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A Day at DeSoto Caverns

Posted on by Angie
Looking for Gemstones

We had the pleasure to spend a day at Desoto Caverns a few weeks ago.  We loaded the kids in the car and took a nice 40 minute drive to Childersburg.  We had an absolute blast!  Here’s our breakdown—

*Small enough to be comfortable and not overwhelming, but large enough to accomodate large groups

*Bring a towel, swimsuits, and bug spray/sunscreen.  The splash pad is a must, and the water attractions were too fun to miss out on.  Our kids ended up soaking wet, with huge smiles.

*Pack your lunch- this is picnic style eating.  If you forget there are some limited options.

*The caverns part was simply inspiring.  It was breathtaking and I could go back today.

*Tour guide was outstanding.  My 5 year old son was so excited to explore, but got scared when the time came to enter the caverns.  Seth, the friendly guide, gave him his flashlight and appointed him his helper.  I am so grateful– my son learned to not let fear hasten him, and he left saying that this was “…the greatest day ever.”

Now, we wouldn’t tell you how great it is and then not offer a giveaway.  Never!  Giveaway is coming up next!

Working Mommy Madness: What I Know for Sure

Posted on by Angie

By Harmony Hobbs:

Oprah does this thing in her magazine called What I Know For Sure. It’s an editorial piece she writes every month and although I feel like I’m still too young to fully embrace the Oprah brand, I really do love her honesty.

She once openly admitted to wearing full-body (including her arms and back) shapewear on national television. FULL BODY SHAPEWEAR?! Who would have guessed such a thing existed? I marvel. She is a woman after my own heart.

Like Oprah, there are some things I know for sure. Take, for example, the fact that marriage and parenthood are, in that order, the two most humbling, arduous, and downright irritating tasks I’ve undertaken. Ironically, these relationships have also enriched and blessed my life more than I could ever explain. This is a plus, because if it wasn’t as awesome as it was downright awful, I would be one miserable bi-yatch.

Can I get an amen?

Let’s be real. It’s HARD to be a mom and a wife. I don’t just mean difficult. I mean, “OMG, I’m-going-to-rip-his-face-off-and-nail-it-to-a-door (meaning my husband),” or “I’m-going-to-dye-my-hair-red-and-run-away-to-Mexico” kind of impossible. There are rough patches. Bad days. There are moments when I don’t like my spouse or my child. Does admitting these things make me a terrible person? I don’t think so.

Thankfully, those moments don’t last for long before they subside, but it can be a struggle to get through them with everyone in one piece. When it’s over, the hugs are administered and apologies made … we begin again.

What I know for sure is that life can be overwhelming and some days it’s nearly impossible to keep it all in perspective. It’s easy to start feeling like the responsibilities of life are a burden that you are unfairly bearing. You bitch. You complain. You sink into the pit of despair and laundry. You blame your spouse. You’re positive you are tireder than anyone else. Ever.

We all fall prey to a little self pity. But truthfully, I wouldn’t have my life any other way. I’ll take it all, problematic or not. When my son wanders into our bedroom at 6:00 am, he pulls ME out of bed and asks for breakfast. When my husband loses his wallet, he asks ME where it is. When someone in our house needs something – anything – they turn to me. Where is the milk. Can you iron this. Where is my train. What is this. Where is that. Do we have anymore Pop-Tarts. Can I have a cookie. Can I have chips for breakfast. Mommy. Mommy. Mommy.

And that is all before I start my work day, bringing with it a whole new brand of crazy.
Sometimes, yes, it makes me feel like my head is going to explode.

Despite all of that, I know that they turn to me because I am the glue that holds my family together. I work, I mother, I wife, and I am the only person in my household who can do what I do every day, in heels. When I forget how awesome I am, leaving my husband in charge for a few hours while I’m out of the house quickly reminds me.

So, yes — I DO know where the train is … I WILL iron that in a minute … and NO, you cannot have chips for breakfast.

This I know for sure: being a woman is not a burden. Don’t fall into a trap and victimize yourself! Womanhood is a blessing, and no one said it was easy. We create life and we make things beautiful. We are the heart of the home whether we work in it, out of it, or both. And yes, we are also a little bit crazy — but most of us make up for it by being pretty to look at.

What do you know for sure?

About Harmony:

Harmony blew into Birmingham after Hurricane Katrina and is a self-proclaimed “never home maker” striving for a balance between her career and family life. Visit her blog Working Mommy Madness to read more!

