Alabama State Fair 2019

Posted on Monday, September 2, 2019 by Angie

The Alabama State Fair is just around the corner and it will be packed full of fun!

Exciting Attractions & Shows. Live Music. All Your Favorite Fair Food. Spectacular Carnival & Kiddie Rides and more!

Live Music includes:

Jack Russel’s Great White
Black Oak Arkansas
Abraham and the Old Gods
Alabama Rose
Zach and Cheyloe
Craig Campbell

Visit Sunday, September 15th and meet Peyton List from Disney’s “Jessie”

Hours:

Friday, September 13: 4 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Saturday, September 14: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Sunday, September 15: 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Monday, September 16: 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Tuesday, September 17: 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Wednesday, September 18 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Thursday, September 19: 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Friday, September 20: 4 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Saturday, September 21: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Sunday, September 22: 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Admission:

Adults (13-59) : $10
Youth (5-12) : $5
Senior (62+) : $5
Military (With ID) : $5
Ride Passes – $25

Discount Days:

$10 Tuesday (Unlimited Rides on Tuesday, Sept. 17th)
2 for 1 Thursday (Ride Wristbands are 2 for $25, Sept. 19th)

Get FREE admission on Monday by entering your email on the State Fair Website

*Please note the new location will be at the Birmingham Race Course for 2019

Partners in Kids Health: The Poison Purse

Posted on Monday, September 2, 2019 by Angie

There are a lot of poison dangers that parents of small children need to be aware of, from the cleaning products found in the kitchen to medicine stored in a bathroom. But there’s a hidden danger you may not have considered. How many poisonous items can be found in your purse or the purses of any guests in your home? Ann Slattery, Director of the Regional Poison Control Center at Children’s of Alabama, says a woman’s purse can contain any number of poison dangers. “When people come into your home they may bring things that are harmful to your child in their pocketbook,” said Slattery.

Some examples of dangerous items often kept in purses:

A non-childproof pill container: Could contain medications that are dangerous to a small child like heart medicine, an iron tablet, or a painkiller.

Toothpaste: May cause an upset stomach and possible fluoride poisoning.

Eye drops: Could lower heart rate and blood pressure. (Especially eye drops that remove redness)

Hand sanitizer, hair spray, perfume: All contain alcohol and can cause intoxication, including the risk of respiratory arrest and death

Button batteries: Can get lodged and burn through the esophagus quickly

Hand lotion, nail polish, lipstick: All can be irritating to the stomach and potentially dangerous

Slattery says the dangers are especially present when small children five and under are the in home. She advises placing all purses and bags away, including your guests. “For children five and under this would be something we would worry about,” said Slattery. Just keep it out of sight and out of reach.” Likewise, be mindful of the contents in your purse when you visit someone else’s home where there are small children.

If you suspect your child has ingested something poisonous, call the Regional Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. The service is free and confidential, and health care providers are available to take calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

ABOUT CHILDREN’S OF ALABAMA

Since 1911, Children’s of Alabama has provided specialized medical care for ill and injured children, offering inpatient and outpatient services throughout central Alabama. Ranked among the best pediatric medical centers in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Children’s provided care for youngsters from every county in Alabama, 45 other states and six foreign countries last year, representing more than 677,000 outpatient visits and more than 15,000 inpatient admissions. With more than 2 million square feet, Children’s is the third largest pediatric medical facility in the U.S. More information is available at childrensal.org.

Coach Mommy: Surviving the Season

Posted on Sunday, September 1, 2019 by Contributor

By: Coach Nevena Taylor
Blockout Volleyball Academy

As we approach JH/HS season, things are getting heated, especially in the parent lineup. In my experience, these are regularly some of the parents’ biggest concerns:

My child is not getting enough playing time

My child is one of the best but she is not getting playing time

My child is playing the wrong position.

In this post, I will go over these and share my opinions on what needs to be considered by parents in each of these scenarios.

Not enough playing time

There are many reasons why an athlete is not getting playing time, especially early in the season. So, before jumping to conclusions, please consider:

Coaches tend to try and experiment with different line ups, different positions, different systems.
Coaches test their athletes to see what they can get out of them. They may know the ability of their best players, but they also have to know who they can count on if things are not going well or somebody gets hurt.
Some athletes could be the best in practice, but not the best game players and vice versa.
Things such as chemistry, attitude, work ethic can also play a role, regardless of one’s skill level.
From a coach’s perspective, playing your very best athletes early in the season is a risk. It can mean they get tired or injured later in the season when stakes are higher.
MS/HS season is only 5-8 weeks long and that is a very short time for new teams and new coaches to figure out how to make the most of what they have with the time they’ve got.

