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Mommy Voices: Normalizing Pedophilia-like Behavior? I Don’t Think So.

Posted on by Angie

By Kate Agliata:

Recently, a group of activists called B4U-ACT sponsored a controversial conference aiming to (for lack of better words) normalize Pedophilia.  The conference, which took place in Baltimore, was held in an effort to convince the American Psychiatric Association (APA) to alter its definition of Pedophilia, as well as any information pertaining to Pedophilia within the APA’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. In fact, if you want to take it one step further, the main goal of B4U-ACT is to promote more compassion and sensitivity for what they term, “Minor Attracted Persons” (otherwise known as the sicko down the street who wants to have sex with your 5-year-old).

According to the APA, any adult who sexually molests children is considered to have Pedophilia, a mental disorder. In the APA’s most current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the APA states that an “adult who engages in sexual activity with a child is performing a criminal and immoral act which never can be considered normal or socially acceptable behavior.” Agreed, 100 percent, right? The group B4U-ACT however, believes that pedophiles and adults attracted to minors alike, should not be considered abnormal, and don’t deserve to be demoralized by our society. In other words, they feel that this type of sexual behavior should be, well, considered natural to some, and therefore perfectly normal.

I know! What?! Look, don’t get me wrong, if you’re an adult who is attracted to minors, and you never physically act on your impulses, (this includes indulging in viewing child pornography (ack!)) I don’t think you should be thrown in the big house. I do however, see that there is significant reason for concern, and strongly agree that anyone suffering from this level of mental illness should benefit from proper mental health treatment. However, if you are an adult who is attracted to minors and you choose to avoid help, and then you also choose to act upon your corrupt state of mind, don’t you dare come crawling around asking to be protected by the umbrella of our country’s mental health policies.

I truly believe the steps being taken by B4U-ACT are part of a larger ploy to begin the process of desensitizing our society to the unimaginable sexual tendencies experienced by adults attracted to minors. Pedophile or not, adults who feel attracted to minors are suffering from the effects of a mental health illness, and are therefore prone to very abnormal behavior. Attempting to alter society’s views of this as being unnatural gains no progress for anyone associated with such a mental illness. Trying to convince the APA, among others, that adults who are attracted to minors are normal, only deters someone in that position from realizing their symptoms are truly abnormal and that they are suffering from mental illness. There in effect, promoting the normalcy of adults being attracted to minors ultimately prevents those suffering from such a mental illness from reaching out and benefiting from the mental health therapy they so desperately need.

To the American Psychiatric Association: Stop wasting your time considering the demands of those fighting for the normalization of criminal activity. Instead, stick to your guns, and continue acting in the interest of those in need of mental health therapy- No matter if they choose it before committing a sexual crime against a child, or are forced to receive it from within the cold, concrete walls of prison. The bottom line remains the same, any sexual encounter between an adult and child, regardless of fantasy versus actual occurrence, should never even come close to being considered normal behavior.

A Mother's Shade of Green: Simple Ways to Conserve Water

Posted on by Angie

By Kate Agliata:

It’s August. It’s hot, and despite the humidity in the air, everything is dry and parched. In the midst of heat waves and drought, water usage among average households typically tends to massively increase. However, with a great deal of our city and state facing water shortages, there’s never been a better time to start using some simple water conservation techniques.

Before you begin making changes however, familiarize yourself with your family’s overall water usage. Having this knowledge on hand can help you decide how much water use should be reduced, and where and when it needs to be done. Get your whole family on board as well. Conserving resources in the home should be a group effort, not a challenge reserved just for mom or dad. There are dozens (if not hundreds) of more efficient and effective ways to save water, but they all begin with your efforts. Here are few great ways to get started:

  1. Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth.
  2. Skip hand washing dishes and instead load them in the dishwasher. Its been proven that washing dishes in the sink can use upwards of a 1,000 gallons more each month.
  3. Only run the dishwasher when it’s full.
  4. Water your lawn and garden in the early morning or evening time when temperatures are a bit cooler to maximize moisture absorption and minimize evaporation.
  5. Adjust your sprinklers so that they only water the lawn, and not your house, sidewalk, or road.
  6. Check for leaks in plumbing pipes. (Tip: Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl without flushing, you have a leak. Fixing it can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.)
  7. Make sure toilets aren’t continuously running water. Replace the toilet flapper if necessary.
  8. Minimize use of your garbage disposal. Try starting a compost and toss your vegetable peels in there instead of down the drain.
  9. Add nutrient-rich compost to your soil while planting shrubs, flowers and vegetable gardens. This improves the soils ability to absorb and hold water.
  10. Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you’ll save up to 150 gallons per month.
  11. Fill the bathtub only half way, and add more toys!
  12. Collect and store rain water to use for watering your garden or houseplants. Simply set up a large bucket or other sturdy container underneath your roof line or gutter, and wait for rain.
  13. Don’t use running water to thaw frozen food. Instead, defrost food in the refrigerator.
  14. Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.
  15. If your kids want to run in the sprinkler, set it up in an area of the lawn that needs extra watering.

