Friday Five: Top Picks for Weekend Fun June 22nd – June 24th

Posted on Friday, June 22, 2018 by Angie

Top picks for weekend fun in and around Birmingham this weekend!

Family Camp Out Night – Railroad Park

Your family is invited to a campout on our front lawn! Family Camp-Out Night, presented by Publix, returns for 2018.

One night a year, we convert a special section of Railroad Park into an interactive campground for families. A host of experts will give lessons on everything from astronomy to camp cooking to orienteering‐with some bird watching thrown in for good measure.

Saturday, 3pm – 9pm
Sunday, 7am -8am

Help Paint a Birmingham Mural – Downtown

Artist Marcus Fetch is inviting the residents of Birmingham to help paint a wall located near Redemptive Cycles. The event will be held Saturday, June 23rd from noon – 4pm. Everyone will have the freedom to paint whatever they want with any colors they want. Only rule is it has to be all abstract, no words or letters.

Saturday, 12pm – 4pm

Jurassic Park Storytime – Barnes and Noble, Summit

Introduce little ones to the world of Jurassic Park. This action-packed (and age-appropriate) title is great for dinosaur lovers, both new and old. Activities to follow.

Saturday, 11am – 12pm

Helena Market Days

Vegetables, flowers, honey, pottery, bread, glasswork, woodcarving and something new all the time. Supporting local non-profits by featuring a different one each weekend for fundraising and mission awareness purposes. A different musician appears every weekend as well.

Saturday, 8am – 12pm

See Columbus’ Ships in Demopolis

The “Nina” was built completely by hand and without the use of power tools. Archaeology magazine called the ship “the most historically correct Columbus replica ever built.” In 2005, the “Pinta,” also a caravel, was launched in Brazil and was the first ship to sight land in the New World. Historians consider the caravel the space shuttle of the 15th century.

Both ships tour together as a new and enhanced “sailing museum” for educating the public and school children on the “caravel,” a Portuguese ship used by Columbus and many early explorers to discover the world. Before him, the Old World and the New World remained separate and distinct continents and ever since their fates have been bound together for better or for worse.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 9am – 6pm
Demopolis Yacht Basin, 130 Yacht Basin Drive

For More information on the event and pricing, see our previous post.

Thank you to our Sponsor:

Red Diamond is the 3rd oldest family owned and operated coffee and tea company in the U.S., with over 110 years of coffee and tea excellence.

Red Diamond’s tea line features an exquisite collection of exceptional hand-picked estate-grown teas from the finest tea plantations around the world.

Red Diamond’s coffee line offers the finest blends of gourmet beans available. Combined with state-of-the-art Scolari roasting, our unique blends from Central and South America allow us to produce the perfect cup of coffee every time.

Discover Columbus’ Ships in Demopolis AL

Posted on Thursday, June 21, 2018 by Angie

Replica’s of explorer Christopher Columbus’ ships “The Pinta” and “The Nina” will open June 21 in Demopolis.

The ships will be docked at Demopolis Yacht Basin, 130 Yacht Basin Drive, until their departure early Monday morning, June 25.

While in port, the general public is invited to visit the ships for a walk-aboard, self-guided tour. Admission charges are $8.50 for adults, $7.50 for seniors, and $6.50 for students 5-6. Children 4 and under are admitted free. The ships are open every day from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. No reservations necessary.

Teachers or organizations wishing to schedule a 3-minute guided tour with a crew member should call 787 672 2152 or email ninapintatour@gmail.com Minimum of 15; $5 per person. No maximum. Visit the website at www.ninapinta.org

5 common summer illnesses in kids

Posted on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 by Angie

Summer is here, and that means more time in the great outdoors. It also means exposure to some different illnesses. Here are some fairly common ones your kids might pick up this summer and what you can do to help (via CDC). As with any illness, if symptoms persist or become severe, be sure to contact your pediatrician.

Coxsackie

A form of enterovirus, Coxsackie often leads to Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease – a nasty virus that often occurs in kids under 5.

