Birmingham Events Calendar – June 5th – June 12th

Posted on Sunday, June 5, 2011 by Angie

So much to do, so little summer! Libraries continue to be super busy. You can catch a storytime at Ruffner Mountain, or Lowes Build and Grow clinic will help you get ready for Father’s Day. Don’t forget to pick up some cookies from Whole Foods for 10 cents, Yum.

Make sure to check out our list of Summer Movies for more details on what goes on at each theater!

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

Sunday June 5th:

Vulcan’s 107th Birthday Bash
Make plans to attend the BIGGEST birthday bash in Birmingham! Vulcan may be the world’s largest cast iron statue, but he still needs help blowing out his birthday candles! On Sunday, June 5, Vulcan Park and Museum will host a festive outdoor community celebration for Vulcan’s 107th birthday. Enjoy an afternoon of fun festivities for the whole family at the biggest birthday bash of the year!
$3 all ages 5 and up – Children 4 and under are free.
12:00 – 4:00pm

Scholastic Chess Club at Books-A-Million Brookwood Village
In our upstairs Kids Nook. Beginners are welcome, lessons
available, K-12, other mind sport activities are available such as
checkers and GO. Free to attend!
2PM – 5PM

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Monday June 6th:

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

•$3/ $2 (member) •All children must be accompanied by an adult. •Suited for pre-school age. •Drop-ins welcome.
10am

World Travels – Gardendale Library
Welcome World Travelers! Join Mrs. Janet as she introduces her newest program for the summer. Re-enact Ferdinand Magellan’s trip around the world, taste spices from the Spice Islands, then we’ll travel to Africa w/ folklore, stories, games and a cool lion tube craft. 1st – 3rd Grade
3:30 – 4:30

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Tuesday June 7th:

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

Summer Reading Kickoff – Homewood Public Library
Join us for our kickoff event starring America’s most famous Chinese acrobat…Liang with MC/comedian Bill Patti. Experience the acrobatics,dance & music of China…with a touch of comedy. You must be registered for Homewood’s summer reading program to attend, but anyone can register.
10:30am

Geddy the Gecko – Emmet O’Neal Library
WORLD’S BIGGEST REPTILE: GEDDY THE GECKO
He sings…he dances…he does tricks…he’s Geddy the Gecko! All ages. No registration required.
10:30 am and 3:30 pm

Storytime – Jane Boyd Holmes Public Library Helena
Come and enjoy story time here at the library
11am.

Books! The Magic is Real – Hoover Public Library
Brian Curry unveils the magic of books in the Library Theatre!
10:30 am, 1:30 pm & 6:30 pm

Free or Discounted Movies
AmStar Alabaster – MegaMind
Rave, Lee Branch & Patton Creek – Yogi Bear
Regal Trussville – Tales of Despereaux and Chronicles of Narnia
Edge 12 – Horton Hears a Who, ET

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Wednesday June 8th:

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

Books! The Magic is Real – Hoover Public Library
Brian Curry unveils the magic of books in the Library Theatre!
10:30 am & 1:30 pm

Wonderful Wednesday Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Don’t forget to join us as we read I Just Forgot by Mercer Mayer. This story features Little Critter, a perennial family favorite. We’ll read the story, create fun crafts, and interact with the story on NOOK Color.
11:00 am

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 – MegaMind
Rave, Lee Branch & Patton Creek Yogi Bear
Regal Trussville – Tales of Despereaux and Chronicles of Narnia
Edge 12 – Horton Hears a Who, ET

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Thursday June 9th:

Storytime – Jane Boyd Holmes Public Library Helena
Come and enjoy story time here at the library
11am.