Spread the word! Share these water saving techniques with friends and family, and challenge one another to see who can produce their lowest water bill yet!

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.

Birmingham Events Calendar: August 28th – September 4th

Posted on by Angie

If you haven’t had a chance to make it down the McWane Science Center and explore the Imagination Lab, you better hurry! The exhibit will end after Labor Day Weekend.

Beginning Friday you will have a chance to see the Lion Cubs at the Birmingham Zoo as they roll out the red carpet for their introduction to the public! Football kicks off this weekend and Home Depot will celebrate by letting the kids make an ESPN College Gameday Board in their Kids Workshop.

Have a great week and enjoy your long Labor Day Weekend!

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

Sunday August 28th:

Sidewalk Film Festival
The 13th annual Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival, a celebration of new independent cinema in downtown Birmingham. Since its debut in 1999, filmmakers from across the country and around the world have come to Birmingham to screen their work at Sidewalk and have been thrilled to discover fresh, enthusiastic crowds eager to devour new independent cinema.

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

For more information and a complete schedule visit their site

Barts Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art

Color and Joan Mitchell

Explore color on a large scale inspired by the painting of Joan Mitchell 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!

1pm

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Monday August 29th:

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 August 30th:

Fiddlesticks Music Classes – All Saints Episcopol Church, Homewood
Music Together Big Kids class (for ages 5-7)
3:30-4:30
Free
To attend any class, parents should email me at syoungson@bellsouth.net.

Storytime – Pottery Barn Kids
Hungry Caterpiller – Read along and help build a mobile about healthy eating.

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Wednesday August 31st:

Fiddlesticks Music Classes – All Saints Episcopol Church, Homewood
Music Together Mixed-Age class (for ages 0-5)
9:15-9:45
Free
To attend any class, parents should email me at syoungson@bellsouth.net.

Wonderful Wednesday Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Oh, the places you’ll go! What places did you go this summer? Tell us about it at Storytime! Don’t forget to take a look at 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 1st:

Sunset Cinemas – Railroad Park
XMen – 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!

Fiddlesticks Music Classes – All Saints Episcopol Church, Homewood
Music Together Mixed-Age class (for ages 0-5)
10:15-10:45
Music Together Babies class (for babies 8 months and under)
12:15 -12:45
Free
To attend any class, parents should email me at syoungson@bellsouth.net.

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Friday September 2nd:

Meet the Royal Family – Birmingham Zoo
The Zoo be rolling out the red carpet as you get your first opportunity to view the five African lion cubs on exhibit with their parents.celebration will feature a lion cub naming contest, regal crowns for the children (while supplies last), special Zookeeper talks, photo opportunities of the cubs and face painting from Friday, September 2nd through Monday September 5th. The naming contest is for the 5th lion cub, who weighs in at around 24 lbs. and is the second male in the litter. Come to the Zoo to get to know his personality and submit your favorite name. The chosen name will be announced on Sept. 12th and the winner will receive a Zoo Prize Pack!

    • Face painting – 11am & 2:30pm
    • Zookeeper talks (Lion Exhibit) – 9:30am, 11:30am & 3:30pm

Alabama Butterbean Festival – Downtown Pinson
The Alabama Butterbean Festival has activities to offer people of all age groups ranging from kids to grandparents! Bring out the cook in grandma with our “Butterbean and Cornbread Cooking Contest!” Take grandpa back in time to the “good ole’ days” with our Antique Car Show! Make your dog feel special when he competes in our “Tail Waggin’ Dog Pageant!” Get dad back in shape with our 5k run… while mom takes her time enjoying endless amounts of Arts and Crafts! And, capture your kid’s heart with the Children’s Parade, Kid’s Zone and Greased Pig Contest…and so much more! All of this plus FREE PARKING & FREE ADMISSION!

