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52 New Things – Week 37

Posted on by Angie

Angie –

I attempted to go one week, well not even one full week really, I attempted to go 5 days without watching television. It was an epic fail. It’s pretty apparant that this household is pretty reliant on the television – Not just me, but I use it as a crutch to help me out with the girls during the day. If I need to get work done, make a meal, do laundry or need a second to myself, I plop the kiddos down in front of the tube and dial up a litte Blues Clues or Wonder Pets. While this experiement was a fail, I did learn that there are times throughout the day when the TV is on and no one is even watching, it’s actually only adding to the noise level in the house. I may not be able to turn it off for a week, but I am walking away with more awareness. It won’t be my go to and when we don’t specifically need it, it won’t be on.

Trish –

My new thing this week was boots.  Two pairs to be exact.  It’s been a hard week, a hard month, though both very productive.  I deserve it, so I got some buttery soft brown riding boots and some sleek black knee highs.  Now if the weather would just cool off about 20 degrees…

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!

Busy Mommy Bonding Series: Colors

Posted on by Angie

This week we are focusing on rainbows and multi colors. We’ve got 2 really simple activities, like really really simple.

For the first activity you will need to remember the colors of the rainbow…… Come on…. you can do it! Remember this? Roy G Biv

Here’s what you need:

A strip of ribbon (about 4ft long) in each of the rainbow colors – Some of these colors may be hard to find but just go with what you have.

Red  
Orange
Yellow
Green
Blue
Indigo
Violet

1 stick to tie ribbon to. We used an old bubble wand, they work great.

Directions: Tie the ribbon to the wand in the order of the colors of the rainbow. That’s it. You have a great little activity for teaching colors and they walk away with a fun ribbon wand to play with.

Our next activity is a great way to teach multiple colors to the younger set. Here’s what you need for this activity.

1 empty egg carton
Easter Eggs
Markers to match your Easter egg colors

Directions: Cut the egg carton down to the number of colors you want to teach. Even numbers work better and if you have 12 different egg colors you won’t have to cut at all. Use a different color marker to color posts between each section. Have your child place the blue egg in the blue section, yellow egg in the yellow section and so on.

Again, that’s it. A super simple activity for fun with the little ones.

A great book or two to read along with these activities would be Rainbow Rob by: Roger Priddy Or Shiny Touchy Smelly Colors by: Dawn North. Take a look through your childs book collection, you are bound to have several books about colors or rainbows! You might be surprised at just how many are hidden in there!

Event of the Week – Ballet and Brunch

Posted on by Angie

Calling all princes and princesses!  Join performers from the Alabama Ballet for a special brunch at California Pizza Kitchen on Saturday, September 25th from 9:30am-10:30am.  Brunch tickets are $15 each (children 2 and under are free) and include a delicious family-style meal, free photo with a ballerina, craft activities and a goody bag.

At 11:00am the Alabama Ballet will perform a free Snow White medley in Saks Plaza.  Also, enjoy free face painting and other festivities for the kids.  Feel free to bring a lawn chair for your comfort.

Call The Summit Guest Services Office for brunch reservations or for more information.

Birmingham Events Calendar: Sept. 20th – Sept. 26th

Posted on by Angie

You have to be thinking what we’re thinking, is this heat ever going to break? We have our doubts, but fall activities are going on even without that fall feeling in the air. One of our big picks for the Must Add to your Calendar this fall is happening this weekend and we are super excited! It’s the Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival and you need not miss it!

Ruffner Mountain is having a Scavenger hunt, there’s a Build and Grow Clinic at Lowes, The Cahaba River Fry-down is set for Saturday and of course there are Farmers Markets and Storytimes a plenty!

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

Monday September 20th

Holy Inappropriateness!!  We couldn’t find any special events happening in the ham’ today. See below for what’s going on daily at the Birmingham Zoo, McWane Science Center or Southern Museum of Flight.