My World Storytime – Hoover Public Library
My Sippy Cup– Summer storytime for children under four. In the programming room with Miss Traci and Miss Katie Jane
10:30am

Free and Discounted Movies
Carmike Summit – Hotel for Dogs

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Friday June 10th:

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

Summer Concert by Homewood Library – Homewood Park
Join us at Homewood Park for a family friendly free summer concert! Stick around afterward for Free Friday Flicks.
6:30-7:30pm

Free or Discounted Movies
Homewood Park – Shrek
Helena Amphitheater – Shrek Ever After
Veterans Park, Valleydale Road Hoover – Megamind

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Saturday June 11th:

Saturday Market – Pepper Place
7am – Noon

Zucchini 500 at the East Lake Farmers Market
Start your vegetables! Come make a zucchini race car and compete in the Zucchini 500, then spend the morning shopping at the East Lake Farmers Market.

9:00 a.m. – Zucchini race car construction opens
10:30 a.m. – Let the races begin!

Winners will be crowned in the following categories:
* 1st to the finish
* Most Creative
* Most Nutritious

Construction supplies available for purchase at the market.

Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinic
Fun Kit to build and makes a great Father’s Day gift! Bring your child in and they can build this awesome Goofy Golf kit!
10am

Summer Celebration – Desoto Caverns
$25 off Memberships, Free Hot dogs with membership purchase.
One Day only!

Geddy Gecko – Hoover Public Library
Come and experience Geddy the Gecko’s breakdancing performance of “One World, Many Stories” in the Library Theatre!
10:30am

Barts Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
Make an African inspired elephant mask.

A fun and free drop-in art program for kids and families! Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to discover great art and create some art of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month highlights a different gallery and features a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child, then stop by and make art with Bart!
11am

Saturday Storytime– Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us for a fun story and activity on our Children’s Department stage. Today we’ll read Splat the Cat by Rob Scotton. After some sweet treats from the Cafe, you can play with the story on NOOK Color and browse our huge selection of Toys & Games
11am

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Sunday June 12th:

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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.

Mommy Makeovers: Too much plastic surgery at once?

Posted on Friday, June 3, 2011 by Angie

Hollywood moms seem to bounce back much faster than the rest of us after having a baby. With the easy access to top trainers, diets, and plastic surgery, it isn’t a surprise that they are back to pre-baby body in no time. For the rest of us, we work hard to lose the extra weight and gain some semblance of our former body. Sometimes, it just doesn’t happen and some will begin to research plastic surgery.

The most requested procedures by moms are liposuction, tummy tucks, and breast augmentation. There’s a new trend known as “Mommy Makeovers” that have become the hot gift to give new moms so they can regain their body. It’s basically a trio of all 3 procedures (liposuction, tummy tuck, and breast augmentation) at one time. Although it is tempting to take care of everything in one day, it can pose some serious health problems according to Dr. James Grotting, a Board-Certified plastic surgeon based here in Birmingham. Some surgeons worry that packaging multiple procedures under a cutesy name could cause women to undergo more operations than needed, or cause them not to take these major medical procedures seriously. There’s always a risk of infection and other complications.

If you decide to receive elective surgery, please know that if any complications such as heart attack, stroke, blood clots or air way obstruction occur, those likely fall outside the scope of traditional major medical insurance policies and are the responsibility of the patient to pay. Too many people assume that their insurance will cover any problems, but it most likely will not.

Be educated and be prepared. Complications arise in more surgeries than you think, approximately 1 in 61. Consider looking into an extra insurance program that will provide coverage for complications that result from the elective surgery. CosmetAssure helps patients of elective cosmetic surgery avoid the financial burden of unexpected post-surgery complications, and is endorsed by the prestigious American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). It is exclusively available to its members and candidate members who have passed their written boards. Their website would be a great place to add to your list of resources.

Family Vacation Time: Callaway Gardens

Posted on Thursday, June 2, 2011 by Angie

We are always on the lookout for fun ideas for activities and trips in the region. A secret gem that is only a few minutes from Auburn in Pine Mountain, GA is Callaway Gardens Resort. We’ve decided to load up the kids and head down for a week of summer fun. They have several different packages, but we’re going to try the Summer Family Adventure since it focuses on fun for the entire family. We’ll report back with details on our adventure in June!

Here’s what we have to look forward to, with my “take” on it in bold:

A Private two-bedroom Cottage: SO crucial for having time to relax after the kids hit the hay.