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Saturday September 3rd:

Meet the Royal Family – Birmingham Zoo
The Zoo be rolling out the red carpet as you get your first opportunity to view the five African lion cubs on exhibit with their parents.celebration will feature a lion cub naming contest, regal crowns for the children (while supplies last), special Zookeeper talks, photo opportunities of the cubs and face painting from Friday, September 2nd through Monday September 5th. The naming contest is for the 5th lion cub, who weighs in at around 24 lbs. and is the second male in the litter. Come to the Zoo to get to know his personality and submit your favorite name. The chosen name will be announced on Sept. 12th and the winner will receive a Zoo Prize Pack!

    • Face painting – 11am & 2:30pm
    • Zookeeper talks (Lion Exhibit) – 9:30am, 11:30am & 3:30pm

Alabama Butterbean Festival – Downtown Pinson
The Alabama Butterbean Festival has activities to offer people of all age groups ranging from kids to grandparents! Bring out the cook in grandma with our “Butterbean and Cornbread Cooking Contest!” Take grandpa back in time to the “good ole’ days” with our Antique Car Show! Make your dog feel special when he competes in our “Tail Waggin’ Dog Pageant!” Get dad back in shape with our 5k run… while mom takes her time enjoying endless amounts of Arts and Crafts! And, capture your kid’s heart with the Children’s Parade, Kid’s Zone and Greased Pig Contest…and so much more! All of this plus FREE PARKING & FREE ADMISSION!

Ross Bridge 8k and Health Expo
The Ross Bridge 8K is a race experience like no other! Our aim is to create a family friendly atmosphere while at the same time conduct a competitive 8K run. Snacks will be available as part of your race registration. Medals will be given away for the top three finishers in each age category plus grand prizes for the top male and female. The professionally measured course includes a scenic route starting in the Ross Bridge Village Center, carefully patterned after historic resort style living of early America, and crossing through the six distinctive neighborhoods of the classic American resort town. The route also takes advantage of just some of the five miles of activity trails that criss cross a slice of Civil War era history, with a grand finish at the vintage train station and welcome center!
8am

Bart’s 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

Home Depot – Kids Workshop
ESPN College Gameday Board
Ages 5 – 12
9am – Noon

Saturday Market – Pepper Place
7am – Noon

Saturday Storytime– Barnes and Noble Summit
Get ready for school with If You Take a Mouse to School! We will also have Mouse as a special visitor too! Come enjoy a treat from our Cafe and create some arts and crafts. It will be a special Saturday Storytime!
11am

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Sunday September 4th:

Meet the Royal Family – Birmingham Zoo
The Zoo be rolling out the red carpet as you get your first opportunity to view the five African lion cubs on exhibit with their parents.celebration will feature a lion cub naming contest, regal crowns for the children (while supplies last), special Zookeeper talks, photo opportunities of the cubs and face painting from Friday, September 2nd through Monday September 5th. The naming contest is for the 5th lion cub, who weighs in at around 24 lbs. and is the second male in the litter. Come to the Zoo to get to know his personality and submit your favorite name. The chosen name will be announced on Sept. 12th and the winner will receive a Zoo Prize Pack!

    • Face painting – 11am & 2:30pm
    • Zookeeper talks (Lion Exhibit) – 9:30am, 11:30am & 3:30pm

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

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Local Attractions Open Daily!

McWane Science Center:

Imagination Lab – This summer, McWane Science Center invites you to discover the power of your imagination in a collection of new exhibits called The Imagination Lab.

Dive right into the Bubble Room where you can discover the science of suds when you step inside a giant bubble. Try your hand at making all kinds of bubbles in this unique area including square and triangular bubbles.

The Imagination Lab’s zip line offers an exciting experience for adventure seekers of any age. Parents and children alike can fly through the air on the new zip line and have a safe landing at the end of the line! Learning lurks around every turn inside a giant maze in the exhibit as you find your way around dead ends and wrong turns. With a few lessons learned, you will find your way to the end in no time.

The new Imagination Lab also features a Messy Art Studio. Splatter paint, mix colors and experiment with a variety of materials to create masterpieces of your imagination.

Inside the lab you can use giant foam building blocks to construct forts, tall towers, and more.

Eat Well, Play Well – 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!

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.

Kidfresh Foods: My Golden Ticket to Healthy Eaters

Posted on by Angie

To say that my kids are picky eaters is a complete and total understatement. For the longest time my twins thought that fruit was something that only came in a squeezy pouch from Buddy Fruits.. Seriously.

