Tips for TEMPO!

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We look forward to you joining us for TEMPO – A Family Fun Festival.

Our event is on the West Green directly across 1st Avenue South from the new Regions Field baseball stadium. The BLUE line is the best line for Railroad Park access.

Parking downtown can be confusing! Keep these tips in mind:

• Parking: Parking is limited close to the park. Here are our suggested parking options.
• NOTE: The entire block of 18th Street to 19th Street between Morris Avenue and 3rd Avenue South will be CLOSED from 9 – 11:30 AM for the cycling events.
• DART Trolley: Because there is a game Saturday evening, the downtown trolley DART system will be available for free starting at 10 am Saturday for you or your family’s use.

Activities/Entertainment: There will be much to see and do at TEMPO – A Family Fun Festival. Checkout the fun-filled schedule below!

10:00 am                   Cahaba Cycles Mock Crit Race

10:00                          Stage: BC/BS Zumba

10:30                          Family Bike Ride

10:30                          Stage: HEAL Dance

11:00                          Stage: The Checkerboard Guy

11:30                          Stage: Si Reasoning Improv Rhythm Activity

12:00 pm                   BUMP Skills and Safety Clinic, 12 and under

12:30                          Stage: Mommy & Me Time Fitness Mommy Fit 

1:00                            Stage: BC/BS Zumba

1:30                            Stage: The Checkerboard Guy

See you tomorrow!

P.S. Check out all of our awesome partners and sponsors!

Top 10 Reasons to Attend TEMPO this Saturday!

TOP 10 REASONS TO ATTEND TEMPO THIS SATURDAY:

 

10. Participate in a family bike ride downtown!

9. You can meet members of the Birmingham Barons!

8. Learn about bike skills and safety for riders under 12, presented by BUMP!

7. Get free bike repair and maintenance lessons from BiciCoop and Redemptive Cycles!

6. See The Checkerboard Guy!

5. You might win a bike from Cahaba Cycles!

4. “Funderstanding” activities: children’s games and activities provided by local nonprofits, with updated information for parents!

3. The first 500 children will receive a free bike helmet from Cory, Watson, Crowder & DeGaris!

2. Have you seen how beautiful the weather is going to be Saturday?

1. It’s a great way to spend the day in Railroad Park with the whole family!

 

So, grab your bike and helmet, pack up the family and join us at TEMPO!

 

Are you ready for TEMPO?

TEMPO: you’ve seen us posting about it a lot lately…but what is it? It’s new, FREE family event in Railroad Park, that’s what!

Check out this quick slideshow for an overview, then visit us online for more details

Oh, and one more thing, “Join” the event on Facebook to help spread the word!

See you next Saturday!

Three Words: FREE Family FUN!

Now that the rush of back to school has died down, I’m sure you’ve had an opportunity to take a deep breath and unwind a little.

Back to school can bring lots of stress: getting the right school supplies, meeting new teachers, learning new rules and, of course, new expectations.

Childcare Resources believes that all children should have the opportunity to succeed.  We believe that family literacy is a great way to teach a variety of skills to prepare children for school.

That’s why Childcare Resources is proud to again participate in Read and Romp! Birmingham. Join us on Saturday, September 15th at Railroad Park from 9 am – 12 pm. Families with children ages 3 – 5 years will enjoy activities ranging from arts and crafts to physical activities, all which revolve around book themes. At the end of your fun, collect a free bag of books to enjoy at home!

Still not convinced it’s worth your time? Check out some of the fun from last year below!

Childcare Resources volunteers provided face paining to all attendees.Families participate in activities together at tables sponsored by various organizations.

Last year, our book was My First Book of Sign Language. We decorated hands with glitter, crayons, markers and stickers and learned simple signs. This year, our book is Bugs! Bugs! Bugs! Come find out what fun we’ll have to go along with it!

See you next Saturday!

Read and Romp! Birmingham 2012 is sponsored by United Way Success by 6, The Community Foundation of Birmingham, BAM!, Infinity Auto Insurance and Reach Out and Read Alabama.

