I used to be the modest type. On the morning of my wedding day I changed in the bathroom instead of in front of my bridesmaids. I wore a ridiculous getup the first few times I spent the night with my now-husband. It involved sweat pants. In the summer. In Louisiana.
You know the type . . . the closet changer. That was me.
When my son was born almost two years ago, something happened. I think I stopped caring about who saw my va-jay-jay sometime during the second hour of pushing. Several days later, I stopped caring which of my family members saw my ridiculously large boobs while I was attempting to breastfeed. All I cared about was my son, my sanity, and surviving my first post partum poop. Modesty wasn’t really on my radar anymore – I had more pressing issues at hand.
Sometime during week 8 of my maternity leave, I walked out the front door without a shirt on. It was an accident, but it solidified my new relationship with unabashed behavior. I had the car seat in one hand, diaper bag in the other, looked down and saw I was just in a sports bra and some hideous lounge pants. All of my maternal glory was out there for the world to see. I stood in the driveway contemplating … how inappropriate is this really? The answer was very, so I headed back inside. However, just the fact that I took the time to consider the situation let me know that something had happened to me. And it was liberating.
As a working mom, I have to show up to work five days a week looking somewhat put together. It’s hard enough for us girls to claw our way to the top of the corporate ladder . . . looking a mess isn’t going to help matters. I have to make a daily wardrobe decision between
1. Functional
2. Fabulous
Monday – Friday, I always choose fab over function. If I have a choice between pants and a crewneck, or a dress with a v-neck, I’m going with the dress.
Because I’m a mom—a mom that chooses to wear dresses—I’m going to flash people, and it’s going to happen daily. I’ve accepted this. There’s simply not a modest way to bend over into a car to buckle in a child. Everyone on the street is going to see my Spanx. Yes, I wear them. Also, there will be some serious cleavage, a bra strap, and possibly a chunk of some other body part if the wind is blowing.
I don’t do it on purpose, but I also don’t really care (anymore). Giving a proper goodbye to my son and getting him and out of the car safely is more important to me than worrying if my left boob is hanging out. I just do the best I can. In my quest to achieve the Holy Trinity: maintaining my career, maintaining my family, and maintaining my sense of self – I have had to let some things go.
My modesty was the first to go. My vanity is still intact . . . and my self-respect. I think.
Harmony blew into Birmingham after Hurricane Katrina and is a self-proclaimed “never home maker” striving for a balance between her career and family life. Visit her blog Working Mommy Madness
I watched a 10 year old boy on a bike almost plow into a toddler the other day. Naturally, my inner maternal instinct/teacher/disciplinarian caused me to sternly say “Stop! Watch for the little one!”
And then I got a dirty look. But not from the bike rider, from the dad of the toddler.
Does this happen to anyone else? I will openly admit that I am overprotective. I’ve even been called nervous. But guess what? That anxiety that I live with every day can benefit you!
I’ve been this way forever. I can’t let my dogs off their leash because I’m terrified that they’ll run into the road. Until we had kids, I protected my dogs from everything. I almost sent them to doggy daycare, but didn’t want them to deal with any bullies. I’m so kidding. Sort of.
Then the first baby came home. My whole life turned in to this alternate reality of what “could” go wrong. He could fall down the stairs. He could hit his head in just the wrong place on that table. He could, he could, he could. Because let’s face it, the worst tragedies tend to come from perfect timing. I live my life in a constant state of “If I had only left the house 10 seconds later… scenario reenactments.” It’s not easy. I should probably be medicated.
So when I jump to stop a potential tragedy, when I overreact to curb an accident, please focus on the intention. It wasn’t to make you look negligent. It was because I can’t NOT stop something from happening. If I didn’t scream “Stop!” and the boy on the bike hit the toddler, I would be devastated.
