Birmingham Events Calendar – Holiday Edition

Posted on Monday, December 27, 2010 by Angie

We know everyone is busy right now with parities, traveling and preparing for the upcoming holiday festivities. Many things are winding down right around town and at the local libraries, so our regular events calendar will be on hiatus until after the holidays. Don’t worry, we aren’t leaving you without any thing to do until the New Year, here are a few things you can fit in if you have time. If we come across anything else we will of course add it to our list!

Happy Holidays! We’re looking forward to more exciting events in 2011.

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

Zoo Light Safari – Birmingham Zoo
Enjoy over a half a millions lights on December 26-31 and January 1-2 from 5pm-9pm. Admission is FREE for Members and $8 for Non-Members

Kwanzaa Celebration – Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute will host a community celebration of Kwanzaa. The activities will begin with a hands-on workshop for children at 5:00 p.m. The Family Kwanzaa Celebration at 6:30 p.m. will highlight the principles for the third day of Kwanzaa, “ujima” which means “collective work.” The program will include African music, dance and the candle lighting ceremony.
Tuesday December 28th 5pm – 8pm

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

The Home Depot’s Kids Workshops offer useful projects including the creation of toolboxes, fire trucks and mail organizers, as well as more educational projects, such as a window birdhouse, bughouse or Declaration of Independence frame kit.

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.

**SPECIAL TIME this week due to the holiday!! 11:00am – 2:00pm

Open Daily

McWane Science Center

Winter Wonderland Exhibit
Brrrr! When the weather outside is frightful, McWane is so delightful! Come inside the museum this holiday season and let your imagination be your guide through the new Winter Wonderland exhibits where snowflakes glisten above your head and toy trains zip around the tracks. Inside this new holiday exhibit, wonder is in the air as children explore the snow room where everyday they can touch the “almost” snow! Kids’ laughter can be heard as they try to catch fish through the ice. Brave winter wonder seekers can even sled down a giant snow hill between the third and second floors in the museum. Then, skate around the ice pond in your slippery socks.
November 26th – January 2nd

Magic of Model Trains Exhibit
November 6, 2010 – January 2, 2011
The holidays are picking up steam at McWane Science Center with the return of the Magic of Model Trains exhibit. Discover trains of every shape and size inside this popular exhibit which features over a dozen different train displays. Sets include several tiny trains that are built to scale with surrounding cities and scenes including the LG&W that depicts central Alabama in the 1950’s. Every set in the exhibit is designed to scale with the size of the trains. The meticulous detail of the scenery including covered bridges, downtown storefronts and of course, several train stations will keep your family entertained for hours!

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town… Track His Every Move.

Posted on Thursday, December 23, 2010 by Angie

I remember when I was a kid turning on the late news on Christmas Eve and watching the make shift Santa Tracker they had set up. Something that resembled some blinky clip art and a good ole map. But oh how times have changed with the help of time, technology and a little thing called “Google.”

Starting tomorrow the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) will start tracking Santa’s journey from his home at the North Pole to houses all across the world, something they have been doing since 1955,

According to the NORAD Website here is how they track Santa:

NORAD uses four high-tech systems to track Santa – radar, satellites, Santa Cams and fighter jets.

Tracking Santa starts with the NORAD radar system called the North Warning System. This powerful radar system consists of 47 installations strung across the northern border of North America. On December 24th, NORAD monitors the radar systems continuously for indications that Santa Claus has left the North Pole.

The moment that radar indicates Santa has lifted off, we use our second detection system. Satellites positioned in geo-synchronous orbit at 22,300 miles from the Earth’s surface are equipped with infrared sensors, which enable them to detect heat. Amazingly, Rudolph’s bright red nose gives off an infrared signature, which allows our satellites to detect Rudolph and Santa.

The third tracking system is the Santa Cam network. We began using it in 1998, which is the year we put our Santa Tracking program on the internet. Santa Cams are ultra-cool, high-tech, high-speed digital cameras that are pre-positioned at many locations around the world. NORAD only uses these cameras once a year. The cameras capture images and videos of Santa and his reindeer as they make their journey around the world.

