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Giveaway's to Giftaway – Amstar Cinemas Alabaster

Posted on by Angie

You can’t get through the holiday’s without a trip to the movies! One lucky reader will win four passes to Amstar Cinemas in Alabaster. Each pass is good for any movie, at any time until February 2011, valued at up to $13 per pass. (this is one I would not be gifting away!)

Amstar Cinemas is located at Colonial Promenade Parkway. Amenities include: Wall to Wall screens, 3D Capabilities, Stadium Seating, Digital Sound, High Back Chairs, Game Room, and free refills on large popcorn and large drinks.

Here’s how to win:

  • Leave a comment here telling us which movie you are looking forward to seeing (1 per person)
  • “Like” Amstar on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Alabaster-AL/AmStar-Cinemas-Alabaster-14/356222740245 (Come back here and leave a comment letting us know you liked them, 1 person)
  • Follow Amstar on Twitter @TheGrand_Amstar (Come back here and leave a comment letting us know you followed, 1 per person)

Giveaway will end Wednesday December 8th at 5pm with the winners being announced Wednesday evening. We will contact the winner by email and will announce the winners name on FB. It will be the winners responsibility to contact us so that we can mail the passes.

Chronicles of The Anonymous Dad: 0 to 18 in 60 Seconds

Posted on by Angie

As it relates to your kids, the window of youth doesn’t stay open forever. As a matter of fact, parents of teenagers say that the window has already been slammed shut on them. For those dads who may not have as much time with their kids as the moms do, you need to “take it all in”. I know that sometimes minutes may feel like hours and a few hours may feel like a full day, but just like your child was not in diapers forever, they will not be a child forever either. Do you sometimes really wish that you could have them crawling or totally dependent on you, just like that special memory or snapshot we all have in our mind of our babies?

My snapshot is of my kids standing at a window overlooking our backyard. They could barely see over the windowsill and even so, they were using it to be able to stand up. That feels a little bit like yesterday, when in fact the time counts in years. What is your snapshot?

For those younger dads, it can be hard to manage it all: work, family, marriage (and yes, this is sometimes the natural order of priorities, admit it). The fact is: It doesn’t have to be. The difference is perspective. If you look around, even with all the commotion out there, we (Americans) have it pretty darn good. We’re not covered in volcanic ash like Indonesia; we’re not living in squalor like Haiti, and our families live in relative safety compared to most. So, putting all or that into perspective,

  1. When you put your kid to bed at night, remember how special that was for you when you were just a kid and know that those types of nights are truly limited.
  2. Document the snapshots (1 per week) in a memoir (fancy term for word document). 10 years from now when you go back and read, it will make your day!
  3. Take pictures and often, and then put them in an album and leave it out to look at.
  4. Don’t just follow the Joneses. You don’t have to do Sunday soccer at the age of 3. Instead, go feed the ducks on a Sunday afternoon at a local lake.
  5. Go in their bedroom when they are sleeping, look at them, and think about their life and where they are at today: Young, impressionable, naïve (which can be a good thing), numb to some of the harsh realities that many families are currently encountering. It is a beautiful time in life for them. Dads, do your best to share it with them.

When your mom and dad tell you to appreciate this time and to “stop and smell the roses”, think about it. That may be some of the simplest, yet best advice they could ever give. And, in 60 seconds or 18 years, whichever comes first, you may be giving that same advice to your son or daughter.
‘Til Next Time,
The Anonymous Dad

Birmingham Events Calendar December 5th – December 12th

Posted on by Angie


It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…. Are you finished shopping? Have you even started? We have a lot to keep you busy this week but none of it will help you mark names off of that Christmas list! Zoolight Safari kicks off this week,  there are several places you can go to have breakfast with Santa, make some ornaments, hear some holiday stories and see a tree lighting and parade! Many of the activities on our list this week require registration, make sure you call ASAP to save your spot if you see something you want to do!

Be sure to check this page often throughout the week as it’s constantly updated!

