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Parenting with a Ph.D, Kids and Social Problems: Step In or Step Back?

Posted on by Angie

By Kristen S. Berthiaume, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist

Admit it – there have been times you’ve followed the name of one of your child’s peers by a long string of not-nice words in your head.  Or, maybe out loud – hopefully quietly.  Recently, choice words sprang to mind when a classmate of my four-year-old told her she couldn’t play because she was “not on the list.”  My daughter was the new kid.  I momentarily worried this rejection would seal her social fate – maybe forever.  Then, I took a deep breath and stepped back.

Most of our children have experienced rejection from peers at some point.  For some, this is a rare and unexpected occurrence; for others, it has become pretty routine.  As hard as it may be to imagine, some peers simply aren’t going to like your kid.  (I know – it’s crazy, right?).  We hear horrific stories about the consequences of bullying and promise ourselves we won’t let those things happen to our kids.  But, in less extreme cases, it possible that too much protection will do more harm than good?

When to Step Back: Although you will probably be tempted to take action at the first tear, this may be a mistake.  As hard as it can be, sometimes allowing kids to work out their peer problems without assistance really is best.  Letting your child figure out how to maneuver in difficult social situations increases her resiliency, ability to handle conflict, and feelings of self-competency.  Remember – you won’t always be there to handle these situations.  Letting her practice when she has you to provide encouragement and guidance is a far better way to help your child in the long-run.  Go through multiple solutions with your child and consider potential consequences of each one.  Ultimately, let her pick what she wants to try first and talk about how it went and the next step after the fact.

When to Step In.  You’ll know it’s time to step in when teasing or rejection is going on in several settings (e.g., school, neighborhood, extracurriculars), when it’s happening repeatedly in the same setting, or when the harassment is severe (e.g., physical bullying).  If your child is being bullied, you may need to get teachers, coaches, and other parents involved.  Often, children are told to ignore bullying on the assumption that the aggressor will lose interest and find a new target.  Some problems with this approach are: 1) It’s tough for a kid to have absolutely no reaction to being bullied (just think how hard it is for you as a parent!); 2) No response might be interpreted by those bullying as weak, making future incidents even more likely; and 3) Telling a child to do nothing can send him the message that he is powerless or deserves the treatment.  A more effective response involves addressing the bullying directly and involving key adults who can monitor and step in when it’s occurring.

What if My Kid is the Bully? This is a very tough position for parents but it’s imperative you not stick your head in the sand.  Without intervention, children are unlikely to stop bullying because it can be socially rewarding.  You’ll need to tell your child that his behavior is not acceptable and make clear the consequences for future incidents.  Work out a plan with other adults in your child’s life for identifying, stopping, and disciplining the bullying.  Seek treatment for your bullying child with a therapist who can work with him on learning empathy, or the ability to understand others’ viewpoints and feelings.  Ask your child’s therapist about ways you can continue teaching empathy at home, like talking about feelings characters in T.V. shows might be having (that’s what the DVR Pause button is for!).  Most importantly, check your own behavior.  Are you empathic when you interact with your child?

Imagine my surprise at pick-up yesterday when the classmate, the one whose list my daughter  wasn’t on, gave her a big hug goodbye.  Turns out, there is more than one list – sometimes my daughter’s on it, sometimes she isn’t.  Welcome to the rest of your kid’s social life.

We need more help!  If social issues are a routine part of your child’s daily life, one of the best forms of treatment is group social skills therapy.  In my social skills group, for example, we work on a variety of issues from having conversations to calming down when angry to dealing with bullying.  Check with your child’s school to find out whether it’s offered.  Some local options include:
Grayson and Associates, P.C. – 205-868-6702;  New group starts mid-August
Child’s Play Therapy Center – 205-978-9939;
Mitchell’s Place (for children with diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorders) – 205-957-0294;

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

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

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

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

Birmingham Events Calendar: July 31st – August 7th

Posted on by Angie

Summertime is winding down as the thoughts of school supplies and new shoes are dancing in your heads!

There are still a few Free and Discounted Movies going on around town, you can still take advantage of the deliciousness of the Farmer’s Markets and starting this Thursday, the Birmingham Zoo will kick off their $5 fun days that will run through the weekend.

