A few more classes added at McWane!

We love the Little Labs at the McWane Center! They’ve just updated their calendar with January 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.

January 7 & 21: Terrific Trains
January 14 & 28: Dino-Mite
Reservations: Call (205) 714-8414
Information: Call (205) 714-8354

Ages: 3 years to kindergarten
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Location: Just Mice Size Wonder Lab
Cost:
$25.00 (members)
$30.00 (non-members)

BirminghamMommy Holiday Shopping Guide!

So, we know there are shopping guides all over the internet with lists and lists of the hottest toys, accessories and items – just waiting on you to purchase. We know, we know. So, we decided to put together a different type of list – one more specific to our area – good old B’ham!

1. Gift basket from Big Sky Bakery

The breads – to die for. The cookies – you have died and are in heaven. Treat your sweeties to this treat for a big hit this year.

2. Personalized items from PaintedbyU

We love this place. Take the kids, have a seat and get to work. Your nearest and dearest will go ga-ga over hand-painted ornaments, tiles, plates…whatever!

3. Experience Birmingham gift certificates or memberships to our favorite local stomping grounds – McWane center, the zoo, 26, Cantina – share the places you enjoy with those you love the most!

4. For the kids – how about pre-paid trips to education classes at the zoo or McWane or even prep-paid tuition to a local dance or karate class.

5. Don’t forget the concert and show series that happen all year – check out the schedule for the Alabama Theatre, Workplay, The Alys Stephens Center or the Birmingham Broadway Series!

6. Chocalate treats from Crave Chocolatiers. Enough said.

7. Nascar Stockcar Racing Experience at Talladega National Speedway. Shake and Bake Baby!

8. Local wine from Morgan Creek Vineyards – you really can’t go wrong with this, right?

9. A terrerium from Colliers Nursery. I received one last year as a gift and it was one of my favorite gifts for sure. If I managed to keep it alive, anyone can!

10. A gift card to Sips n Strokes! Who wouldn’t have fun doing that?

It's Time for Zoolight Safari!

Enjoy a fabulous night of lights, fun and holiday spirit as the Birmingham Zoo comes alive for 13 nights! It’s the only place in Birmingham where it snows every night. Also, enjoy an expanded light show synchronized to all your favorite holiday tunes!

Be sure to stop at the Barn in the Children’s Zoo for photo opportunities, animals and holiday crafts for all to enjoy. Ride the train (additional charge) to experience a winter wonderland. Enjoy half a million lights, holiday music and plenty of festive spirit. The Zoo will close at 4 pm every night of ZooLight Safari. Animal exhibits will be closed during ZooLight Safari.

Zoolight Safari 2008
December 12-14, 19-23 & 26-30 5-9 p.m.
Members: FREE
Not a member? Join today!
Non-members: $7 (includes tax)
Group discounts are not available for this event.

Holiday Film Series at The Alabama Theatre

Don’t miss the holiday film series happening now at the Alabama Theatre. Showtimes, dates and films vary. Check it out!

Holiday With the Animals at the Birmingham Zoo

Come join Birmingham Zoo to celebrate Holiday with the Animals. Watch the animals open specially made presents from the keepers and volunteers. There will also be many kids’ activities such as making bird treats in Alabama Wilds, making puzzle feeders for one of your favorite animals and much more! Please come help the animals celebrate the holidays early! Free with admission. Click here for more information.

December 13, 10 am to 4 pm

Book Review: The New Six-Point Plan for Raising Happy, Healthy Children

There are about several thousand parenting books out there to read. I try to read one every now and then, usually focusing on discipline and character. This book took me a little by suprise… it’s not your typical child-centered approach. The author feels that we need to go back to a more traditional way of parenting where parents were the authority figures. I really enjoyed that he says that focusing on the marriage is the most important thing you can do for your kids. I found several helpful tips and strategies that I already use or plan to use in the future. One of my favorites is this: Don’t ask your child to do things that you expect of them. For example, don’t say “It’s time to leave the park now, will you get in the car?” Instead, say “It’s time to leave the park, get in the car now.” I see people (myself included sometimes) asking their children if they will do something. Rosemond believes this breeds defiance.

Here’s the description from amazon:
Renowned and respected family psychologist John Rosemond blames child-centered parenting books from recent decades for creating a generation of dependent, often defiant children. He sets the record straight in The New Six-Point Plan for Raising Happy, Healthy Children, an updated version of his highly successful book published more than fifteen years ago.
Booms in technology and mass media have created significant changes in society in the last two decades. The text in this revised book has been thoroughly updated to reflect today’s society, yet the foundation of Rosemond’s timeless and effective approach remains constant. He encourages families to return to tried-and-true, fundamental parenting truths that people did naturally before the “new science of parenting”:

Parents aren’t their children’s friends; they are their leaders. Parents are at the center of a family, not kids. Your marriage must come before your children.Each chapter includes easy-to-relate-to questions from parents, which Rosemond answers with both common sense and a sense of humor. For families feeling overwhelmed by competing advice about parenting, this book will ground them with logical, proven approaches to the most significant challenges parents face today. From issues such as self-esteem and discipline to television and chores, this straightforward guidance will facilitate a return to parent-centered families where children are raised into responsible adults.

Philanthropic Opportunities in the Birmingham Area

**This post appeared the week before Thanksgiving, but we thought it to be so important that it should re-post again!**

The Birmingham area is booming with opportunities to serve your fellow man in one way, or another, this holiday season. No matter how busy you are, or how much time or effort you want to give, there are opportunities waiting – and they need your help.

So, since we’re always looking around for ways that we can serve our community, we thought we’d share them here with you so that you can do the same! Donations of money, time or goods are within anyone’s reach, so don’t forget to give back this year – the reward will be great, I assure you. So, grab a girlfriend and spend some quality time out on the town in a new way!

Local organizations who need your help:

The Salvation Army

First Light Shelter

The Old Firehouse Shelter

The Jimmie Hale Mission & Jessie’s Place

The Foundry

Breakfast with Santa at the Birmingham Zoo

Make your reservations early for this popular holiday event. Breakfast with Santa takes place in our Kudzoo Cafe and features a sumptuous breakfast followed by a visit from Ole Saint Nick himself with all of the children receiving a special treat. Call 205.879.0409 to make your reservations today!

December 13th and 20th
11 am (all 9:30 spots are now full)
Member Pricing
Adult – $11, Child – $8, Toddler $4, Under 1 year old – Free
Non-Member Pricing
Adult – $16, Child – $11, Toddler – $6, Under 1 year old – Free

Friday Fireworks at the Summit!


Enjoy fireworks every Friday night at 7pm through December 19th at the Summit. Participating stores offer specials from the end of the show until closing. Gather next to Sephora for a great view. There is music and even a Santa making appearances for photos!

Polar Express Pajama Party at McWane!

Celebrate the holidays again this year at McWane Science Center’s Annual Polar Express Pajama Parties, a magical holiday tradition for the entire family. Enjoy The Polar Express movie in the IMAX® Dome Theater and the Magic of Model Trains exhibit in the museum. Then, join the party while treating yourself to hot-chocolate, warm cookies and a visit with Santa. Make sure to bring your own camera for photographs with Santa and the Wrecking Crew Train Engineers. Special treats will be given out at the ticketing counter to all guests who wear their pajamas!

Dates: 12/6, 12/7, 12/14, 12/19, 12/20, 12/21, 12/22
Times: 4:30-6 pm
Click here for more information and ticket purchase or call (205) 714-8414 – Advance registration required

Cost: $10, adults & $9, children
Member Discount: $9, adults & $8, children