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

Sunday December 5th

Holiday Craft Bazaar – South Avondale and Forest Park
The 5th Annual Holiday Craft Bazaar is back & it is bigger & better than ever. December 3rd, 4th and 5th, crafters and artists will be setup in current businesses and empty retail spaces on 41st Street in Avondale as well as in Forest Park. Offering holiday gift items for the holiday and Christmas season shopper.
11am – 4pm

Holiday Iron Pour – Sloss Furnace
Create that unique gift this holiday season: cast iron art!
Are you looking for a unique Christmas gift this year? Make a cast iron tile or a cast iron bowl.
Santa will also be at Sloss! Come have your picture made with the Jolly Old Saint! Each picture costs $10.
1pm – 4pm
Visit their site for more information on what you can make or to purchase tickets

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever –  Birmingham Children’s Theatre
What happens when the notoriously nasty Herdman kids show up at church group and volunteer to be the starring roles in the church’s annual Christmas Pageant? Only the BEST Christmas Pageant Ever! Experience the joy of the season with your family and begin a new Christmas tradition by attending BCT’s “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”, every member of the family will walk away with a good feeling and a wonderful lesson learned. Don’t miss this modern Christmas Classic as only BCT can tell it!
Recommended ages: 2nd to 8th Grades
2pm – 3pm – Child $8.00 Adult $10.00 | Buy Tickets

Barts Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
The Museum is offering a new, fun, and free drop-in art program for kids and families. Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month will highlight a different gallery and feature a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!

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 December 6th

Storytime – Ruffner Mountain Nature Center
Is your child a budding naturalist? Bring them to Storytime to encourage their excitement about the outdoors. We will read a story with a nature theme. Following the story, there will be a short activity.
Suited for children 3 – 5.
All children must be accompanied by an adult during the program.
$3/ $2 (member)

Toddler Tales- Emmet O’ Neal Library
Lapsit storytime with Ms. Traci.
Ages 24-36 months and a caregiver.
Registration required – call 879-0497 to register.
9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

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Tuesday December 7th

Family Autism Night – McWane Science Center
On this special night, for families with children with Autism and their siblings, guests will enjoy sensory friendly science activities like making snow that are designed for all ages across the spectrum.
6:00 – 9:00 PM
Tickets: $10 Non-Members, $5 Members

CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS ONLINE
Ticket includes dinner, museum and all activities.
Reservations are required.
Questions: Call (205) 714-8414.

10 Cent Cookie Tuesday – Whole Foods
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

City of Birmingham Christmas Tree Lighting
4th Avenue Christmas Parade and Holiday Celebration
Entertainment: Birmingham Heritage Jazz Band, Birmingham Swing Dancers, Neo Jazz Collective, Ballet Folklorico Corazon Azteca & Woodlawn Ballet. Visit with Santa, Arts & Crafts, Giveaways and more!
Free photo with Santa for the first 300 children at the Carver Theatre. Call 328-1850
Linn Park 9am – 12pm

Lego Mini Build – Riverchase Galleria
Lego Tree – One free per child. Event is open to children ages 6 to 14 only. Begins at 5:00pm until supplies last

12 Days of Christmas Family Fun Night – Emmet O’ Neal Library
Mrs. Claus and Atlantic Coast Theater
Elves from the North Pole arrive for a world premiere performance, but the actors are caught in a snowstorm. Audience participation and theatre education must save the day in this totally interactive show.
5:30 p.m. Dinner 6:00 p.m. Show

Together Time – Emmet O’Neal Library
Action-packed storytime with Ms. NayNay.
All ages. 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

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

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
11:ooam

Education Celebration – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us for a fun-filled hour of hands-on learning featuring our brand-new Barnes & Noble @ School section with educational toys and games.
11:30am

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Wednesday December 8th

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 December 9th

Homewood Christmas Parade
Parade Route:
* The parade will begin at the Homewood Library and travel east on Oxmoor Road.
* Turn left onto 18th Street S., travel under the Christmas Star through the Plaza
* Turn right onto 28th Avenue South
* Turn right onto 19th Street and travel past City Hall and terminate at the intersection of  19th Street and 29th Avenue.
* From there you may travel to Oxmoor Road or turn on 29th Avenue.
6:30pm

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Friday December 10th

Zoolight Safari – Birmingham Zoo

  • See the Zoo illuminated with over half-a-million lights
  • Holiday Express Train Ride*
  • Jingle Bell Carousel*
  • Santa’s Rock ‘n Roller Racers*
  • Winter Trail Ride*
  • Enjoy story time, animal demos and much more!