The fourth system is made up of fighter jets. Canadian NORAD fighter pilots flying the CF-18 intercept and welcome Santa to North America. In the United States, American NORAD fighter pilots in either the F-15 or the F-16 get the thrill of flying alongside Santa and his famous reindeer: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and, of course, Rudolph.

So, to join in on the fun and even track him from your mobile phone if you won’t be home tomorrow night, visit their website. You can also track Santa in Google Earth – We’ve come a long way since my youth!

Every Little Bottom Diaper Drive!

Posted on Thursday, December 23, 2010 by Angie

BirminghamMommy.com is partnering with Huggies Diapers to collect 5,000 diapers to benefit a local charity, The Lovelady Center. This diaper drive will run from December 1st through December 31st with local drop off sites located around Birmingham. New packages of diapers may be donated, as well as opened, unused individual diapers, pull-ups, and swim diapers. Please make sure that broken packs are still in a wrapper or individual diapers are put into ziplock bags.

“Every Little Bottom” is a national campaign to bring awareness to the very real need of diapers for many families. ELB was created because 1 in 3 American families struggle to provide diapers for their children. This is called diaper need, and there’s very little help or public resources for it. Food assistance programs focus only on food and nutrition and do not cover diapers. Being a mom is tough; not having the basic necessities for your baby only makes it more stressful for those struggling to make ends meet. Some moms are in such need that they miss work due to not having diapers for daycare.

BirminghamMommy.com was looking for a way to give back, and found the perfect recipient in The Lovelady Center. We think it’s really important to support a local program like TLC that is helping women and children, it betters our community and sets a good example for our children. This is a great way to let your kids help perform community service and to also begin discussing serious issues that exist in our community.

The Lovelady Center is a 9 to 12 month program designed to restore hope and rebuild lives. TLC provides housing, meals, transportation, counseling and many more opportunities to 350 women and children every day. Nearly 40% of the women at TLC are homeless, escaping domestic violence, drug abuse, or simply have nowhere else to turn. The Lovelady Center is currently at an all time high with over 450 women and children they are supporting. Now is the time to help!

We currently have drop boxes in the following locations, we hope you will take the time to stop by while you’re out and make a donation.

Learning Express
Cahaba Heights – 3132 Heights Village, Vestavia
Riverchase Galleria – 2000 Riverchase Galleria, Hoover
Patton Creek Shopping Center – 180 Main Street, Hoover

Grandmothers Joy
Located at 81 Chruch Street, Mountain Brook
Bring in a new, unopened pack of diapers to be donated to The Lovelady Center and receive 10% off your purchase! ( Valid the whole month of December, but not valid on sale items!

Taylor Bug’s Kids Boutique and Consignment
Located at 1355 Hueytown Road, Suite 101, Hueytown

Do It Yourself Crafts
Located at 1909 Oxmoor Road, Homewood

We will be adding a few more drop spots in the coming days.

If your office, church group, moms group etc. would like to participate, please let us know and we can make arrangements to help collect!

A HUGE thank you to Two Men and a Truck for donating our boxes! And thanks to everyone in advance, we know this is going to be a huge success!!

52 New Things

Posted on Tuesday, December 21, 2010 by Angie

With the craziness of the season we have just completely slipped up on journal-ing our New Things – I think we left off on week 46 so we’re going to try and catch up in no particular order…..

Angie –

2 of my New Things have involved the movies.

My 5 year old was invited to a party at the movies that just so happened to be a drop off party… Every parent’s dream right? Well, I was pretty much a nervous wreck. It’s one thing to leave them at someones house but the big bad movie theater was a wholly different thing. I had the twins with me so I knew I couldn’t change my mind and stay so after milling around in the lobby forever I finally left her. It took a lot for me to walk out and leave my baby, but I did and of course everything was fine.

Over the past week my husband has been taking some random days off so we decided to try our luck at taking the twins to a movie for the first time ever. They did great, they absolutely loved it… I learned two things while on this adventure: 1. that even thought they loved it, it’s still very much a 2 person job to take all 3 of mine at the same time. And 2. a family of 5 can put away a big bucket of popcorn before the movie even starts!

