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

Posted on 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.

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.

 

 

 

 

 

Movies under the Moon at Vulcan Park

Posted on by Angie

Movies Under the Moon VulcanAlabama 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 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 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 by Angie

Lego Day McWaneCelebrate 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 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.

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.

Friday Five: Top Picks for Weekend Fun June 8th – June 10th

Posted on by Angie

Happy Weekend! If you’re looking for something fun to do in the Magic City this weekend, we’ve got you covered! Here are our top picks!

  • Trussville’s 2nd Saturday Downtown

Trussville’s 2nd Saturday Downtown’s Celebrates the Arts on June 9th from 4:00-8:00pm located on Morrow Ave next to Slag Heap Brewery. There will be local artists and merchants set up along Morrow Ave (which will be shut down on June 9th for the event). There will also be some delicious food trucks located next to Slag Heap Brewery with some great entertainment such as Birmingham Martial Arts, ACTA Theater, DJ Rob Langford, and other performances from other local musicians, more details to come. Artist will be set up at 3:00 if you would like to come early and check out the beautiful art our community has to offer.

Saturday, 4pm – 8pm

  • Kidcon at Magic City Con – Hyatt Regency

KidCon at Magic City Con is an event held for Kids during Magic City Con. It’s a time when our focus turn to our wee geeks!

Saturday, 9am – 12pm

  • Family Fishing Rodeo at Eastlake Park

The 20th Annual City of Birmingham Park & Rec Family Fishing Rodeo will feature tons of catfish in the lake, activities & more!

Anglers must bring their own gear and bait. No fishing license is required on this day. Contests and prize giveaways will be available.

This event is free and open to all ages.

Saturday, 1pm – 5pm

  • Magic City Caribbean Food and Music Festival at Linn Park

The festival is free, family friendly and open to all. Visitors can expect a 15 piece steel band,
Revolution Reggae Band, there is also dancing and hula hoop demonstrations with guests of all ages invited to participate. There is also lots of great food and other vendors and the exceptional MC for the day Ulato Sam from UCLA who gets the crowd moving.

Saturday, 11am – 8pm

  • Symphony in the Summer at Railroad Park

Join the ASO for an evening of Beethoven Under the Stars at Railroad Park! The evening begins with a trio of delightful Overtures from Rossini, Beethoven, and Humperdink and concludes with Beethoven’s First Symphony!

FREE ADMISSION thanks to our generous sponsors: Regions, Dale’s Seasoning, Landscape Workshop, Joe Piper, Medical Properties Trust, Protective Life Foundation, Stewart Perry Co., Inc., O’Neal Industries, Inc., Motion Industries, Raymond James, Coca-Cola, Shipt.
Special thanks to Media Partner WBHM.

Sunday, 8pm

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.

 

Family Camp Out Night

Posted on by Angie

Family Camp-Out Night presented by Publix returns! Join us Saturday, June 23 to June 24. More details TBA. Stay tuned!

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. Bring your tent and your family, and we’ll take care of the rest.

It’s a rare opportunity to camp in a way that you haven’t before‐and to make memories and gain camping insight that you’ll take with you through the years.

Registration fees include complimentary dinner, breakfast, and snacks galore for each attendee, catered by Publix.

Click to purchase tickets

Saturday, June 23, 2018

3:30 pm ‐ 4:25 pm: Check‐in
4:30 pm: Birmingham Zoo’s Animal Show ‘n Tell
5:00 pm ‐ 5:15 pm: Small group activities
5:20 pm: Birmingham Canoe Club “Paddling 101” lesson
5:40 pm ‐ 6:00 pm: Small group activities
6:05 pm: Camp Fire Alabama’s “Creek Ecology” Lesson
6:20 pm ‐ 6:35 pm: Small group activities
6:45 pm: Dinner catered by Publix Super Markets, Inc.
7:45 pm: Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark “Is that Just a Rock?” lesson on raw materials found in nature
8:00 pm ‐ 8:15 pm: Small group activities
8:20 pm: Tony Diliberto’s “Camp Safety 101” lesson
8:40 pm: Christenberry Planetarium at Samford University’s “Alabama Summer Skies” lesson
9:10 pm: Start Preparing for bed
9:30 pm: Lights out

Sunday, June 24, 2018

6:30 am: Breakfast catered by Publix Super Markets, Inc.
7:00 am: Morning Yoga lead by Villager Yoga
7:15 am ‐ 8:00 am: Check-out

Summer Fun at Desoto Caverns

Posted on by Angie

So much fun happening this summer at Desoto Caverns! Check these special events and add them to your summer fun list!