I will confess, I take it too far. But I’m trying to teach my kids to be the kind of people who don’t watch a child get kidnapped without trying to tackle the kidnapper. I don’t want them to hear a woman screaming “HELP!” in a parking lot and choose to “just stay out of it.” So part of my problem is the civil and human duty I see, but the other part of it is fear. Pure, terrifying, fear. And I just haven’t learned to let go of it.
This week I decided that I had had enough of the blinding white that is my leg color these days. Its July for Pete’s sake, it’s the longest I’ve been into summer time without putting on a swimsuit or having the opportunity to soak up some glorious Vitamin D. Since the opportunities to get some real sun are few and far between right now I decided to fake it. I bought a new self tanning lotion to use on my legs. I’m typically skeptical of these tanning products and have used some in past that left a lot to be desired. I bought Nivea Sun Kissed Legs and it seems to work fine. It’s more of a gradual tan rather than this crazy spray on insta-tan stuff I’ve turned orange from in the past. Less room for mess ups which I like. Not as good as the real thing, but it will do!
Trish –
My new thing this week was to pay bills online. I’ve enrolled but could never pull the trigger on actually using online bill pay. It feels so odd to not get a paper statement and write a check. I’m sure that’s what all of the 85 year olds who write checks at the grocery store say too.
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!
Another week, another packed calendar! Our libraries continue to be a source for lots of fun activities and you can pick from crafts, storytimes or movies, a little something for everyone. Zoo Members can take advantage of seeing the Birmingham Barons for free on Zoo Night!
Make sure to check out our Summer Flicks Guide to find out where to go for free and discounted movies around town. We update the calendar as we learn of new events so stop back by throughout the week to see what’s new!
It’s Not Our Fault if Your Kids Are Bored!
Monday July 12th
Movie Matinee – North Shelby Library
Princess and the Frog
All Ages, Snacks Served
2:00pm
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Tuesday July 13th
The Magic of Reading, Russell Davis – North Shelby Library
All Ages – Experience a show filled with magic and comedy. No registration required
10:30
Terrific Tuesday – Emmet O Neal
Water Wonders with The Activated Storytellers
Ages 3 and Up with a caregiver
10:30 and 3:30
Barnes and Noble – Summit – Terrific Tuesday Storytime
Please join us as we celebrate Dr. Seuss this month with a reading of Fox in Socks and also Go Dog Go by P.D. Eastman. See how much fun these stories can be to read aloud! Refreshments and activity to follow!
11:00am
Roger Day – Hoover Library
A jam-packed musical concert that encourages kids to SING LOUD, JUMP HIGH and DREAM BIG!
10:30am, 1:30pm, 6:30pm
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Wednesday July 14th
Birmingham Zoo Night – Birmingham Barons
Zoo members can enjoy complimentary Barons tickets! Be sure to take advantage of your Zoo membership and enjoy a night at the ballpark! Members must present current Membership Card and photo ID at the Regions Park ticket booth (sorry, no exceptions.)
7:05pm
Storytime – Barnes an Noble Patton Creek
Join us for this installment of the beloved ‘How Do Dinosaurs’ series. See all the many ways dinosaurs tell their parents “I love you” (even when they’re being mischievous!)
10:30am
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
Roger Day – Hoover Library
A jam-packed musical concert that encourages kids to SING LOUD, JUMP HIGH and DREAM BIG!
10:30am and 1:30pm
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Thursday July 15th
Popcorn and Movie – Emmet O Neal Library
Princess and the Frog
Grades 2 – 6
10:30 – 12:10
Craft: Paper Plate Porthole – North Shelby Library
All Ages, Registration Required
Drop in anytime between 2:00 – 3:30.
PJ Storytime – North Shelby Library
All ages, no registration required
7pm
Summer Luau – Vestavia Hills Library
Games, crafts, and yummy treats to help cool off from the heat. Great for ages 5 & up.
3:00pm – 4:00pm
Color Splash Storytime – Hoover Library
Black and White – Summer storytime for children under four.