Remember, not getting any playing time can serve your child well. It can help cultivate motivation to keep working hard to get more playing time, it can promote re-evaluating their own behavior, as well as re-evaluating their goals and interest in the sport.

If an athlete is considering a lengthy career, they will have to learn to be both the bench player and the superstar. Both will come at some point in their career.

Another great thing about not having enough court time is acquiring another perspective to the game. You can learn a tremendous amount by simply observing the game.

My child is playing the wrong position

If you think your child is in the wrong position, the only thing that’s wrong is, unfortunately, you. There is no such thing as a wrong position, especially at the younger ages. Young athletes need touches, they need to learn all skills and they need to learn the game from different aspects and positions. Eventually they will settle at the correct place, and this usually happens later in their HS years or collegiate career.

My advice

The worst things parents can do is to take all the mentioned concerns, and start discussing it with their kid on the way back home, trashing the coach or other players. This is not only not helpful to your child, it’s extremely damaging. The path of an athlete, on all levels, is full of challenges of all sorts, and your job is to help them persevere, not give up and stay true to their goals. Gossiping and blaming everyone else, without taking the time to understand how things work and why, will only hinder your child’s success.

So dear parents, my best advice would be to avoid gossip and any kind of negative talk about the coach or other athletes. Avoid blaming anyone else in front of your child, even if your concerns are legitimate. if you need to discuss anything, you should go to the coach.

What you should be focusing on is enjoying the short season, encouraging your child to keep improving, to keep working hard and to be respectful.

Keep in mind, 5-8 week long season does not determine your child’s career, but the action before, during and after does.

About Coach Nev:

Coaching is a very rewarding career. Through my journey as a player, I have learned how important the coach is in the athlete’s life. I have had a good coaches and some…not so good. Both, good and bad, groomed me to be better coach today.

I am committed to be the coach that will always inspire a player and be a positive influence in their life. Often, athletes only need somebody to push them and believe in them.

Inspiring young girls to train, get better, and dream big is my passion and my calling.

September Events at McWane Science Center

Posted on Sunday, September 1, 2019 by Angie

September is full of fun with some great events happening at the McWane Science Center. Add these to your to-do list!

Homeschool Day
September 2nd

Is your child a home school student looking for a fun and educational way to spend the day? Plan a trip to McWane Science Center on Home School Day (first Monday of each month)! There will be special programs, live science demonstrations, and a discounted ticket price: FREE for home school parents, $7 for kids, and $6 for accompanying adults.

Engage in Engineering
Learn about the difference fields of engineering while engaging in design challenges throughout the science center.

Programming
10:30 am – Little Rube Challenge, IBMC Classroom 202
11:00 am – Design Challenge: Float On, Classroom 302
11:30 am – Really Cool Science, Workshop
12:30 pm – Design Challenge, Workshop
1:30 pm – Gulf Feeding, World of Water, Ocean Journey
2:00 pm – DIY Catapult, Classroom 303
2:30 pm – Take-Apart Transport, IBMC
3:30 pm – Smooth Travels, Classroom 303

When Dinosaurs Ruled the Arts
September, 7th

Join the ASC and McWane for a dinosaur playdate! This will be a Jurassic paradise for dinosaur-loving families and full of activities. And this is just the beginning of the excitement as the Alys Stephens Center brings dinosaurs to life in Birmingham with DINO-LIGHTS on September 20th.

This family day is free to all McWane Science Center Members. For all others, day passes can be purchased at the McWane Center day-of in their lobby.

First Responders Day
September 14th

Honor the service of Birmingham’s real-life superheroes. Meet local first responders*, and learn about the everyday science that helps them tackle their daily jobs.

*First Responders will receive half price admission with a valid ID for up to 5 family members.

Storm McWane
September 20-22

Bring your little Alien to the McWane Center. Come in peace, dressed in your extraterrestrial best, September 20-22 and receive $5.10 off a combo ticket for General Admission to the Adventure Halls + Apollo 11: First Steps in the IMAX Dome Theater.

Out of this world programming will be transmitted over this frequency shorty, so stay tuned.