The LEGO store at the Galleria will extend it’s Mini Build this month and make it a 2 day event to celebrate the grand opening of LEGOLAND in Florida!

Have a GREAT week!

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

Sunday July 31st:

Barts Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art

American Flags

Show your patriotism by creating a colorful flag with Bart! The Museum offers a fun and free drop-in art program for kids and families! Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some art of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month highlights a different gallery and features a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!
1pm

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Monday August 1st:

Holy Inappropriateness! We couldn’t find any special events happening in the Ham’ Today! Check our list of local attractions that are open daily!

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Tuesday August 2nd:

LEGO Mini Build – Riverchase Galleria
LEGO Adirondack Chair: begins at 5:00pm until supplies last.
Models are not for sale and cannot be purchased. One free per child. Event is open to children ages 6 to 14 only. See store for more details

Free or Discounted Movies
Amstar Alabaster – Charlotte’s Web
Regal Trussville – Ramona and Beezus and Yogi Bear
Edge 12 – Spirit: Stallion of the Cimmaron, Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Squeakuel

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Wednesday August 3rd:

LEGO Mini Build – Riverchase Galleria
LEGO Adirondack Chair: begins at 5:00pm until supplies last.
Models are not for sale and cannot be purchased. One free per child. Event is open to children ages 6 to 14 only. See store for more details

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
I Wish That I Had Duck Feet! Have you ever wished you could be like an animal? Come have fun with us as we create some arts and crafts and enjoy this fun book!
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

Free or Discounted Movies
Amstar Alabaster – Charlotte’s Web
Regal Trussville – Ramona and Beezus and Yogi Bear
Edge 12 – Spirit: Stallion of the Cimmaron, Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Squeakuel

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Thursday August 4th:

$5 Fun Days at the Birmingham Zoo
The Birmingham Zoo invites the entire community to visit during Five Dollar Fun Days! Head this way to enjoy $5 admission, $1 hotdogs and FREE carousel rides. You won’t want to miss out on this experience plus several FREE activities and shows like the Red Diamond Sea Lion Splash Show, Wildlife Show, Boma Encounter, Animal Keeper Talks and much, much more!

Free and Discounted Movies
Carmike Summit – Shrek 2

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Friday August 5th:

$5 Fun Days at the Birmingham Zoo
The Birmingham Zoo invites the entire community to visit during Five Dollar Fun Days! Head this way to enjoy $5 admission, $1 hotdogs and FREE carousel rides. You won’t want to miss out on this experience plus several FREE activities and shows like the Red Diamond Sea Lion Splash Show, Wildlife Show, Boma Encounter, Animal Keeper Talks and much, much more!

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

Free or Discounted Movies
Homewood Park – Tangled
Helena Amphitheater – Tangled

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Saturday August 6th:

Wake Up with the Animals – Birmingham Zoo
Have you ever wanted to know what it’s like to be at the Zoo when the animals wake up? Well you’ll get your chance! Join us at the Wildlife Stage for special encounters and personal animal interactions. New this year to “Wake-Up with the Animals” will be an Elephant breakfast feeding and a special keeper talk in the Boma Yard. Also, you’ll enjoy breakfast at the Safari Cafe. Then, after breakfast, explore the Zoo and all it has to offer! Sign up today by calling 205.879.0409. Spacing is limited, so hurry!

Click here for a complete schedule of the morning’s events!

$5 Fun Days at the Birmingham Zoo
The Birmingham Zoo invites the entire community to visit during Five Dollar Fun Days! Head this way to enjoy $5 admission, $1 hotdogs and FREE carousel rides. You won’t want to miss out on this experience plus several FREE activities and shows like the Red Diamond Sea Lion Splash Show, Wildlife Show, Boma Encounter, Animal Keeper Talks and much, much more!

Black Creek Arts Festival – Black Creek Park, Fultondale

Neo Jazz Collective, Beverly’s Dance Unlimited and Rick and Jilda Watson, Singer/Songwriters to preform

Children’s arts activities include: Working with clay, kite making, nature rubs, paint on a communal mural on recycled wood and wire sculpturing.
10am – 4pm

Matinee – Alabama Theatre
Alabama Theater – E.T.
$7 adults $6 sr. citizens and children under 12. Available at the box office 1 hour before show time.