Get the best deal and enjoy all holiday rides with the All-You-Can-Ride wristband for only $10.00! Be sure to stop at the Barn in the Children’s Zoo for photo opportunities and animals for all to enjoy. The Zoo will close at 4 pm every night of ZooLight Safari. Animal exhibits will be closed during ZooLight Safari.
Free to Members – Non Members $8
5pm – 9pm

Santas Lane – Summit
Capture the holiday magic with a free professional photo with Santa (in his sleigh in front of Belk). Every child will receive yummy cookies compliments of Bud’s Best Cookies.
9-11am
Noon-4 pm
5-9 pm

Santa Special Train Rides – Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum
Santa rides the train with you! Tell him what you would like for Christmas as he greets passengers, poses for photos, and gives a special treat to each child. Bring your camera!
Trains depart at 11am and 2pm. Advance purchase recommended.
All coach seats $15 (2 years of age and older), Caboose $20, Locomotive $30, plus processing fee for each ticket. Admission to museum is Free. | Buy Tickets

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Saturday December 11th

Bird Ornament Craft – Ruffner Mountain
Ruffner has gone to the birds! We will make tasty treats to set out in our backyards as a delicious winter snack for our feathered friends.
Free! 2pm – 4m (come and go)

Breakfast in Santa’s Workshop – McWane Science Center
Bring your little elves to have breakfast in Santa’s Workshop. Decorate gingerbread houses, have breakfast together, explore the Winter Wonderland exhibit and visit with Santa! Be sure to bring your camera!
Ticket includes admission to the museum, breakfast, activities and visit with Santa!
Reservations are required. Call (205) 714-8414
Times: 8:30am
Cost: $15 Adults, $12 Kids (Members get $5 OFF)
CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS ONLINE

Zoolight Safari – Birmingham Zoo

  • See the Zoo illuminated with over half-a-million lights
  • Holiday Express Train Ride*
  • Jingle Bell Carousel*
  • Santa’s Rock ‘n Roller Racers*
  • Winter Trail Ride*
  • Enjoy story time, animal demos and much more!

Get the best deal and enjoy all holiday rides with the All-You-Can-Ride wristband for only $10.00! Be sure to stop at the Barn in the Children’s Zoo for photo opportunities and animals for all to enjoy. The Zoo will close at 4 pm every night of ZooLight Safari. Animal exhibits will be closed during ZooLight Safari.
Free to Members – Non Members $8
5pm – 9pm

Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinic
You don’t want to miss this clinic! This is part one of a three part Train kit! Come back each weekend in December to build a new piece of the Train!
10am

Breakfast with Santa – Village Tavern
Enjoy a delicious, hot breakfast, as well as art activities. Visit with Santa to tell him what’s on your wish list, and let us capture the magic in a photo taken by the fireplace. There’s also a special goody bag for the kids. The $15 ticket benefits the Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs
Kids 2 and under are free. Call 967-0111 for details.
8:30 – 10:30 am

Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Holiday Hairdo Hullabaloo – Emmet O’ Neal Library
Drop by between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to get FANCY with Nancy!

Merry Grinchmas – Hoover Public Library
Come celebrate the holiday with everybody’s favorite villian, the Grinch! Call 444-7833 to register Nov. 27 – Dec. 10.
10:30am

Holiday with the Animals – Birmingham Zoo
Watch the animals unwrap their holiday gifts. Animals will receive gifts from the Zookeepers throughout the day and their keepers will talk about topics relative to that animal, so come out to share their excitement for the season.

Santas Lane – Summit
Capture the holiday magic with a free professional photo with Santa (in his sleigh in front of Belk). Every child will receive yummy cookies compliments of Bud’s Best Cookies.
10-11 am
Noon-4 pm

Barts Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
A new, fun, and free drop-in art program for kids and families. Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month will highlight a different gallery and feature a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!
11am – 1pm

Santa Special Train Rides – Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum
Santa rides the train with you! Tell him what you would like for Christmas as he greets passengers, poses for photos, and gives a special treat to each child. Bring your camera!
Trains depart at 11am and 2pm. Advance purchase recommended.
All coach seats $15 (2 years of age and older), Caboose $20, Locomotive $30, plus processing fee for each ticket. Admission to museum is Free. | Buy Tickets

Saturday Storytime at Barnes and Noble Summit
2:00pm

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Sunday December 12th

Zoolight Safari – Birmingham Zoo

  • See the Zoo illuminated with over half-a-million lights
  • Holiday Express Train Ride*
  • Jingle Bell Carousel*
  • Santa’s Rock ‘n Roller Racers*
  • Winter Trail Ride*
  • Enjoy story time, animal demos and much more!