For even more events happening in and around Birmingham, make sure to keep an eye on our full Events Calendar

What to know before choosing a carpet cleaning service

Posted on Thursday, August 29, 2019 by Angie

I’ve see a few posts recently on some message boards about carpet cleaning services, members asking for recommendations, how to choose a cleaning service, what to look for, what type of process is best, how often to clean carpets etc. So, since we happen to have some good friends that are sponsors of BirminghamMommy, we decided to consult the experts and see if we could get these questions answered. The last thing we want is we’re going to let Stanley Steemer educate us on things we should look in a carpet cleaning service.

Before you select a professional cleaning service – be sure to ask these 3 important questions!

What cleaning methods will be used?

Hot Water Extraction – This is known as “steam cleaning” because of the steam you see, but doesn’t actually clean with steam. Hot water and cleaning solution are injected into the carpet and extracted with powerful truck-mounted vacuums. This is the cleaning process Stanley Steemer uses, and it is the method recommended by nearly all carpet manufacturers.

Dry Cleaning – Some companies use a powder, mixed with cleaning solvents that is spread into the carpet with a rotating brush machine. The powder absorbs soils and is then vacuumed up. Though fast, this method is unable to achieve a deep clean and the powder is difficult to completely remove.

Shampooing – A cleaning agent is applied and whipped into the carpet by a special machine, and then extracted. This is a simple method that can often be done yourself at home. However, without proper vacuum pressure, these machines often over-wet the carpet and leave soapy residue behind that attracts more dirt later. The rotating brushes on these machines can also damage and fray carpet fibers.

What are the hidden charges?

Don’t get bait and switched by the hidden charges that they don’t tell you about over the phone. Stanley Steemer offers fixed pricing, and we do not charge for things like spot treating, moving basic furniture, use of portable units (in high rise buildings), or even for cleaning small closets and landings off your rooms or stairs. With us, the price you see is the price you pay.

What certifications do you have?

Many companies do not have the professional training needed to give proper cleaning recommendations for your surfaces. Before you hire, ask about these reputable certifications:

IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification) – This is the leading carpet cleaning institute in America who sets standards for the industry. All Stanley Steemer technicians are trained in IICRC methods by IICRC Certified professionals.

U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) – This government agency was created for the purpose of protecting human health and the environment. Stanley Steemer’s carpet and upholstery cleaning solution is Certified by the EPA Safer Choice program because it is safer to use for your family, pets and the environment.

AAFA (Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America) – This is the leading organization dedicated to those with asthma and allergies. Stanley Steemer’s cleaning process was tested by accredited laboratories and is the first to be Certified by AAFA in three cleaning categories: carpet, tile & grout and hardwood.

How often should my carpets be professionally cleaned?

The AAFA (Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America) recommends cleaning your carpets by a professional certified carpet cleaner (Ahem… Stanley Steemer) every 3-4 months and vacuuming 1x week with a HEPA vacuum

Do you have any questions about the care of your carpet? Leave it in the comments and we’ll get you an answer!

Stanley Steemer provides professional deep cleaning services including carpet, tile & grout, upholstery, hardwood and air ducts. We also provide water restoration services. Stanley Steemer of North Central Alabama services the greater Birmingham Metro Area and surrounding counties, spanning from Cullman to Clanton and from the Mississippi state line to the Georgia state line. Stanley Steemer is the first carpet cleaning service certified asthma & allergy friendly by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, removing an average of 94% of common household allergens from carpet. 24/7 scheduling available! Use Code: Mom30 for $30 off any service. (Minimum charges apply)

100 Things To Do With Kids In Birmingham

Posted on Tuesday, August 27, 2019 by Angie

Birmingham is a city full of fun things to do for families and we’ve compiled more than 100 (!!!) on this list, just for you! So the next time you’re looking for an activity to keep you busy, no matter what mood you’re in, this list has you covered!

Things to do with Kids in Birmingham

Where to See Animals

Birmingham Zoo
Oak Mountain Petting Zoo

Arts and Crafts

Art Play
Do it Yourself Crafts
Painting with a Twist

Birmingham Landmarks

Alabama Theatre – The Alabama Theatre was built in 1927 by Paramount Studios as an Alabama showcase for Paramount films. It was used primarily as a movie palace for 55 years, with the exception of the annual Miss Alabama pageant and the weekly Mickey Mouse Club. The new Alabama Theatre for the Performing Arts hosts many live events, as well as films, a Childrens Summer Film Series and the annual showing of Polar Express

Murals – Birmingham has become a hot spot for some really cool murals, spend a day tracking them down and see how many you can see. Follow Murals of Birmingham on Facebook for a list

Rickwood Field – America’s oldest baseball park

Vulcan Park and Museum- Vulcan is the world’s largest cast iron statue; made of 100,000 pounds of iron and 56 feet tall, he stands at the top of Red Mountain overlooking the city of Birmingham. But Vulcan is more than just a statue—Vulcan Park and Museum features spectacular views of Birmingham, an interactive history museum that examines Vulcan and Birmingham’s story. Make sure to ask for the Scavenger Hunt – the kids will love exploring the grounds to complete the list.

Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark – the only industrial museum in the country that gives visitors the chance to walk around and explore a 20th century blast furnace site.

Climbing and Fitness

Birmingham Boulders
First Avenue Rocks
Highpoint Climbing and Fitness
Rent Zyp Bikes

Hiking and Exploring (and camping)

Irondale Furnace Ruins Trail
Lakeshore/Jemison Trail
Moss Rock Preserve
Oak Mountain State Park (camping)
Red Mountain Park – Beautiful hiking and biking trails- a Zip Tour and Dog Park!
Rotary Trail
Ruffner Mountain
Tannehill State Park (Camping)
Turkey Creek Nature Preserve (Check out our 5 things to know before you go!)

Indoor Activities/Play Places

Altitude Trampoline Park
Autobahn Indoor Speedway
Bowlero
Break Out Birmingham
Bud’s Best Cookie Tour
Build A Bear Workshop – Riverchase Galleria
Bumper Nets
Carousel – Riverchase Galleria
Chuck E Cheese
Dave and Busters
Funtime Skate Center Fultondale
Game Zone Laser Tag Center
Goldenflake Factory Tour
Hooligans Family Fun Center
Lego Store- Riverchase Galleria
Let’s Play Birmingham – 2 locations, 280 and Hoover off 150
Oak Mountain Lanes Bowling
Pelham Ice Skating Rink
Pump it Up – Pelham and Trussville
Roller Motion Roller Skating
Skates 280
Sparetime Bowling – Trussville
Steel City Jump Park
Surge Trampoline Park
Treetop Adventure
Trussville Playstation
Ultra Blast Laser Combat Center
Urban Air, Homewood or Trussville
Vestavia Bowl

Libraries

Birmingham Public Library
Emmet O’Neal Library
Gardendale Public Library
Homewood Public Library
Hoover Public Library
North Shelby Library
Springville Road Library
Trussville Library
Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest

Movies

AMC – Vestavia, Hoover, Summit, Patton Creek, Lorna Road (AMC Classic)
AmStar Cinemas in Alabaster
Grand River Drive – In – Located at the Outlet Shops of Grand River – head out there to see a drive in movie, play mini golf and grab some dinner while watching the kiddos play on the playground while you wait for your movie time.
McWane Science Center Imax
Regal Cinemas – Trussville

Museums and Science Centers

Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame

Alabama Sports Hall of Fame

Barber Motor Sports- Barber Motorsports hosts dozens of races a year and also happens to be a beautiful course. Make sure to stop by the museum and check out some vintage motorcycles.
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

Birmingham Museum of Art – The museum is free to the general public and includes incredible exhibits, including an outdoor sculpture garden. Check their calendar for special childrens events.

Christenberry Planetarium at Samford University

McWane Science Center – Changing lives through science and wonder. McWane Science Center combines unique assets to create unique, hands-on, science-learning experiences that parents and teachers value and kids love.

Southern Museum of Flight

Outdoor Activities

Alabama Adventure/Alabama Splash Adventure
Aldridge Gardens
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
The Color Tunnel – Located on 14th street under the railroad tracks. Large network of LEDs
Float the Cahaba
Fort Red Rock Paintball Park
Gardendale Splash Pad
Jones Valley Teaching Farm
The Market at Pepper Place – every Saturday April – December. Rain or Shine.
Moody Splash Pad
Statue of Liberty – Liberty Park
TopGolf

Parks

Avondale Park
Buck creek Park
Byrd Park
Cahaba Lily Park
Crestwood Park
Explore Park and Splash pad in Hoover
Homewood Park (West Homewood and Central)
Heardmont Park
Joe Tucker Park
Leeds Memorial Park
Linn Park
Overton Park
Railroad Park
Tot Lot in Mountain Brook
Veterans Parks in Hoover
Veterans Park in Alabaster
Wald Park – Vestavia

Shopping

Brookwood Mall
Colonial Promenade in Alabaster
Pinnacle at Tutwiler Farm in Trussville
Riverchase Galleria
Outlet Shops of Grand River
Summit Shopping Center
Bass Pro Shop

Sports

Birmingham Barons
Birmingham Bulls Hockey
Birmingham Legion Soccer
UAB Sports – The men’s basketball program has a long history of success spanning several decades. In addition to basketball, UAB also has programs in men’s sports for baseball, golf, soccer, and tennis. Women’s sports programs include softball, basketball, golf, soccer, bowling, tennis, track and field (indoor and outdoor), cross country, volleyball and sand volleyball.

