Merry Christmas to all of our wonderful and cherished readers! We hope you have a wonderful holiday with your family and friends. We’ll be taking some time off as well to do just that!
We’ll be back Monday, December 28, 2009.
–
Angie, Jamie & Trish at Birminghammommy.com
We’re giving away a copy of The Rookie Moms Handbook. This book is awesome. Almost (or equally) as awesome as the site – www.rookiemoms.com.
The book is packed with 250 activities to do with (and without!) your child and is a true favorite for moms everywhere. This book not only makes a good gift for you – but is an excellent baby gift for rookie (and not-so rookie) moms!
To enter – just comment below. One entry per day, per person.
For one additional entry, tweet this (without the quotes): ” @birminghammommy is giving away a copy of the @rookiemoms handbook! Enter once a day through January 25th! ” – **if you choose the extra entry, please return to the comment on our site and tell us you tweeted – otherwise it won’t count**
In the meantime, check out www.rookiemoms.com for fun activities broken down by age! Oh, and while you’re there – check out the Birminghammommy.com contribution to the RookieMoms Staycation Guide!
This giveaway runs through January 25th at 5 pm. Good luck everyone!
There are some excellent resources in our city if you’re looking for something a little different than ballet or tap classes. Here are a few of our recommendations. Please add your own in the comments – we’d love for you offer your own ideas to our readers!
The Merry Music Makers is a 45-minute class for 3- and 4-year-olds that meets once a week for 10 weeks. The class introduces the children to rhythm, melody, the music alphabet, and instruments of the orchestra, while providing an opportunity for musical creativity and expression.
Preschool Piano classes for those beginning piano study combine the Suzuki and traditional teaching methods to form the core of an exciting music program designed for older 4’s, 5-year-olds, and 6-year-olds who have not begun first grade. Very young students learn music fundamentals in a positive and creative environment where games and fun musical activities reinforce basic concepts. Students participate in a weekly 30-minute class and a 15-minute private lesson. Class size is small, and parents are required to attend and participate in the lessons.
Private Instruction in Piano is available to students six years of age and older at all levels.
Private Instruction In Voice is available to students 12 years old and older at elementary and advanced levels.
Emphasis is placed on the instruction of repertoire and technique in both disciplines.
Musicianship Classes offer a time for the presentation and reinforcement of music theory, composition, history, appreciation, ear training, and performance. Students are strongly encouraged to enroll in a Musicianship Class geared to their age and level of ability. Games and fun activities reinforce musical concepts. Students who are taking private lessons are eligible for musicianship classes, which meet for 30 minutes weekly.
Classes begin January 4th, so we’d recommend an immediate call to the school to find out about available spots if interested. You can reach them at 205-726-4049 or 205-726-2810, or you can visit them online at Samford University Preparatory Music
Another great resource in the Birmingham area is the Children’s Dance Foundation in Homewood. They offer a few things outside of typical dance classes.
Students will learn basic dance skills and combinations that are done in musical theatre auditions and shows. Students will also delve a bit further by learning the stories, plot lines and characters from several Broadway musicials, including Grease and The Sound of Music. For students in 3rd and 4th grade and an upper class for students in 5th grade and up.
They also offer acting workshops for students in the 1st grade and up.
The next session begins in early January, we definitely recommend calling immediately if you’re interested. You can find more information at their site – www.childrensdancefoundation.org or call 205-870-0073
One of my favorite things to do during the holidays is bake for my friends and family. But, I should let you in on a little secret – I’m not that great of a baker! But, I have managed to conquer a few recipes that make wonderful gifts for those you cherish. Here are a few tried & untried recipes we’d love to share with you.
Do you have a favorite holiday recipe? Tell us about it in the comments.
Ingredients
Directions
Directions
Instructions:
Cooks’ notes:
*recipe courtesy of Epicurious.com
Don’t throw those wrapping paper scraps away. We repeat: Don’t throw them away! You can make a really sweet holiday decoration from them that the kids will not only love to make, but will love to display. Like last weeks “Simple Salt Dough Ornaments“, we’re trying to take a simple approach to Christmas this year and spend as much time doing things with the kids as possible – with little money spent.
Just as with any other paper-chain project, assemble your materials: ribbon, tape, paper – this time your wrapping paper scraps.
Cut the paper into strips of 6-8 inches long and begin assembling them together one by one with a little tape. When you have your desired length, attach a nice ribbon on each end for hanging. Done!
Of course, after I had everything hung just right, my 1 year old made a dash to swipe the chain – so we had to relocate it out of reach of those tiny little fingers. Happy Holidays!
We know you are all busy getting ready for the festivities this week but there are a few things going on in Birmingham that, if you have time, you might want to check out.
**Be sure to check this page often throughout the week as it’s constantly updated**
Sunday, Dec. 20th – 4:30pm
Monday Dec. 21st 6pm-7pm
Take a break from all of the Holiday hustle and bustle and join the Children’s Department at the Homewood Library for some Holiday Cheer!