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
Green eggs and ham, do you like them? Sam does not! Let’s read together and then create some art.
11am

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Sunday August 7th:

$5 Fun Days at the Birmingham Zoo
The Birmingham Zoo invites the entire community to visit during Five Dollar Fun Days! Head this way to enjoy $5 admission, $1 hotdogs and FREE carousel rides. You won’t want to miss out on this experience plus several FREE activities and shows like the Red Diamond Sea Lion Splash Show, Wildlife Show, Boma Encounter, Animal Keeper Talks and much, much more!

Jazz in the Park – Birmingham Botanical Gardens
2nd annual Jazz in the Park concert series in Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Bring your picnic basket and lawn chair for an evening of Jazz featuring diverse group Birmingham area Jazz musicians. Jazz in the Park is a smoke-free event and healthy food vendors will be available including Jones Valley Urban Farm and West End Gardens.
5pm – 8pm

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.

Our MommyStyle contest winners are…

Posted on by Angie

Special thanks to GenB.com/Brookwood Medical Center for sponsoring the Mommy Style Contest, along with the help of some fabulous businesses here in town: T. Fox Salon, Amanda Traywick Photography, and Molly Green: an eco chic boutique.

Our Earthy Mommy is: Brandy Ruttka
Our Fashionista Mommy is: Allyson Grant Sutton
Our Uber Mommy is: Julie Patterson Davis
Our Soccer Mommy is: Ellie Wood Gadson

Congratulations ladies!  You’ve won some great prizes!  Please send an email to contact@birminghammommy.com for instructions on how to redeem your goodies.

Thank you Birmingham for a great contest!

A Mother's Shade of Green: The Best Reasons to Line Dry your Clothes

Posted on by Angie

By: Kate Agliata

Modern household appliances are truly some of the world’s greatest inventions. They keep our food cold, cook and heat our meals, clean our dishes, and wash and dry our clothes. Clothes dryers in particular, provide us with fantastic convenience, which tends to make our lives all that much simpler. Yet, at the same time, they also contribute to large electricity bills, and they’re not always dependable. Line drying your clothes is a great alternative while also providing many benefits of it’s own.

1. It saves money

With hot summer temperatures reaching their peak, we could all use a break from the staggering figure of our electric bill. With small children at home, loads of laundry can’t help but pile up. Running the dryer every day uses a lot of electricity, in fact, almost more than any other household appliance. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average household dryer use contributes to about six percent of a homeowners annual electricity consumption. Nixing the dryer all together, and line drying your clothes has the very real potential to save you a small fortune.

2. Uses less chemicals

Trying to remove the unending supply of stains from our children’s clothes can sometimes feel like a nightmare. We buy stain removers, bleach and any other product that entices us with it’s seemingly super powers. Yet, right outside you’ll find a natural remedy, complete with awesome whitening powers of it’s own. By hanging your wet white clothes out to dry, the sunlight helps stains fade naturally. It especially works wonders on baby clothes, cloth diapers, and burp cloths. Line drying your clothes also prevents the need for dryer sheets, which typically host an unbelievable amount of scary chemicals.

3. Gentler on your clothes

Have you ever wondered about all of that lint that gets collected in your dryer’s vent? Well simply put, that is little bits of pieces of fabric from your clothes as they slowly break down in your dryer. Sure the dryer helps to make your clothes soft, but is it really worth having them literally fall apart sooner? If you just can’t live without that added softness, toss your line dried clothes into the dryer for about 5-10 minutes.

4. Ahhhh, it makes your clothes smell good. Really good!

Yes, it’s true! Line drying your clothes does make them smell really good. There is just something about clothes that have been hung out to dry in the warm sunshine and gentle breeze. There is a difference, you’ll see what I mean.

5. It provides mindless downtime

I know it sounds strange, but for me, hanging clothes offers me the chance to take a mental break. Whether you work outside the home or not, being a parent on top of it all can be a stressful endeavor. Most of the time I am always searching for better ways to multi-task. Standing outside to hang our clothes allows gives me an excuse to let my mind relax. I can watch the kids play, or even daydream for a bit.
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.

Event of the Week: Super Slimey Saturday at McWane

Posted on by Angie

Get Slimed this weekend at the McWane Science Center!