Sweet Treats

Bruster’s Ice Cream
Cookie Dough Magic
Cookie Fix
Insomnia Cookies
Steel City Pops- Gourmet popsicle store. Multiple locations

For a full list of Birmingham Area Ice Cream Shoppes and Sweet Treats visit our post here.

Theatre

Alys Stephens Center
Birmingham Children’s Theatre
Red Mountain Theatre
Virginia Samford Theatre

Just a short drive from Birmingham…

Anniston Museum of Natural History (Anniston)

Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum (Calera)

Karl C. Harrison Museum of George Washington (Columbiana) FREE

Desoto Caverns (Childersburg)

American Village (Montevallo)

Children’s Hands on Museum (Tuscaloosa)

Cook Museum of Natural Science (Decatur)

The Barnyard (Tuscaloosa)
All will enjoy a hands on experience with friendly farm animals. Activities include feeding and holding farm animals. Taking a boat, pony and hay ride. Lots of playtime with 2 playgrounds and jumping pillow.

International Motorsports Hall of Fame (Talledega)

For a daily/weekly run down on events happening in and around town, make sure to keep an eye on our full events calendar, loaded with storytimes, festivals, and more!

Girlology and Guyology at Children’s of Alabama

Posted on Sunday, August 25, 2019 by Angie

Children’s of Alabama Hosting Workshops for Parents and Pre-teens on Understanding Puberty.

If it’s time to have “the talk” with your children, make plans to attend the Girlology and Guyology workshops for pre-teens and parents on Sunday, Sept. 8 at the Children’s of Alabama Bradley Lecture Center (1600 5th Avenue South).

Girlology and Guyology is a growing national program started by two physicians and moms in Charleston, S.C., to help parents and their children have age-appropriate, medically accurate and cringe-free conversations about puberty and emerging sexuality through a series of programs that targets adolescents and teens.

Each workshop is $50 per child-parent/trusted adult pair. Registration is online at www.girlology.com/pages/events . Free parking for the Girlology and Guyology workshops will be available in the Children’s 5th Avenue parking deck.

For girls and their parents, there will be two workshops:
1:30-3:30pm, Something New About YOU – helping girls face puberty with greater confidence, this session is geared towards girls ages 8–11
4-6 p.m., Reproduction – providing kids with accurate, age-appropriate information about sex, this session is geared towards girls ages 10-12

For boys and their parents, there will be two workshops:
1:30-3:30 p.m., Just the Facts – equipping boys with the knowledge to navigate puberty, this session is geared towards boys ages 9–11
4-6 p.m., Reproduction – providing kids with accurate, age-appropriate information about sex, this session is geared towards boys ages 10-12

Labor Day at the Zoo : First Responder Discount Days

Posted on Friday, August 23, 2019 by Angie

Spend your Labor Day at the Birmingham Zoo! Splash in the fountains, take a ride on the train*, zip down the wild slide*, enjoy a Wildlife Show and experience all the Zoo has to offer.

In honor of Labor Day, the Zoo is offering a discounted admission of $8 to First Responders and up to four (4) guests at $8 each. First Responders must show valid ID or badge to receive discounted admission.

*Additional cost

When:
Saturday, August 24 until Sunday, September 8

Offer:
$8 admission for one (1) First Responder and up to four (4) guests at $8 each.

Please Note: First Responders are employees of an emergency service responsible for going immediately to the scene of an accident or emergency to provide assistance, such as: EMT/Paramedics, Firefighters and Law Enforcement Officers.

Labor Day at the Zoo Activities Schedule:
August 24 – September 8
*Activities are Weather Dependent

All Adventure Wristband
*Can be purchased only on weekends, Saturday & Sunday with special holiday purchase on Labor Day – Monday, September 2
Cost: $12.50 plus tax

Includes unlimited rides on train, carousel & slide (when open), PLUS one giraffe feeding and one lorikeet feeding
*All rides are weather dependent.