Get the best deal and enjoy all holiday rides with the All-You-Can-Ride wristband for only $10.00! Be sure to stop at the Barn in the Children’s Zoo for photo opportunities and animals for all to enjoy. The Zoo will close at 4 pm every night of ZooLight Safari. Animal exhibits will be closed during ZooLight Safari.
Free to Members – Non Members $8
5pm – 9pm

Barts Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
The Museum is offering a new, fun, and free drop-in art program for kids and families. Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month will highlight a different gallery and feature a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!

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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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!

Itty Bitty Magic City –
The Itty Bitty Magic City will be on display this summer in addition to The Adventures of Mr. Potato Head exhibit. The Itty Bitty City is a little bit smaller than usual, but favorite areas including the grocery store, Tot Spot area, crane, and factory are still in the city. The Itty Bitty Golf Course and a few other items were removed temporarily to make room for the new exhibit “The Adventures of Mr. Potato Head” that is also designed for an early childhood audience and they will return in the Fall.

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!

Animalopolis at the IMAX – ANIMALOPOLIS will take you on a voyage into the magical world of animals. A bit fanciful, a bit “Seussian” perhaps, a place of good natured humor, beauty and just plain fun for kids and their parents.

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

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!

Giveaways to Giftaway: Moxii.com (and you have choices!)

Posted on by Angie

If you’re decorating, you need to head over to moxii to check out their bedding, bath, kitchen, home decor, and more.  Moxii is a hip website (and store in Auburn) that specializes in helping you find a unique way to express yourself.  There’s even a Do it yourself blog that has some of the cutest ideas we’ve seen.  My particular favorite is the burlap headboard.

So, for our giveaway you have 3 options to choose from:
Cake Stand
Coasters

Welcome mat

Here’s how you win:

  • Leave a comment here on this post telling us WHICH ITEM YOU WANT– Cake stand, welcome rug, or coasters.

That’s it, simple as pie!  One entry per day, per person. There will be 3 winners for this one giveaway… 1 for each item.

Giveaway will end Monday December 6th at 5pm with the winners being announced Monday evening. We will contact each winner by email and will announce winners names on FB. It will be the winners responsibility to contact us back to make arrangements for pick up or shipping.

Giveaways to Giftaway – Chuy's: Dinner for Four

Posted on by Angie

If you read this website even a little bit you know how much we love some Chuy’s!  The first up in our series of “Giveaways to Giftaway” (or keep for yourself, we won’t tell) is a certificate for Dinner for 4 at Chuy’s.

Chuy’s is located at the top of the Summit with an amazing patio and amazing view – Menu items include the Chuychanga, the Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and of course the “Big as yo’ face burritos” You can’t go wrong if you love Mexican Food! Have we mentioned before that they margarita’s, yummy yummy margarita’s.. They do.

Here’s how you win!

  • Visit the Chuy’s website and Leave us a comment here on this post telling us what you like best on their menu or what you want to try when you go – (1 per person)
  • Follow us on Twitter @birminghammommy – (come back and leave a comment telling us you followed – 1 per person)
  • Go like Chuy’s on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/ChuysBirmingham – (come back and leave a comment telling us you liked them – 1 per person)

Giveaway will run until Thursday at 5pm, winner will be announced Thursday evening. Winner will be contacted by email and it will be the winners responsibility to contact us back. We will then mail the certificate to the confirmed address.

Birmingham's Railroad Park: A Little Piece of Urban Heaven

Posted on by Angie

Nestled downtown near the central rail lines is our city’s newest and quite possibly coolest park.

It’s a green space taking up about 4 blocks, running down 1st Avenue South between 14th street and 18th street. It’s complete with a skate park, playgrounds, ponds, dining cart and wide open spaces that are sure to attract the attention of any child that likes to run free.

To say that we love this park is an understatement. While the buildings of downtown Birmingham and train tracks may seem like a foreign idea as back drop for a park, it’s downright cool. And if you like to take awesome pictures of your kids, don’t forget your camera, there are photo ops galore within this 19 acre area.

The  landscaping is punctuated with masses of annual, biennial and perennial flowers, making this oasis not only lovely, but a cool escape in the center of a bustling urban environment.

If you want to get some exercise, a Rail Trail extends the length of the park, and is perfect for runners and walkers. If you want something a little more Muscle Beach, California style – Outdoor gym equipment offers additional opportunities for working out throughout the park. They also offer a “Get Healthy on the Railroad” program where you can take classes like Zumba and Bootcamp.

We just can’t tell you enough how impressed we are with this park and our city for putting this project in play. We can’t wait to see the how the remaining parts of this 3 park initiative which includes a new Red Mountain Park and expanding the existing Ruffner Mountain Park will develop.