10:30
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Friday July 16th
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
First Annual Music and Movie Festival –
Free to the public. Held in the former HQ parking lot on Center Point Parkway next to the Roebuck Golden Corral Restaurant. Bring your picnic baskets, lawn chairs and a great attitude to enjoy live entertainment, great water rides and a featured movie presentation at sunset.
5:00pm
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Saturday July 17th
Breakfast with Animals – Ruffner Mountain Nature Center
Get an early morning look at some Alabama animals. Join us for a continental breakfast as we get some up-close looks and information from some of our animal ambassadors. All ages welcome.
Reservations required.
$7 ($5 member).
To Make Reservations-
Voicemail: (205) 833-8264, ext. 20
7:30am
Beach Party Bash – Emmet O Neal Library
You don’t have to go to the beach this summer to have fun! Just join us for a craft, games and food that will have you singing Surfin’ Safari all the way home! Call 444-7833 to register June 28 – July 16
10:30am
Helena Market Days/Farmers Market – Helena Amphitheater
8:00am – 12:00pm
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
Please join us as we celebrate one of our newest favorite dogs. Our special story is Marley and the Kittens by John Grogan. See what happens when Marley welcomes two kittens, Lucky and Yow-Yow, to his home! A fun activity and refreshments to follow!
2:00pm
Fresh Market on the Green – Ross Bridge
Fresh Alabama grown fruits & vegetables, locally harvested honey, goat, cheese, fresh baked goods, coffee café, live music,arts and crafts, kids activity and more!
8am – Noon
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Sunday July 18th
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Graduation Reunion – Brookwood Medical Center
Join us for this annual event for former Neontal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) patients and their families hosted by the physicians and nurses of Brookwood Medical Center’s NICU. Former patients and their families are invited to reunite and enjoy a fun-filled afternoon.
This annual event has been taking place for over 20 years. Physicians and staff enjoy visiting with the children they cared for as tiny infants.
Held in the Women’s Classrooms in the Womens Medical Center
2:00pm- 4:00pm
Christmas in July & Kids Eat Free – Birmingham Barons
One Free Kids Meal with Purchase of Full-Price Kids Ticket (Dreamland Ribs not included)
5:05pm
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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 archeological 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
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!
Alabama beaches are on the minds of many lately. For those of us who have lived here all of our lives a summer without a trip to the gulf doesn’t feel like much of a summer at all. We are all aware of the tragic circumstances facing our beaches right now and would welcome the opportunity to get involved in helping in any way possible. Our friends over at Big Art Blessings have come up with a great project and they need our help. Now’s your chance to pitch in and it’s great because you can get the kids involved, in fact all you have to do is give them some paper, some crayons or paint, and let them go to town.
Doodles for Dolphins is giving your child the chance to celebrate the Gulf Coast animals they love so much; through the donation of a single piece of artwork, they can help with the oil spill rescue efforts.
Big Art Blessings will be creating spectacular wall collages showcasing this special artwork. These collages will be auctioned off, with 100% of the profit donated to animal rescue efforts on the Gulf Coast.
Here’s what you need to know:
Send artwork, flat or “softly folded” to:
Big Art Blessings – Doodles for Dolphins
P.O. Box 26647
Hoover, AL 35260
Be creative! Be colorful! Use crayons, oil pastels, paint, glue, tissue paper, 3-D embellishments! You can use any type of paper – think “color”. Just stay away from washable marker, please.
I’m an avid reader. I actually devour a book and like to think I hold the record time for reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It arrived at 4 pm, I was finished by 2 pm the next day, and I took time out to go to a Harry Potter festival at the Birmingham Zoo. What can I say, when I get down with a book, I get down with a book.
So, we decided to put together a list of our favorite books, and a few of yours too. Let us know what we’re missing and why, as we are always anxious to get a good book recommendation!