Birmingham Events Calendar: May 22nd – May 29th

Posted on by Angie

Summer Reading is kicking off, Summer movies are just around the corner and we’ve got storytimes galore!

Coming up on Saturday the new Imagination Lab opens up at the McWane Science center and Birmingham will get it’s first taste of a Salsa Showdown, we personally can’t wait for either of those!

We’ve got a Lowe’s Build and Grow clinic going on and Farmers Markets are in full swing! Have a great week!

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

Sunday May 22nd:

Tannehill Trade Days – Tannehill State Park
shoppers and swappers come from far and near to Tannehill Trade Days in search of tools, clothing, jewelry, knives, furniture and other treasures.
7am – 5pm

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

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 May 23rd:

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 May 24th:

Storytime – Homewood Library
Join us for the fun of it!  All ages welcome.
10:30am

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

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Wednesday May 25th:

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
Who can skip over huge and twisty tree trunks? Who can leap through shark-infested puddles? And who already has the perfect sidekick? Ladybug Girl! Come join us as we find that you’re never too little to have an adventure.
11:oo 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

Storytime – Homewood Library
Join us for the fun of it!  All ages welcome.
10:30am

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Thursday May 26th:

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

PJ Storytime – North Shelby Library
Come in your PJs, have milk and cookies, and hear some wonderful bedtime tales.
All Ages. No Registration Required
7pm

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Friday May 27th:

Storyday with Ms NeNe – Whole Foods
Come meet Mrs. Renee Schmidt “NeNe” as we bring you our beloved storytime. Enjoy storyboards, songs and snacks!
10am

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

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Saturday May 28th:

1st Annual Salsa Showdown – Pepper Place
1st Annual Salsa Showdown! Join us and help decide which Birmingham area restaurant serves up the best chips and salsa. We’ll have live entertainment, cooking demonstrations, hourly prize pinatas, kids activities and a Hot Pepper Eating Contest. Not to mention fresh margaritas and ice cold drinks!
$10 in advance, $15 day of the event
2:00- 6:00 pm

Saturday Market – Pepper Place
7am – Noon
Cooking Demonstration: Chef George Sarris of The Fish Market

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

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.

Lowe’s Build and Grow
Your child will love this kit! This cool Biplane comes with two complete sets of stickers and punch out pilots!
10am

Barts Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
Look to the Aztecs and Mayans for a gold inspired jewelry activity.

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

Super Saturday Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
What’s your favorite book? Come and hear a story about a girl who (gasp!) doesn’t like books and the librarian who was determined to change her mind. We’ll have treats from the Cafe too!
11am

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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.

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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Local Attractions Open Daily!

McWane Science Center:

Itty Bitty Magic City –
The mini-sized Magic City – complete with buildings and factories – encourages young learners to explore new skills as they join the cities’ workforce. By dressing up in a favorite career costume and becoming a steel worker, doctor, pilot scientist or train conductor, preschoolers take one small step into the world around them. While operating cranes, turning gears, pulling pulleys, and building structures – to name just a few of the hands-on activities – children expand their understanding of themselves as they experience how objects behave and how their own actions affect the objects around them. Little explorers are free to navigate this active learning area at their own pace, allowing creativity, fun and discovery to flourish in the Itty Bitty Magic City!

NatureScope –  Explore the great outdoors from inside the museum. McWane Science Center and the Birmingham Audubon Society are partnering to create a new exhibit called NatureScope. Explore the science of the birds and the bugs in this new area! Get up close and personal with some resident creepy crawlies! Learn what role insects play in our ecosystem with the decomposition chamber. Meet large bugs including emperor scorpions, a tarantula, and even a giant African millipede!

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.

See Mommy Run

Posted on by Angie

By Angie Cleland:

I’m not a runner, never have been. And I understand that 8 days does not a runner make, but something in me is different. My stress level has been higher and I’ve needed a way to decompress. I’ve started running and get this! No one is chasing me. No one is forcing me. I’m not doing it for the good of a charity… I actually want to.

Last week my beautiful children had given me one of “those days.”  Wrapped it up in a box and put a nice little our-mission-is to-put-you-in-the-looney-bin bow on top. Nothing went right, the noise level in the house was off the chart, food was flying, bodies were flailing and did I mention I had PMS? The husband came home from work and I ran, literally. I laced up my shoes and ran away.

There was something so incredibly freeing about being able to run away from my children, my house, my responsibilities, the whole shebang. It was nice to take off and say eat my dust (and your dinner while I’m gone) at least for the first 15-20 minutes, before turning and making my way back.