Children’s Zoo Splash Pads
9am – 4:45pm — Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
9am – 5:45pm — Saturday, Sunday
Weather Dependent

Full Moon BBQ Wild Slide
9am – 4:45pm — Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
9am – 5:45pm — Saturday, Sunday
Cost: $3.50 plus tax
Riders must be 4 years of age and 40 inches tall to ride

Protective Life Carousel Rides
9am – 4:45pm — Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
9am – 5:45pm — Saturday, Sunday
Cost: $3.50 plus tax
Children under two, receive a free ride on the carousel with a paid accompanying adult.
Children two and older must have a ride ticket.

Red Diamond Express Train Ride
9am – 4:45pm — Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
9am – 5:45pm — Saturday, Sunday
Cost: $3.50 plus tax

Goat Walk
Daily – 9:30am
This exciting experience is an enrichment activity/exercise for our goats and is not interactive for guests, but is viewable from the walking paths around Alabama Wilds. Please note, the route of the goat walk varies and goats may be walked through certain areas restricted to guests.

MyEyeDr. Lorikeet Aviary
10am – 2pm — Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
10am – 5pm — Saturday, Sunday
$2 plus tax
Weather dependent

Sea Lion Training
10am — Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
2pm — Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

Red Diamond Sea Lion Show
10am — Saturday, Sunday
2pm — Saturday, Sunday

Kiwanis Giraffe Encounter
10am – 3pm — Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Cost, $3.50 plus tax
Weather dependent

UAB Callahan Eye Hospital Wildlife Show
11:00am — Saturday, Sunday

Coca-Cola UNITED Predator Zone Lion Training
11:30am — Saturday, Sunday
3pm — Saturday, Sunday
This exciting experience puts you face-to-face with African lions. Watch how the keepers care for the lions during this narrated presentation. Predator Zone features a training area where zookeepers and visitors are on the same level as the animals. See behind-the-scenes training that the keepers conduct on a daily basis to care for the Zoo’s lions.

Animal Greetings at the UAB Callahan Eye Hospital Wildlife Stage
2:30pm — Saturday, Sunday

Museum Day at Southern Museum of Flight

Posted on Thursday, August 22, 2019 by Angie

Head over to the Southern Museum of Flight this Saturday for a day of fun and flying at Membership Day!

Membership day is an open house in which families can experience fun and engaging activities at the museum, such as building airplanes and helicopters, free food, face painting, video games and health screening. Families can also enjoy airplane exploration and vintage jeeps!

Saturday August 14th, 10am – 2pm

Panda Express: Meals the Whole Family Will Love

Posted on Tuesday, August 20, 2019 by Angie

When school and sports are in full swing we don’t have a lot of time for grocery shopping and sit down dinners at home. We’re always looking for places we can hit up when we’re bustling to and fro. Quick and tasty is always a plus… Enter, Panda Express.

Panda Express serves American Chinese cuisine and checks both boxes of quick AND tasty. Bonus checks for making all 3 of my kids happy! That rarely ever happens. With an offering of premium proteins, handcraft sauces, and freshly chopped vegetables prepared by skilled chefs using powerful wok, they truly offer something delicious for everyone’s taste.

So, what’s good? We opted for the new Sichuan Hot Chicken Strips. Since they’re only offered for a limited time, we were struck with a bit of FOMO at the thought of ordering something else. 2 of my kiddos decided to kick it up a notch and go for the extra spicy, I stuck with the regular and was perfectly happy with the level of spice.

My oldest who doesn’t like spice in any form or fashion tried the Grilled Teriyaki Chicken from their Wok Smart menu which offers several dishes that are lower in calories but maintain that excellent Chinese inspired flavor, pair that with some steamed brown rice or super greens and you can walk away feeling good about your healthy dining options and calling it a miracle that you managed to get a healthy meal in while running crazy all across town.

We did a bowl that includes 1 entree and 1 side and the portions were more than any of us could finish on our own – yay for leftovers! For the small set in the family, they offer kids meals that include any 1 Jr Side, 1 Jr Entree, 12 oz Drink & Cookie.

If it’s been a long day and you just want to get home, Panda Express offers online ordering so you can skip the line or pick up and be on your way (back to nagging the kids about homework and having things packed and ready for the next school day.)

Panda Express has several locations across Birmingham and surrounding areas, including:

101 Resource Parkway (Birmingham, AL)
245 South Colonial Drive (Alabaster, AL)
500 East Melghan Blvd (Gadsden, AL)
5505 AL Hwy NW (Cullman, AL)
20 Common Way (Oxford, AL)

Have you taken advantage of the convenience of Panda Express? What’s your favorite menu item we need to try on our next visit?

Thank you Panda Express for sponsoring this post