For more information on Railroad Park and it’s amenities, check out their site

Photos By Larry O. Gay

Type A Mom: Carseat Safety

Posted on by Angie

By Alison Noble

Remember that nerve-filled ride home from the hospital with your firstborn?  If you were like me, you nervously buckled in your new bundle of joy, then proceeded at snail’s pace to your destination.  A deep sigh of relief ensued, and your blood pressure slowly returned to normal.

Safety was at the front of my mind as a paranoid new parent.  Then my newborn boy turned into baby boy, then again into toddler boy.  Before I know it, he’ll be a teenager, behind the wheel himself (shutter).  Safely transporting my son now is no less important than it was when he was tiny, so I try to make a conscious effort to be as careful as I was that very first ride and to be a role model for safety in the car.  After all, kiddie cargo is precious.  Since I am no expert, I consulted someone with far more knowledge on car seat safety, a woman who is as passionate as she is informed about keeping young passengers safe.

Allana Pinkerton, a certified Child Passenger Safety (CPS) technician and founder of locally based non-profit organization, Sit Tight, offers some helpful advice for parents of all age groups, especially those in car seats. This safety-minded mom began a crusade to promote car seat safety and awareness after she was not allowed to install her child’s car seat on a school bus in 2000.  The incident motivated Allana to obtain her CPS certification and volunteer her time at Children’s Hospital as a car seat technician and instructor.  Although this time was fulfilling, Allana grew frustrated over budget cuts that could potentially lead to the demise of Alabama’s CPS program. To avoid being at the mercy of government funding, she formed Sit Tight, a donations-based organization with the mission “to educate people in the communities throughout Alabama about the issues related to Child Passenger Safety concerns in order to reduce deaths and injuries to children and teenagers caused by motor vehicle crashes.” In a conversation about the importance of car seat safety, Allana stressed the following key points.

  • Parents can purchase a safe seat at any price-point.  A seat that costs $80 and a seat that retails for $200 should all meet the same federal crash test standards. Allana explained that since manufacturers want to be competitive, they all stay relatively on top of the latest safety innovations.  Regardless of your car seat budget, there is a seat that meets your child’s basic needs.  The seat itself is not as important as the way it is used, as explained below.
  • Proper installation and buckling is crucial.  Even the poshest, priciest car seat cannot be effective if it is not installed correctly.  The most common installation mistakes that Allana encounters are that the seat is not secured tightly enough or the seatbelt is secured through the incorrect path in the seat.  “If I see one thing wrong, I usually see a second, third, etc.” Allana stated.  Mistakes are often made because the manuals may be confusing to parents and contain an overwhelming amount of information. For this very reason, it is wise to have your seat checked by a certified car seat technician.  Don’t simply let the technician install it for you; it is his or her job to teach you how to do it properly yourself so when you need to reinstall it in another vehicle, you can be prepared and confident.  In addition to a proper install, it is important to buckle your child properly.  One common mistake parents make is positioning the retainer clip too low, which should be buckled at armpit level.  Also, the seatbelt should be tight enough and be locked, with the shoulder belts threaded through the appropriate paths.
  • Make sure your child is in the correct type of seat or seat position for his or her age.  Although some pediatricians give the green light to switch the child from rear facing to forward facing at the one-year check up appointment, the American Society of Pediatrics’ stance is that “it is best for children to ride rear-facing as long as possible to the highest weight and height allowed by the manufacturer of their convertible seat.”  While this is their recommendation, it will likely be the American Academy of Pediatrics’ policy in the near future.  Some pediatricians are slow to promote the extended rear facing movement, but as Allana simply phrased, “Pediatricians are not your car seat experts.”  Allana sees an increasing number of parents keeping their children rear facing for longer, which she predicts to only grow as more people look at the mounting research.

A common safety mishap Allana frequently notices is premature seat “promotion” – parents move a child out of a five-point harness or booster seat too soon. Ideally, a child should remain in a five-point harness until he or she has met the maximum height and weight requirements for that particular seat.  After that stage, a child should ride in a booster seat until the adult belts properly fit, which occurs roughly when the child reaches about 4’9” in height. To avoid injuries caused by air bag deployment, a child is safest riding in the back seat until age thirteen.