A Day Camp for the kids, where they will do arts/crafts, swim, mini golf, circus activities, and other outdoor adventures. (ages 3 to 18) If my kids are in day camp, what ever will I do with my free time?? POOL. SPA.

Access to rounds of golf on Callaway Gardens’ award-winning golf courses: I’ll try not to get all “Happy Gilmore” on Angie!

Exercise classes, tennis, fishing and even circus skills: I wanted to join the circus when I was younger… a dream fulfilled!?!

Workshops and classes to learn more about photography, painting, drawing, gardening and nature: all the things I don’t currently have time for!

Evening family fun with bingo, beach activities, marshmallow roasts, miniature golf, bike rides, star gazing and more: I LOVE BINGO. It’s the one time when the elderly get no respect from me.

NEW Callaway Gardens TreeTop Adventure featuring aerial challenges for all ages and a NEW Farmers Market featuring locally, regionally available food, flowers and more: I will fly through the air and then buy fresh tomatoes for my BLT’s, what more could I want?

Have you been to Callaway Gardens? What do you suggest we put on our list of “Must Do’s” while we’re there?

Make sure to watch our Blog on al.com, we’ll be journaling our adventures there throughout the week!

Your Dose of Disney! Things to do, Part 2

Posted on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 by Angie

So where were we? In our last Disney article we started covering things to do while visiting the Magic Kingdom, here is the wrap up to that information. In case you missed the Must Do’s 1-5, check them out here before planning your trip!

6. Eating. From Mickey ice cream bars to five-star dining, Disney Parks bring all the best to your magical vacation. Whether you’re schmoozing with the Big Cheese himself at Chef Mickey’s at Walt Disney World or rubbing elbows with his clumsy counterpart at Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel, character meals allow for families to take a break from the parks while filling tummies with chef-prepared cuisine. Plus, it helps to check that all-important item off Mom’s list — pictures and autographs with the characters (without having to stand in line at the parks). For a more elegant dining option, try either award-winning restaurant – Victoria & Albert’s at Walt Disney World’s Grand Floridian or Napa Rose at Disneyland’s Grand Californian.

7. Relaxing. You are on vacation, right? So in and amongst all that seeing and doing, you certainly have to squeeze in a little rest and relaxation, too. Consider booking a relaxing massage or facial at one of the spas, enjoy a guided tour through a park or resort or simply sip something cool by the pool.

8. Playing. There’s a world of fun to be had outside the parks, too. At Walt Disney World, championship golf courses beckon you onto the greens, and there are two miniature golf courses for the less-serious putters. At Disneyland and Walt Disney World, the resorts offer games and activities for the entire family as well as Kids’ Activity Centers which allow for parents to explore Disney Parks or resorts on their own. At Walt Disney World, two water parks give a whole new meaning to fun in the water, and then there’s horseback riding, watercraft rental, fishing and much more!

9. Shopping. From finding just the right souvenir to spending the day for a shopping extravaganza, Disney Park’s answer to any guest wanting to bring a little of the magic home is Downtown Disney – at Disneyland in California and Walt Disney World in Florida. There is where you’ll find a mix of great entertainment, wonderful shopping alongside fabulous and unique dining. No
trip to either resort is complete without a day at Downtown Disney.

10. Reliving. After you’ve experienced a magical vacation, there’s nothing better than to savor it’s memories with photos you’ve taken in the parks. Another way to enhance your photos is to use Disney’s Photopass Services. By allowing Disney’s professional photographers to take casual or scheduled photos you can keep you photos safe, organized and available to you when it comes
time to relive the memories of your magical vacation.

Are you ready to book your trip? We are!

“Andi Sims is a wife and a mother of four children ranging in age from 7 to 16. A frequent traveler, she is a member of the Walt Disney World Moms Panel — which answers thousands of guests’ questions online at www.disneyworldmoms.com. This year, she answers questions exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests. Andi also maintains her personal blog concerning stories, tips and ideas on everything to do with her first (and hardest) job at www.wifeandmomuniversity.com. You can also find her on Twitter @wifeandmomuniv. She’s a sucker for anything chocolate, Mickey Mouse related or having to do with being more organized or efficient, and she runs to keep her sanity and to be able to eat more chocolate.”