Adults:
Our Favorites (in no particular order):
Atonement – Ian McEwan
Bonfire of the Vanities – Tom Wolfe
Harry Potter series – JK Rowling
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter – Carson McCullers
To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee
Memoirs of a Geisha – Arthur Golden
A Prayer for Owen Meany – John Irving
Water for Elephants – Sara Gruen
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius -Dave Eggers
A Confederacy of Dunces – John Kennedy Toole
The Awakening – Kate Chopin
The Sookie Stackhouse Series – Charlaine Harris
Guilty Pleasure – The Twilight Series. Swoon.
Children’s Books
Reader’s Picks:
Ages 0-3
The Little Train That Could
Goodnight Moon – Margaret Wise Brown
Thomas’s Christmas Delivery – Rev. W. Awdry
Ten Little Ladybugs – Melanie Gerth
Milly Waits For the Mail – Alexander Steffensmeir
Llama Llama Books – Anna Dewdney
Green Eggs and Ham – Dr. Seuss
Mama’s Little Duckling – Marjorie Parker
Love You Forever – Robert N. Munsch, Sheila McGraw
Are You My Mother? – P. D. Eastman
There’s a Monster at the End of this Book – Jon Stone
Best Word Book Ever – R. Scarry
Cars and Trucks and Things That Go – R. Scarry
All Asleep – Joanna Walsh
Mama, Do You Love Me? – Barbara M. Joosse, Barbara Lavallee
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do You See? – Eric Carle
The Very Hungry Caterpillar – Eric Carle
The Cat in the Hat – Dr. Seuss
Fox in Socks – Dr. Seuss
Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You? – Dr. Seuss
Veggie Tales – God Made You Special – Greg Fritz
Giraffe and a Half – Shel Silverstein
I Love You Through and Through – Bernadette Rossetti-Shustak, Caroline Jayne Church
Roar of a Snore – Marsha Diane Arnold, Pierre Pratt
The Good Humor Man – Kathleen N. Daly
Goodnight Gorilla – Peggy Rathmann
Mommy Kisses – Melissa Miller
Wibbly Pig is Hiding – Mick Inkpen
ABC God Loves Me – The Land of Milk and Honey
Ages 4-6
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus – Mo Willems
Pigs Love Potatoes – Anika Denise
There is a Bird on Your Head – Mo Willems
Froggy Books – Jonathan London
The Gruffalo – Julia Donaldson
and Axel Scheffler
I Spy – Jean Marzolla and Walter Wick
Fancy Nancy Series – Jane O’Connor
Dinosaurs Dancing at School – Luella Connolly
Where the Wild Things Are – Maurice Sendak
There’s a Wocket in my Pocket – Dr. Seuss
The Wizard – Jack Pelusky
I See a Monster – Laurie Young
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Shell – Lucille Colandro
A Light in the Attic – Shel Silverstein
Going on a Bear Hunt – Michael Rosen
The Wide Mouthed Frog – Keith Faulker
Thanks to the following readers for input on this great list: Shelly G., Jennifer C., Donna S., Lelia M., Elizabeth C., Lindsay W., Melissa R., Courtney G., Sonya L., Kona R., Melissa D., Tiffany P., Aimee G.,
Gloria W., Mandy M., Lee F., Candace S., Amanda Z., Elizabeth W., Holly S., Carolynn W., Elizabeth A., Vanessa J., Kristen B., Kate S., Brandi B., Brandy B., Amanda B., LeeAnn S., Monica H., Kristen L., Carolyn P., Melissa R.
Children / YA
Ages 7-10
My Father’s Dragon – Ruth Stiles Stennett
The Boxcar Children – Gertrude Chandler
A to Z Mysteries – Ron Roy
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series – Jeff Kinney
Goosebumps Series – RL Stine
Magic Tree House Books – Mary Pope Osborne
American Girl Series
Hank, The Cow Dog – John Erickson
Ages 11-14
Twilight Series – Stephanie Meyer
Harry Potter Series – JK Rowling
Sisters Grimm- Michael Buckley
Percy Jackson Series – Rick Riordan
Thanks to the following readers for this great list: Sonya W., Brandi C., Monica E., Shawn S., Brandy B., Melany G., Amy B., Becky C., Tandi S., Holly S., Ruth D.