It’s the slimiest day of the year at McWane Science Center! Inside the museum you can experience slippery, slimy science experiments like touching a slithering snake and learning how to make ooey gooey creations. Then head out on the plaza where you can try the new SLIP N’ SLIME! (Awesome!)

Cost included in the price of admission

Saturday July 30th
10am – 4pm

The Mother of All Consignment Sale Lists for Birmingham, Fall 2011

Posted on by Angie

Mark your calendars now! Consignment season is just around the corner!

Here is a list of sale dates that are already set, we’ll update when we learn about more sales, so check back often!

It’s always a great idea to visit the sale websites for more details on tagging items you plan to sale, and make sure to double check hours before heading out!

Happy Consignment Season Everyone!!

Gardendale:

Kingdom Kids Consignment
Gardendale Mt.Vernon United Methodist

August 22nd – August 27th
Sale Info

Helena:

New 2 You Consignment Sale
Church of Cahaba Bend –

Friday, September 30th: 9am – 7pm
Saturday, October 1st: 9am – 1pm
Sale Info

Highland Lakes:

Hope for Gabe, Upscale Children’s Consignment – 2 locations
1036 Baldwin Lane
Birmingham, 35242
Contact: Traci Griffin – 527-4798 for more information
scottandtraci@bellsouth.net

Newborn to Tween Sizes

Sale Dates:

Thursday August 18th, 10am – 7pm
Friday August 19th,  10am – 7pm
Saturday August 20th, 10am – 4pm
Sunday August 21st, 1pm – 5pm

More Info on Hope for Gabe

 

Homewood:

Lil Lambs Consignment
Trinity United Methodist –

Open to the Public: September 9th and 10th
Sale Info

Kids Market and Mom
Old Academy Sports location at Wildwood Shopping Center

Receiving (by Appt)
Tuesday, September 6th thru Thursday, September 9th

Regular Receiving:
Saturday, September 10th
Monday and Tuesday, September 12th and 13th
Wednesday, September 14th – Clothing only

Public Sale:
Monday October 3rd  – Saturday October 15th
*Closed Sunday October 9th

Discount Days:
October 13th – 15th

Site Info

Hoover:

Kids Wear Plus
Hoover Gallery Shopping Center

Receiving:

Saturday September 10th – 7am – 4pm
Monday September 12th – 9am – 6pm
Tuesday September 13th – 9am – 11am

Open to the Public: September 19th – September 24th
Sale Info for new hours!

Bargains on the Bluff
Bluff Park United Methodist –

Online Seller Registration: August 1st
Preview Sale: Thursday September 15th 9am – 2pm
Open to the Public: September 16th, 9am – 6pm  September 17th, 9am – 2pm

TNT Sale
Riverchase United Methodist –

Open to to the Public:

Friday, September 23rd – 9am – 6:30pm
Saturday, September 25th – 8am – 1pm
Sale Info

Kids Corner Children’s Consignment
Mountain Chapel UMC

Wednesday, September 14th – 4pm-8pm
Thursday, September 15th – 9am-3pm ( half price sale from 4pm-7pm)
Sale Info

Hueytown:

Twice Blessed Sale
Garywood Assembly of God –

Receiving:

Friday, September 2nd,  4pm – 6:30pm
Saturday, September 3rd, 9:30am – 2:30pm
Sunday, September 4th, 1pm – 2:30pm

Workers and Consignors Sale:

Tuesday September 6th beginning at 4pm
1/2 off preview sale – Friday September 9th – 6pm – 9pm

 

Open to the Public:

Thursday September 8th – 4pm – 7pm
Friday September 9th – 9am – 5pm
Saturday, (1/2 off day) September 10 – 9am – Noon

Sale Info

Irondale:

Twice as Nice Sale
BAMOM – Birmingham Area Mothers of Multiples –

Open to the public: August 26th and 27th
Sale Info

Mountain Brook:

Hope for Gabe – Upscale Children’s Consignment
2131 English Village Lane
Mountain Brook, 35223
Contact: Cindy Ogletree, 821-4350 for more information

Newborn to Tween Sizes

Sale Dates:

Friday August 26th,  9am – 8pm
Saturday August 27th, 9am – 7pm
Sunday August 28th, 1pm – 7pm
Monday August 29th, 9am – 2pm

More Info on Hope for Gabe

Twice Blessed Children and Home Consignment Sale
Mountain Brook Community Church
Friday, Sept 16 3-9 pm
Saturday, Sept 17 7am-12pm (many items 50% off)
Visit www.mbbc.org/825256 for more information.