Signs of Hand, Foot and Mouth:

· Fever

· Low appetite

· Sore throat

· Sores in mouth, developing 1-2 days after fever starts

· Skin rash with red spots on palms of hands and soles of feet

· May also develop a rash on knees, elbows, buttocks and genital area

What to do:

· There’s no treatment for the disease – it will need to run its course

· Keep kids hydrated, even if it’s difficult to swallow

· Consider over the counter pain relievers (not Aspirin)

· Certain mouthwashes may numb mouth pain

Prevention:

· The illness is transmitted from one infected person to another via bodily fluids or via contaminated water

· Be sure to wash hands often and clean frequently touched surfaces

· Avoid contact with anyone infected with the virus

Croup

Croup is an infection of the upper airway, which leads to inflammation of the airway and obstructed breathing.

Signs of Croup:

· Mucous in the airway

· Noisy breathing and a hoarse, barking cough

· Usually starts with cold symptoms

What to do:

· Breathing moist air may offer comfort to your child

· Give children over 6 months ibuprofen or acetaminophen for comfort

· Make sure they drink plenty of fluids

· Monitor their breathing, especially at night

Prevention:

· Croup is transmitted through a virus that can be spread from an infected person to another

· Most cases clear up on their own, but it’s a good idea to keep an infected child away from healthy children to prevent spreading

Lyme Disease

Lyme Disease is a bacterial infection transmitted by ticks.

Signs of Lyme Disease (often flu-like):

· Fever

· Headache

· Fatigue

· Skin rash

· Muscle and joint aches

· Chills

· Untreated infections can spread to the joints, heart and nervous system

What to do:

· Lyme Disease found early can be easily treated with antibiotics

· If you suspect your child has been bitten by a tick, keep a close eye on them

· Get your child checked early if there’s any chance of Lyme Disease

Prevention:

· Lyme Disease is spread through insect bites, mainly via infected ticks

· Use insect repellent when in the woods or grass

· Search your children for ticks after they’ve been outside, and remove any promptly

Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

Whooping Cough, also known as Pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory disease and is commonly spread at summer camp.

Signs of Whooping Cough:

· Starts with a cold-like cough, runny nose and fever

· Babies may develop apnea – a pause in breathing

· Violent coughing, often uncontrollable, followed by a deep inhale that makes a “whooping” sound

· Vomiting

· Exhaustion

What to do:

· It can be treated with prescribed antibiotics

· If suspected, take your child to the doctor immediately

· DO NOT give your child cough medicine

· Make sure your child is drinking fluids and eating, especially if vomiting occurs

Prevention:

· There is a vaccine for Whooping Cough

· It can be transmitted from one infected person to another

Norovirus

The Norovirus is a very contagious virus that causes gastroenteritis, or the stomach bug. It’s often foodborne and causes your stomach and intestines to become inflamed.

Signs of Norovirus:

· Diarrhea

· Nausea/vomiting

· Stomach pain

· Fever

· Head and body aches

What to do:

· Ensure your child is properly hydrated

· There’s no specific treatment; the virus will have to run its course

Prevention:

· Wash hands regularly and ensure food is properly cooked and washed

· Avoid being around someone who is infected with Norovirus

Article content provided by Kinsa, the maker of the world’s first smart thermometer with the ability to track illness and offer guidance on what to do if your child falls ill, all based on symptoms and age.

Help Paint a Birmingham Mural

Posted on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 by Angie

I don’t know about you but I get so excited when a new mural is added to our city, we have some pretty great ones around town and they’re fun to find and they make a great photo op!

Now, this weekend, all of Birmingham has the chance to help create one in a special Community Event! Artist Marcus Fetch is inviting the residents of Birmingham to help paint a wall located near Redemptive Cycles. The event will be held Saturday, June 23rd from noon – 4pm. Everyone will have the freedom to paint whatever they want with any colors they want. Only rule is it has to be all abstract, no words or letters.

Grab the kids and make plans to head down and help brighten up our city! Food vendors will be on site.

Friday Five: Top Picks for Weekend Fun June 15th – June 17th

Posted on Friday, June 15, 2018 by Angie

Celebrate Dad this weekend with these fun things happening around the Magic City! Here are our Top Picks for Weekend fun this Father’s Day Weekend!

Free Movie on the Mall in Trussville

Head out to the historic mall in Trussville for a free family movie night. Take your blankets and chairs and enjoy this fun event. Bring your own food or some will be available for purchase.

The movie will begin at dusk. Make plans to get there early to get a good spot.

