It’s almost that time of year! Some of the sign-up dates are just around the corner, so check it out now.
Vestavia’s soccer page
Birmingham United’s page
Hoover’s page
Homewood’s page
Helena’s page
Finder of Recipes
Have you ever eaten at a restaurant and LOVED the food? So much that you wanted to make it yourself? Well now you can! This website is fantastic for lost recipes. It’s arranged by the date it’s put in, but you can search for your specific food. I personally L-O-V-E the Brazilian cheese bread that is served at Fogo de Chao. I would literally go there and spend $45 on an all you can eat meat meal just so I can get the bread!! So give it a shot, and if you’re in the mood, try my favorite rolls:
Fogo de Chão Cheese Bread Recipe
“Pao de Queijo”
4 eggs
¾ cup corn oil
1 ½ cups whole milk
1 teaspoon salt
1 ½ cups sour tapioca flour (azedo)
1 cup sweet tapioca flour (doce)
¾ cup shredded parmesan cheese
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix well until
batter is smooth. Lightly grease a 12- or 24-cup mini-muffin pan or small dariole molds.
Fill each muffin cup three-quarters full. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
Breads should be crisp on the outside and hollow on the inside, like a popover. Serve
Warm. Makes 48-60 Puffs.
Sweet and sour tapioca flour can be found at Brazilian food stores.
Save Handmade! And what about Secondhand?
Starting February 10th (yes, February) the world of handmade and secondhand items could change forever (or until the new act gets modified). According to Cool Mom Picks, “congress passed the ill-conceived Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act, a law which goes into effect in two months and will absolutely decimate the small toy manufacturers, independent artisans, and crafters who have already earned the public trust.”
The act, which requires mandatory testing on children’s products could also adversly affect my beloved purchases on Etsy. I make handmade and I appreciate handmade. I buy so much handmade. I’m anxiously watching the story unfold.
So, what about consignment? Obviously we as consumers cannot afford to pay for toxin-testing. Well, good news! Baby Cheapskate (one of our favorites!) is reporting that consignment and yard sales will have some kind of exception. Read more about that here.
In addition, I just found out today that Kid’s Wear Plus is moving their sale up this year to beat the deadline. The sale will be a “Sale for All Seasons” so bring your summer, spring, fall and winter. No bedding, Halloween costumes, Christmas clothing or winter coats) this year in order to accomodate the most product possible. They’re waiting on final word from their landlord for the space but are urging people to go ahead and begin tagging items now. You can remain updated on the status of Kids Wear Plus and Kid’s Market on their sites (clickable).
This act was undoubtedly created for our protection. We as consumers cried out for government protection from lead and other toxin containing children’s items. However, it should be practical – there has to be consideration for items that have already earned our trust. So, please take the time to contact your congressman, our local information is below:
Senator Richard C. Shelby (R- AL)
202-224-5744
202-224-3416
http://shelby.senate.gov/resources/contact.htm
Senator Jeff Sessions (R- AL)
202-224-4124
202-224-3149
http://sessions.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?
FuseAction=ConstituentServices.ContactMe
Congressman Spencer Bachus
202-225-4921
202-225-2082
http://www.house.gov/writerep/
You can contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission at www.cpsc.gov.
***Update – the CPSC released a clarification today stating “The new safety law does not require resellers to test children’s products in inventory for compliance with the lead limit before they are sold. However, resellers cannot sell children’s products that exceed the lead limit and therefore should avoid products that are likely to have lead content, unless they have testing or other information to indicate the products being sold have less than the new limit. Those resellers that do sell products in violation of the new limits could face civil and/or criminal penalties.” So, it looks as if consignment, Craigslist and Ebay are safe for now!
Spring Activities at McWane!
More fun Spring activities at McWane:
Here’s a schedule for the Spring classes,
Little Labs:
These special classes are designed for children 3 years old to kindergarten age. Children will discover different topics in each Little Lab through hands-on experiments and activities. In order to attend a Little Lab, child must be potty trained and pre-registered.
2008-09 Schedule:
12/17/08: Winter Wonder Lab
12/31/08: Kitchen Chemistry
1/8/09 Terrific Trains
1/14/09 Terrific Trains
1/22/09 Dino-Mite
1/28/09 Dion-Mite
2/5/09 Astrotots
2/11/09 Astrotots
2/19/09 Arty Facts
2/25/09 Arty Facts
3/5/09 Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss
3/11/09 Sensational Senses
3/26/09 Sensational Senses
4/9/09 Wonders of Weather
4/15/09 Wonders of Weather
4/23/09 Ocean Commotion
4/29/09 Ocean Commotion
5/7/09 Flower Power
5/13/09 Flower Power
5/21/09 Shocking Experiences
5/27/09 Shocking Experiences
Spring Activities at the Zoo
The Zoo has their Spring classes up! We’ve raved about them before, give them a try!
And while you’re there…
Stop by for the Sea Lion Training Demonstration with the Zoo’s two new sea lions, Bart & Cicely!
Daily at 10:30 am & 2 pm
Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays from Birmingham Mommy! We hope you and your family take this time to reflect, renew and rejoice together.
Miss the Nutcracker this year?
The Alabama Theatre is hosting the Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker on Sunday, December 28 at 7:30 pm. So, here’s your chance to make up for it! Click here!
Don't Forget!
Need some last minute gift ideas? Check out the Birmingham Mommy local Christmas Buying Guide! Click here!
Zoolight Safari runs for one more weekend…click here!
Don’t forget all of the philanthropic opportunities around town! click here!
Tell us about your Elf on a Shelf / Elf Magic good times… click here & here!
Spring Zoo classes are up!
We love the Birmingham Zoo’s classes for little ones. The kids get to learn in a hands on environment. The Tiget Tales class is our favorite, it includes things such as storytimes, train rides, carousel rides, animal petting, and much much more! It’s a 2 hour class on Fridays for 3, 4, and 5 year olds where you drop your preschooler off. They have classes for all ages, check it out!
Day trip to the Chattanooga Aquarium
Ditch the shopping and the worrying for a day and take the kids to the Aquarium! Chattanooga is only about 2 hours away and will provide a nice day of holiday cheer.
Catch a wave of fun at the Tennessee Aquarium
Tropically clad “Santa” divers will lead visitors on an adventure through a spectacular coral reef filled with big, toothy sharks and a multitude of colorful fish. Move into the shallows at Shark Island where keepers will be feeding guitarfish, stingrays and bamboo sharks. Relax and reach out. All of the aquatic residents at Shark Island are friendly and welcome the human touch.
The fun extends throughout both buildings at the Tennessee Aquarium. Recharge while enjoying the exotic animals that dwell in the tropical habitats in the Rivers of the World gallery in River Journey. Or check out the high energy antics of the river otters during “enrichment” time. See what happens when treats like ice and toys mix with the Aquarium’s wacky otters. No passports are required to hopscotch the world to see seahorses and seadragons. Enjoy watching these animals from Tasmania to Southeast Asia during an afternoon feeding show.
For a complete listing including showtimes, admission prices, and directions, click here!
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