Oak Mountain:

Giggles and Grace
Asbury United Methodist

Registration begins August 1st

Receiving: September 6th – 8th
Open to the public: September 9th and 10th
Sale Info

Trussville

Growing Kids
Trussville Methodist Church –

Friday, September 30th 8:00am – 6:00pm
Saturday, October 1st 8:00am – 2:00pm
(Saturday is 50% off many items in sale)

Registration for Consignors begins August 15th

Vestavia

Whale of a Sale
Vestavia Hills Untied Methodist Church
Friday, September 16th 9am – 6pm
Most items 1/2 off after 4pm
Sale Info

Market on the Mountain
Mountaintop Community Church –

Friday, September 9th  9am – 5pm
Saturday, September 10th  9am – 1pm (25% off select items)
Sale Info

** Please remember that all dates and times are subject to change without notice to BirminghamMommy. Please make sure to double check the sales website for the most current and up to date information.

The Best for Back to School 2011

Posted on by Angie

I know, I know it seems like summer just started, yet here we are talking back to school already. Before you know it we’ll be loading those kids on to their school bus and crying like babies as our “babies” head off to their first day of Kindergarten. You may not be able to be with them all day but you can make sure they have the best products for their new school year and maybe even send them off with a little style!

You can’t head off to school without a cool lunchbox and why not get something that will help with the environment too?  Check out these from PlanetBox – it’s a great new twist on that old metal lunch box!

We’ve been in love with Bento Boxes since we learned about them over 2 years ago. Pottery Barn Kids has a few options for you to choose from! They aren’t as large as the PlanetBox but do come in pink and blue, are made of durable plastic and are top rack dishwasher safe, always a plus!

These little guys will help cut down on the use of the plastic baggies and lunch trash this making them eco-friendly too! They fit perfectly into the really cute Pottery Barn Lunch boxes that come with coordinating back packs… Talk about some serious style!

Lunch boxes won’t be complete without a stylish water bottle. Since we’ve been talking about reusable items, we like the idea of replacing those juice pouches and boxes with a reusable water bottle like the Sigg or even going back to Pottery Barn Kids to keep with the theme of their matching sets.

Kids are inevitably going to get bored with their lunches. Another item on our favorites list are Kidfresh meals. We love that these healthy meals for kids are ready to heat and are made from all natural ingredients, the best part? They hide veggies in every one of their meals! So don’t be afraid to send them with some Mac and Cheese (and carrots) in their lunch. They’ll love it and you’ll be happy knowing they are eating healthy out from under your watchful eye. The quesadillas also make a great healthy afternoon snack.

The North Face makes a great backpack and it seems to be a popular choice with school kids and Moms… You know the brand and you know they make a durable product.

And what’s a back to school list without a little fashion? We’ve mentioned these before but just absolutely love them.. Tiny Toms – they’re so cute they really just speak for themselves! Available in sparkly silver or pink. Love, Love.

So that’s what we love for back to school, what’s on your “supply” list?

* Huge thank you to Kidfresh (found currently at Whole Foods) , PlanetBox and Mountain High Outfitters for outfitting us with some items for our segment on ABC Talk of Alabama!

Birmingham Events Calendar: July 24th – July 31st

Posted on by Angie

Another busy week as several more libraries end their summer reading programs.

It’s not too late to catch a summer movie, and there are a bunch of storytimes happening, including at the Birmingham Zoo and the McWane Science Center.

The weekend will be full of activities including the Dog Days of summer festival at Ruffner Mountain, summer is slowly winding down, make the most of it while you can!!

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

Sunday July 24th:

Harry Potter Read a Thon – Emmet O’ Neal
2:30 PM — Harry Potter Read-a-Thon ends with last pages read by mystery reader who shall not be named.

2:30-3 PM — Prizes awarded for top fundraising individual and team, best costumes and reading performance.