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Tuesday September 21st

Barnes and Noble –  Summit – Terrific Tuesday Storytime
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown is a classic of children’s literature. Join us to hear again a story beloved by generations of readers. Classics never go out of style!
11:00am

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Wednesday September 22nd

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.
2:00pm

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

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Thursday September 23rd

Storytime Live – Hoover Library
Rhyme Time – 45 minutes of stories and songs for ages 3-up
10:30am

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Friday September 24th

Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival – Downtown Birmingham
The 12th annual Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival is a celebration of new independent cinema in downtown Birmingham. Filmmakers from across the country and around the world have come to Birmingham to screen their work at Sidewalk and have been thrilled to discover fresh, enthusiastic crowds eager to devour new independent cinema. There is no doubt that you will be able to entertain the kiddos at Children’s Film Extravaganza that has been expanded this year to include 47 feature length and short films as well as hands on activities right smack in the heart of the festival at the McWane Science Center Rushton Theater. The programming has been grouped based on age so that it is easier for you to select the films that are right for you and your family. They are kid tested and parent approved! Kids get in free with a paid adult.

Wild about Books Story Time – Birmingham Zoo
Come 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 area
10:00am

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Saturday September 25th

Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival – Downtown Birmingham
The 12th annual Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival is a celebration of new independent cinema in downtown Birmingham. Filmmakers from across the country and around the world have come to Birmingham to screen their work at Sidewalk and have been thrilled to discover fresh, enthusiastic crowds eager to devour new independent cinema. There is no doubt that you will be able to entertain the kiddos at Children’s Film Extravaganza that has been expanded this year to include 47 feature length and short films as well as hands on activities right smack in the heart of the festival at the McWane Science Center Rushton Theater. The programming has been grouped based on age so that it is easier for you to select the films that are right for you and your family. They are kid tested and parent approved! Kids get in free with a paid adult.

Cahaba River Fry Down – Trussville Springs
This brand new event in Trussville Springs will feature a fish fry competition with live music, catfish and sides, youth boat and rubber duck races, nature hikes along and in the Cahaba, water conservation education booths, lessons in fly fishing and rock skipping, children’s water play area, moonwalk, river-related crafts and more. It will be a day full of fun for the whole family–you won’t want to miss it! For more information and ticket pricing visit the Cahaba River Society.
10am – 4pm

Fall Fun Scavenger Hunt – Ruffner Mountain
On-going all day. The woods of Ruffner Mountain are filled with mystery and intrigue. See if you can find some of the answers from our Scavenger Hunt. When you are done, turn your sheet in for a prize! For children of all ages.  Scavenger Hunt sheets will be available throughout the day at the front desk.

Lowes Build and Grow Clinic
Your kids won’t want to miss this one! Bring them to Lowe’s and they can build this awesome Fire Truck! This kit includes a working siren and stickers!
10am

2010 Walk for Midwives – Rojo
Registration begins at 8am and you can visit www.alabamabirthcoalition.org for more information.

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

Urban Cookhouse Farmers Market – Downtown Homewood
7am – Noon

Pepper Place Saturday Market
We spread out of the parking lot to include 29th Street as we accommodate local farmers, artisans, music, art and food!
7:00am – Noon

Valleydale Farmers Market –
Valleydale Farmers Market is dedicated to bringing fresh, local produce to communities around Alabama and the Southeast.
Music, cooking demos and storytimes along with fresh produce a great way to spend a day!

Saturday Storytime at Barnes and Noble Summit
No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst. Our Special story features Alexander, who clearly is having a bad day and will it get better or will he have to move to Australia?
2:00pm

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Sunday September 26th

Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival – Downtown Birmingham
The 12th annual Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival is a celebration of new independent cinema in downtown Birmingham. Filmmakers from across the country and around the world have come to Birmingham to screen their work at Sidewalk and have been thrilled to discover fresh, enthusiastic crowds eager to devour new independent cinema. There is no doubt that you will be able to entertain the kiddos at Children’s Film Extravaganza that has been expanded this year to include 47 feature length and short films as well as hands on activities right smack in the heart of the festival at the McWane Science Center Rushton Theater. The programming has been grouped based on age so that it is easier for you to select the films that are right for you and your family. They are kid tested and parent approved! Kids get in free with a paid adult.

