We’re working on a list of participating locations in the Birmingham area that offer birthday surprises for you or the kiddo! Don’t forget – you have to sign up with most of these well in advance to receive your birthday surprise on time!
School’s out, the days are long…bored yet? We have some wonderful outings that aren’t far from home but will feel like they’re miles away. First up, Oak Mountain State Park (OMSP). Located in Pelham, OMSP is a quick trip for most of us and full of fun for almost anyone. There are numerous hiking trails (of all skill levels), beaches, playgrounds, camping facilities and fishing areas. You (yes you!) really can make a fun morning, day or weekend out of it and not stretch your budget. It’s a great place to let the kids burn off some of that extra summer energy that they seem to have and a peaceful place for you to, ahem, “collect yourself” 🙂 So, if you’re hoping for a nice day at the park, think outside of the usual and head out to one of our states most beautiful natural treasures!
Next on our outdoor treasures list is Rickwood Caverns (RC). This place is beautiful! Concealed behind the shady trees awaits a wonderful state park filled with caverns to explore at your leisure. “Experience the thrill of Rickwood’s miracle mile of underground caverns! The 260 million-year-old limestone formations, blind cave fish and underground pool are just a few of the natural wonders exhibited in the colorful cavern. The park features an Olympic-size swimming pool, snack bar, picnic area, large and small picnic shelter, hiking trails, playground, campground and gift shop.”
And lastly (but not hardly all to offer around here) is Tannehill Historical Ironworks State Park. Tannehill has much to offer as far as scenery, fishing, camping and hiking. In addition, you can tour historic landmarks and visit the ironworks museum. “Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park has more than 1,500 acres in three counties set aside for hiking, camping and outdoor recreation. A miniature railroad chugs through the pines. From spring through fall, the blacksmith, miller and craftsmen demonstrate their trades. Craft shops occupy restored pioneer cabins and artisans chat with visitors from their front porches. Steeped in history, Tannehill feels timeless. The cotton gin, pioneer farm and working gristmill preserve a long-gone way of life. Hiking trails retrace historic roadways. Artifacts of Alabama’s 19th century iron industry displayed in the Iron and Steel Museum put in perspective the massive stone furnaces, Tannehill’s awe-inspiring centerpiece.”
The Land Down Under isn’t as far away as you might think, thanks to the new exhibit at the Birmingham Zoo.
Kangaroo Kountry is located just past the Lorikeet Aviary before getting to the alligator swamp. This new exhibit is a fresh take on displaying our zoo animals. You are able to get an up close look at the red kangaroos and wallabies that are native to Australia. The area has several hands-on activities for the children, from mining in the shaft to expressing their creativity with the outdoor chalk available for drawing on the large boulder.
The area is shaded and offers seating for those wanting to sit and do a little ‘roo watching.
Strollers are not permitted inside the area, which could prove to be slightly challenging if you are the mom of multiples or stroller age children. Stroller parking is located right outside of the exhibit.
Even though the weather is warming up, this should be on your list of things to do this summer. You can always take the little joey’s over to the fountains to cool off after your visit to the Outback!
It’s not easy to dine with those who still prefer their hands to utensils. Worse yet, taking them to eat in public.Sometimes we get a “freebie”, a trip in which your child decides to act like the angel you tout them to be.But most of the time, they decide to visit everyone else in the restaurant, scream about wanting more cheese dip or they decide to throw their shoes across the room (Again, I’m so sorry lady).If you’ve made it to toddlerdom, you’re used to all this and probably not the least bit phased.Embarrassment is a thing of the past, well until they raise the bar again.
However, some local eateries work to accommodate the toddlers and encourage you to bring them on in.Here at BirminghamMommy, we’ve decided to re-introduce these places for you, and we encourage you to comment with your own moments of the good, the bad and the ugly.
First up, our favorite, Zoe’s Kitchen.While Zoe’s is what we like to call “fast, fresh” it is hardly akin to the typical fast food restaurant.With all fresh menu items to choose from, a healthy kid’s menu and a few take-home dinner options to boot, Zoe’s is one of our favorites.In addition, the restaurant is always clean, decorated with lively colors and an accommodating staff.
