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Friday Five: Top Picks for Labor Day Weekend Fun!

Posted on by Angie

Wishing you all a happy and safe Labor Day Weekend! We hope you enjoy the break!

  • Family Fun Friday at Railroad Park

Get the entire family on track to better health with this fun hour of low to high impact activity designed to promote exercise for all ages. Families are invited to enjoy team activities like kickball, soccer or wiffle ball. Each class will begin with a warm up and light stretching, followed by the game of the week. In addition to providing physical benefits, Family Fun Friday also provides mental health benefits and social interaction for the entire family.

Friday, 6pm – 7pm

  • Dinosaurs in Motion at McWane Science Center

Labor Day Weekend is the last chance to check out our summer travelling exhibit, Dinosaurs in Motion.
Dinosaurs in Motion engages and educates the visitor using magnificent, fully interactive, life-size metal dinosaur sculptures created by North Carolina artist John Payne. An amazing blend of science, art and innovation, these life-sized metal sculptures will captivate visitors while their exposed mechanics illustrate science and technology principles in a fun and engaging way.

Museum hours throughout the weekend.

  • Storytime and Activities Featuring Pig the Fibber at Barnes and Noble Summit

Pig the Pug gets Trevor the dog in trouble so he can enjoy the snacks on his own, but then gets more than he bargained for when a bowling ball rolls in. Join us for Storytime and get a coupon from our Café for a grilled cheese sandwich with milk or juice for $4!

Saturday, 11am

  • Reach for the Stars at CHOM!

Planetarium Shows!  Star Gazers!  Space Crafts!
All Activities included in Admission!

Saturday, 9am – 4:30pm

  • Labor Day Celebration and Moon Pie Eatin’ Contest at Tannehill

participate in Alabama’s largest moon pie eating contest and compete for prize money in both children and adult categories. Across the park, the United Mine Workers hold their annual Birmingham District Labor Day celebration. There’s also plenty of good BBQ and some “picking and singing” too.

Monday, 8am – 5pm

Superhero Express!

Posted on by Angie

Trains and superheroes go hand-in-hand… It’s about time they get to ride a train that they won’t have to rescue!

Suit up – as a superhero or as a heroic difference-maker in your community – and assemble to ride the train alongside some of your favorite caped crusaders.

Enjoy time on the museum grounds before or after your train ride with a number of Local Heroes, including firefighters, police officers, military, rescue personnel, animal protection agencies, and more.

Purchase lunch or a sweet treat from various food trucks, create a FREE superhero-themed craft, and be sure to take lots of photos to commemorate your epic day of fun on the Superhero Express!

Superhero Express
Saturday, September 22, 2018

Departure Times: 11:00 AM & 2:00 PM

For more info and ticketing options, visit www.HODRRM.org

Trucks by the Tracks 2018

Posted on by Angie

Birmingham’s best food trucks will gather at American Family Care Presents Trucks by the Tracks on Sunday, September 16, serving up everything from hot chicken, specialty burgers & tacos to fruit bowls, popsicles, Italian ice and gourmet ice cream sandwiches! It’s Birmingham at its best, with lawn games and activities set up throughout the park. Live bands will take to the stage as everyone enjoys the City’s best mobile cuisine. Musical acts will perform throughout the afternoon including headliner Dominique Posey, The Oxy Morons, Rachael Roberts, and the Huffman High School Drum Line. Tasty beverages will be for sale, too — Coca-Cola products will be available, as will Good People Brews.

American Family Care Presents Trucks by the Tracks is one of Railroad Park’s biggest annual fundraising events and all proceeds support the Park. Thank you for supporting our efforts to spur economic development and revitalization in Birmingham!

Gates open by 11 a.m. Attendees pay the trucks directly for food. There will be an ATM machine on site provided by Regions Bank.

There are two entry gates into the festival: one at 1st Ave South & 18th Street, and one at 1st Avenue South & 17th Street. Please note you may only access the 17th Street gate via 2nd Avenue South. There is no festival entry at the intersection of 1st Avenue South & 16th Street. The Western half of Railroad Park (14th Street ‐ 16th Street) is not part of the festival; it will remain open to the public.

Outside alcohol is not allowed in Railroad Park at any time. Coolers will not be allowed at this event.

Sunday, September 16
11am – 5pm

Parenting with a PhD: Taming the Afterschool Chaos

Posted on by Kristen Berthiaume

Birmingham is now officially back-to-school, which means we’re also back-to-after-school. If your family’s like most families, the hours between school letting out and bedtime are a non-stop whirlwind of activities, homework, arguments, dinner prep, and screen-time. The chaos overwhelmed me last week and I knew I needed to start this week with a little more structure. They have rules during school hours, why not during after-school hours? So, I made some.

