We heart Railroad Park.

I have been hearing about Railroad Park for years -- how it was going to be built and transform downtown Birmingham.  Being a lover my hometown, I was so excited about the possibilities. 

In my former life as a full-time lawyer, I worked downtown everyday and I loved it.  Birmingham is an interesting city in that you can live in the suburbs literally only minutes from downtown and not even really know the fabulous city in your backyard.  I want Fawn to spend time downtown, I want him to know downtown -- and love it just like I do.  While there's certainly something wonderful about the community and peace of the suburbs, we are truly lucky that we can have the best of both worlds.

So what can you do with your kiddos downtown?  The most obvious answer is the McWane Center.  We also try to frequent the various "special events" (like the Magic City Art Connection) held in Lynn Park.  There are parades on holidays.  There's Pepper Place market from early spring to late fall (try coupling that trip with a trip to Urban Standard, which is surprisingly kid-friendly).  Make a lunch date downtown -- and park a couple blocks away so your kids get to experience walking through the city (Fawn loves to look at the big buildings).  While we're not quite there age-wise, there's the art museum.  Not to mention great libraries and hidden parks.  And now, for the last six months or so, Railroad Park, which has become our go-to downtown destination.

Fawn loves the playground, observing the trains, and simply running around like a wild-man.  Railroad Park shows the city at its finest.  It is one of the most spectacular views of the city -- absolutely breathtaking on a clear, blue day.  Railroad Park, you've exceeded my expectations -- and you are making our city better.  Not to mention, you are a great destination for a picnic with Buck on a beautiful 'bama day.  We'll be back soon!

Patrolling the Park with Daddy

After so much playing, it was time to eat.

Adult Dance Classes!

As I've mentioned previously, I have a wonderful side job teaching ballet at Steeple Arts Academy of Dance in Crestline.  It is a fabulous place, owned and run by a wonderful family.  It's where I grew up dancing and is one of the places I feel most at home and most at peace.

It's a fantastic place to send your children -- not only will they learn to love to dance, but they will be so excited to walk through the doors.  It's also a great place to go yourself!  Steeple Arts now has a great line-up of adult classes at night:

Mondays & Wednesdays 6:30-7:30 ZUMBA

Tuesdays 5:30-6:30 Adult Hip Hop

Thursdays 5:30-6:45 Ladies Ballet

 

I love the Thursday night Ladies Ballet class (that is when Buck gets home in time for me to attend....).  Hope to see you there!

Oil Change.

Reason number 1 why I get ripped off at car maintenance places: I am female.

Reason number 2: when I went to get my oil changed on Tuesday ($5 off ladies day -- always up for a bargain) I didn't know how to pop my hood.  Instead of asking for help, I tried to save face by whipping out my owner's manual and scanning the index for "hood".  The very kind attendant realized what was going on and helped me out -- with a straight face nonetheless.

Happy Driving!

John Deere Tractor Had a Farm.

I know in my short time blogging, I've already written about the song Old McDonald had a farm.  Here goes again (which should underscore 1. how much we sing songs, especially this one and 2. how obsessed Fawn is with all things farm).  Doc (Buck's dad) taught Fawn a new version of the song a few weeks ago, inserting Fawn's name in the song instead of Old McDonald's name.  Very cute.

Fawn must have picked up on the fact that it's perfectly fine to change words because he's caught a little creative bug of his own.  Now, when sung at our house, the song begins with:

John Deere Tractor had a farm
E I E I O
And on that farm he had a tractor
E I E I O
With a chug chug here
And a chug chug there
Here a chug there a chug
Everywhere a chug chug
John Deere Tractor had a farm
E I E I O

Happy singing farmers! 

Thank you Craneworks!

Fawn and I (accompanied by my mom) went to Big Machine Day at the McWane Center in February.  What a great event -- I have to give a huge hats off to the folks at Craneworks who sponsored the event and were so wonderful with all the little children explaining the machinery.  I knew just by the name of the event that it would be a huge hit with Fawn, but it exceeded my expectations.  19th Street was blocked off in front of the McWane Center and filled with all sorts of machinery -- cranes, excavators, a dump truck, a forklift, and a fire truck, just to name a few.  And, all were open for the kids to sit in and pretend to drive. Truly awesome event -- can't wait for next year.

All the kids received Craneworks hard hats upon arrival (Fawn really did love his hat, despite the slightly sad look on his face!).

Some fascinating knob.

Driving is tough work.

All smiles.

The horn on the dump truck was so loud!

This is definitely a "two grown-ups required" event.  You need one grown-up to tend to toddler, while second grown-up is designated "line stander".  While Fawn had an absolute ball, waiting in lines just isn't for him (he's two people!).  I tried to explain "taking turns" to Fawn.  His response: "I don't like turns mommy" (translation -- I don't like it when other kids have turns, I should get to do whatever I want, whenever I want, for as long as I want).  Great.

Again, a huge thank you to Craneworks!  You made a lot of little ones so happy at Big Machine Day!

Alabama cap.

Fawn loves his Alabama cap (do not call it a hat, it's a cap, for the record).  Buck's parents gave it to him a few months ago and he wears it basically everywhere.  Even to church.  I take the parenting mantra of "pick your battles" to heart.  If an Alabama cap is going to mean that I drop off a happy toddler in the church nursery as opposed to a screaming toddler, bring on the Alabama cap.

Found: Plain White Tees.

You know the kind -- for monogramming, appliqueing, and layering.  No pockets!!!  Target (Cherokee brand).  $8 for long sleeved and $6 for short sleeved.  Not as cheap as Walmart ($3.50 a pop!), but still better than Old Navy.  Run, don't walk!