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!
1pm – 3pm

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

Mr Potato Head Exhibit – Families won’t want to miss The Adventures of MR. POTATO HEAD, a new interactive traveling exhibit that features the much-loved MR. POTATO HEAD character will lead young visitors and parents on a number of fun and educational adventures. From trips to outer space to jungle safaris and archaeological digs, each activity will provide children with engaging learning experiences. Through Sept. 26

Itty Bitty Magic City – NOTE: ITTY BITTY IS AN ITTY BIT SMALLER THIS SUMMER!
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!

Mom Picks – September

Posted on by Angie

September means fall, finally! Fall means jeans, sweaters, boots and football. Here are a few of our Mom Picks for this season!

It’s all about the bootie – a twist on your same ole, same ole boots. Try these if you’re looking for something different but still like your cowboy boots. Aldo.com, on sale now for just under $60. Check their store at the Galleria and the Summit too for a large stock of boots and other great fall shoes.

You have to love a good sweater! We love this one from Ann Taylor Loft – It looks good with jeans, it’s a great “throw it on and go” sweater that looks like you put more effort into your outfit than you really did. Shown in Charcoal/Ivory it’s also available in Pop Pink /Ivory and Ivory/Charcoal.

So speaking of jeans. They are an absolute must have for fall (anytime really.) But getting the right jeans for your body type can be a daunting task. It’s well worth all of the bending, stretching, sucking in and maybe even some tears when you finally find the right pair, but it’s daunting nonetheless. Earlier this year we consulted with Jeff and Kathleen Tenner, owners of SOCA clothing in Homewood and they gave us some great tips on finding the right pair of jeans in our article: Denim.  We asked.  SOCA Clothing answered. Just remember, don’t be afraid to ask for help. With stores like Soca and Gloss Denim bar around town there is no excuse for you to walk around in ill fitting denim. They are here to help, let them!

Celebrate Birmingham Moms that Rock!

Posted on by Angie

We are so excited and overwhelmed with the nominations and votes we received for this Birmingham Moms Rock event. It’s finally here and we can’t wait! Call your friends and line up the sitter, we’ve got a great night planned.

Tonight,  September 16th at the Wine Loft downtown. This event is FREE (have we mentioned that?) We’ll have live music, food, drink specials, door prizes and swag…. We’ll be there from 6pm – 9pm, so come out and celebrate with us and find out who was voted the Birmingham Mom that Rocks.

Presented By: Brookwood Medical Center, B-Metro and BirminghamMommy.com

Sponsored By: Grandmothers Joy, Amanda Traywick, Moxii, Jim N Nicks Bar B Que, Medi Weightloss Clinics and The Wine Loft.

Tips for Everyday Life

Posted on by Angie

These are the things that you hear from your mom or your grandmother– the little tidbits of knowledge that get passed along. I have also found tons of little tips from the Queen of Good Things (Martha Stewart) and from Real Simple.

1. Use a few small marshmallows in your brown sugar to prevent it from getting hard/dried out

2. Use a clean toothbrush to get the threads out of corn on the cob

3. Use a raw piece of spaghetti to light a hard to reach candle

4. Use socks as travel shoe bags for your shoes in your suitcase

5. Use a bright wallet so it’s easy to spot in your big purse

6. Store your flat and fitted sheet in the matching pillowcase to keep it organized

7. Use a coat of nail polish to prevent rust on the bottom of shave gel cans, etc

8. Use a damp sponge to wipe up pet hair off of uphostery

9. Use hair conditioner as shave gel- cheaper and great

10. Use a penny in the water of wilted tulips to bring their zest back

11. Use a dryer sheet and water to get pans with tough stains clean

What tips do you have to share?