I ran. I thought. I reflected. And for the first time in well, ever, I didn’t think about how many minutes I had left, I didn’t think about every single step I was taking, and I wasn’t looking for an excuse to take a short cut and head back. I was actually not hating running.

On about my 3rd run, I had the novel idea of making this my new habit. Husband comes home, I go run. Since my body is more Birkini ready than it is bikini ready, I figure it can’t hurt in the getting in shape department. And the real payoff? I come back 40 minutes later a way more patient, caring and kind person. It’s a win for everyone. (Not to mention my butt and thighs should be thinning.)

I’m not committing to a 5K or a marathon, I’ve done that before and I think that’s my demise. Too much pressure. I’ve tried for years to like running and have finally realized that my stress level just wasn’t high enough to actually enjoy it. I still don’t understand what people mean about a “Runners High” other than they must be high to talk such nonsense, but who knows, maybe one day I’ll get there. Until then, I’m just taking it one stressful day and one de-stressing step at a time.

What extracurricular activities have you started just to get a little “me time?”

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.

This post originally ran on the Deep South Moms Blog

Your Dose of Disney! Things to Do, Part 1

Posted on by Angie

By Andi Sims:

Most moms keep a list going at all times. A “To Do List” is a must for the busy home manager, and moms planning a vacation to a Disney Park are bound to want a list managed with as much precision on the family trip as it is at home. There’s fun to be had…so let’s get started!

1. Planning. The fun actually starts before you ever leave home by taking a tour of the Disney Parks websites www.disneyworld.com and www.disneyland.com. Gather the family around and begin your vacation by virtually experiencing all the parks, resorts, restaurants and attractions making a personal list of what not to miss. Plus, you can order a vacation-planning DVD, design customized maps of the parks, set up a countdown calendar and ask questions from the mom experts at www.disneyworldmoms.com.  All for free!

2. Scheduling. After you’ve seen all there is to experience on a Disney Parks vacation, you’ll want to roll up your sleeves and start making those reservations – either online or by phone. You’ll want to stay close to the magic at a Disney resort, and the various and scrumptious choices of the Disney restaurants will make dining reservations a must-do, too!

3. Traveling. Arriving for a Walt Disney World vacation is made even more magical by Disney’s Magical Express at Orlando International Airport. There’s almost nothing to worry about as you’re whisked away to your resort, and transportation once you’re on property is taken care of by the fleet of buses, boats, and monorails. At Disneyland, the best part about your commute to the parks is that there is none. You simply walk out of your hotel and on to the parks!

4. Seeing. From the time you arrive, you’ll want to take it all in, and there’s no better way to make sure you don’t miss any of the stage shows, events, fireworks or characters is to pick up a Park Map and Times Guide at any of the four theme parks at Walt Disney World or the two parks at Disneyland. You’ll definitely want to catch Fantasmic! — a spine-tingling story of good versus
evil set to Disney’s classic music and state-of-the art pyrotechnics. The shows play on select nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World and on the Rivers of the Americas at Disneyland.

5. Doing. Every guest has their favorite attraction in mind as they enter a Disney park, but usually at the top of everyone’s experience are those classics common to Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California. For years, guests have been challenged by Space Mountain, enchanted by it’s a small world and thrilled by Pirates of the Caribbean. Some attractions have just become of rite of passage! And just when you think you’ve done it all, Disney Parks add more thrills and chills to their ever-growing line up of attractions.

About Andi:

“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.

Summer Activities for Kids

Posted on by Angie

It may get hot here in the south during the summer but kids just don’t seem to mind. Here are some activities to keep them busy  while school is out. Make sure to keep the little ones hydrated and lathered in sunscreen.

1. Create a backyard water wonderland! Baby Pools and sprinklers galore. We like this idea for parents with multiple aged children. You can put the itty bittys down for their nap while keeping the older ones happy with outdoor time. Have a water balloon fight, or have some fun with ice cubes! Try some icy building blocks – Sprinkle a little salt onto an ice cube and press it onto another ice cube. The salt will melt the ice slightly and then it will refreeze to hold the two together. Stack the ice cubes to form a pyramid, a wall or other structure.

2. Hit up the local pool, waterpark, or splash pad. Something different than your own back yard will be a happy treat. Pack a lunch and lots of liquids and sunscreen. Combine your water fun by going to places like the Birmingham Zoo or Desoto Caverns. They have lots to do and you can finish up with some fun in their on site splash pad.