We have now, (very slowly I might add) expanded our horizons to include bananas, and on occasion grapes. If we want to try anything else, we have to get sneaky. Just like with vegetables. So I was beyond thrilled when I learned about Kidfresh, a line of all natural kids meals that was founded by a Dad. They claimed to have done my dirty work for me by hiding veggies in every single one of their meals. What’s that? No more steaming and pureeing the carrots myself in order to sneak them into the one thing my kids will eat… Mac & Cheese.

Intrigued, we reached out to them on twitter and they were happy to send us some coupons that would allow us to try their product. Our taste buds were delighted (not just the kids either.) So, to make sure we were giving a fair assessment, we then set out to get feedback from some other Moms…. You know how we get when we find a product we love. We obsess and insist that everyone we know, know what we know. Ya’ know?

Local Blogger, Rachel from Grasping for Objectivity says: “I didn’t have a lot of expectations of these, because let’s face it: I’m not organic and I’m barely green (and that’s only because it’s my favorite color).  But I dutifully went to Whole Foods and bought them for Ali.  I got the quesadillas (with hidden carrots) and mac and cheese (again with the carrots).  I fixed the quesadilla first, and tasted a bite.  I was shocked – it was seriously the best quesadilla I had ever put in my mouth!  The carroty cheese was especially creamy (who knew? Maybe I should put carrots in my cheese), and the tortilla was surprisingly fresh for just having been frozen.  It was seriously delicious.  And Ali loved it too! She was quite the fan.  I fixed the mac and cheese a few days later, hoping to quench my desire for some more of the creamy carroty cheese.  Sure enough, it was awesome too!! Ali, Noah and I all fought over it, and loved it to the last bite.” 

Kristen B. Our “Parenting with a PhD” Contributor also loved the Mac & Cheese: ” I made the Kid Fresh Wagon Wheels Mac-and-Cheese for my four-year-old daughter.  Fortunately, it only took two minutes to cook in the microwave because she was chanting: “MAC-AND-CHEESE!” over and over while I got it ready.  I was relieved to find that I really couldn’t see the vegetables hidden inside because that meant neither could she.  She ate the entire bowl in under five minutes, pronounced it “Yummy” and “Delicious,” and I didn’t feel guilty for not having planned ahead or made a vegetable side dish.  A resounding success!”

Erin D. adds her thoughts, saying: “We are eating the cheese quesadillas and the spaghetti noodles. My son is eating the spaghetti like crazy. He loves it, but he will eat anything I put in front of him. It’s easy for him to pick up but he can also hook the noodle on the end of a fork and get it in his mouth which seems to be a plus for older kids. My daughter seems to like bot. She’s not a big eater- she will just randomly eat which I guess is similar to most 2 year olds. She has eaten several spoonfuls of the spaghetti and one quesadilla. Both kids seems to like the food. It’s very east to heat in the microwave and get it on the table for them. It doesn’t seem to taste too bad as most kids food tastes terrible to me.”

The only downside we can seem to find is availability. You can find them at Whole Foods and a handful of Publix stores (Hoover, Hueytown, Bessemer, Alabaster, Helena, Pelham.) So, next time you’re in or near one of those stores, stop in and stock up. Getting your kids to eat healthy is completely worth it!

Have you tried Kidfesh meals? What are your thoughts or favorites?

Positively Unique Birthday Parties!

Posted on by Angie

Want to throw a thoroughly unique birthday party to surprise both your honored birthday girl or boy and your guests?  Check out these unique ways to make your party pop!

Choose a theme unlike what you’ll find at your local party store:

Move away from the typical character themes and the usual.  Think outside of the box.  How about:

  • A Party in Paris
  • Vintage Circus
  • Gone Fishin’
  • Vintage Cowboys and Cowgirls
  • Purple Party!
  • Creeping Creatures Party
  • Polka Dot Party


We love a vintage-themed party.  Deanna Gardner of The Baby Gardner has a few ideas to spice up your birthday parties. “If you really want to make your birthday party unique, take a common theme and add a vintage twist to it. Circus, cowboys, fairies, cars, zoo animals — the list goes on and on. These are some of the most popular party themes, but give them a vintage feel and you’ve created something totally unique.”

The Baby Gardner has some great resources for getting your party in full swing in a very unique way.  Their top-5 list of favorite resources include:

1. Layer Cake Shop: This is my all time favorite resource for birthday baking novelties. If you’re not sure about your party theme (or even if you are), hit this shop first for all kinds of inspiring ideas. (I could design an entire party around these vintage car cupcake toppers!)

