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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.

Birmingham Restaurant Week is Kid Friendly

Posted on by Angie

Birmingham Restaurant Week is back and in case you didn’t know, it’s kid friendly! That’s right, now you have absolutely no excuses not to participate. From August 19 to August 28,  restaurants throughout the metro area will offer special prices for complete dinner, lunch and/or brunch menus to entice diners to revisit their favorite restaurants or sample new ones they’ve been meaning to try.

Some of the restaurants that will be offering a kids menu are, Frio en la paz, La Paz, Maki Fresh, Do Di Yo’s and more!

For more information on kids menus, pricing and all of the wonderful Birmingham Restaurants participating, visit their site.

Happy Eating!

 

2nd Annual Birmingham Moms Rock

Posted on by Angie

Mark your calendars now for our 2nd Annual Moms Rock Event, presented by Brookwood Medical Center.

Do you know a mom who manages to make “mommy” look like a verb?  We’re not looking for the “perfect” moms, we’re looking for the ones who love their families and make mommying fun.  We want the women who manage to keep their life balanced, all while putting their kiddos first.  Face it, the moms who rock are everywhere… they’re at the grocery store in stained sweats, they’re at work in a business suit, they are donating their time to local charities, driving carpool and rockin’ the PTA with baked goods, they’re all around you!

We want you to nominate your friends or loved ones who are a “Birmingham Mom who ROCKS!”  10 finalists will be chosen by panel for the chance to win some fabulous prizes and swag provided by: Callaway Gardens, Diamonds Direct, Jen Cowsar Photography, Cheeriodicals, Alys Stephens Center, Brookwood Medical Center, Buds Best Cookies, Rodan and Fields, CosmetAssure, and more!

This will be an exciting and fun night out with live music, chair massages, food, prizes, swag, and of course some Rockin’ cocktails! It’s sure to be a great night of fun for you and your Mommy Friends so make plans to join us that night and find out who will be Birmingham’s Most Rockin’ Mom.

September 15th
McWane Science Center Plaza

Use the form below to nominate your Rockin’ Mom. We will accept nominations until August 31st. 10 finalists will be chosen from the nominees and the winner will be selected via reader voting.  A grand prize will be awarded to the winning Mommy at the event on September 15th.

*Nominees from last years event are eligible for nomination again this year, winners from last year’s event are not.

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Birmingham Events Calendar: August 14th – August 21st

Posted on by Angie

This weeks calendar is PACKED! So much to do we dare your to try and fit it all in!!

Did you know that Winnie the Pooh is turning 90? You can celebrate all week by stopping by the youth dept at the Birmingham Public Library and making a card for Pooh.

The UniverSoul Circus kicks off this week and if you missed the fun at Alabama Adventure’s KidFest this past weekend, not to worry you can catch it going on again this weekend as well as Stokin’ the Fire BBQ and Music Festival at Sloss Furnace.

The much anticipated Birmingham Restaurant Week is Back, it kicks off this week at the Alabama Theatre! As you will see there are so many choices to keep you and your family busy this week!

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

Sunday August 14th:

BAAMfest

Birmingham Arts and Music festival (BAAMfest!) is a celebration of Birmingham’s rich and diverse cultural arts scene. Transforming the local venues into destinations, BAAMfest! seeks to reintroduce the city to its community with an emphasis on local musicians, artists, experiences and performances.  Taking a cue from SXSW, BAAMfest! encourages attendees to explore the city’s local businesses and engage them in a way they may not have engaged before.  Interaction and exploration are the cornerstones to BAAMfest!  We invite you to join us on our journey as we discover the hidden talents of our City.

New for the 2nd annual festival is addition of Experience Venues such as Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Birmingham Museum of Art, McWane Center and Alys Stephens Center.   Attendees to BAAMfest! will have the opportunity to take advantage of special events within these Experience Venus such as art shows, industry panels, children’s events and more.