  • Parents of older children need to start conversations about car safety long before they take the wheel.  After seeing at least thirty-six unbuckled teenagers in moving vehicles in a single day around Vestavia Hills High School, Allana was stunned at how many older children disregard the most basic vehicle safety measure.  Whether driving or riding with others, teenagers need to know a seatbelt can mean the difference between life or death in an accident.  Parents need to first and foremost be role models in safe driving and habits, but they also need to have frank conversations with their kids about the ramifications of reckless driving.  “Explain to them that whatever they do in the car directly affects the entire family… that a car can be a deadly weapon on wheels,” Allana suggested.  A written contract, outlining the rules you wish your child to follow, can be helpful in promoting responsibility and encouraging dialogue.  Since today’s teens are visual learners, find videos about occupant safety and watch them together. To counteract the invincible feeling that teenagers often possess, adults must arm kids with facts and stress the tremendous responsibility that accompanies driving.
  • Seek out resources to help ensure your family’s safety. It may seem obvious, but don’t underestimate the information you can get from your specific car seat manufacturer.  Register your car seat so that the company can directly inform you of any recalls.  Many car seat websites feature videos about the seats and their installation, which can be much more helpful than a two-dimensional drawing in your paper manual.  Also, the customer-service hotline for your seat is a great avenue to direct your specific questions.

If you need help installing your child’s car seat or need it checked, make an appointment with a technician holding a current certification.  Ask to see his or her National Highway and Traffic Safety Adminstration (NHTSA) card and make sure the date is not expired.  Sometimes individuals get certified, then never update it or continue their education, which can lead to costly oversights.  A person with current certification should be able to teach you the installation process if you are having difficulty or check a previously installed seat.  In addition to installations, certified car seat technicians can also help you educate your older children about safety.  If you sense that your teenager is tuning you out during discussions about driving, a certified expert can help.  To avoid sounding like a lecturer, Allana gives interactive, lively presentations for teenagers to hammer home the importance of vehicle safety.  Sometimes having a third party involved can be more effective or at least reinforce the parents’ points about safety, and a car seat technician is a valuable ally to utilize for this purpose.

For additional information involving car seat and vehicle safety, visit the following links:

www.sittight.org

www.cpsalabama.org

www.nhtsa.gov

www.carseat.org

www.carseatdata.org

www.aap.org

www.parentingteendrivers.com

www.noys.org

Birmingham Events Calendar – November 28th – December 5th

Posted on by Angie

Moving into December already! We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend spending time with your families! Time is not slowing down, if you haven’t already tackled those Christmas decorations, what are you waiting for? Lots of holiday activities will be starting up this week including a Chanukah storytime at Emmet O Neal. There is no shortage of opportunities to see Santa or do some holiday shopping! Have a great week!!

Be sure to check this page often throughout the week as it’s constantly updated!

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

Sunday November 28th

Santa Special Train Rides – Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum
Santa rides the train with you! Tell him what you would like for Christmas as he greets passengers, poses for photos, and gives a special treat to each child. Bring your camera!
Trains depart at 11am and 2pm. Advance purchase recommended.
All coach seats $15 (2 years of age and older), Caboose $20, Locomotive $30, plus processing fee for each ticket. Admission to museum is Free. | Buy Tickets

Santas Lane – Summit
Capture the holiday magic with a free professional photo with Santa (in his sleigh in front of Belk). Every child will receive yummy cookies compliments of Bud’s Best Cookies.
10-11 am
Noon-4 pm

Barts Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
The Museum is offering a new, fun, and free drop-in art program for kids and families. Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month will highlight a different gallery and feature a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!

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 November 29th

Toddler Tales- Emmet O’ Neal Library
Lapsit storytime with Ms. Traci.
Ages 24-36 months and a caregiver.
Registration required – call 879-0497 to register.
9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

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Tuesday November 30th

MOPS Meeting – Riverchase United Methodist
“Game Night” at Mothers Of Preschoolers (MOPS) for Expecting Mothers
thru to Mothers with preschoolers
6:30-8:30 pm
RSVP child care with Lynn 664-4531.  http://riverchase.cc/mops.php

Together Time – Emmet O’Neal Library
Action-packed storytime with Ms. NayNay.
All ages. 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

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

Storytime – Barnes and Noble Summit
11:ooam

Education Celebration – Barnes and Noble Summit
Join us for a fun-filled hour of hands-on learning featuring our brand-new Barnes & Noble @ School section with educational toys and games.
11:30am

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Wednesday December 1st

Every Little Bottom – Diaper Drive Kickoff
Stay tuned for details on how you can help!