Streetmosphere Saturdays

On Select Saturdays from 11am-1pm, there will free street entertainment in the park! From face painting to balloon animals, you and your family won’t want to miss Streetmosphere Saturdays!

Saturday, June 9 for Pinky Fancy Faces! They’ll be offering amazing facepainting, all free in park from 11 AM – 1 PM!

Saturday, June 23 for GIANT bubbles, face painting, and balloon animals with Bubble and Squeak Balloons. All free in the park from 11 AM – 1 PM!

Fun Day Monday

Every Monday in June from 9AM-11AM you can purchase The Unlimited Day Pass for only $24.99! This offer is only available in park at the Gift Shop on Mondays in June from 9AM – 11 AM and the wristband is good for the day of purchase. This is our best deal of the summer, so don’t miss out!

Home Sweet Home Music and Food Festival

Celebrate Independence Day Weekend with DeSoto Caverns this June 30th & July 1st at our event, Home Sweet Home, a Food & Music Festival. This family fun event is for all ages and features talented local musicians, exciting Streetmosphere entertainers, and delicious food from local food trucks.

We invite you to come make memories with your family and friends, in honor of the unity and freedom our Nation stands for. It’s time to share the stories of our country’s past, present, and future through music, taste, and celebration.??????

Use the code HSHEarlyBird to receive $2 off tickets. Hurry! This offer ends June 16. For more info and to purchase tickets, visit http://bit.ly/2JlAHY9.

 

Five Ways Summer Sparkles At World Of Coca-Cola

Posted on by Angie

As Atlanta brings the heat this summer, World of Coca-Cola brings the cool with refreshing moments of fun. From a new exhibit about a classic Coca-Cola character to a global tasting experience, you will discover summertime entertainment for families and friends of all ages.

Beat the Heat – The moment you step in from the sun, World of Coca-Cola welcomes you with an ice-cold beverage to sip as you explore. Coca-Cola’s rich, 132-year history pops in each exhibit – from the Vault of the Secret Formula, where you can discover the myths and legends surrounding the famous Coca-Cola recipe, to Milestones of Refreshment, a trip down memory lane.

Blast from the Past – Ever heard of Sprite Boy? You may be surprised to learn he has nothing to do with the popular lemon-lime flavored soft drink. Die-hard Coca-Cola fans might remember the elfin cartoon from the 40s and 50s – and now you can meet him for yourself in a fun photo op experience. The Story of Sprite Boy is a new exhibit on display through spring 2019 in the Pop Culture Gallery. The pixie-like Coca-Cola character comes to life through original oil paintings, print ads, artifacts and photos from around the world.

Savor the Summer – After exploring the exhibits, pop over to the Taste It! Beverage Lounge, where over 100 familiar and exotic beverages will spice up your summer. You can sample fountain beverages from around the globe as well as recently released, limited-time offerings at the Sampling Bar. Find a new favorite flavor or simply savor the classics!

Drink in the Deals – If you are in search of hot summer deals, look no further than the Atlanta CityPASS, which gets you into five top Atlanta attractions – including World of Coca-Cola – over a nine-day period. Adult tickets cost $76, helping you save a sweet 40 percent on admission. You can purchase CityPASS tickets at World of Coca-Cola ticket windows or online at www.worldofcoca-cola.com.

Coca-Cola Red, White and Blue – Just in time for our nation’s birthday, the Coca-Cola Store at World of Coca-Cola is releasing a new Americana-themed assortment. Fans can rep both Coca-Cola and America the Beautiful with patriotic T-shirts, salt and pepper shakers, wooden signs, kitchen towels and aprons. Items in the collection feature the classic combination of Coca-Cola, stars and stripes.

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