I tried some more new chapstick.. Not on purpose, I absentmindedly picked up the wrong kind, spearmint flavor – I actually like it.

I tried a new recipe for fried rice. I’ve been obsessed with it lately. This new recipe called for vermacelli which I thought was odd but I tried it anyway. In the end it was a good dish of vegetables and rice but in no way resembled “Fried Rice”

I tried a “Caramel Brulee Latte” from Starbucks. I’m not a coffee fan at all. I don’t like the taste or the smell but this? I like! If I could pull myself away from the Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate it might be my new winter drink.

Trish –

I tried a new recipe. It was pineapple cake and it was nothing special at all. I love pineapple and cake, but the combo didn’t come out the way it should’ve.

I am now using a bounce laundry bar. I love it! Works great and appears to last for a while.

One week was coupon only items. I have a list of things I refuse to buy if not on sale or with a coupon. Mostly it’s non-necessity stuff like cereal and soft drinks.

My new thing this week is buying all meats in bulk. It better save me money and not go bad in my freezer!

Come back and check out next week as we wrap up this year of 52 New Things!

Giveaways to Giftaway: Angela Blake Photography package

Posted on Monday, December 20, 2010 by Angie

This is a great gift for any family you know, and it’s also a really good one to keep for yourself! It’s an Angela Blake Photography package good throughout 2011.

Giveaway Portrait Session and Package : Valued at $960

1 basic portrait session (up to 4 people, 1hr.)
2 gift prints*
1 11×14 wall portrait
1 5×5 session album** (up to 20 pages)
1 DVD with hi-res digital images (with custom DVD case and printing rights
included)
—————————-
*gift prints include the following sizes: 8x10s, 5x7s, 4x6s, set of 8
wallets
** Album pages contain 1 photo per page. Cover options/colors will vary.

No substitutions for products or prints.
Offer expires 12/31/11.

To enter:
1. Comment here. (1 entry total)
2. Like Angela Blake Photography on Facebook. Comment here that you did so. (1 entry total)
3. Tell a friend! When they comment, make sure they say you sent them and you BOTH get an entry. (Unlimited entries)

Contest will end at Noon on Wednesday December 22, 2010. Winner will be announced that afternoon on Facebook and will be notified via email. It will be the winners responsibility to contact us back to make the arrangements to claim the prize.

Giveaways to Giftaway: Haul Couture Bags

Posted on Thursday, December 16, 2010 by Angie

These are the hottest bags of the season, and for good reason. They are so multifunctional and stylish, we all need one. Haul Couture bags are sturdy with insulated construction. They can haul anything from:
Groceries (an entire buggy!) to Game Day Tailgate Dinners
Pizza Pies to Pajamas for an “Overnighter with the girls”
Fabric Swatches to Flower Arrangements
Soccer Game Gear to Sunday School Potluck Dinner…and everything in between!
(It also fits perfectly in the overhead compartment of your favorite airline!)

Oh, and did we mention that it looks absolutely Fabulous?

With more than forty fabrics in the first collection, you can select a bag that reflects your own personal style. Many of our bags are made from hand woven fabrics with great attention given to detail, thus making every bag unique.

The bag up for grabs is the “Meg,” valued at $119.

To enter:
1. Comment here and tell how you’ll use the Haul Couture bag. (1 per person)
2. Browse the Haul Couture website and comment here your favorite style. (1 per person)
3. Like Haul Couture on Facebook and comment here that you did so. (1 per person)

Giveaway will end Saturday December 18th at 6pm… Winner will be notified via email and Facebook. It will be the winners responsibility to contact us so we can make arrangements for them to claim the prize.

Holiday Gift Guide: Timeless Kid Gifts

Posted on Thursday, December 16, 2010 by Angie

There’s nothing worse than buying your child the toy they MUST have, only to have them bored with it after a few weeks or hours. So many of our available choices are those kinds of toys. We decided to make a gift guide of timeless toys that will be played with for years. (And for those of you who have read Simplicity Parenting, these fit in!)

1. Wooden blocks– Sounds boring but no toddler/preschooler can resist them and they get years of play. They require imagination and serve several uses: learning letters, building structures, knocking down, etc.

