Hold on to your purses Central Alabama… we’re getting a new upscale outlet mall!!
The Shops of Grand River in Leeds will open in late 2010. Some of the stores already slated to be there are:
Gap
Gymboree (I’m literally screaming with delight!!)
Banana Republic
Tommy Hilfiger
Carter’s (Greatest play clothes ever)
OshKosh
Brooks Brothers
So get ready for some fun day trips to Leeds; you can spend the day at the Bass Pro Shop or Barber Motorsports, then head to shop your heart out!
Our first giveaway is just around the corner! In order to enter, you have to be a fan of BirminghamMommy.com on Facebook. So get those kids down for a nap and get ready!
*This post first appeared on BirminghamMommy.com September 2008
So, it’s time once again for lunchbox packing to resume. With summer over, we don’t have the option of throwing leftovers, a waffle or any other random food that can masquerade as lunch on the table and call it quits. No, we have to step it up and we have to pack LUNCH! And, while prepackaged food is fine and all, we pack fresh and we pack right. I for one have decided that my child’s diet has a direct impact on her attention and behavior so I’m going for the gold in her little lunchbox this year!
So, in order to help you out in this department, we’re preparing a packing guide full of ideas to to take the guesswork out of what needs to go in!
As with any endeavor, plan and prepare. Pack meals the night before so you can grab-n-go! Also, have all of your supplies ready. Nothing starts the day off wrong like being late because you have to stop at the grocery store on the way.
First off, the container. For the younger set, a divided plastic container works best. We’ve found many options out there so just look around. There’s the bento type like this one . This type of box (shown here from the Container Store) can be found anywhere from Tupperware parties, to retail stores to grocery stores. The benefit of such a container is that you can see what your child is eating and what she is not.
Don’t forget to pack these inside of her groovy new lunchbox as we all know that’s part of heading school!
Moving on, what to put inside the box? We take a “If you pack it (or put it on the table) they will eat it” approach to food. Don’t shoot yourself in the foot and say “Oh, he won’t eat that” – give them a chance. Fresh fruit and veggies are a great place to start for lunches.
Take your little one to the grocery store and let him pick out two fruits and a veggie or two that he’d like to eat. When you get home, go ahead and wash everything up (and slice it if it will last) and you’re already way ahead of the game. For example, if you’ve purchased baby carrots, grapes, apples and strawberries, go ahead and julienne the carrots, slice the strawberries and cut the apples (if you’ll be eating them within a day – just don’t forget to toss in some lemon juice to avoid browning).
Entree’ Time! You’ll need to know about classroom allergies – as Peanut Butter may not be allowed – but it’s a staple for us. Also, look around as there are many different nut butter options – we love Almond and Sun butter. Another favorite at our house is the mini-sandwich. A pack of dinner rolls (whole wheat) or a slice of bread quartered is the perfect place to begin. Now, include your favorite meat or cheese and you’re off!
Now, just one more thing. I always stick in a treat. It can be healthy or not-so-healthy – just as long as it’s good. We love yogurt-covered raisins, blueberry chips or banana chips.
As a favor to her teacher (and sometimes a requirement) we avoid pouched drinks, applesauce bowls or pudding cups. Those things are just fine for the older kids who can handle the mess, but we’re not there yet!
We have some great suprises in store for our readers!! Keep checking back with us daily (you should be doing that already!) to find out what goodies we have in store!!
AND… if you’re not our fan on Facebook, get on it! Same goes for twitter.
A few of the giveaways will be twitter or Facebook only, so make sure you’re ready!
Head out to Morgan Creek Vineyards this weekend for an evening of fireworks and live music! For more information, visit their site Morgan Creek Vineyards
August 15th
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Music by Big Tasties
The Big Tasties are a high energy band from the southeast. They bring energy, soul, funk, great songs, lots of horns and even more dancing to any occasion.
The fifth annual Stokin’ The Fire BBQ and Music Festival has been nominated as one of the best in the country and this year may be even better. They will have over 80 local BBQ teams competing for braggin’ rights on the best BBQ in Birmingham! There will also be great local and national bands including Cajun and Salsa dancing both days/nights and a huge kids area filled with crafts, games and inflatables for the little ones to enjoy!
August 21st & 22nd 2009
Location:
Sloss Furnaces
Twenty 32nd Street North
Birmingham, AL 35222, USA
Festival Hours:
Friday: 6pm-11pm
Saturday: 11am-11pm
Admission Prices:
Children under age 5: Free
Children ages 5-12: Day Pass $5, Weekend Pass $10
Adults: Friday Pass $10, Saturday Pass $15, Weekend Pass $20
Family Weekend Pass: 2 adults and 2 children: $50
Click here to order tickets.
Among the scheduled entertainment will be Nickelodeon’s “Nick Live” show featuring games, music, and, of course, slime! There will be kids’ favorite SpongeBob, Wizard of Oz and Animal Planet characters. TruTV will provide their free child safety program including digital fingerprinting for kids and safety tips for parents.
Event Details:
August 15, 2009 from 10am to 2pm
Location: Pelham Civic Complex
500 Amphitheater Road
Pelham, Alabama 35124
Alabama’s first LEGO store is now open at the Riverchase Galleria. You will not want to miss the Grand Opening Celebration that have planned later this month. Mark your calendars now!!
Help a real LEGO Master Builder construct an 8-foot tall LEGO R2-D2™
Friday, August 28: 11pm – 7pm
Saturday, August 29: 10am – 6pm
Sunday, August 30: 12pm – 6pm
Food Court
You’ll get a free LEGO Star Wars™ Certificate of Achievement for helping, while supplies last! Visit the LEGO Store during the event to enter for a chance to win a $50 LEGO Store Gift Card! No purchase necessary to enter.
Plus, on Saturday, be one of the first 300 customers to spend $35 in the LEGO Store and you’ll receive an exclusive, limited-edition LEGO Vulcan Statue set!
On Sunday, the first 300 customers to spend $35 in the LEGO Store will receive an exclusive, limited-edition LEGO Minifigure T-Shirt! Shirts are available in child’s sizes only.
Can’t make it that weekend? Now worries, stop by anytime and check out the incredible hands on store, there is something there for the young and the young at heart!
There is a free demonstration class tomorrow for Music Together at 11:30 at All Saints’ Episcopal Church (110 W. Hawthorne, 35209). If you haven’t tried Music Together yet, check this out for a fun time of singing, moving, dancing, hugs, and tickles with your favorite child!
Also, if you haven’t signed up for fall classes and are planning to, classes are filling quickly! Several classes are full or nearly full, so register soon at www.fiddlesticks-music.com.
Art on the Rocks, downtown Birmingham’s unique cultural-social event, is back for its fifth season. Art on the Rocks dates are a draw for anyone looking to kick back and have some fun on a summer Friday night. Enjoy meeting new friends and catching up with old, scavenger hunts through the Museum’s galleries to win a gorgeous prizes from Bromberg’s Fine Jewelers, live music from the best up-and-coming bands airing on Reg’s Coffeehouse, adult art activities in the Sculpture Garden, fabulous finger foods by Kathy G & Co. and Dale’s Seasoning, specialty cocktails, and great people watching…all set against the Museum’s world-class permanent art collection.
August 14, 2009
5pm–10pm
Members: Purchase your tickets at the $10 member price ($15 at the door)
Non-member tickets are $20 ($25 at the door)
Mark your calendars and get your tickets online now!
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