As an independent contractor for Disney, Andi’s advice and opinions are her own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of the Disney company. She is under contract with Disney and is awarded a trip for her and her immediate family in exchange for her writing on the site.

A Mother's Shade of Green: Birmingham Air Quality

Posted on Tuesday, May 31, 2011 by Angie

By Kate Agliata:

Summer is Here—Stay Indoors? Yikes, Birmingham Air Quality Ranks Among Worst in Country!

Stop what you’re doing for just a few seconds to inhale deeply—just humor me, if you will! Okay, you can exhale. If you are indoors, you are probably able to to take that deep breath and not worry about potential health issues resulting from poor air quality. However, if you’re outside, and breathing in the air circulating in and around the Birmingham area, that deep breath you just took is filled with lots of reason to worry.

According to the American Lung Association, the greater Birmingham-Hoover area is ranked as the 8th worst place in the country for air quality. In fact, when looking at the overall 2011 ozone and particle pollution, the American Lung Association graded both Jefferson and Shelby counties with big fat F’s. As residents of the greater Birmingham area, we are literally breathing some of the dirtiest and most dangerous air in the country.

Science has proven air pollution to have an incredibly damaging impact on our health—especially on the health of young children and elderly, and even more so in those who suffer from asthma or other breathing difficulties. It’s been established that air pollution has an extremely negative effect upon the ozone layer. In turn, the damage caused to the ozone layer contributes to poor air quality, and the vicious cycle ensues. Aside from ozone pollution, another major contributor to poor air quality is particle pollution. Particle pollution is a mixture of several components such as acids, metals, dusts and allergens that literally float through the air. Sadly, Birmingham’s poor air quality is a result of both kinds of air pollution. According to GASP, (Greater Birmingham Alliance to Stop Pollution) the vast majority of particle pollution comes from three, decades old, coal-fired power plants situated in the surrounding area.

It’s difficult enough to fathom a workable solution to the problem as a whole, let alone manage a tactile method of protecting you and your children while outdoors. So what else can you do? You can empower yourself with knowledge about this ongoing issue, stay in tune with the daily air quality forecast, and if you’re up for it, lend your family’s support to this important battle. GASP serves our community as a tremendous resource, offering the simple facts, methods that can help tackle this huge problem, and answers to the tough questions. Additionally, you’ll also find on their Web site, a daily air quality index. This simple widget supplies you with the knowledge you need in order to better plan your children’s daily outdoor activities. It works similarly to a pollen count/UV index, and can help you determine if the air quality is safe enough for a trip to the park, or if it’s a stay indoors kind of day.

To learn more about Birmingham’s air quality issue, and to view or download this widget, (free of charge) visit their site at gaspgroup.org.

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.

May Giving Highlight – Neverthirst

Posted on Monday, May 30, 2011 by Angie

We all know how important water is for our health and survival, it’s something many of us take for granted. You’re thirsty, you head to your kitchen for a glass of water, clean water. But stop and think for just a second about people living in countries where clean water is considered a luxury, if it’s available to them at all.

Founded in 2009 by Spencer Sutton, Mark Whitehead and Forrest Walden, Neverthirst is a Birmingham faith based, non profit organization that builds wells in India, Sudan, and Central African Republic.

There are almost 1 billion people living without access to clean and safe drinking water. 4,500 kids die everyday from preventable, waterborne illnesses in the developing world, such as diarrhea, dehydration, typhoid and worms. Many women spend hours walking several miles a day to ponds and streams to collect 5 gallons of dirty water to bring home to their families. Providing people with clean water cuts down on much unnecessary illness and death, missed school, hospital trips and time spent gathering water. Neverthirst raises funds and awareness to help aid these individuals.