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 December 2nd

Holy Inappropriateness – We couldn’t find any special events happening in the Ham’ today! Check out something going on daily on our list below

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Friday December 3rd

Holiday Craft Bazaar – South Avondale and Forest Park
The 5th Annual Holiday Craft Bazaar is back & it is bigger & better than ever. December 3rd, 4th and 5th, crafters and artists will be setup in current businesses and empty retail spaces on 41st Street in Avondale as well as in Forest Park. Offering holiday gift items for the holiday and Christmas season shopper.
5pm – 9pm

Storytime Special: Chanukah Tales – Emmet O’Neal Library
All ages are welcome
9:30 a.m.

Santas Lane – Summit
Capture the holiday magic with a free professional photo with Santa (in his sleigh in front of Belk). Every child will receive yummy cookies compliments of Bud’s Best Cookies.
9-11am
Noon-4 pm
5-9 pm

Santa Special Train Rides – Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum
Santa rides the train with you! Tell him what you would like for Christmas as he greets passengers, poses for photos, and gives a special treat to each child. Bring your camera!
Trains depart at 11am and 2pm. Advance purchase recommended.
All coach seats $15 (2 years of age and older), Caboose $20, Locomotive $30, plus processing fee for each ticket. Admission to museum is Free. | Buy Tickets

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Saturday December 4th

Holiday Craft Bazaar – South Avondale and Forest Park
The 5th Annual Holiday Craft Bazaar is back & it is bigger & better than ever. December 3rd, 4th and 5th, crafters and artists will be setup in current businesses and empty retail spaces on 41st Street in Avondale as well as in Forest Park. Offering holiday gift items for the holiday and Christmas season shopper.
10am – 4pm

Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinic
You don’t want to miss this clinic! This is part one of a three part Train kit! Come back each weekend in December to build a new piece of the Train!
10am

Breakfast with Santa – North Shelby Library
Breakfast Buffet 9:00am-9:30am
Craft & Pictures with Santa: 9:30am-10:30am
Registration Required: $5.00 Fee per child due at time of registration

Breakfast with Santa – Village Tavern
Join us from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. for an event for the entire family.
Enjoy a delicious, hot breakfast, as well as art activities. Visit with Santa to
tell him what’s on your wish list, and let us capture the magic in a photo taken by
the fireplace. There’s also a special goody bag for the kids. The $15 ticket
benefits the Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs
Kids 2 and under are free. Call 967-0111 for more details.

Christmas Extravaganza – New Covenant Fellowship, Pinson
Visit vendor booths for crafts, unique gifts, home baked goods, custom monogramming, Alabama/Auburn paintings, family Christmas portraits, free entertainment and refreshments and much more!
Come shop in a “Winter Wonderland” while enjoying free entertainment and refreshments. Vendors will offer on site purchases while others will have custom ordering available also. Children 10 and under are admitted FREE – General Admission of $5.00 to benefit “Helping Hands Ministry”.
9am – 5pm

Holiday Faire – Alabama Waldorf School – Crestwood Neighborhood
Join us for HOLIDAY FAIRE!. Bring in the season with games, an international buffet and bake sale, live music, and vendors, featuring local artists, crafts, and handmade goods. Fun for the whole family!!
10am – 3pm

Santas Lane – Summit
Capture the holiday magic with a free professional photo with Santa (in his sleigh in front of Belk). Every child will receive yummy cookies compliments of Bud’s Best Cookies.
10-11 am
Noon-4 pm

Barts Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
A new, fun, and free drop-in art program for kids and families. Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month will highlight a different gallery and feature a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!
11am – 1pm

Helena Market Days/Farmers Market – Helena Amphitheater
8:00am – 12:00pm

Harvest and Holiday Market at Pepper Place
Autumn in Alabama means fresh-grown apples, pumpkins and squash for your fall meals. November markets will also bring hand-made gifts just in time for the Holiday Season!
7:00am – Noon

Santa Special Train Rides – Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum
Santa rides the train with you! Tell him what you would like for Christmas as he greets passengers, poses for photos, and gives a special treat to each child. Bring your camera!
Trains depart at 11am and 2pm. Advance purchase recommended.
All coach seats $15 (2 years of age and older), Caboose $20, Locomotive $30, plus processing fee for each ticket. Admission to museum is Free. | Buy Tickets