Friday, Dusk

Birmingham Barons at Regions Field

V. Chattanooga Lookouts

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

Funky Food Truck Festival at Cahaba Brewing

Get ready for a funky good time at Cahaba Brewing Company Saturday, June 16th, from 1pm-6pm! Tasty food from these top Birmingham food trucks: Lazy Boy BBQ, Taco Morro Loco, Dixieland Funnel Cakes and NOLA Ice. We’ll even have treats from Fetch – A Treat Truck for Dogs for your four-legged friend(s) and the Greater Birmingham Humane Society will be there with adoptable dogs. Enjoy the fun while sipping on refreshing Cahaba brews. Donations benefit AIDS Alabama’s programs and the suggested donation is just $5. Don’t miss this funky event!

Saturday, 1pm – 6pm

Local 2018 at Alys Stephens Center

Once again, the Center is proud to present the fifth-annual LOCAL – a celebration of everything Alabama. Kick off your summer at our outdoor and family-friendly event. Shop your favorite Alabama farmers, artists and vendors while enjoying live performances by local musicians. All your favorite food trucks will be on site when it’s time for a bite to eat. LOCAL is the perfect event for everyone who loves to call this great state home!

Lineup For Local 2018:
Chelsey Whild
Kate and the Howlers
Banditos
Love Moor

Saturday, 5pm – 10pm

Tannehill Trade Days at Tannehill State Park

Shoppers and swappers come from far and near to Tannehill Trade Days in search of tools, clothing, jewelry, knives, furniture and other treasures. We have 350+ vendors to come and see. Rain or shine.

Saturday, 8am – 4pm
Sunday, 8am – 4pm

Thank You to our Sponsor:

Red Diamond is the 3rd oldest family owned and operated coffee and tea company in the U.S., with over 110 years of coffee and tea excellence.

Red Diamond’s tea line features an exquisite collection of exceptional hand-picked estate-grown teas from the finest tea plantations around the world.

Movies under the Moon at Vulcan Park

Posted on Thursday, June 14, 2018 by Angie

Alabama has a rich history and legacy in auto racing, in fact, some of the best known deep-south racing royalty reside in the state. Bobby and Donnie Allison, Red Farmer and Neil Bonnet, “The Alabama Gang” all earned their place in the national spotlight. Inspired by the Gang’s influence on auto racing, Vulcan Park and Museum opened an exhibit last year in the Linn-Henley Gallery entitled “Southern Thunder: The Legacy of Alabama Auto Racing” which runs through Dec. 2018. To take it a step further, VPM continues to celebrate Alabama’s legacy with the movie Smokey and the Bandit on June 27!

Enjoy pre-movie activities such as the Dixie Vintage Antique Car Show, 70’s music by DJ Larry Huff and the Racing for Children Pit Crew. Food by Birmingham area food trucks and movie-style concessions will available for purchase! You don’t want to miss this great family event and see the Southern Thunder racing exhibit before it’s gone!

Admission Information:

5:00 pm Dixie Vintage Antique Car Show and ‘70s music

5:00 –7:00 pm Racing for Children Pit Crew Demonstration

8:00 pm Movie Smokey and the Bandit

Cost: $6 and $4 for children. Vulcan Park members free and children under 4 free.

Birmingham Area Ice Cream Shoppes and Sweet Treats

Posted on Tuesday, June 12, 2018 by Angie

Birmingham is full of great options when it comes to Ice Cream and Sweet treats… Of course we love ice cream all year round but enjoying a yummy ice cream cone or sweet treat on a hot summer afternoon is perfection! We’ve compiled a list of the ones we know about and love.. (in no particular order.) What are your favorite places for Ice Cream?

Birmingham Ice Cream Shoppes and Sweet Treats

Edgewood Creamery

936 Oxmoor Road, Homewood
(205) 874-1999
Open Daily 11am – 10:30pm

Bluff Park Ice Cream Shoppe

815 Shades Crest Rd, Birmingham
(205) 423-5055
Daily Hours Vary

Lucky Cat Rolled Creams

Lucky Cat Rolled Creams is a fresh spin on a classic treat. Rolls of ice cream are packed into a cup and topped with a variety of yummy toppings from fresh seasonal fruit to decadent chocolate brownies and caramel sauce.