100% of public donations go to projects on the ground and they partner with local churches in these villages to drill the deep-water wells or provide other appropriate solutions to community water issues.

In the last 2 years NeverThirst has funded 217 projects to help more than 76,000 people.

To learn more about this wonderful organization that is based right here on our own community, visit their website at Neverthirst.org.

They host many fundraising events throughout the year, we encourage you to sign up for their emails so you can stay up to date on all of the ways you can help.

To see some incredibly beautiful photos from some of their mission trips you can also visit, JasonWallis.com. These images are truly Ahh-Mazing.

Birmingham Events Calendar: May 29th – June 5th

Posted on Sunday, May 29, 2011 by Angie

Schools out for summer! Now what? Well we’ve got plenty listed on here to keep you busy this week and the Libraries will be keeping our calendar full all summer long! Make sure to get involved in one of the many Summer Reading programs going on in your area, there’s still plenty of time!

Summer Movies also start this week, as we mentioned a couple of weeks ago, many will be free and some will be discounted. Check our Summer Movie Guide for more details.

There will be a Home Depot Kids workshop this weekend as well as the kick off to Fresh Market on the Green out at Ross Bridge.

Enjoy your first week of Summer and try to stay cool!

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

Sunday May 29th:

Memorial Weekend at the Birmingham Zoo
Join in all the fun the Zoo has to offer over the long Memorial Day Weekend, including welcoming two new giraffes, white stork chicks and welcoming back Wally the Gator! In honor of this holiday, all active and retired military and their dependents can take advantage of free admission to the Zoo on Monday, May 30th, with valid military identification.

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Monday May 30th:

Happy Memorial Day!

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Tuesday May 31st:

Summer Reading Kickoff – Hoover Library
Farmer Jason kicks off the summer with rousing songs that encourage tykes to exercise their muscles and educate their minds. Stop by our worldly farmer’s market after the show! In the Library Theatre.
10:30am, 1:30pm and 6:30pm

Storytime – Jane Boyd Holmes Public Library Helena
Come and enjoy story time here at the library
11am.

Free or Discounted Movies
Amstar Alabaster – How to Train your Dragon
Rave, Lee Branch & Patton Creek – MegaMind
Edge 12 – The Polar Express, Shrek 2

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Wednesday June 1st:

Teacher Appreciation Day – Desoto Caverns
Enjoy refreshments and a free Fun Pac for teachers that visit the park

Wonderful Wednesday Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us for crafts, snacks and a story, Dr. Seuss’ ABC. Experience the alphabet through the fun and wacky eyes of Dr. Seuss. Then, interact with the story in a whole new way with NOOK Color.
11:oo am

Pick up Summer Reading Bags – Homewood Library

Free or Discounted Movies
Amstar Alabaster – How to Train your Dragon
Rave, Lee Branch & Patton Creek – MegaMind
Edge 12 – The Polar Express, Shrek 2

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Thursday June 2nd:

Storytime – Jane Boyd Holmes Public Library Helena
Come and enjoy story time here at the library
11am.

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Friday June 3rd:

Free or Discounted Movies
Homewood Park – How to Train your Dragon
Helena Amphitheater – Despicable Me

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Saturday June 4th:

Fresh Market on the Green – Ross Bridge
Fresh Alabama grown fruits, vegetables, honey, fresh baked goods, coffee café, local artists, kids activity and more! Live music by Jim “Dawg” Parks.

The BarkIT! Market – Pet friendly market, includes adoptions, grooming and health care services, boutique pet products and gourmet pet foods. Dress your pooch in his cutest outfit and walk the red carpet in the “Puparrazi Parade” to win prizes. BAMA Airdogs to perform at 10:00 and 11:00.
8am – Noon

Saturday Market – Pepper Place
7am – Noon

Kids Workshop – Home Depot
This week they will be building a valet organizer. Designed for ages 5-12.

The workshops teach children do-it-yourself skills and tool safety, while at the same time helping to instill a sense of accomplishment. Additionally, this fun time allows for quality one-on-one time between adults and children.