Hear wonderful holiday stories, sing seasonal songs, make a special ornament and enjoy holiday refreshments!
Kiss a Frog, See a Movie
Stop by the Kid Zone up until Dec. 21st, kiss a frog and have your name entered in the drawing for a Rave Gift Card. Drawing will be held at 9am on December 22nd
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.
Tuesday, Dec 22nd – 10am
The last night to enjoy this Holiday magic with pianist Jon Michael Ogletree on Dec. 22nd. Beginning at 7:30 p.m., younger guests are invited to enjoy cookies and milk while listening to the story of The Polar Express straight from a conductor. At the end of the reading, each guest will receive a bell meant to commemorate the evening and celebrate the magic of Christmas.
Wednesday, Dec 23rd – 11am
Olivia Helps with Christmas by: Ian Falconer
November 1, 2009- January 1, 2010 This show commemorating the birth of Christ is presented on every caverns tour in the main room of the Caverns. 9am – 4pm
Sundays 1pm – 4pm
Two trains for the Holiday Train Ride, see the Zoo illuminated with over half-a-million lights, festive carousel, get the best deal and enjoy all holiday rides with the new All-You-Can-Ride wristband, enjoy story time, animal demos and much more! Be sure to stop at the Barn in the Children’s Zoo for photo opportunities, animals and holiday crafts for all to enjoy. The Zoo will close at 4 pm every night of ZooLight Safari. Animal exhibits will be closed during ZooLight Safari. *Additional cost for all rides.
December 20th – 23rd & 26th – 30th, 5pm – 9pm
FREE to members, Non Members $7.00
Visitors will be able to take a ride around the plaza in this brand new choo-choo! Then, continue your journey in the museum with the Magic of Model Trains exhibit.
Train Schedule:
Sunday, December 20th, 12pm – 4pm
Monday – Wednesday December 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, 11am – 4pm
Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas day
Saturday – December 26, 11am – 4pm
Tickets $1 for members – $2 for non members.
Santa tours Alabaster
December 24th – starting around 1pm, arrival time for your neighborhood could vary 30 minutes before or after the time scheduled…
Santa takes a break from his Christmas preparations to visit families throughout the Alabaster area. Will he be in your neighborhood?
1 p.m. — Portsouth, Norwick Forest, Kingwood, Spring Gate, Cedar Grove
1:10 p.m. — Cedar Grove Trailer Park
1:30 p.m. — Sterling Gate
1:35 p.m. — Woodland Hills
1:45 p.m. — Southwind, Meadowlark, Willow Creek, Willow Point
1:55 p.m. — Northwest, Eaglewood, Olde Town
2 p.m. — Chinaberry
2:15 p.m. — Cambridge Pointe I, Summerbrook
2:20 p.m. — Knox Trailer Park
2:25 p.m. — Maylene
2:35 p.m. — Grande View Gardens
2:40 p.m. — Greenfield
2:45 p.m. — Applegate
2:50 p.m. — Grande View Estates, Navajo Hills North
2:55 p.m. — Cambridge Point II
3 p.m. — The View Apartments
3:10 p.m. — Shalimar Pointe, Ashford Heights
3:20 p.m. — Northeast Hickory Hills
3:25 p.m. — Maplewood Trail, Shady Oak Lane
3:35 p.m. — Bermuda Lake, Oakwood
3:45 p.m. — Amberly Woods, Mission Hills, Wynlake
4 p.m. — Peavine Trailer Park, Autumn Ridge
4:10 p.m. — Silver Creek
4:15 p.m. — Lake Terrace
4:20 p.m. — Park Forest, Wellington Manor
4:30 p.m. — Navajo Hills South
4:35 p.m. — Weatherly, Berryhill, Southwest Shelby Farms, Southfield Gardens, Golden Meadows
5:10 p.m. — Siluria, Park Forest Village
5:15 p.m. — Meadowview, Willow Glen
5:35 p.m. — Apache Ridge
5:45 p.m. — Woodbrook Trail Apartments, Windy Oaks
6 p.m. — Buck Creek Landing
6:05 p.m. — Southeast, Iron Wood
6:10 p.m. — Douglas Meadows
6:20 p.m. — Scottsdale
6:25 p.m. — Park Place
6:30 p.m. — Navajo Pines
6:40 p.m. — The Meadows
6:50 p.m. — Keystone Mobile Home Park, Fox Valley, Fox Valley Farms, Terri Lynn Trailer Park, First Avenue
7 p.m. — Kentwood
7:05 p.m. — Green Valley
7:10 p.m. — Crim Drive, Stoney Meadows
7:20 p.m. — Cedar Meadows, Stage Coach, Dogwood Forest, Forest Hills
7:25 p.m. — Lake Forest, Forest Ridge
7:30 p.m. — Tanglewood, Carriage Hills
7:40 p.m. — Timber Ridge
7:45 p.m. — The Grove
7:50 p.m. — Smokey Ridge
8 p.m. — Mountain Lake, Wisteria
Don’t forget! This Thursday, December 17th is Free Shipping Day for over 650 retailers, with delivery by Christmas Eve. If you are looking for an excuse to avoid the malls from now until Christmas, consider yourself excused. Schools are out and let’s face it, what Mom willingly wants to haul her kids around Birmingham looking for last minute gifts?