For tickets and more information on where to be and win, visit their site.

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

CDF Community Fest – Children’s Dance Foundation
A creative and interactive celebration for all ages!

CDF Community Fest is a free event, with activities and performances for the entire family to enjoy….

an interactive drum circle led by Get Rhythm Program’s John Scalici,  kids’ craft zone,  face-painting,  outdoor moonwalk,
world dance performances,  food and drinks,  instructional line dancing and  a silent auction full of family fun!
2:00pm-5:00pm

Tickets:

Included in park admission:
General Admission $35.99 ($30.99 ONLINE)
Junior/Senior (Under 48″ or over 62 years) $25.99
Children 3 and under get in free FREE

One Day Parking $10.00

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 15th:

Celebrate Winnie the Pooh’s 90th Birthday – Birmingham Public Library
Join the youth department in wishing Winnie-the-Pooh a happy 90th Birthday, by coming by and making Pooh a birthday card!
All Day

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Tuesday August 16th:

Celebrate Winnie the Pooh’s 90th Birthday – Birmingham Public Library
Join the youth department in wishing Winnie-the-Pooh a happy 90th Birthday, by coming by and making Pooh a birthday card!
All Day

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Wednesday August 17th:

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

7:30pm

Celebrate Winnie the Pooh’s 90th Birthday – Birmingham Public Library
Join the youth department in wishing Winnie-the-Pooh a happy 90th Birthday, by coming by and making Pooh a birthday card!
All Day

Storytime Science – McWane
Don’t miss this incredible opportunity for your early learner to experience science through literature. Enjoy an enriching story coupled with an intriguing science concept that is sure to spark the curiosity of your child.
COST: Included in cost of admission to the museum, FREE for members
10:30am

Wonderful Wednesday Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
There’s a Wocket in My Pocket! What is a Wocket? Come find out and make some fun arts and crafts!
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 18th:

Birmingham Restaurant Week Preview Party – Alabama Theatre
he preview party will feature many B’ham restaurants. Guests will enjoy local food and drinks.  All proceeds go to the Lyric Theatre. Enjoy food, drink, and Lyric Theatre tours!

For more information on BRW that will run through the 28th or to purchase tickets, visit their site

Alabama Outdoors Climbing Wall – Alabama Outdoors Homewood
Family friendly climbing wall
Admission: Free
2pm-6pm.

Celebrate Winnie the Pooh’s 90th Birthday – Birmingham Public Library
Join the youth department in wishing Winnie-the-Pooh a happy 90th Birthday, by coming by and making Pooh a birthday card!
All Day

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
10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m

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Friday August 19th:

Celebrate Winnie the Pooh’s 90th Birthday – Birmingham Public Library
Join the youth department in wishing Winnie-the-Pooh a happy 90th Birthday, by coming by and making Pooh a birthday card!
All Day

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
4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m

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 20th:

Dylan’s Candyland Birthday Party – Swoozies, Summit
Yummy Activities, Candyland Fun, Sweet Favors and gift cards for kids.
First 25 children to arrive get free gifts.
1pm – 3pm

RSVP specific location (Summit) and number attending to rsvp@swoozies.com

Stokin’ The Fire BBQ and Music Festival – Sloss Furnace
In addition to the BBQ battles, the festival has something for everyone this year including:  Art demonstrations provided by the Sloss Furnaces metal arts staff.  Live popular musicians known locally and around the southeast, Cajun dancing demonstrations, BBQ sampling during the People’s Choice competition (12pm-5pm)  VIP Tickets available for sale this year!  Kids will have plenty of rib ticklin’ fun in the expanded kids’ zone.
11am – 9pm

Adult Saturday Pass – $17
Adult VIP pass – $35 (VIP pass must be picked up at the front gate.)
Child Day Pass (5-12  years of age) – $5
Children under 5 years of age – free

Click here to buy tickets online. Please note that all tickets purchased online will include convenience fees.  Tickets will also be available for purchase at the front gate during festival hours. For questions regarding ticket sales, please call 205.324.1911.