In addition to the newly constructed project kit, each child receives a kid-sized orange apron, similar to The Home Depot associates’ aprons, and an achievement pin.
9am – noon

Barts Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
Make an African inspired elephant mask.

Summer Reading Costume Party Kick Off – Barnes and Noble Summit
We’re having a costume party! Come help us kick off our Summer Reading Program, “Imagination’s Destination,” by dressing as a person (past or present) who you admire or want to know more about. We’ll have prizes, refreshments and fun activities!
11am

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Sunday June 5th:

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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.

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.

Birmingham Zoo:

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

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:

Railroad Park:

Southern Museum of Flight:

Multiplicity: Naptime Showdown

Posted on Friday, May 27, 2011 by Angie

By: Angie Cleland

I love naptime… Really love naptime. Not because I nap, but because it seems to be the only time during the day when I get “me time.” Me time can mean many things. It could mean eating a late lunch in the kitchen by myself, it might mean folding laundry while catching up on DVR (always a multi-tasker.) I might need to clean house, make some phone calls and appointments, catch up on emails, write some articles, and more often than not, play on Facebook. Yes, I said it, play on Facebook.

I’ve always been a firm believer in naptime. I feel that children need their naps in order to stay balanced, at least it’s been that way with my girls. They have never been the type to fall asleep in their dinner plate or sitting on a toilet (as cute as it may be) and I think it’s because I’ve always seen napping as something they needed, so I fought for it, regardless of how much they fought me. The witching hour is hard enough without adding in a cranky non-napped child.

The twinlets are now over 3 years old and the day I have been fearing is drawing near. They don’t want to nap anymore, and on most days they don’t. I’ve realized now that it’s become less about what they need to stay balanced and more about what I need to stay sane. Somewhere down the line, the “who needs naptime more” has shifted, leaving me scrambling for a new routine.

In some ways I like the new flexibility. We get to do things in the afternoons, and we no longer have to rush home midday to make our scheduled naps. We’ve been exercising this new found freedom some this week and it’s kind of nice. I can get in a work out at the gym, hit the grocery store, have a playdate and even catch an early dinner with friends when the husband is out or working late. (Not all in the same afternoon, mind you.) It feels weird to be out of the house at 3:30 in the afternoon, but I think I like it, well, mostly like it. The whole “cleaning house while kids are awake thing” is my newest challenge.

Cleaning while my kids are up is about as productive as giving them a soda and a candy bar and putting them to sleep… It just isn’t going to happen. So this is my struggle. How to maintain the household with non napping kids, and not have to be dusting and vacuuming at midnight.. Is it possible? My current goal is to wear them completely out at least one morning each week in hopes that I can bleed this napping turnip just a little bit more and maybe, just maybe I can get through the summer months with just one little measly nap a week.

How old were your kids when they stopped napping and what do you do with your kids when it’s time to clean house?

About Angie:

Angie Cleland is the Co-Founder of BirmighamMommy.com, A Wife, Mom, & Referee. Proud owner of 3 tiny humans, navigating the complicated waters of Motherhood one day at a time.

Giveaway: DeSoto Caverns

Posted on Thursday, May 26, 2011 by Angie

As we mentioned earlier this week, we recently spent a fun fill day at Desoto Caverns.

Our kids had the best time! They played, ran, laughed, and ended the day filthy, happy, and tired… the way kids should be.

Now, we wouldn’t want to have this great experience and not share it! Our friends at DeSoto Caverns gave us a family 4 pack, which includes the cave tour AND 20 attraction tickets, to give away to one lucky BirminghamMommy.com reader!

To enter:
1. Comment here– when will YOU be heading to DeSoto? (1 entry)
2. Comment on DeSoto’s Facebook page– tell them “thank you” (1 entry per day)
3. Subscribe to our newsletter. All newsletter subscribers are automatically entered into our standard giveaways. (1 entry)
4. Tell a friend, or 2, or 5! If a friend comments here that you sent them, you both get an extra entry. (unlimited)

Good luck!