BirminghamMommy Picks for Fall Festivities

Posted on by Angie

Fall in Birmingham is one of, if not the best time of year in the Magic city. We get darn near perfect weather, college football is going strong and there is no shortage of fun family activities going on around town. In fact, we dare say there is so much going on there is no way you can possibly fit it all in. So, cue BirminghamMommy, we’re going to give you the run down on some of what we consider to be the don’t miss events for this fall. You’re going to need to get your calendar out, go ahead, we’ll wait…………

Pick #1

Spend a Sunday afternoon with our favorite Iron Man at Vulcan Aftertunes. Birmingham’s unique musical event returns to Red Mountain this fall for its 6th season! Enjoy cool tunes, fresh brews, and sweet views. Chill out in Birmingham’s backyard and end your week with friends and family (of all ages) while listening to some of the area’s best music. Your kids will love this, trust us!

This year, to sweeten the deal for families you will be able to purchase a “Family Concert Pass” for just $50. This will allow 2 adults, and 2 children (ages 5-12) admission to all 3 concerts this season. The value is $84 and also includes your admission to the Vulcan Museum and Observation Balcony. These passes are available online only and for a limited time so go ahead, get your wallet, we’ll wait……..

Regular admission prices are as follows:
$10 for Adults – $5 for Vulcan Members – $4 for children ages 5-12, children 4 and under are free.
Food from Mafiaoza’s Pizzeria will be available for purchase at each show.

The concert series will be held, Sunday September 19th, Sunday October 3rd and Sunday October 17th

Pick #2

The 12th annual Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival is a celebration of new independent cinema in downtown Birmingham. Filmmakers from across the country and around the world have come to Birmingham to screen their work at Sidewalk and have been thrilled to discover fresh, enthusiastic crowds eager to devour new independent cinema. There is no doubt that you will be able to entertain the kiddos at Children’s Film Extravaganza that has been expanded this year to include 47 feature length and short films as well as hands on activities right smack in the heart of the festival at the McWane Science Center Rushton Theater. The programming has been grouped based on age so that it is easier for you to select the films that are right for you and your family. They are kid tested and parent approved! Kids get in free with a paid adult

The festival runs September 24th – 26th – for ticket pricing and show schedule visit their site.

Pick #3

While this is more for the Moms, it’s a must do if you want to get a  jump on some early Christmas shopping. Get ready for The Market presented by the Junior League. A 3 day shopping extravaganza!! Not only is it shopping early for great gifts, it’s shopping with a purpose. Every ticket purchased helps promote the mission of the Junior League to support the community by improving the lives of women and children. Feel great about the gifts you share this holiday season knowing that a portion of that gift is making a difference in the life of someone in the Birmingham community.

Visit their site for a list of the events going on to celebrate The Market or to purchase your tickets!

Pick #4

Birmingham’s weather is tricky, but in early November it’s a pretty safe bet that you’re going to get a good fall feeling day, so how will you spend it?  Enjoying the day at the Moss Rock Festival gets our vote! You can discover art, listen to live music and let the kiddos enjoy a little art of their own in the Kids Art Studio’s.
November 6th and 7th
*more information to come as soon as it’s available.

Pick #5

The summer market at Pepper Place may be ending and you may find yourself in a panic over what to do every Saturday morning, Fear not! On the tails of the their Summer Market comes their Harvest and Holiday market. What a great way to spend a crisp cool Saturday morning. Grab a Cup o’ Joe and head on down for leisurely stroll through the tents of fresh and local good for you food! 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! This market runs from October 16th – December 4th.

While this is just barely scratching the surface on everything going on this fall we think these are Must Do’s – Keep an eye on our calendar, we’ll keep you updated on all of the other fun stuff happening around town. Have a favorite fall activity or something you never miss out on? We would love to hear about it! Drop us a comment!