2. Tin Parade: Tin Parade designs vintage-inspired packaged parties for children’s birthdays. These memorable parties are one-of-a-kind and full of things you or your child will keep for years to come. If you want to pull out all the stops, this is the place to do it. My personal favorite is Ruby’s Tea Party Set.

3. The Baby Gardner: If you’re looking for a one-stop shop for all your vintage birthday party needs, the selection at The Baby Gardner can’t be beat. A wide variety of vintage-themed birthday invitations are available, as well as exclusive birthday party supplies complete with cupcake picks, banners and favor bags.

4. Rolling Pin Productions: Delight your eyes and taste buds with custom decorated sugar cookies. Vintage styles available. Be sure to check out the Baby section and the Kid section to see all the possibilities. Wouldn’t the baby shoe cookies be adorable for a first birthday?

5. Silver Spoon Scraps: Offering handmade vintage-inspired party hats that are a must for all those birthday photos. Crepe paper and vintage graphics make these simply fabulous and the selection goes on for days. Don’t miss the Vintage Ballerina Party Hat and the Vintage Airplane Party Hat. (The Baby Gardner also carries three exclusive party hat designs crafted by Sita Riddle of Silver Spoon Scraps. Check them out in our Birthday Party Collection.)

Want even more resources for planning your darlings perfect day, check out PlumParty.com – you’ll find a wonderful array of party themes and even printable party items!

Today I Stopped Wearing Diapers

Posted on by Angie

By Laura Kate Whitney:

Magic City MamaRecently I stopped wearing diapers.  And by diapers I mean the post-maternity padding that serves as a constant reminder that you just accomplished the seemingly impossible feat of giving birth.  I still have a few left, actually, which I’m sure I’ll keep for a while to continue to remind me of that incredible healing period our bodies endure weeks after we welcome our little bundles into the world.

Three months ago I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, my second.  He made his grand entrance just an hour shy of Mother’s Day.  Other than the hesitation I sometimes feel in offering up my sore, swollen breasts yet again in the same hour, we get along smashingly.  He’s already so much bigger than his brother was (who, oddly enough, prefers to be called “the little brother” because, you see, he’s not big yet).  Little “Big” brother also bears a much different ball of yarn than my first – his DNA might have the same recipe, you see, but he’s definitely not a reflection of his brother, if you know what I mean.  Little Big can barely hold a rattle and already I see the remarkable differences between my two young sons.

And speaking of reflections, I’ve been considering these twelve weeks of tremendous change, growth, and recovery.  Sure, I’ve been to this party before, but for so many reasons it seems like a different crowd.  And it is different, because I’m older, I’m wiser, I’m a bit more weathered …experienced …heavier …well, you get the picture.

Here’s what I’ve been jotting down as my mind catalogs this list of childbearing realizations:

1 – They (the little ones) may use simple words, but they see so much more than we do.

2 – “Ice diapers” made with mesh panties are The Best.  (I recommend these to any new mother who delivered without cesarean section.)  If your nurse doesn’t know what you’re talking about (mine didn’t), get me on the phone.  I’ll explain, they will oblige, and you will know a whole new kind of relief.

3 – Motherhood, above all (the pain/the grit/the grime affixed to your kitchen cabinets), is a miracle.

4 –My husband was so bad at meeting my needs with our first child because he just didn’t know any better.  He’s so much better with our second.  And, so am I.

5 – The dishes can wait.  (Deeper meaning:  Let go. Give in. Be.)

6 – Routines are underrated.  I got away without having a routine for my first child – he somehow just adjusted to our schedules.  (I’ve been known to be selfish with my time.)  I may not be so lucky this time around.  Surprisingly, the goodness that is our ritual Saturday morning pancake breakfast far surpasses any standing date I ever had prior to having a family.  It’s the little things.

7 – It is so incredibly important to hold on to Me.  I can be a better mom.  A better wife.  A better friend. A better everything.

8 – I once had a great body… even though I thought the opposite for twenty-eight years.  (Deeper meaning:  Enjoy what you have, while you have it.)

9 – Life is simpler now.  Sure, the clutter is borderline taking over and I can’t hear myself think most of the time, but motherhood has forced me to live simpler.  I don’t have time for false eyelashes or my (much-loved) ceramic straightening iron.  Rather, I have to cut coupons.  And it’s actually calming.  So there.

10 – Changing diapers (even my own) will be something I miss one day.  (I don’t really believe this, but I’ve been told.  Time will tell.)