Giveaway will end Saturday May 28th at noon. Winner will be announced via email and Facebook!

Medical Minute: Infertility, Diagnosis and Treatment

Posted on Wednesday, May 25, 2011 by Angie

How is infertility diagnosed?

When conception does not occur after one year of unprotected intercourse, after six months in women over age 35, or if there are known problems causing infertility, a medical evaluation of both the male and female is recommended. Some obstetrician/gynecologists (OB/GYNs) are able to provide basic infertility evaluation and treatment. However, many causes of infertility are best treated by a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist. This is an OB/GYN who has had addit

ional education and training in infertility and is certified with the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the sub-specialty of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.

Generally, the OB/GYN or reproductive endocrinologist will evaluate specific situations and perform tests in both the male and female partners to determine the cause of infertility. The physician is looking for answers to the following questions:

Is the female ovulating regularly?
Is the male producing healthy, viable sperm?
Are the female’s egg and the male’s sperm able to unite and grow normally?
Are there any obstacles to proper implantation and maintenance of the pregnancy?

The following tests are often part of the basic medical workup for infertility.

both partners
- medical and sexual history (to evaluate possible physical causes of infertility and if sexual intercourse has been appropriately timed)
female
- physical examination
  A complete physical examination (including a Pap smear and testing for infection) will be necessary.
- ovulation evaluation
  An evaluation of ovulation function using an analysis of body temperatures and ovulation called the basal body temperature chart, or with ovulation prediction methods using urine samples, may be recommended.
- hormone testing
  Hormone testing may be recommended, as certain hormones increase and decrease in production at various times in the monthly cycle.
- ultrasound
  Ultrasound can show the presence of follicles (the sacs containing developing eggs) and the thickness of the uterine tissues. Ultrasound can also show abnormal conditions, such as ovarian cysts or fibroids (benign tumors in the uterus).
- x-rays
  A hysterosalpingogram may be recommended. This test uses a radio-opaque dye injected into the cervical opening to visualize the inside of the uterus and determine if the fallopian tubes are open.
male
- semen analysis
  A collection of a semen sample obtained by masturbation that is analyzed in the laboratory for the sperm count, sperm motility, sperm shape, quantity, and evaluation of the ejaculate liquid may be recommended. According to the ASRM, a normal ejaculate contains more than 20 million sperm per milliliter of liquid, more than 50 percent of the sperm should be moving forward, and more than 30 percent of sperm should have normal shapes.
- other tests may be performed that evaluate the sperm’s ability to penetrate the egg, as well as male hormone testing
Men may be referred to a urologist for further evaluation.

Treatment for infertility:

Specific treatment for infertility will be determined by your physician based on:

your age, overall health, and medical history
extent of the disorder
cause of the disorder
your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
expectations for the course of the disorder
your opinion or preference

Once a diagnosis is made, the specialist can work with you to determine the course of treatment. According to the ASRM, most infertility cases (85 to 90 percent) are treated with conventional therapies, such as drug treatment or surgical repair of reproductive abnormalities. Depending on the cause of infertility, there are many options to offer an infertile couple.

Types of treatments for women may include the following:

ovulation medications
These medications help regulate the timing of ovulation and stimulate the development and release of mature eggs. They can also help correct hormonal problems that can affect the lining of the uterus as it prepares to receive a fertilized egg. Ovulation medications can stimulate more than one egg to be released which increases the possibility of having twins and other multiples. Some of the common ovulation medications include the following:

clomiphene citrate
human menopausal gonadotropins – medications containing follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH)
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

intrauterine insemination
For some conditions, including low sperm count and cervical mucus problems, a procedure that places specially washed and prepared sperm directly into the uterus through a small catheter (flexible tube) helps increase the chances for conception. This procedure is often used in combination with ovulation medications.

surgery
Surgery may be used to treat or repair a condition that is causing infertility such as fallopian tube blockage, or endometriosis. A common surgical procedure often used as part of the diagnostic workup of infertility is the laparoscopy. In a laparoscopy, a small telescope inserted into the abdominal or pelvic cavity allows internal organs to be visualized. Some procedures to treat infertility can be performed using instruments inserted through the laparoscope.