52 New Things – Week 36

Posted on by Angie

Angie –

I tried another new vegetarian recipe and it was a FAIL. I wanted spaghetti with meat sauce so instead of using hamburger meat, I used some type of soy/protein crumbles. While it looked like regular hamburger and didn’t actually taste bad the texture was just off. Almost mushy. I have texture issues and just couldn’t get past this one. I think I’ll be having my sauce sans meat from here on out.

Trish –

Kindergarten: I love it and I hate it.  We’re not early risers in my house.  We get up around 8-8:30 generally.  That was, until kindergarten.  Kindergarten drop off is at 7:30AM.  Which means getting up in the (GASP) 6:something time frame.  We have it down to an art, it takes us exactly 15 minutes to get up, dressed, and in the car.  But the new thing for me is TIME TIME TIME.  Getting up early is like adding 2 days to your week.  I’m getting so much done!!  My house has never been cleaner (I cleaned toilets before 8am one day, what is that!?).  My meals are planned out and my budget is below normal.  Who knew that a few hours a day was all it would take?!

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!

Working Mommy Madness! Making Peace with the Muffintop

Posted on by Angie

By: Harmony

My son learned how to hop by watching me try to squeeze into a pair of jeans that no longer fit. You know the drill. I call it the hop-and-pull, first cousin to the lay-down-and-zip. I ripped my jeans that day, and had no choice but to accept defeat. They are now stored in the back of my closet waiting for a smaller, future me.

I know you all have that section in your closet where the small clothes go. Mine is a sad little corner full of wispy “going-out” shirts, strapless tops, and jeans in single-digit sizes made of stretchy denim. I have the wardrobe of three different women — skinny me, normal me, and fat me. My underwear drawer holds both big granny bras and teeny tiny bras that I’m sure these boobs will never fit into again. I just can’t bear to let them go because they looked so cute … once upon a time. Breaking up is hard to do.

I also can’t get rid of this stuff because I use these garments as a foolproof way of tracking my size. I’ve long since boycotted the scale … it becomes too easy to obsess over every little pound. Now I judge my weight by looking at myself to see if I have muffintops billowing up over my waist band or not. Lately, the answer has been yes.

We all have parts that we wish would shrink or go away altogether. I spent a lot of years battling my shape. I’m a white girl with a freakishly large behind. I grew up with a lot of other white girls who had little to no behind, and I felt like a total misfit. I finally started to accept myself in my mid-twenties after I met my husband. It took over a year for me to finally believe him when he told me that I was beautiful. I mean, to REALLY believe that he thought it, and wasn’t just saying it because he wanted to get in my pants. Since we met, that man has seen me looking my absolute WORST (in active labor, hung over, etc.) and my absolute BEST, and he loves me anyway.

There is something liberating about being able to truly accept yourself. He taught me how to do that. Men simply do not care about their appearance the way that women do. I’ve observed him look at his belly in the mirror, rub it like a magic lamp, slap it with gusto, and tell me I am a lucky woman. If his pants were too tight, he’d just pull out a bigger pair; he didn’t get all cranky about it. He ate when he was hungry and ate what he felt like eating. Amazing.

When I turned 30, I made up my mind that I am going to start living with more gusto. I was going to be more like … a man. I decided to stop worrying so much about my appearance and being so unhappy with myself all of the time. I decided to stop comparing myself so much to other women. And you know, I’ve packed on 15 pounds since I made this decision and despite that, I’m quite happy with myself. This year, I karaoked for the first time, started dancing in public, ran a 5k, and took more risks. I started speaking my mind more.

I still wish I could fit into my skinny jeans, but I’m not going to let it ruin my day anymore. My son thinks I’m the most beautiful woman in the world, and that is the greatest compliment I could ever hope to receive.

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 at www.workingmommymadness.com.

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