3. Take a hike! The Birmingham area has a lot of options when it comes to hiking. Oak Mountain, Ruffner Mountain and Moss Rock to name a few. Create a nature scavenger hunt before you go for a little added fun on your hike.

4. Pick some fruit. Sure going to the farmers market on Saturday morning is the easy way to get some local fresh and seasonal fruit, but loading up the kids to pick some of their own will definitely be more fun. Visit this site for a list of where to go.

5. We’re bound to have some rainy days. If they are in fact just rain, let them play outside, kids love to splash in puddles and will be thrilled that Mom is throwing caution to the wind. If you’re stuck indoors, try making some ice cream, or frozen drink concoctions. Make a fort in the living room, pop some popcorn and have a movie date. Dance parties are always popular in our house and you can do that rain or shine!

How do you pass the summer days and keep it exciting for the kids?

Holding back your Kindergarten-age Child: Will it Really Give him an Edge?

Posted on by Angie

By Kate Agliata:

The issue of grade retention has been a controversial one for many years. Yet in today’s world, the truth is that more parents than ever before are giving serious consideration to retaining their kindergartener, or holding back another year their preschooler so that he or she will wait until the age of six to enter kindergarten. Statistics show an increase in the number of parents who not only consider this action, but are also following through with the decision to hold their child back. According to findings from the National Center for Educational Statistics, about 5 percent of kindergarten-aged children repeat the year and another 7 percent are being held back in preschool before beginning kindergarten.

With retention statistics steadily increasing every decade, research indicates a growing number of people in favor of holding their young children back a year. Yet, how do the benefits stack up against the risks? What exactly are the factors being weighed? For parent and educator Amy Mascott, a Washington D.C. area reading specialist, and founder of the online parenting resource, We Teach, the decision to hold back her five-year-old son, Owen, was not one in which she and her husband came to lightly. There are an overwhelming amount of factors to consider, all of which merit incredible thought—after all, the direction a child takes at this stage in the game is pivotal in their future educational career, as well as their social well-being. “We thought that extra year would be beneficial to him in the long run,” says Mascott. Owen, who was born in mid August of 2007, will begin kindergarten this coming school year. “He will now be one of the older kids in his class vs the youngest, and we think that will eventually work to his benefit academically and socially.” Mascott says she and her husband spent hours deliberating their decision, talking with one another, their friends, Owen’s teachers, and other family members. “Everyone we spoke to said the same thing: that those people who held their kids back only had good things to say about doing so; the only negative we heard was from people who said that they wished they would have done the same for their own child.”

In addition to your own ongoing observance of your child at home, talking with his or her teacher or day care provider is one of the best places to begin when trying to form an initial assessment of your child’s learning abilities. Not all children of the same age progress at the same rate academically, or socially. In fact, as parents, many of us have observed at one time or another the vast differences within young children many months apart—especially with as many as 11 months apart in age. Therefore, a boy who enters kindergarten at the age of five-years-old and one day, may be at a completely different learning stage than a boy who begins the school year at age five years and 11 months.. These same children may also come to school with varied abilities, some can already read and write, while others still struggle to recognize letters in the alphabet.

Parents also need to consider the long-term impact on their child whether or not they decide to retain him or her, or allow them to progress to the next grade. Mascott, who is also a former High School English teacher, explains that her experience as an educator allowed her to see the potential differences in Owen’s academic future. “I could also always tell my younger ninth and tenth grade students—the boys, especially, were more needy when it came to group work and in social situations. That experience also helped to shape our decision for Owen.”

No matter what decision you come to when faced with whether or not to retain your child, make sure that the number one motivator is always in the best interest of your son or daughter. As for Mascott, she stands strong behind the decision she and her husband made on Owen’s behalf. “I know clearly that socially, emotionally, and academically, he’s ready. I will be so incredibly sad when he walks into the school next fall, with his classmates, but my sadness will be overshadowed by the confidence I’ll feel that our decision to hold him back for a year was the best fit for him. I’d personally rather feel confident that he’s ready than worried that he wasn’t.”

About Kate:

Kate, a freelance writer and mother of two, most often finds creative inspiration in writing, but occasionally at the bottom of an empty wine glass. She has hijacked her family’s former lifestyle and is in the midst of creating a simpler and greener approach to life. To follow her family’s challenges and successes in this endeavor, visit her blog, at Kate’s Musings. She and her family have lived in Birmingham since 2009.

