entice you, always remember that if you are grocery shopping with the children in tow, stop by the bakery and grab a FREE cookie to keep them happy while you shop!

Freebies!

InfantSee: free eye checkups for babies under 6 months old, checks for major problems early on.

Eating out as a family can turn into a costly night out, many restaurants around town offer discounts or free meals for children. For a complete list of participating restaurants, visit out “Kids Eat Free in Birmingham” list. It’s sure to save you some dough!

We’ve mentioned this before and will continue to mention it as a reminder for all of our new readers and new Moms,  Imagination Library. Free books, yes completely FREE books for your child from birth to age 5, one per month. If you’re a Jefferson County resident, make sure you take advantage of this wonderful literacy program funded by the Dolly Parton Foundation.

Baby Footprint Tile: Baby Toes might be the cutest thing on earth and thanks to Painted By U in Hoover and Do *It* Yourself Crafts in Homewood, you can make a keepsake tile for your little one completely FREE. Restrictions vary for each, so make sure to check their websites before heading out to verify store policies.

Take a Ride the Cookie Train! Buds Best Cookies gives visitors the opportunity to tour their factory for FREE, you might even walk away with a sample! To schedule a tour of the Bud’s Best Cookies factory or learn more about days and times that tours are offered, please call: 205-987-4840  or 1-800-548-1504

All Moms need a little time for themselves and when you can get in a little yoga for FREE it makes it even better. Every Sunday at 6pm at Lulumon at the Summit, you can stop by their store for a free yoga class. 214 Summit Blvd Ste. 350. P 205-977-3643
*Class time subject to change without notice.

Birthday freebies are very popular and they aren’t just for kids. Many retailers such as DSW and Soca clothing like to give you a little birthday treat. If you sign up for their free program you will have a little “gift” waiting for you in the mail or your email box around your birthday. Many restaurants do this too. Think about how fun it would be to spend your birthday collecting free appetizers, meals and discounts on new clothes! So don’t be afraid to sign up!

Best Pregnancy Apps:

It’s hard to believe that we ever managed our lives without the comforts of modern technology. It’s ever changing and getting better especially if you are a smart phone owner.  While these apps can’t help with the pain of contractions and childbirth, or tell you how to raise your kids, they can help make the journey a little easier and more organized.

APPS to make life easier:

Pregnancy

FREE! BabyCenter My Pregnancy Todayhelps keep you up-to-date on your pregnancy day by day, fetal development (photos included), body changes,  pregnancy checklist, free pregnancy videos, nutrition guide, and pregnancy progress tracker. It’s like the traditional Pregnancy Journal in digital and mobile format!

FREE! I’m Expecting- Pregnancy is ideal for tracking symptoms, weight gain, doctor appointments. It also gives advice regarding common pregnancy symptoms. Weekly updates on progress and you can even take pictures of your growing bump and create a slideshow, if you dare!

New Baby

FREE! Project 365- This is one of our faves, it lets you document how your baby changes every single day. The concept is simple, you take a photo on your phone every day, leaving you with an amazing documentation of your baby’s first year. Capture milestones, and never forget a day!

$.99 Breastfeeding App- This app was created to help nursing mothers remember which breast their baby last drank from. You can input times as well.  You only need this in the beginning, so don’t sink a ton of money into it.


Pregnancy Tracker from What to Expect is the perfect companion to the bestselling pregnancy book, What to Expect When You’re Expecting by Heidi Murkoff. Keep track of pregnancy with this absolutely free pregnancy app! Available from the iTunes store, Pregnancy Tracker from What to Expect features a due date calculator, week by week details of your baby’s growth and development, illustrations of your baby’s development, updates on body changes to expect, countdown to your due date and more.

Fertility and Pregnancy Calculator is a useful app for both pregnant women and women trying to conceive. If you’re trying to get pregnant, this free app helps calculate your ovulation date and fertile days, and it even tells you when to make love to improve your chance at pregnancy. For pregnant women, it allows you to keep up-to-date on when important pregnancy tests should be done, and when pregnancy events occur. This free pregnancy app was developed by the OB/GYN Dr. Amos Grunebaum in collaboration with BabyMed.com

Pilates for Pregnancy Complete The creator of the award-winning Prenatal Pilates DVD and author of the Pilates and Pregnancy Workbookbrings an interactive exercise and pregnancy organizer to the palm of your hand with Pilates for Pregnancy-Complete. This application gives you exercises and to-do lists that correspond to which trimester you’re currently in.
Baby Names by Schatzisoft. Coming up with baby names can be hard, and this app has over 25,000 boy and girl names for you to browse. The free version doesn’t give you the detailed information about each name (the paid version does), but it does let you browse the names by country of origin, popularity, and gender.

Pregnancy Buzz by the Bump A very creative and cute pregnancy app that keeps expectant mamas informed at every stage of their pregnancy. This free app from the creators of TheBump.com gives you expert tips and advice on everything you might want to know – including what’s safe to eat (and what foods to avoid), what to expect at your prenatal visits, and almost anything you want to know. You can search questions from other concerned moms-to-be, and you can even ask your own pregnancy questions and get answers from the community.

Weight Loss
Try Lose it! It’s inexpensive and keeps track of everything from calories to exercise to fat intake.

Budgeting
Grocery Gadget helps keep track of lists and helps you plan.
iReconcile helps you track your monthly budget, allowing you to see exactly where your money is going.

Trying To Conceive
Ovulation Calendars are so easy, and most of them are free.

Sometimes you just need a little babysitter, we like these for those times:

Vocal Zoo, BubbleWrap, Dots and Boxes, Doodle Buddy, AniMatch, Grisly Manor

 

 

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.

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