Barts Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
American Flags

Show your patriotism by creating a colorful flag with Bart! The Museum offers a fun and free drop-in art program for kids and families! Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some art of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month highlights a different gallery and features a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!
1pm

Barts Books – Birmingham Museum of Art
Fritz and the Beautiful Horses
Fritz is not beautiful like the other ponies and proves that there are things more important than looks to the citizens of his town.
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. “Bart’s Books’ takes place at 11 AM

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Monday July 25th:

Monday Movie – Homewood Public Library
Join us for a fun flick and a tasty treat!
3pm

Movie Matinee – North Shelby Library
Gnomeo and Juliet
All Ages. Snacks Served. No
Registration Required.

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Tuesday July 26th:

Summer Reading Finale– Homewood Public Library
We hope everyone enjoyed Summer Reading!  Homewood summer readers, join us for one last hurrah to close out this great summer.
6:00pm

Summer Reading Finale– Emmet O’Neal Library
Those who have been traveling the world of summer reading with their library passport are invited to our summer reading finale with Roger Day! Enjoy pizza and live music.
6:00 pm. All ages. No registration required.

Free or Discounted Movies
Amstar Alabaster – Alvin and the Chimpmunk The Squeaquel
Regal Trussville – Pirates who Don’t Do Anything and Marmaduke
Edge 12 – Rugrats in Paris,  Shrek Forever After

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Wednesday July 27th:

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

Wild Wednesdays – McWane Science Center
Included in the cost of admission to the museum, FREE for members
Bring your little animals for Wild Wednesdays every week this summer. On these special days, your family can take a walk on the wild side and learn about animals from around the world during different programs throughout the day. Join us for the daily line up of educational programs and then roam through the museum in between programs.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE:
10:30 AM: WILD ABOUT ART
(Recommended for ages Kindergarten and younger)
11:30 AM: Science on the WILD side
1:30 PM: Gulf Tank Feeding in the Aquarium
3:30 PM: WILD About Animals

Wonderful Wednesday Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
We’re introducing Cloudette, a little cloud with big plans to make a difference in the world. After being blown far away from home, she learns how little can be strong.
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

Free or Discounted Movies
Amstar Alabaster – Alvin and the Chimpmunk The Squeaquel
Regal Trussville – Pirates who Don’t Do Anything and Marmaduke
Edge 12 – Rugrats in Paris,  Shrek Forever After

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Thursday July 28th:

Summer Reading Finale – North Shelby Library
Party with Blazers Animals All ages. Join us for a trip around the world where we may see anything from a baboon in pants to an African porcupine with 10 inch quills. Refreshments and prizes immediately following the show!

Free and Discounted Movies
Carmike Summit – Shrek 1

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Friday July 29th:

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

Free or Discounted Movies
Homewood Park -Rango
Helena Amphitheater – The Blind Side
Veterans Park Valleydale Road, Hoover – Grown Ups

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Saturday July 30th:

Slippery Slimy, Saturday – McWane Science Center
Included in museum admission, FREE for members

Join us for the slimiest day of the year at McWane Science Center. Inside the museum you can experience slippery, slimy science experiments and head out on the plaza where you can plunge into slime

SLIP N’ SLIME
Ready, set, SLIME! Guests will have the very rare chance to try sliding into a pool of ooey, gooey green stuff outside on the SLIP N’ SLIME!

OOBLECK POOL:
We dare you to take your chances running across the Oobleck poo!l See how far you can go without sinking into this slimy liquid!

SLIME ALERT:
Come prepared for slime!
If you dare try the SLIP N’ SLIME or run across the OOBLECK POOL on the plaza, you will need to bring a change of clothes and your own towel. Guests will not be permitted inside the museum after being slimed if they are not cleaned off properly.

For a detailed schedule visit their site

Dog Days of Summer – Ruffner Mountain Nature Center
The second annual Dog Days of Summer event! Get the pooch and family outside to celebrate nature. We will have naturalist-led dog hikes and booths with local dog organizations and shops, activities and crafts for the kids, and exciting raffles. Start preparing your canine now for one of our many pet contests to be held throughout the day. Caricaturist Tim Rocks will also be on hand to create your dog’s portrait. This is a great opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors with man’s best friend!
10am – 4pm

Matinee – Alabama Theatre
Alabama Theater – Tooth Fairy
$7 adults $6 sr. citizens and children under 12. Available at the box office 1 hour before show time.