Our rules sheet is posted in the homework area. I printed in color to help distinguish the different tasks. Your afternoons may look at bit different than ours but there are ways to adapt. If your child stays at school for an extended day program or extracurricular activity, the same basic structure will likely work but the amount of time you have will be shorter. Consider cutting back on number of chores or having your child do a chore before school. Find out if there’s time to start homework in the afterschool program and request that he complete at least some of his work there. If your child comes home from school completely wiped out and irritable, insert a 30-minute freeplay break before homework time starts. Use your best judgment about whether screens are allowed during that time – some kids have a really hard time breaking away to start homework. Likely, your fatigued child would best be served by some outside playtime instead of screens anyway. Set a timer so the break doesn’t extend indefinitely.

Many elementary-aged kids won’t have homework, which is perfectly age-appropriate. Having “homework time” anyway can help set them up for better study habits in middle and high school so consider putting that structure in place now. For my Kindergartener, “homework time” means we read books or go through site word flashcards together, or she draws unicorns. (Actually, I have to draw the unicorns and she colors them in). Active homework like going on a nature walk or going around the house “collecting” as many sounds as you can are great options for busy little ones. Another benefit of having your younger kids complete some homework time is that it means a quieter house for your older ones who have actual work to turn in. Making the rule that no one uses screens until everyone is done can help keep distractions and fear of missing out to a minimum. If you’re creating your own homework, use the 10 minutes per grade rule of thumb: 10 minutes for 1st graders, 20 minutes for 2nd graders, etc. for actual work (e.g., worksheets, math facts, etc.). Reading, drawing, and exploring type “homework” can be unlimited.

Without further ado, the rules that are keeping after-school time (somewhat) sane in our house. Open the PDF version to make changes that work best for your family. A note about making lunches, we have a separate list in the kitchen (we love lists) with the categories of items they need in their lunches: 1 protein (with examples), 1 grain (with examples), 1 small sweet, and unlimited fruits and vegetables. Use pictures for younger kids to help them remember their options.

After School Rules:

  1. Get a Snack
    A. Drinks: Water, Milk
    B. Food: Fruit, Vegetables, Cheese
  2. Sit at homework table or couch
    A. Complete work from Teacher
    B. Read for 20 minutes
    C. Prepare for upcoming tests
    D. Work on upcoming projects
  3. Show Mom any papers to sign
  4. Pack your backpack for the next day
  5. Complete your two chores
    CHILD 1 (6th grade):
    Empty First laundry basket
    Empty Second laundry basket
    Alternate: Fold 10 laundry items
    CHILD 2 (3rd grade):
    Feed all animals
    Empty Recycling &/or trash
    Alternate: Clean cat box
    CHILD 3 (Kindergarten):
    Fold 10 items
    Empty & refill silverware
    Alternate: Clean bathroom sink
  6. Make lunch and fill water bottle for tomorrow. Place in fridge, if needed
  7. Free Time
    Play with friends: until dinner or time to go somewhere
    Use a screen: 1 hour max
    Read: Unlimited
    Board Games: Unlimited
    Toys: Unlimited


About Kristen:

Kristen Berthiaume, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist with Grayson and Associates. She obtained her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Kentucky. She completed a predoctoral internship in clinical psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a post- doctoral fellowship in the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD) Program at Duke University Medical Center. She specializes in providing assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and families dealing with the following issues: ADHD, learning disorders, social skill deficits, organizational problems, behavioral difficulties, anxiety, and depression. She generally focuses on behavioral and cognitive- behavioral techniques, but maintains a flexible approach to therapy. Her other day job is as mom to her daughters, ages ten and four, and seven-year-old son.

 

Friday Five: Top Picks for Weekend Fun August 24th – August 25th

Posted on by Angie

Top picks for weekend fun around the Magic City this weekend!!

  • Birmingham Barons Final Homestand at Regions Field

Vs. Jackson

Friday, Baseball Giveaway, Friday Night Fireworks, Margaritaville Night in the Park, Shrimp Boil – 7pm

Saturday, Michael Kopech Bobblehead Giveaway, BirdZerk, BHAM Jersey Auction – 6:30pm

Sunday, Fan Appreciation Night, Kids Run the Bases – 3pm

  • Family Fun Friday at Railroad Park

Get the entire family on track to better health with this fun hour of low to high impact activity designed to promote exercise for all ages. Families are invited to enjoy team activities like kickball, soccer or wiffle ball. Each class will begin with a warm up and light stretching, followed by the game of the week. In addition to providing physical benefits, Family Fun Friday also provides mental health benefits and social interaction for the entire family.