Birmingham Events Calendar May 15th – May 22nd

Posted on by Angie

Summer is getting so close, can you feel it? We know you are all super busy wrapping up the school year and having your last soccer games and parties, but we’ve got a few ideas for you this week just in case you can squeeze in any other activities!

One of Birmingham’s favorite events will happen this Saturday, Do Dah Day!! Take the family out for some fun that includes your furry, four legged kids too!

Looks like it’s going to be a nice week weather wise so whatever you choose to do, enjoy!! Have a great week!

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

Sunday May 15th:

Birmingham Slow Food Fair – Jones Valley Urban Farm
“Party in the Garden” will include a variety of musical acts, delicious food samples, kids’ activities, and a mini Farmer’s Market.

The following restaurants are Slow Food Fair partners: Bettola, Bottega, Bottletree, Brick & Tin, Cantina, Food Studio B, Good People Brewing Company, Grassroots Wine, International Wines, Jim ‘N Nick’s, Kathy G, Rojo, Salt Fine Catering, and Trattoria Centrale.
2pm – 6m

Tickets are $30 and all proceeds benefit Jones Valley Urban Farm’s education programs. Buy tickets online or at the gate. Children ages 12 and under are free.

Butterfly Exhibit Opens – Desoto Caverns

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 May 16th:

Birmingham Barons vs. The Montgomery Biscuits
7:05pm

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Tuesday May 17th:

Storytime – Homewood Library
Join us for the fun of it!  All ages welcome.
10:30am

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

Birmingham Barons vs. The Montgomery Biscuits
Buy 1 Ticket, Get 1 Free from KRAFT Singles with purchase. Bring your package wrapper to a Barons game on Tuesdays for a steal of a deal! Visit kraftsingles.com for more info! Exclusions apply. $1 Days $1 and $2 select concession items.
7:05pm

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Wednesday May 18th:

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
Everyone will enjoy the story Talk, Oscar, Please! by Karen Orloff. He yips, howls and barks… but can he talk? Help us solve the mystery as we create some art, tour our new Toys & Games Department, and snack on something sweet from our Cafe.
11:oo 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

Storytime – Homewood Library
Join us for the fun of it!  All ages welcome.
10:30am

Birmingham Barons vs. The Montgomery Biscuits
AAA Wednesday – Buy one ticket get one ticket free and free parking with your AAA card
11am

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Thursday May 19th:

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

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Friday May 20th:

Storyday with Ms NeNe – Whole Foods
Come meet Mrs. Renee Schmidt “NeNe” as we bring you our beloved storytime. Enjoy storyboards, songs and snacks!
10am

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

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Saturday May 21st:

Do Dah Day – Caldwell Park
One of the city’s most cherished springtime events. Parade along Highland Avenue begins at 11:01 a.m. Parade viewing and event in the park are FREE

Magic City, Magic Kingdom – AAA Building Acton Road
Thinking about planning that family trip to Walt Disney World, but don’t know where to start? AAA Alabama and local Disney World experts and fans are here to help with a fun and free family-friendly event.

Lunch sponsored by Zoes Kitchen at Patton Creek. The presentation will begin at noon, followed by Q&A and meet-and-greet with Sims and Sehlinger.
11:30am

Tannehill Trade Days – Tannehill State Park
shoppers and swappers come from far and near to Tannehill Trade Days in search of tools, clothing, jewelry, knives, furniture and other treasures.
7am – 5pm

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

Barts Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
Look to the Aztecs and Mayans for a gold inspired jewelry activity.

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

Super Saturday Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
It’s Splat the Cat’s first day of school and he’s worried. Come join us for this special Storytime to find out what cats do at school! We’ll have a special activity afterwards and some yummy treats from the Cafe.
11am

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Sunday May 22nd:

Tannehill Trade Days – Tannehill State Park
shoppers and swappers come from far and near to Tannehill Trade Days in search of tools, clothing, jewelry, knives, furniture and other treasures.
7am – 5pm

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

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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Local Attractions Open Daily!

McWane Science Center:

Itty Bitty Magic City –
The mini-sized Magic City – complete with buildings and factories – encourages young learners to explore new skills as they join the cities’ workforce. By dressing up in a favorite career costume and becoming a steel worker, doctor, pilot scientist or train conductor, preschoolers take one small step into the world around them. While operating cranes, turning gears, pulling pulleys, and building structures – to name just a few of the hands-on activities – children expand their understanding of themselves as they experience how objects behave and how their own actions affect the objects around them. Little explorers are free to navigate this active learning area at their own pace, allowing creativity, fun and discovery to flourish in the Itty Bitty Magic City!