Their hand-rolled ice cream is made by pouring a creamy mixture on a cold sub-zero steel pan, mixing in toppings with metal spatulas, and then rolling the ice cream into neat little rolls. This process allows them to ensure the freshness of the ice cream.

2908 18th St S, Homewood
(205) 407-4500
Daily Hours vary

Yogurt Mountain

Multiple Locations in Birmingham and Hoover

Bruster’s Ice Cream

1008 Vestavia Pkwy, Vestavia
(205) 978-2347
Daily Hours Vary

Steel City Pops

Delicious pops feature fresh fruit, organic cane sugar and are gluten-free. Even the cookie pops!

329 Summit Blvd, Birmingham
(205) 506-2898

2821 Central Ave #109, Homewood
(205) 803-6502

5449 US-280, Birmingham
(205) 506-2828

Roll Up

Rolled ice cream

3015 Columbiana Road
Vestavia Hills, Alabama

Haagan -Dazs

2000 Riverchase Galleria

Mountain Brook Creamery

2715 Cahaba Rd, Mountain Brook
(205) 870-0092

Big Spoon Creamery

Contemporary counter serve for traditional & seasonal ice cream scoops, sandwiches & sundaes.

Store:
4000 3rd Ave S #104, Birmingham
(205) 703-4712

Homewood:
927 Oxmoor Road
(205)637-0823

Truck Schedule:
Visit this link

The Whole Scoop

3421 South Shades Crest Road, Hoover
205-444-8000

TCBY

919 28th Ave S Ste 153, Homewood
(205) 870-8229
Daily Hours Vary

Sweet Bebe’s Ice Cream Pops

Cream pops, fruit pops and gourmet pops.

7054 Gadsden Hwy, Trussville, Alabama

(205) 508-5218

Nola Ice

Original New Orleans Sno-Balls. Their truck can usually be found down around Railroad Park, but you can find their schedule on their Facebook Page if you want to hunt them down!

Magic City Sweet Ice

715 Oak Grove Rd, Homewood
(205) 907-2125

Kona Ice

Shaved Ice Truck offering a Flavorwave of flavor options. Visit their site and enter your zip code to locate their truck each day.

K & J’s Elegant Pastries and Ice Cream

Cheerful confectionery crafting sweet treats like cookies & cupcakes in bright surrounds.

236 1st St S #300, Alabaster
(205) 663-4827

Bendy’s Ice Cream Truck

Cookies and Ice Cream Truck. You can find their daily schedule on their website.

Cookie Fix

2854 18th Street South, Homewood
205 582 2623

Great American Cookie Company

Brookwood Mall
Riverchase Galleria
Pinnacle at Tutweiler Farm in Trussville

Insomnia Cookies

1919 11th Ave S, Birmingham
(205) 236-9540

The Birmingham Candy Company

Southern, Handcrafted and Local Candies. Pralines, Turtles, Candy Apples, Caramel and Specialty Apples, Glazed Pecans, Brittles, So much goodness! You can find them Saturdays at Pepper Place or follow them on Facebook

Sugar, Inc.

69 Church St, Mountain Brook
(205) 637-5042

Crestwood Pharmacy and Soda Fountain

Ice cream and old school soda fountain

5502 Crestwood Blvd Suite A

Birmingham, Alabama

Candy’s Sweets and Treats

Shaved Ice, Cotton Candy, Ice Cream, Pucker Powder, Nachos, Popcorn

3818 AL-160, Hayden
(205) 701-0290

If we’ve missed your favorite spot.. Leave us a comment and let us know so we can get them added!

Updated 5/19

Summer Naptimes: Staying on Track

Posted on Tuesday, June 12, 2018 by Angie

Summertime is exciting. We get to go on adventures, barbecue, swim, and eat popsicles. It’s easy to get off schedule in the summer and while that is part of what makes it such an exciting season, it can also lead to exhausted children. If you happen to notice that your children are a little out of sorts, especially in the late afternoon, consider their nap schedule. Are they getting a nap at the correct time of day? Most children who nap need it to begin around 1 pm. If your child is no longer taking a nap, are you providing him with some quiet time in the afternoon for reading stories or rest? A quality nap or a bit of time to recharge peacefully can help ward off late afternoon monster tantrums. Lori Strong, Certified Child Sleep Consultant by The Family Sleep Institute and Founder of Strong Little Sleepers in Austin, Texas, offers five summer nap tips for families.