Friday, 6pm

  • First Responders Day at McWane Science Center

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.

Saturday, 10am – 6pm

  • Southern Museum of Flight Family Day

Join us at the Southern Museum of Flight for a day of Fun and Flying! Family Day is a open house in which families can experience fun and engaging activities at the museum, such as building airplanes and helicopters, a scavenger hunt, along with a photo booth, video games and face painting! Families can also enjoy rock climbing, airplane exploration and vintage jeeps. Food trucks will also be available.

Saturday, 10m – 2pm

  • Members only Sundaes in the Park at the Birmingham Zoo

Zoo Members are invited to join us for FREE ice cream sundaes* provided by Mayfield Creamery. Hang out on the Henley Park event lawn and enjoy this “thank you” from us for supporting the Zoo.

Sunday, 2pm – 4pm

 

Free Family Fun Day at Southern Museum of Flight

Posted on by Angie

Join us at the Southern Museum of Flight for a day of Fun and Flying! Family Day is a open house in which families can experience fun and engaging activities at the museum, such as building airplanes and helicopters, a scavenger hunt, along with a photo booth, video games and face painting! Families can also enjoy rock climbing, airplane exploration and vintage jeeps. Food trucks will also be available. For more information contact Melissa Morgan, mmorgan@southernmuseumofflight.org

Saturday, August 24th
10am -2pm

Back to School… Back to Fall Allergies!

Posted on by Angie

If your child suddenly seems to have a constant runny nose, itchy eyes, a cough and sneezing, they could be dealing with allergens in their classroom. Kids can be allergic to dust in the classroom, or there might be pollen coming in through open windows. And don’t forget about mold – often found in bathrooms and locker rooms – as well as dander from pets that other kids may bring in on clothing and backpacks. If your child seems to have symptoms that came on around the time school started, make an appointment with an allergist. An allergist can set your child on the right track, for the long term, to handle their allergies or asthma.

While we can’t always control classroom allergies there are some things we can do around the house to help with those pesky fall allergies. When you come in from outside, make sure the pollen doesn’t come in with you. Leave your shoes at the door and throw clothes in the washing machine. Shower and wash hair in the evening before bed so you’re not sleeping with pollen and getting it on your pillow and in your nose. Keep windows closed and run the A/C in both your home and your car. Monitor pollen and mold counts online so you can determine when it’s best to stay inside.

Whether it’s ragweed, which is fall’s most prominent pollen, or another type, keeping pollen out of your life means fewer allergy symptoms. You might be surprised at how much your air ducts play a part in allergy and asthma issues.  Your air ducts, used in your heating and cooling systems, can actually become one of the biggest sources of dust and filth in your home if not regularly cleaned, and remember, they’re ventilating that impure air throughout your entire house. Not cleaning your air ducts is pretty much the equivalent of sweeping your home and then tossing all the dirt back onto one of the carpets.

In one year, the average family generates nearly forty pounds (!!!) worth of dust annually. This doesn’t even take into account the pet hair, mold, and dust that blows in through your open windows. Not cleaning your air ducts means that most of this dirt doesn’t leave your home and remains in constant circulation throughout it, proving hellish to someone who suffers from allergies. Cleaning your air ducts makes the air healthier, and in addition to helping alleviate allergies, it will help to prevent you from developing respiratory illnesses such as asthma.

Most companies suggest changing your air filters every 3 months. If allergies are a problem or you’re dealing with pet hair, consider swapping them out sooner, like every 6-8 weeks. Not only will it help with dust particles, it will help your system run more effectively.

Start planning and preparing now and your allergy symptoms will likely be much less severe, and you’ll be able to enjoy the beauty the fall season brings, sneeze and wheeze free!

 

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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.

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12th Annual Fairytale Ball

Posted on by Angie

Join us for a magical evening for children and families featuring entertainment and dancing, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, activities for children, an incredible silent auction, face painters, stilt walkers, balloon twisters, magicians, an over-the-top candy bar, fairy tale characters and more!

Proceeds from this incredible event benefit Childcare Resources, a non-profit agency whose mission is to make quality care and education of children happen by providing information, education, and assistance to families, providers of childcare, and the community.