NatureScope –  Explore the great outdoors from inside the museum. McWane Science Center and the Birmingham Audubon Society are partnering to create a new exhibit called NatureScope. Explore the science of the birds and the bugs in this new area! Get up close and personal with some resident creepy crawlies! Learn what role insects play in our ecosystem with the decomposition chamber. Meet large bugs including emperor scorpions, a tarantula, and even a giant African millipede!

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.

Summer Reading Programs are Heating Up

Posted on by Angie

The temperatures are rising and the school year is coming to an end. Many of the local libraries will be launching their summer reading programs to keep those little minds busy during the off season. Here’s a rundown:

Homewood Public Library – The One World, Many Stories Summer Reading program will begin on Tuesday, June 7 at 10:30 am and run through Tuesday, July 26 at 10:30 am for kids in pre-school through 5th grade. You may register online beginning Sunday, May 15.

Emmet O Neal Library – This year’s theme is “One World, Many Stories.”  Kick-Off: Sunday, May 22 – 1:30 p.m. Fun Run, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Carnival

North Shelby Library – Early Registration begins on May 16th –  Regular Registration for Summer Reading begins Monday, May 23rd – All Day  They are also using the theme “One World, Many Stories.”

Hoover Public Library – Read for fun, prizes, and a free book!  For babies through rising 5th graders. “One World, Many Stories”  May 16th – July 15th. Summer reading art contest is going on now until May 20th. Submit your work of art (12 in. x 18 in.) to the Kid Zone.  Sixteen pieces will be selected and displayed along the starred hallway during June and July.

Pelham Public Library – “One World, Many Stories”  Registration begins May 31st

Trussville Public Library – Kick off to their summer reading program will be June 2nd. Join them in the park as they kick of their Summer Reading Program with special guest, Farmer Jason! He will rock out at 10:30am and 1:00pm. Stop by to sign up and have tons of fun!

Gardendale Public Library – “One World, Many Stories” Registration begins May 23rd. Babies to grade 6 and up..

* The Birmingham Public Library (BPL) is excited to launch its 2011 Summer Reading program on June 1 at all 18 BPL locations.

Books A Million –
Children ages 7-12 can take a passport to have an adventure this summer as they join Jack and Annie on their travels around the world. The summer adventure kicks off on May 24th, when children can pick-up their passport at any Books-A-Million’s location or download it at www.booksamillion.com/magictreehouse.

Children who participate in the program and read six books between May 20 and August 1 will receive a free, exclusive Books-A-Million Magic Tree House tote bag to take on their own summer adventures. Children can also enter the “Passport to Adventure” essay contest by visiting www.booksamillion.com/magictreehouse. The Grand Prize winner receives their very own custom designed Magic Tree House from Kids Crooked House.

Barnes and Noble –
Read any 8 books and record it in a journal, once the journal is complete and turned in, childre  choose a FREE book from their list. Go HERE to get your journal. Participating locations are the Summit and Patton Creek.

When we come across more listings for summer programs we’ll be sure to update the list, so if you don’t see your library listed, check back here or their website.

Event of the Week: Mudbugs and Music

Posted on by Angie

Mudbugs & Music is a family-friendly fundraising event complete with live music all day long, indoor silent auction with items from generous vendors from all over the Birmingham area and beyond,  and crawfish & fixin’s cooked on-site.  You’ll have plenty of beer to cool you off, a children’s area with BirminghamMommy and activity stations provided by the McWane Center. Moonwalk, face painting and other activities for the kiddos, and pups are always welcome!

The goal of Mudbugs and Music is to raise awareness for arthritis through the event and help to improve lives through leadership in the prevention, control and cure of arthritis, the nation’s No.1 cause of disability.  There are over 100 types of arthritis and more then 1 MILLION women, men and children that are affected by it in our state – ranking Alabama #2 in the nation in diagnosed cases of arthritis & rheumatic diseases.  Chances are you know someone affected by this disease.

Check out our 2011 Junior Honorees to read the real story of children with Juvenile Arthritis here in Alabama.

All proceeds raised at Mudbugs & Music go to various arthritis initiatives throughout the state, including the Juvenile Arthritis Initiative – an avenue where funds will go directly toward funding the Alabama pediatric rheumatology program

Tickets are $25/person and includes your entry into the event as well as all the crawfish and fixin’s your can stomach in a six hour period.  To purchase tickets in advance, click here.

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