Got something to add? Tell us all about it in the comments!
My new thing this week was getting out of my comfort zone regarding reading. I love fiction and stick to it mostly, but this week, I bought an American history book and haven’t peeked up yet!
Trish –
My new thing was silly… but I wanted to create happy reminders throughout my day. So I decided to make my to do lists a little happier. I put a picture of my dog on paper, made copies, and that’s my new form of scratch paper. Nothing makes a long list of errands more bearable than looking at a picture of some (furry) one you love.
Angie –
I bought new cleaning wipes. I know they aren’t the most eco-friendly thing around but I always like to keep a big tub of them sitting in my kitchen. It makes wiping down counter tops and sticky placements easier and faster. I was at Publix looking for my favorite, Greenworks. I like the ginormous tub but they were out, so I tried the Seventh Generation and they flat out stink. Not as in they don’t work, they literally stink. I can’t stand the smell of them or the smell it leaves on my counters and my hands. Needless to say I won’t be buying these again. I would consider this weeks “New Thing” a fail.
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!
We hope you all had a wonderful and safe 4th of July weekend. Hopefully some of you are going to be off on Monday and be able to enjoy your family time just a little more! This week enjoy a free LEGO mini build and Cow Appreciation Day! Dress up like a cow and Chick Fil A will give you a free meal! Make sure to check out our Summer Flicks Guide to find out where to go for free and discounted movies around town. We update the calendar as we learn of new events so stop back by throughout the week to see what’s new!
It’s not our fault if your kids are bored!
Sunday July 4th
Trussville Freedom Celebration – On the Mall in Trussville
Inflatables, Music, Food and Fireworks
6:00pm – Fireworks at 9:00pm
4th of July Celebration – Downtown Homewood
The annual July 4th Celebration. Fun family atmosphere with rides, inflatables and an interactive DJ creates a festive atmosphere as we close down the streets in Downtown Homewood to celebrate our nation’s birthday.
5:30pm
Fireworks Extravaganza at Alabama Adventure
8:00pm – 9:00pm
Jazz in Park – Caldwell Park
Smooth jazz artists are set to perform in a variety of styles.
3:00pm- 6:00pm
UAB Music’s 4th Annual 4th of July Concert
The 75-member UAB Summer Band will perform patriotic songs, traditional band music, pop tunes, Disney favorites, movie and Broadway themes and more. Bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnics for the concert then watch the fireworks show atop Red Mountain
7:30pm
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Monday July 5th
Storytime – Ruffner Mountain
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. We encourage all participants to donate $2 per person for Visitor Center admission and program.
10am
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Tuesday July 6th
The McWane Science Center: 3 Ring Science- North Shelby Library
Step right up for a science circus assembly show! Explore the wonders of liquid nitrogen, the power of explosions and the shocking world of electricity. All Ages Welcome. No Registration Required.
All Ages
10:30am
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
LEGO Minibuild – Riverchase Galleria LEGO Store
LEGO Watermelon
5:00pm until supplies last – Ages 6 – 14
Activated Storytellers- Hoover Library
A theatrical production full on nonstop action, American Sign Language, acrobatic tricks, slapstick, audience participation, imaginative props and a gigantic oversized book.
10:30am, 1:30pm, 6:30pm
Pottery Barn Kids Book Club at the Summit
Children and a caregiver are invited to share in this weekly story time. Make sure to get your Book Club Passport on your initial visit and receive a free gift at your 5th story time.
10:00am Barnes and Noble – Summit – Terrific Tuesday StorytimePlease join us as we read Mama, Is It Summer Yet? by Nikki McClure. See how a mother teaches her son to see the changes and signs in nature to recognize that the summer season has arrived.
11:00am
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Activated Storytellers- Hoover Library
A theatrical production full on nonstop action, American Sign Language, acrobatic tricks, slapstick, audience participation, imaginative props and a gigantic oversized book.