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 – 8:00pm

Teddy Bear Clinic – Birmingham Zoo
Bring your favorite stuffed animal for a chuck-up at the hands of UAB Medical School students, and receive their certificate of good health. Experience up-close encounters with some of the Zoo’s amazing animals and have your face painted during the event.

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

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
Noon, 4:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

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

Music on Mainstreet – Columbiana
This festival features live music and food vendors right in the middle of Main Street. People should bring chairs, kids bring Frisbees, and pets can come on a leash.

Music on Main Street is sponsored by the Columbiana Merchants and Professional Association with assistance of the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce and the Columbiana Police Department.
7pm – 9pm

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
What does Horton hear? He hears a Who! We all love this story, so come hear it read to you. Then, we will create some arts and crafts and take a look at NOOK!
11am

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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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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.

Review: Planetbox Lunch Box

Posted on by Angie

By Kate Agliata:

Once my children reached an age where they began taking lunch to school, l  knew I needed to start looking for a reusable lunchbox that was not only fun and durable, but also met some decent sustainability and  Eco-friendly standards. Over the years we’ve tried a few different  types, and for the most part I’ve been happy with our choices. Yet,  despite their making it through the entire school year (with lots of  washings might I add) the lunchboxes still seemed too worn and torn to make an encore appearance the following Fall. So this school year we’ve  upped our game plan and decided to send the kids to school with lunches packed in a Planetbox.

Made from stainless steel, Planetbox uses the lunch tray concept, which allows you to pack different foods in individual compartments. A tight  fitting lid closes down over the tray and latches closed, helping to  keep those foods securely in place. The Planetbox fits snugly inside of a washable carry bag that is made out of 100% recycled fibers from  plastic bottles (how cool is that?). The outside of the zippered carry bag comes with a water bottle holder and a snack sized pocket with a Velcro flap top. Inside, a mesh pouch is the perfect size to hold a cloth napkin or eating utensil. Decorative magnets come with a Plantebox (you can choose from a variety of themes) adding some extra fun for the kids, not to mention some much needed  color to the otherwise plain and institutional look of stainless steel.

Planetbox offers additional products as well, such as different size  sealed containers made to fit into several compartments, and perfect for packing “wet” foods.

From both an environmental and a mom point of view, I’m really excited about this new method of carrying lunch. Sustainability, efficiency, and especially practicality, all score high when rating a Planetbox,  however, you do pay dearly for it. The entire kit, complete with the  steel lunch tray, two additional containers, decorative magnets, and the carry bag, costs about $60. Sold individually however, the Planetbox lunch tray sells for around $35, and may be a more feasible option for those looking to spend less. Although it seems like a lot of money to pay upfront, I feel confident that investing in a Planetbox serves multiple purposes, and will easily carry us through several years of lunchbox use.
For more information, including where to buy Planetbox products, visit www.planetbox.com.
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.

Two Free Tickets to the Gulf Coast Exploreum

Posted on by Angie

You know we love free and we love to pass along a good deal. If you’ve been looking for an excuse to travel to south Alabama now you have one!

Share your summer story and receive two free tickets to the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center in Mobile, Alabama. To receive the tickets, log on and share your story on this site by August 21.

Tickets may be used for one visit through December 31, 2011, and are courtesy of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. This ticket giveaway is part of Blue Cross’ ongoing “Be You” campaign, which invites everyone to submit personal stories and share them on the website. Participants can also share stories through email, Twitter and Facebook.

The Gulf Coast Exploreum has been the number one family attraction for nine straight years and one of the top 15 science centers in the country, the Exploreum is the only science and technology center serving south Alabama, south Mississippi and northwest Florida. Blue Cross has been a longtime supporter of the Exploreum.

So what are you waiting for? Submit your story now and snatch up those free tickets!!

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