Make sure to read the fine print, some stores will have a minimum order restriction but more than half will be offering free shipping on ALL orders.
For a complete list of participating retailers check this site
by Amanda from The Mom Job
Two weeks ago, Conner (my “4.5” year old, if you ask him) came home from preschool with one, bright green rubber band around his arm. It was the first thing he showed me when I picked him up, and it was the only thing he talked about all the way home. I’m paraphrasing here (because come on…it’s been TWO weeks.), but it went something like Brookwin gave me dis green bracelet because she said I was her friend and she wanted to share and I told her I do not have any bracelets and she said that was ok and I want to give her one because she is my friend. Pretty much all of that ^ on repeat. It was silly bandz
or ‘a silly band’… either way… I knew this was coming. I noticed another boy had these at our first party (Halloween, maybe?). Somehow, I knew I could not avoid being sucked into this trend. A trend of shoveling out 10 bucks plus shipping for something that MAYBE cost .05 cents to make (for the entire package). But he loved it. Conner somehow knew exactly the thing to say to fling me at a violent speed towards the internet, credit card in hand. “And I want to give one to my little brover Chasey because he is my best friend and I love him”
At that moment, it didn’t matter if those little rubber animal bracelets cost 100 bucks, I would try to find them and then cringe later. Or vomit. Or a cringe/vomit combo with a side of eye rolling. I called 2 places — sold out. Luckily, I never underestimate the powers of the internet… because I found them with a common theme: overpriced. Most places wanted $9+ with an additional $4-5 worth of shipping. I found one place that offered a pack for $5 with $6 shipping. UmmmmNo. But! Yeah. No. And eventually, I tired of scouring the internets for a good deal, accepted my fate, and that of my son’s ENTIRE preschool reputation, and bought 2 packs from Amazon. With shipping, it cost close to $16. Sixteen dollars for cheap, thin, multi-colored rubber bands. Conner had ONE more day of school before Thanksgiving break, and I knew the bands wouldn’t be here in time. To the rescue came his Nana (my mom). She found the bands in Birmingham, bought a pack and I picked them up (I was already heading that direction. So… no. I didn’t drive there JUST for these…) The next school day, he showed up with an arm full of silly bandz. He reserved two especially for “Brookwin” – one purple, one pink. He would sift through them, trying to recall each animal’s shape and name, all the way to school. When it was time for the party, Conner sat down, ate his snack, and proceeded to ”Brookwin’s” chair. He stood behind her right shoulder and nervously spun the bands around his arm. She didn’t notice him as he stood shuffling his feet for over 2 minutes.
I felt like I was watching a slow motion train wreck. I wanted desperately to jump in and save him. But I knew I couldn’t. I watched him hesitate as my heart wanted to burst out of my chest. And then… her friend to her right noticed Conner ever-so-slowly swaying behind “Brookwin’s” chair. “Can I have one?” she asked. “Ummm…no….” he answered under his breath. He attempted to explain that the pink one and the purple one were for his friend “Brookwin” and this girl was NOT “Brookwin” ergo – no bracelet. She responded with a blank pout. I stepped in, pointed out that Conner had enough silly bandz for everyone, and he reluctantly gave them out. And yes, “Brookwin” eventually got her pink and purple bands. Watching him give every single band he brought to school was exciting and sad. He was so passive with the other children. When they’d demand a different color than what he had given them, he’d pull his arm in closely, look down, and not speak. I just think he was overwhelmed and unsure. CHILDREN HAVING TO ACT LIKE INDIVIDUALS AT THE AGE OF FOUR WILL ALWAYS BREAK THEIR MOMMIE’S HEART, OK? End of sad face. … *sniff* Our Amazon-ordered Silly Bandz came the Monday before Thanksgiving. He wore 2 to school yesterday and both came back (the kids like to trade them). What he also came home with on Monday? 
Bendaroos. I’m not even going there.
About Amanda:
My name is Amanda and my last name is hardly pronounceable. I’m currently 25 and the mother of 2 half-breed monkey/gorilla hybrids wonderfully rowdy boys (under 5), blogging LIVE! from a city somewhere in Alabama… I have the personality of a 6’6″ man trapped in a 4’10.5″ body. I’m loud, sometimes bitchy, occasionally moody, disorganized yet incredibly passionate and a total goofball. My friends just think I’m odd and that’s fine by me.
You can read more from Amanda over at The Mom Job and you can follow her on twitter @themomjob
After careful input of all entries, random.org gave us the #3 – if you don’t count Jamie’s comments – so……
#3 is Britt Taylor! Congrats Britt! Thanks to everyone who entered!
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