2. Lincoln Logs– A bit expensive, but once your preschooler/kinderkid figures them out they will play with them a ton.

3. Legos– Anyone with a schoolage boy knows that Legos are where it’s at. But they’re not just for boys, girls can enjoy them too. And though they seem expensive, they will get played with for upwards of 5 years if you start early enough.

4. Scooter/bike- A childhood staple, enough said.

5. Sticker books- You can find any topic, and these books are great for keeping kids happy when going out to dinner. The kids peel stickers and stick them where they go in the book. They love it and it promotes imaginative play.

So often we look at what the hottest toys are this season, but it may be better for our kids and our wallets to look at the timeless classics.

What were your kids’ most played with toys?

Giveaways To Giftaway – Tooth Fairy Pocket Pillow

Posted on Wednesday, December 15, 2010 by Angie

This adorable tooth makes the perfect companion for your little one about to embark on the milestone of losing their first tooth.

The pillow measures approximately 8×10 inches. It is constructed with super soft white fleece, printed cotton pocket and backing, an embroidered face, and stuffed with premium quality polyester fiberfill.

The pocket measures 2.5 inches square. It makes the perfect place to safeguard the tooth while awaiting the Tooth Fairy, and a great place for her to leave that special gift.

Thanks to Mom Friday Designs we have one of these adorable pillows up from grabs – Here’s how to win:

1. Leave a comment on this post (1 entry per person, per day)

2. Stop by facebook and “like” Mom Friday Designs (come back and leave a comment here, 1 per person)

3. Follow Mom Friday Designs on Twitter @Mom_Friday (come back here and leave a comment, 1 per person)

To see more of Mom Friday Designs ( we LOVE the owl pillows) visit her site at Mom Friday Designs you can also find her on Etsy

Giveaway will end on Thursday, December 16th at Noon. Winner will be contacted via email and posted on FB. It will be the winners responsibility to reply to us and claim their prize.

Simple Salt Dough Ornaments to Make with Your Kids

Posted on Tuesday, December 14, 2010 by Angie

This was such a popular post last year, we thought we would pull it from the archives and re-post it for this holiday season.

Over on our “That’s what holiday memories are made of” post, Birmingham mom & reader Kerry said that she and her children enjoy making salt dough ornaments and hanging them on the kids very own tree. So we found a recipe to share with all of you, so you can make your own Christmas memories with salt dough ornaments!

What you’ll need:

½ cup salt
1 cup flour
½ cup water
Rolling pin
Cookie sheet
Toothpick
Miniature cookie cutters in holiday themes, or you can just let the kids be creative
Various colors of acrylic paint, glitter, glue – your imagination is the only boundary here
ribbon to string your ornament

How to make it:

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
Mix together, salt, flour, and water until dough is formed – use your hands if needed.
Knead the dough on a floured surface until the mixture is elastic and smooth. If dough is too sticky, sprinkle with flour, continue to do so until stickiness is gone. Do not add too much flour, this will dry out the dough and will cause it to crack before you get a chance to bake it.
Roll out the dough to about ¼” thick with a rolling pin that has been dusted with flour.
Cut out whatever shapes you’d like
Make a hole at the top of your ornament (you can use a toothpick and swirl it around until the hole is big enough).
Place all shapes onto an ungreased cookie sheet and place into the preheated oven.
Bake for 2 hours.
Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
Paint and decorate your ornaments
Use the handle end of the paint brush to dot on ornaments by dipping into paint then dotting onto ornament.
When dry, thread ribbon through hole and tie in a knot in the back.

(recipe courtesy of Kaboose – with a few variations)

2010 Free Shipping Day!!

Posted on Monday, December 13, 2010 by Angie

This Friday, December 17th is Free Shipping Day with close to 1000 merchants participating. Merchants that are participating this year will be offering free shipping with delivery by Christmas Eve. If you are looking for an excuse to avoid the malls from now until Christmas, consider yourself excused. Schools will be out this week and let’s face it, what Mom willingly wants to haul her kids around Birmingham looking for last minute gifts?