What are some realizations that you’ve had as a mother?  What great life lessons are your children teaching you about the world you live in?  What will you be able to teach your family as a result of the impact they’ve had on your life?

About Laura Kate:

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.

Event of the Week: Sidewalk Film Festival 2011

Posted on by Angie

We’re super excited that the 13th season of the Sidewalk Film Festival kicks off this Friday, August 26th and runs through Sunday the 28th.

The Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival, is a celebration of new independent cinema in downtown Birmingham and since its debut in 1999, filmmakers from across the country and around the world have come to Birmingham to screen their work at Sidewalk and have been thrilled to discover fresh, enthusiastic crowds eager to devour new independent cinema.

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

Tickets are available to just one film and are also sold as weekend passes. There will be something for all ages follow this link see a list of their Family Film Lineup.

For more information or to purchase tickets visit their site.

You're Invited! Wee Flip Grand Opening Event

Posted on by Angie

Wee Flip and BirminghamMommy invite you out to a Grand Opening Event at the new Wee Flip Gymnastics, located in the Vestavia City Center.

Wee Flip offers gymnastics instruction for toddlers through age 5 – along with fitness classes for parents at the same time!  They also offer Mommy & Me classes, Parents’ Nights Out, and Birthday Parties.

Fun for kids and parents alike – bringing fitness and family together!

During the Grand Opening event take advantage of 50% off and no registration fee! So come join us for some yummy eats, drinks and amazing enrollment deals.

Wee Flip
Vestavia City Center (just down from Panera)
Monday, August 29th, 6pm – 8pm

For more information on their classes, check out their site

Beating those Back to School Germs

Posted on by Angie

School is back in session which means your kids are out of your control for a good portion of the day. No matter how many times you have stressed to them to not drink or eat after their friends, to wash their hands and then wash them again, to not play with the trash can lid, touch the toilet or lick the bathroom walls, lets face it, you can’t stop them when you aren’t there.

So, what can you do to give their little immune systems a boost now that they are faced with spending their day with 149 other Kindergarteners also sharing their germs and not listening to their Moms.

  • Start with a Healthy Diet. If your children eat a diet that consists of a high amount of junk food, their immune system will be lower than if they eat healthy foods. Make sure you know what’s on the menu at school, if you aren’t happy with the choices, or think they won’t choose the right foods, opt for packing a lunch so you have a little say in what they eat.
  • Get your entire family started on a multi-vitamin. There are plenty to choose from that are safe even for kids. This will help supplement for the nutrients we may miss out on with picky eaters. Getting all of the nutrients we need will lead to a stronger immune system
  • Exercise. What a great excuse to have some family time in the early evenings, and guess what? Exercise also helps stimulate your immune system and who knows, maybe you’ll even drop a pound or two of unwanted weight. Get outside and throw the ball, take a walk or get your child involved in some after school sports.

How can you prepare them to minimize their germ spreading when they aren’t going to be with you?

  • Teach your children to wash their hands for as long as it takes them to sing the chorus of their favorite song, such as “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” or “ABCs.
  • Teach them to always sneeze into a tissue, or cough into their sleeve or shoulder rather than their hands.
  • Find out from your child’s teacher what their policy is on disinfecting their room/toys. Volunteer or organize some of the other Moms in their class to take turns going in to help wipe down their classroom if needed. Many teachers get Moms to come in weekly to help with miscellaneous tasks around the classroom, suggest adding this to the list of things to do.

What steps does your family take to help prevent those pesky little germs from spreading?

Birmingham Events Calendar: August 21st – August 28th

Posted on by Angie

Birmingham Restaurant is in full swing and in case you weren’t sure what to do with the kids, take them with you! Many of the participating restaurants are offering a Kid Friendly Menu.

Sidewalk film festival kicks off this week! You can get the full line up of the Family Film Festival from our previous post.

There are several storytimes, Zoo Olympics, and a Lowe’s Build and Grow clinic happening – What ever you choose to do this week, have fun and stay cool

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

Sunday August 21st:

Alabama Adventure Kids Fest
Get ready for school with a stop into Alabama Adventure’s Kids Fest. Meet some of this year’s show characters like Curious George, Bob the Builder, and Clifford the Big Red Dog. And they’re not all, stop in and meet Ronald McDonald, Grimace, and Hamburglar . There will be lots for the kids to do!
10:30am – 7:00pm

Tannehill Trade Days – Tannehill State Park
Shoppers and swappers come from far and near to Tannehill Trade Days in search of tools, clothing, jewelry, knives, furniture and other treasures.