1. If your child does not have the opportunity for a nap or quiet time for whatever reason, parents can always resort to an early bedtime to help keep their children well-rested. Many people believe that going to bed early will just cause their child to rise earlier, but in fact, this is not true at all. Sleep begets sleep. An earlier bedtime has been proven to help children sleep longer (and better). This is also true for adults!

2. Watch for your child’s sleepy cues; some common ones are quieting down, becoming fussy, gazing off, rubbing ears and eyes, not interested in toys or playing, and yawning. Once you start seeing these cues, make sure to get your baby or toddler down for a nap.

3. Consistency is key! Stick to a consistent daily sleep schedule with eating and nap times — even bed time too. When on vacation, try to stick to the normal schedule or it will add to your child’s sleep debt. A well-rested child will be better able to enjoy daytime activities if things do get off schedule from time to time.

4. Create a soothing routine before naps. This will help your child wind down and relax. Reading books and singing short songs are some good ways to begin a naptime routine. Shutting off TV and other electronic screens leading up to naptime will help your child fall asleep easier.

5. While the temptation may be to keep your kids up until it gets dark outside, it may not be what’s best for them biologically. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t have fun this summer. Have a great time! Try to remember how important a routine and sleep is to your child. Chances are, you will have an even better summer if you do!

For more tips visit www.stronglittlesleepers.com — Lori Strong is a certified Child Sleep Consultant in Austin, Texas and helps families in Austin and all over the country shape babies and toddlers into great sleepers.

LEGO Day at McWane Science Center

Posted on Tuesday, June 12, 2018 by Angie

Celebrate the love of all things LEGO this Saturday, June 16th at the McWane Science Center! Explore amazing LEGO displays and take on LEGO Challenges and building activities throughout the Adventure Halls.

Programming:

LEGO Activities and Games – 10:00am- 6:00pm
Join in all of the LEGO building activities throughout the Adventure Halls!

LEGO Displays – 10:00am-4:00pm (Special Events Center)
View cool displays and chat with members of the Magic City LEGO Users Group.

Design Challenge: LEGO engineering – 12:00 pm, 1:30 pm, 3:00 pm
Take on an engineering challenge and build your solution using LEGO bricks!

Minifigure Caricatures – Session 1: 11:00 am- 1:00pm Session 2: 3:00pm-5:00pm
Have your portrait drawn in the style of a Minifigure!

LEGO Tech Lab – 11:00 am (Classroom 302/303), 2:00 pm (Classroom 302/303), 4:00 pm (Classroom 302/303)
Explore building robotic models and programming utilizing LEGOs!

Activities will be happening throughout the Exhibition Halls from 10am – 6pm

“TEA”riffic Summer Giveaway with Red Diamond

Posted on Sunday, June 10, 2018 by Angie

It’s time to officially kick off Summer with this TEAriffic Summer Giveaway from our friends at Red Diamond.

Over the next 4 weeks, BirminghamMommy readers will have the chance to enter for some great Birmingham Zoo prizes. Red Diamond is a long time Zoo Sponsor and they’ve teamed up to kick your summer fun up a notch! What’s better than a family day at the Birmingham Zoo while sipping on some sweet iced tea!

Our TEAriffic Summer Promotion will be a series of Social Media Giveaways on our Facebook Page, you’ll have the chance to win Zoo Memberships, Zoo tickets, Train Rides and Behind the Scenes Sea Lion Tour passes!

Make sure you’re following us on Facebook for a chance to win!

Week 1: 1 Year membership (1 winner)

Week 2: 2 General Admission tickets with 2 train tickets (1 winner)

Week 3: 1 Year membership (1 winner)

Week 4: 2 Sea Lion Tour Tickets (1 Winner, redeemable in August, 2018)

Our Sponsor:

Red Diamond is the 3rd oldest family owned and operated coffee and tea company in the U.S., with over 110 years of coffee and tea excellence.

Red Diamond’s tea line features an exquisite collection of exceptional hand-picked estate-grown teas from the finest tea plantations around the world.