Saturday Storytime at Barnes and Noble Summit
2:00pm

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Sunday December 5th

Holiday Craft Bazaar – South Avondale and Forest Park
The 5th Annual Holiday Craft Bazaar is back & it is bigger & better than ever. December 3rd, 4th and 5th, crafters and artists will be setup in current businesses and empty retail spaces on 41st Street in Avondale as well as in Forest Park. Offering holiday gift items for the holiday and Christmas season shopper.
11am – 4pm

Holiday Iron Pour – Sloss Furnace
Create that unique gift this holiday season: cast iron art!
Are you looking for a unique Christmas gift this year? Make a cast iron tile or a cast iron bowl.
Santa will also be at Sloss! Come have your picture made with the Jolly Old Saint! Each picture costs $10.
1pm – 4pm
Visit their site for more information on what you can make or to purchase tickets

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever –  Birmingham Children’s Theatre
What happens when the notoriously nasty Herdman kids show up at church group and volunteer to be the starring roles in the church’s annual Christmas Pageant? Only the BEST Christmas Pageant Ever! Experience the joy of the season with your family and begin a new Christmas tradition by attending BCT’s “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”, every member of the family will walk away with a good feeling and a wonderful lesson learned. Don’t miss this modern Christmas Classic as only BCT can tell it!
Recommended ages: 2nd to 8th Grades
2pm – 3pm – Child $8.00 Adult $10.00 | Buy Tickets

Barts Art Cart – Birmingham Museum of Art
The Museum is offering a new, fun, and free drop-in art program for kids and families. Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month will highlight a different gallery and feature a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart!

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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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!

Itty Bitty Magic City –
The Itty Bitty Magic City will be on display this summer in addition to The Adventures of Mr. Potato Head exhibit. The Itty Bitty City is a little bit smaller than usual, but favorite areas including the grocery store, Tot Spot area, crane, and factory are still in the city. The Itty Bitty Golf Course and a few other items were removed temporarily to make room for the new exhibit “The Adventures of Mr. Potato Head” that is also designed for an early childhood audience and they will return in the Fall.

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!

Animalopolis at the IMAX – ANIMALOPOLIS will take you on a voyage into the magical world of animals. A bit fanciful, a bit “Seussian” perhaps, a place of good natured humor, beauty and just plain fun for kids and their parents.

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

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!

Turkey Day Craft

Posted on by Angie

You’re busy cleaning, cooking and stressing out over all of the people that will be filling your home in less than 24 hours. You have a million things to do and Oh Yeah, the kids are home. Unless you want to plop them down in front of the tube for a large portion of the day (Not that there’s anything wrong with that) they need something to keep them busy even if it’s only for a little while.

Here’s something that is easy to do and I was literally able to pull together from the ingredients we had in the house. We’ve done different versions of these over the years but if you get creative and have some left over Halloween candy, dump it in some bowls and let the kids go to town making their very own turkey.

Warning: If you are doing this with 2 year olds, they need lots of assistance and this can actually backfire on you getting other things done while they craft. Just so you know.

What you’ll need:

Toothpicks
Apple
Misc snacks and candies

What you’ll do:

Use your snacks and candies to make feathers. For example we used raisins, cherrios, marshmallows and mini chocolate chips. Spear them onto your toothpicks and push them into your apple to make “Feathers”

We used a marshmallow and raisin for the eyes.

Popcorn for the feet. If you do this activity around snack time you can feel good about your ability to multi-task.

The finished product is a cute little Turkey that we will actually be using as a centerpiece on our table for our family gathering.

Happy Thanksgiving – Gobble Gobble!

52 New Things – Week 46

Posted on by Angie

Angie –

I attended a Harry Potter Party. I’m a fan, not a “Fan” “Fan” but I’ve read the books and I’ve seen the movies. McWane was hosting a Weasley Wedding and we were helping out. I knew the dress code was costumes or wedding attire but I had no idea how serious these Potter fans are. We saw some of the most creative and awesome costumes. Many of the people that were dressed up were actually in character for a portion of the evening which made speaking with them a little awkward at times but all in all we had a great time and it was neat to see the die hard fans come out and enjoy an evening devoted to something they love.

Trish –

My new thing this week was generic shave cream.  I was at Dollar Tree getting random junk, and decided to try shaving cream.  It was a huge failure- weird fumes came out of it when I tried to use it, then when it finally came out it the smell nearly knocked me over.  TERRIBLE!  Go name brand!

For more New Things or if you’d like to participate in 52 new things along with BirminghamMommy and many others – please join in by posting your new thing to your blog, facebook or on twitter (use #52newthings) – Also, you can head over to www.willblogforshoes.com to link up every Thursday!

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