assisted reproductive technology (ART)
For some couples, more extensive treatment is needed. With most forms of ART, the sperm and egg are united in the laboratory and the fertilized egg is returned to the woman’s uterus where it can implant and develop. Although ART procedures are often costly, many are being used with success. These include the following:

in vitro fertilization (IVF) – involves extracting a woman’s eggs, fertilizing the eggs in the laboratory with sperm, and then transferring the resulting embryo(s) into the woman’s uterus through the cervix (embryo transfer) where it can develop. Most couples transfer two embryos; however, more may be transferred in certain cases. IVF is the most common form of ART and it is often the treatment of choice for a woman with blocked, severely damaged, or absent fallopian tubes. IVF is also used for infertility caused by endometriosis or male factor infertility. IVF is sometimes used to treat couples with long-term unexplained infertility who have not been able to conceive with other infertility treatments. According to the ASRM, the average cost of one IVF cycle in the United States is $12,400. More than one IVF cycle, however, is usually needed.
intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) – a procedure in which a single sperm is injected directly into an egg; this procedure is most commonly used to help with male factor infertility problems.
gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) – involves using a fiber-optic instrument called a laparoscope to guide the transfer of unfertilized eggs and sperm into the woman’s fallopian tubes through small incisions in her abdomen. GIFT is only used in women with healthy fallopian tubes.
zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT) – involves fertilizing a woman’s eggs in the laboratory and then using a laparoscope to guide the transfer of the fertilized eggs (zygotes) into her fallopian tubes. ZIFT is only used in women with healthy fallopian tubes.
donor eggs – involves an embryo formed from the egg of one woman (the donor) being transferred to another woman who is unable to conceive with her own eggs (the recipient). The donor relinquishes all parental rights to any resulting offspring. ART using donor eggs is much more common among older women than among younger women. The likelihood of a fertilized egg implanting is related to the age of the woman who produced the egg. Egg donors are typically in their 20s or early 30s.
embryo cryopreservation – a procedure in which embryos are preserved through freezing (cryopreservation) for transfer at a later date. This procedure is often used when an IVF cycle produces more embryos than can be transferred at one time. The remaining embryos can be transferred in a future cycle if the woman does not become pregnant.

There is a range of treatment options currently available for male factor infertility. Treatment may include:

assisted reproductive technologies (ART)
This type of treatment may include the following:
- artificial insemination
  Artificial insemination involves the placement of relatively large numbers of healthy sperm either at the entrance of the cervix or into the partner’s uterus, bypassing the cervix, to have direct access to the fallopian tubes.
- IVF, GIFT, and other techniques
  In vitro fertilization (IVF) or gamete intra-fallopian transfer (GIFT) have been used for the treatment of male infertility. As is the case with artificial insemination, IVF and similar techniques offer the opportunity to prepare sperm in vitro, so that oocytes are exposed to an optimal concentration of high quality, motile sperm.
- microsurgical fertilization (microinjection techniques such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection, or ICSI)
  This treatment is used to facilitate sperm penetration by injection of a single sperm into the oocyte. Fertilization then takes place under the microscope.
drug therapy
A small percentage of infertile men have a hormonal disorder that can be treated with hormone therapy. Hormonal imbalances caused by a dysfunction in the mechanism of interaction between the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and the testes directly affect the development of sperm (spermatogenesis). Drug therapy may include gonadotrophin therapy, antibiotics, or another medication deemed appropriate.
surgery
Surgical therapy in male infertility is designed to overcome anatomical barriers that impede sperm production and maturation or ejaculation. Surgical procedures to remove varicose veins in the scrotum (varicocele) can sometimes serve to improve the quality of sperm.

What is unexplained infertility?

About 20 percent of couples have unexplained infertility, for which a cause, despite all investigations, is not found. Unexplained infertility does not mean there is no reason for the problem, but that the reason is unable to be identified at the present time.