10:30am, 1:30pm,
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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Color Splash Storytime – Hoover Library
Splash of Brown – Summer storytime for children under four.
10:30
Craft: Paper Plate Porthole – North Shelby Library
All Ages, Registration Required
Drop in anytime between 2:00 – 3:30.
Popcorn and Movie – Emmett O Neal “Old Dogs”
Grades 2 – 6
10:30am – 12:00pm
Tattoos from Under the Sea – Emmett O Neal
with Starshine Faces
Grades 2-6
3:30 – 4:30
Free Kindermusik Class – Cherubs Clubhouse
0-18 months at 9:30am
18 months and up – 10:00am
Mark Seymour – Vestavia Hills Library Be At Your Best – Drum/music show for all ages. 3:00pm
Kickin’ it with Kat Storytimeat Whole Foods –
Great curriculum, live music, plus our famous crafts and snacks. Invite your play group, friends, and neighbors!
10:00am
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Cow Appreciation Day – Chick Fil A
Stop by any Chick Fil A fully dressed like a cow and you eat for free! If you bring along the kids, they eat free too. The question is, are you too chicken to dress like a cow?
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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12th Birthday Bash – McWane Science Center
Can we build it? Yes, we can! Join McWane Science Center for our 12th Birthday Bash on Saturday, July 10. Bob the Builder will be live on stage for sing-a-long shows outside on the plaza! Bring the family for building activities throughout the day!
The first 1,000 kids get a FREE construction hat! Check their site for event schedule!
10am – 4pm
Brews Blues and Barbeque – Alabama Adventure
A day of barbeque and Blues Music – Stop by McDonalds for $10 off a general admission ticket.
Frogs for Families – Ruffner Mountain Nature Center
Let’s go to the wetlands and hear the frog symphony. We will look at some of these creatures up-close and learn more about them, their importance, and how to identify them. $7 ($5 member). Reservations required. We will meet at the Tree Top Visitor Center at 7:15 PM and caravan to the wetlands. (205) 833-8264
7:15pm – 9:00pm
Helena Market Days/Farmers Market – Helena Amphitheater
8:00am – 12:00pm
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
Please join us as we celebrate classic children’s stories with a reading of Corduroy by Don Freeman. Revisit this tale of the department-store Bear who longed to have a friend and a home. A fun activity to follow.
2:00pm
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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 archeological 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!
Molecules to the Max – Catch a ride to NanoSpace with Oxy and her crew to boldly go where only atoms have gone before! This animated adventure brings audiences into amazingly small places and fascinates them with incredibly big ideas. Through May 31, 2010
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
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!
We are incredibly excited about the turn out and response we had to the Twilight over 21 Event at McWane Science Center. We were grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this night and wanted to thank all of the businesses and people that helped by donating swag for the Dazzle Bags and Door prizes. Please make sure to check out their sites and show them some love!! These are the people in our community who take care of us, and we tip our hats to them! Or should we say we tip our fangs? Our abs?
And of course our evening would not have been complete without our fabulous paparazzi for the night, the talented Amanda Traywick who was there capturing our Red Carpet Moments.. Make sure to watch Facebook for all of her pictures!
Thanks again to everyone for attending, thank you to McWane Science Center and to all of our wonderful Contributors! We hope to have the opportunity to work with you all again in the future!
We love to shop for the little ones. In fact, I don’t think I’m alone when I say I spend more time and money on the little ones than I ever do on myself. It’s hard to resist, kid items are all so little and….cute. We found a few things this month that were darling.
Baby Girl Elephant Personalized Onesie Set available from The Baby Gardner. Let’s all take a collective “Awww” together now, shall we?
The Dishes. Just like the laundry, the dishes multiply. But when we saw this “Dirty Dishes” set from Alex Toys, we couldn’t help but love the idea. Cute, cute, cute – but might as well train them early, eh?
Black and White. We love anything black and white. Check out this gorgeous dress from Jen Jen. We love.