Saturday Market – Pepper Place
7am – Noon

Barts Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
American Flags

Show your patriotism by creating a colorful flag with Bart! The Museum offers a fun and free drop-in art program for kids and families! Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some art of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month highlights a different gallery and features a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!
11am

Enrichment Day – Birmingham Zoo
Do you want to know how to keep a six ton Elephant or a 500 pound Lion cool on a hot summer day?

Find out by exploring the Zoo with our zookeepers! See the animals in action and learn how the Zoo uses enrichment programs to increase the animals’ level of activity, help cool them down, and promote natural behaviors. Enjoy enrichment demonstrations, keeper talks and other fun activities!

Saturday Storytime– Barnes and Noble Summit
If you love to make a mess, you’ll love The Legend of Messy M’Cheany. He’s a real troublemaker until his baby sister comes home, and she likes things neat!
11am

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Sunday July 31st:

Barts Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art

American Flags

Show your patriotism by creating a colorful flag with Bart! The Museum offers a fun and free drop-in art program for kids and families! Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some art of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month highlights a different gallery and features a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!
1pm

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Local Attractions Open Daily!

McWane Science Center:

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.

Spread the veggie-love! Getting kids to try veggies

Posted on by Angie

Have you hugged your veggie today?  Most of us have to fight the good fight to develop healthy eating habits.  Research estimates that kids have to be exposed to a new food up to 20 times before they may be willing to try it.  That’s a lot of tries and it gets hard to always be met with refusal.  Here are some ideas that seem to work well with a lot of different kids. There’s a little psychology to this whole food thing.  I definitely got bad results from ordering them to try “just one bite.”  It just wasn’t the successful approach for us.  Instead of intimidating the kids with a big serving, put one tiny bite of a veggie and don’t make it a requirement.  It’s much less frustrating to waste one tiny bite than a whole serving.  We made this a game– the only prize was me pretending to be shocked that they were brave enough to try it, followed by me being very proud of them and exclaiming that they’re really eating like a big kid now.  Even if they just put the bite in their mouth and spit it out, I would praise them and plant a seed of hope for next time.

  • While the kids are learning to like their veggies, sneak them in!  For several years I snuck all sorts of pureed veggies into foods.  To save time I bought baby foods.  I tried to make sure the foods’ colors matched.  Put yellow squash into mac ‘n cheese, carrots into ketchup, or just about any kind of veggie puree into spaghetti sauce.  Be creative!  Another idea is to make our legendary scary veggie muffins!
  • If you have a toddler who is already a fan of certain foods, start tweaking those foods.  If your kiddo craves chicken nuggets, try a version that uses almonds and whole wheat flour and bake them.   (See recipe here)  Heck, go all out with spinach brownies for dessert!

It’s frustrating and it’s hard, but it will eventually happen.  Kids that are exposed to healthier foods will eventually eat those foods.  Good luck!

Resources:
Champions For Health

Weelicious

Event of the Week: Harry Potter Read-A-Thon

Posted on by Angie

With the the release of the final film, Potter Mania is in full effect! What better way for us Muggles to celebrate our love of the wizarding world than with a Read a Thon and party?

The Desert Island Supply Co is hosting a read-a-thon at Emmet O’Neal Library in Mountain Brook this weekend. Kicking off with two men appearing out of nowhere, a few yards apart in a narrow, moonlit lane, Friday morning at 6am. The festivities will continue on Friday night with a Hogwarts Food and Craft Fair. There will be butterbeer, a wand-making booth and other fun Hogwartsian activities.

The Read a thon will be going on Saturday and Sunday wrapping up with Prizes awarded for top fundraising individual and team, best costumes and reading performance.

If you’re a Potter fan have one in your home, it’s weekend you won’t want to miss!

Schedule Details:

Saturday, July 23, 10 AM-noon — Read-a-thon participants will apparate to the Pepper Place Saturday Market for special reading appearances by Harry, Hermione, Dumbledore, McGonagall and others.

Sunday, July 24, 2:30 PM — Harry Potter Read-a-Thon ends with last pages read by mystery reader who shall not be named

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