While the kids menu is vast, we often find that our kids can just eat from our plate, as there are generous portions on the main menu – which leaves room for that darn chocolate cake.
And for the nutrition conscious, Zoe’s has analyzed their food and offers choices for a gluten-free diet, lite meals (less than 400 calories / 10 grams of fat), Zone meals (40% carb, 30% protein, 30% fat), Heart Fresh meals (which adhere to the American Heart Association’s diet for a healthy heart) and a Protein Power Plate (high protein, low fat). For more information on Zoe’s Kitchen, click here
So, BirminghamMommy gives Zoe’s Kitchen a 5 out of 5 for quality and convenience.
This travelmate will make you the talk of the airport and eliminate your need for a conventional stroller. Every time I have traveled with it, people have stopped me to ask where I got it. It allows you to turn your car seat into a stroller. This is especially helpful when you get to your destination and you don’t have to use one of the rental car company’s disgusting and questionable rental car seats! It’s lightweight and easy to use. I recommend doing a practice run before you actually get to the airport. It can be daunting to have a screaming 1 year old semi-strapped into it while you curse at the screws for “not screwing!!!”
It fits most carseats, but for a complete list, click here.
Tickets are still available for this weeks show, Go Diego, Go Live! at the BJCC. Prices range from $15.00 for balcony seats, to $36.00 for continental seating. Price does not include fees charged by Ticketmaster. Check the BirminghamMommy.com calendar for all dates and times.
About the show:
It’s the biggest party of the year, the Animal Carnivale! Every year all the animals gather at the Great Pyramid for the Carnivale, but the party cannot start until the Chief of Carnivale makes a special sound. This year’s chief is Baby Jaguar, who will use his special growl to start the Carnivale.
Everyone is headed to the Animal Carnivale when the Bobo brothers show up with a magic bottle that captures Baby Jaguar’s growl. Without his growl, Baby Jaguar can’t start the Carnivale. Diego and Baby Jaguar need the help of everyone in the audience to get to the Great Pyramid and get his growl back from the Bobo brothers.
Diego and Baby Jaguar head out on an adventure-packed quest to get Baby Jaguar’s growl back. Along the way they rescue animals in the rainforest, dance through a coconut-tree forest, traverse a raging river with a giant waterfall, and are helped along by the special appearance of Diego’s cousin, Dora. Everyone also learns how each of us is special in our own way.
In an exciting climatic scene, Baby Jaguar and Diego find the Bobos inside the pyramid and–with the help of the audience–get Baby Jaguar’s growl back. As the sun sets on the exciting day in the rainforest, all the animals of the world meet at the Animal Carnivale and their Chief, Baby Jaguar, starts the big finale with his GROWL!
It actually works! I was skeptical… I thought it would leak food and be messy but it wasn’t at all. It holds 3 ounces, which is about one baby food jar. It makes on-the-go feeding a breeze and it’s cute to boot! You’ll get lots of people complimenting you for your fashionable spoon!
Nothing hits close to home like a book that presents the dilemma that all parents face: giving their child independence while also keeping them safe and protected. Sheff does what you’re “supposed” to. He reads the right parenting books, he sends his son to the right private school, he relentlessly focuses on parenting his son. His son still ends up addicted to drugs, the worst being methamphetamine.
The rest of the book details the struggle the father deals with as he watches his son change back and forth from a beautiful, loving boy to a lying, stealing, drug addict. This book makes you stop and think about what you would do in the same situation. It also causes you to worry!
After reading this, you may begin to consider moving to a remote part of Montana or joining the Amish in Pennsylvania. The world has changed, and keeps changing. As parents, we are up against different problems than our parents were before us. The thought of seeing your child ruining themself is terrifying. As much as we don’t like to think about it, we should all be prepared to face the things we fear most in the name of our children.
Aside from the worrying, Beautiful Boy will leave you hugging your own child a little bit tighter, and hopefully preparing to parent in a new age.