Aug 25, 2018 at 05:30 pm – 08:30 pm (Sat)

Hyatt Regency Birmingham – The Wynfrey Hotel1000 Riverchase Galleria, Hoover, AL 35244

Friday Five: Top Picks for Weekend Fun August 17th – August 19th

Posted on by Angie

Weekend fun in the Magic City! What will you choose?

  • Birmingham Barons at Regions Field

V. Tennessee Smokies

Tickets $7 – $15. Fans can choose from three different reserved seating sections. Dugout Premium seats located behind the Barons dugout on the first base side, Field Reserved seats located behind home plate and the visiting dugout and Baseline Box seats located on the first and third base lines.

Friday, 7:05pm
Saturday, 6:30pm

  • Event of the Week!
    Grand Opening of Urban Air Trussville

Get ready to leap into some fun as the new Urban Air Adventure Park opens this Saturday in Trussville, at the Pinnacle at Tutwiler Farms!

Urban Air’s newest location is more than a trampoline park. The park is home to more than 10 attractions – ranging from a Sky Rider, Indoor Ropes Course, Slam Dunk Zone, Climbing Walls and much more!

The first 100 people in line get 1 FREE year of jumping with the purchase of an Ultimate Jump Pass. Doors will open at 10am.

Saturday 10am

  • Pancakes and Princesses at the Birmingham Zoo

Hear ye, hear ye! Adorn your crown or tiara and join us for a special meet and greet between your little prince and princess and our court of princesses at this royal breakfast! Pancakes and Princesses will take place on Saturday, August 18 at 8am in Trails of Africa, and will be followed by Fairytales and Frogs Day at the Zoo from 10am-2pm.

Tickets include a fluffy pancake breakfast, coffee, orange juice, photo opportunities with a multitude of princesses, Zoo admission, an unlimited ride wristband, and a regal craft project. Special appearances will be made by everyone’s favorite princesses! Each child will receive a gift upon arrival.

Costumes are encouraged, and tickets are limited so purchase yours today! Special thanks to The Enchanted Princesses.

Pricing:
Non-Members- $30.00-Adults, $25.00-Kids
Members- $25.00-Adults, $20.00-Kids
*Plus tax

Saturday, 8am – 9:30am

  • Fairytale and Frog Days at the Birmingham Zoo

Princes, princesses and all other fairytale characters are invited to the Birmingham Zoo to join the celebration of the 3rd annual Fairytales & Frog Day on Saturday, August 18, from 10am-2pm. Festivities are free for Members or with paid admission to the Zoo.

Children are encouraged to dress up in their favorite costume for the magical day where fairytales come alive. All royal subjects attending will receive a crown (while supplies last) and have a chance to get their face painted. Photo opportunities will be plentiful as several costumed characters will be present to entertain the attendees.

Fairytales and Frogs Day will also feature special keeper chats and animal demonstrations, arts and crafts and a “Toad”ally awesome sampling booth provided by Coca-Cola.

This event will be held behind the Wildlife Stage. Special thanks to The Enchanted Princesses.
+ Google Calendar

Saturday, 10am – 2pm

  • Storytime on the Mountain at Ruffner Mountain Nature Center

Nature inspires creativity. Come join us at the Nature Center as we will listen to stories read by longtime Ruffner volunteer, Ms. Jerri. Then make a fun craft to take home! Free, no registration required.

Saturday, 10am

For more events happening this weekend and beyond, make sure to check our events calendar, regularly!

 

Urban Air Trussville Grand Opening!

Posted on by Angie

Get ready to leap into some fun as the new Urban Air Adventure Park opens this Saturday in Trussville, at the Pinnacle at Tutwiler Farms!

Urban Air’s newest location is more than a trampoline park. The park is home to more than 10 attractions – ranging from a Sky Rider, Indoor Ropes Course, Slam Dunk Zone, Climbing Walls and much more!

And it’s not all about the kids, Urban Air Trussville will also boast free Wi-Fi, a full-service café and a relaxing parents’ lounge complete with televisions tuned into live sporting events. This way you never have to miss a game… (Hello, Football Season!)

To celebrate the grand opening this Saturday, the first 100 people in line get 1 FREE year of jumping with the purchase of an Ultimate Jump Pass. Doors will open at 10am, so arrive early! To help you move a little faster, make sure to sign the online waiver before you go!

Urban Air Trampoline & Adventure Park has been voted BEST gym in America for kids by Shape Magazine, BEST place to take energetic kids and BEST trampoline park.

For more information about the Urban Air Trussville Grand Opening, call 205-677-5734 or visit their website.

We look forward to seeing you there!!

Urban Air Trussville will be open 7 days a week, and is located at 3695 Roosevelt Blvd in Trussville.

 

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