Park admission
$3.00 Adults (12 years and older)
$2.00 Seniors (Ages 62 and older)
$1.00 Children (Ages 6-11) ages 5 and under free
7am – 5pm

UniverSoul Circus – Legion Field Stadium – Birmingham Park
Throughout the years the show has included clowns, trapeze acts, motorcycle daredevils, break dancing, acrobats, bicycle daredevils, magical illusions, dogs, lions, tigers, elephants, stilt walkers, Caribbean limbo dancers, and more. The performers have been from the USA, Africa, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Colombia, Dominican Republic, China, Cuba, Russia, and Brazil.

BOX SEATING
$27.00 Ticket + $6.15 Fees = $33.15
GRANDSTAND SEATING
$17.50 Ticket + $5.15 Fees = $22.65
$23.00 Ticket + $5.65 Fees = $28.65

Infants 11 months and under are free but must sit on adult’s lap.

Info Phone: 800-277-1700
2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m

Barts Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art

Color and Joan Mitchell
Explore color on a large scale inspired by the painting of Joan Mitchell 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!
1pm

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Monday August 22nd:

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 August 23rd:

Get Rhythm West African Drum Circle – Birmingham Public Library
Birmingham Public Library (BPL) welcomes back John Scalici and his Get Rhythm drum circle program. Scalici started jamming for BPL in 2006, when he first entertained crowds of children with his interactive drum circles that teach group participation, self-expression, and communication.
4:30pm

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Wednesday August 24th:

Wonderful Wednesday Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
It’s Yertle the Turtle! Have some fun with us as we read while taking a look at NOOK! Then we’ll create some arts and crafts. After, you can play in our Toys & Games Department.
11am

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

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Thursday August 25th:

Alabama Outdoor Climbing Wall –
Alabama Outdoors’ family friendly climbing wall:
2pm-6pm. Admission: Free!

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Friday August 26th:

Sidewalk Film Festival
The 13th annual Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival, a celebration of new independent cinema in downtown Birmingham. Since its debut in 1999, filmmakers from across the country and around the world have come to Birmingham to screen their work at Sidewalk and have been thrilled to discover fresh, enthusiastic crowds eager to devour new independent cinema.

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

For more information and a complete schedule visit their site

Wild About Books Storytime – Birmingham Zoo

Join us for story and craft time with Books-A-Million at the Birmingham Zoo!  Every Friday through summer on Grandma’s Front Porch in the Children’s Zoo. We’ll talk about sheep, turtles, elephants, parrots; and we might even get a visit with a few of our furry friends!
10am

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Saturday August 27th:

Sidewalk Film Festival
The 13th annual Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival, a celebration of new independent cinema in downtown Birmingham. Since its debut in 1999, filmmakers from across the country and around the world have come to Birmingham to screen their work at Sidewalk and have been thrilled to discover fresh, enthusiastic crowds eager to devour new independent cinema.

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

For more information and a complete schedule visit their site

A Very Hungry Caterpillar Storytime – Pottery Barn Kids Summit
Kids can read along and help build a mobile about healthy eating and more!
11am

Bart’s Books – Birmingham Museum of Art
Suzette and the Puppy: A Story about Mary Cassatt introduces young readers to Edgar Degas’s Little Girl in a Blue Armchair and follows the adventures of a French girl and the puppy she meets in the park.

Bart the Art Bat selects one book each month about art that he think 4-7 year olds will enjoy. The storytellers are often our favorite teachers from local schools
11:00am

Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinic
Your child will love building and decorating this awesome locker! Kit includes stickers, chalkboard and chalk
10am

Zoo Olympics – Birmingham Zoo
Come out to the Zoo for the Zoo Olympics and see how your athletic abilities measure up to those of the animals. A scavenger hunt map will be provided to find all the Zoo Olympic events throughout the Zoo. At event booths, you can learn about the special athletic abilities of the animals and then try out your own skills. Guests who participate in all of the events will receive a certificate at the end of their trek.

Saturday Market – Pepper Place
7am – Noon

Helena Market Days – Helena Amphitheater
Buy Fresh, Buy Local” at Helena Market Days this Summer!  Helena Market Days seeks to provide the citizens of Helena with an alternative source for locally grown foods and locally made products.  Products Vegetables, flowers, honey, pottery, bread, coffee and breakfast treats.
6am – Noon

Mt Laurel Farmer’s Market and Craft Fair
Activities, music and family fun
8am – Noon

Urban Cookhouse Farmers Market – Homewood
Just farmed produce to specialty food vendors and creative artisans.
7:30 – 12:30

Saturday Storytime– Barnes and Noble Summit
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish! How many fish do you count? Join us for some silly fun and create some arts and crafts. We will also sip on something sweet from our Cafe. Then, play in our Toys & Games Department and take a look at NOOK!
11am

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Sunday August 28th:

Sidewalk Film Festival
The 13th annual Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival, a celebration of new independent cinema in downtown Birmingham. Since its debut in 1999, filmmakers from across the country and around the world have come to Birmingham to screen their work at Sidewalk and have been thrilled to discover fresh, enthusiastic crowds eager to devour new independent cinema.

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

For more information and a complete schedule visit their site

Barts Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art

Color and Joan Mitchell

Explore color on a large scale inspired by the painting of Joan Mitchell 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!

1pm

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Local Attractions Open Daily!

McWane Science Center:

Imagination Lab – This summer, McWane Science Center invites you to discover the power of your imagination in a collection of new exhibits called The Imagination Lab.

Dive right into the Bubble Room where you can discover the science of suds when you step inside a giant bubble. Try your hand at making all kinds of bubbles in this unique area including square and triangular bubbles.

The Imagination Lab’s zip line offers an exciting experience for adventure seekers of any age. Parents and children alike can fly through the air on the new zip line and have a safe landing at the end of the line! Learning lurks around every turn inside a giant maze in the exhibit as you find your way around dead ends and wrong turns. With a few lessons learned, you will find your way to the end in no time.

The new Imagination Lab also features a Messy Art Studio. Splatter paint, mix colors and experiment with a variety of materials to create masterpieces of your imagination.

Inside the lab you can use giant foam building blocks to construct forts, tall towers, and more.

Eat Well, Play Well – 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!

Birmingham Zoo:

Lorikeet Aviary – Our Lorikeet Aviary has more birds than ever! Zoo guests can feed these exotic birds every day. You and your family will see these birds’ behavior as they eat nectar out of your hand.
Weekends 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

PELICAN FEEDING – A great way to see our pelicans in action is to witness them eating their favorite treats near the pelican boardwalk.

RHINO ENCOUNTER – Embark on an African adventure and experience one of the world’s most extraordinary animals, the Southern White Rhino. Watch from only feet away as our zookeepers engage in hands-on interaction with the animals inside their African-themed exhibit. Don’t miss this exciting encounter with one of the largest mammals on the planet!
Weekdays: 3pm – 3:30pm
Weekends: 11:30am – Noon & 3pm – 3:30 pm

GIRAFFE FEEDING – This up close and personal animal encounter is a memory you and your family will have for a lifetime.
Weekday: 11am – Noon
Weekends: 10am – 11am  & 2pm – 3pm

Vulcan Park and Museum:

Vulcan is the world’s largest cast iron statue; made of 100,000 pounds of iron and 56 feet tall, he stands at the top of Red Mountain overlooking the city of Birmingham. But, Vulcan is more than a statue. Vulcan Park and Museum features spectacular views of Birmingham, an interactive history museum that examines Vulcan and Birmingham’s story, and a beautiful public park for visitors and locals to enjoy. With an official information center that is operated by the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau, Vulcan Park and Museum serves as the first stop for visitors to the Birmingham area!

Railroad Park:

Railroad Park is a 19 acre green space in downtown Birmingham that celebrates the industrial and artistic heritage of our great city. Situated along 1st Avenue South, between 14th and 18th Streets, the park is a joint effort between the City of Birmingham and the Railroad Park Foundation. Hailed as “Birmingham’s Living Room,” Railroad Park provides a historically rich venue for local recreation, family activities, concerts, and cultural events, while connecting Birmingham’s downtown area with Southside and UAB’s campus.

Southern Museum of Flight:

Earn Your Wings – Bring your little pilot and soar above the clouds in our little pilots room. Kids enjoy building aircrafts, flying kites, and more.
Museum Open Tuesday – Thursday
9:30am – 4:30pm

Do you have or know of an event you would like to have added to our weekly calendar? Please email us at contact@birminghammommy.com, subject line “Events Calendar” – We would love to hear from you!

** All information listed on our calendar is subject to change without notice to us or you… We do our best to keep the information accurate and will always update as soon as we learn that something has changed. It’s always best to double check with the event via their website or a quick call,  especially when weather can impact the event.

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