It’s the Day Before the Ball!

The land of Fairy Tales is in a frenzy today; everyone is busy taking care of last minute details for the Fairy Tale Ball.  Fairies are polishing their wings; princesses are inspecting their dresses; superheroes are testing their powers; and wizards are perfecting their spells.

Childcare Resources’ Junior Board and staff members are busy as well, loading supplies, finalizing plans, and making decorations. A lot of time and effort has gone into preparations, and we can’t wait for you to see it! We appreciate all the support we have had from corporations, such as Alabama Power. (It takes quite a bit of energy to put on a Ball!)

What are you doing? Are you still thinking about attending? Have you purchased your family pack of tickets? Has your princess decided which dress to wear?

We hope these are some of the questions you are contemplating today. Moreover, we hope you have learned more about Childcare Resources, our mission and our work as we have prepared for the Ball. We’d love to share this experience with you and your family!

Remember: tickets may also be purchased at the door!

What’s the llama doing Six Days before the Ball

Yes, I said llama. “But wait,” you say, “I don’t recall a fairy tale featuring a llama.”

Neither can I. (But I’m sure there were lots of llamas roaming around in the background of fairy tales. . . ).

Childcare Resources supports family activities. We believe that children learn best from their parents through daily interactions and shared experiences.  Our work supports parents in their role as their child’s first and most important teacher by offering resources, programs and “Parenting Counts” workshops.

Childcare Resources’ experienced child development consultants are eager to provide these services for you—contact us to schedule a session!

One easy way to spend time together every day is reading books.  In fact, we will be encouraging this activity at the Fairy Tale Ball.  Guess who will also be there?

You guessed it: a llama!  Make sure to visit the “Llama Llama Read-a-Rama” area during the Fairy Tale Ball. Stop by to read “Llama Llama Red Pajama” and meet Tatoo  (courtesy of AlaLlama Llama Farm – Steele). He might even pose for a picture or two!

So, as I asked before, with six days to go until the Fairy Tale Ball, what’s the llama doing?

“Llama llama
red pajama
waiting waiting
for his mama.

Will she take him
to the Ball?
baby llama
starts to bawl.

Llama llama
red pajama
begs oh pretty
please dear mama!

Baby llama,
what a fuss!
I will take you
but you must hush!

Please stop all this
llama drama
and be grateful
for your mama.

Llama llama
red pajama
quietly says thank you
to his mama.”

(Inspired by Llama Llama Red Pajama)

Pinoccio: One Week Before the Ball

We’ve all heard of Pinocchio: the puppet whose wish to be a “real boy” came true.

One week before the Ball, he’s having a great time, running and playing with all the other real boys!

But what about Geppetto, his “father,” the one who made him and controlled his movements as a puppet? What a responsibility–directing another’s life!

Childcare Resources recognizes that leadership in the early care and education field is not easy. In fact, we have a child care consultant whose primary focus is to assist, train and mentor child care directors. From opening a child care business to training staff members, Childcare Resources is here to offer career assistance to Blount, Jefferson, Shelby and Walker counties (we’ve even had some St. Clair county clients recently too!).

Your ticket to the Fairy Tale Ball will not only allow you to interact with Pinocchio and Geppetto, it also ensures that local child care directors have the tools and resources necessary to offer the highest quality services to their clients.

So, purchase a ticket, “have a ball,” and assist Childcare Resources in making more dreams come true!

Fairy Tale Ball: 8 Days to Go. Wake up Sleeping Beauty!

Sleeping Beauty has been sleeping for close to 100 years now. What? You didn’t know? Let me tell you the story:

At Sleeping Beauty’s christening, seven fairies were invited to be her Godmothers. They attended and lavished gifts upon her, such as beauty and wisdom. But a wicked fairy, having been overlooked, arrives and places an enchantment on her: she will prick her finger and die. Thankfully, one last fairy remains to give her gift. She partially reverses the curse, causing Sleeping Beauty instead to sleep for 100 years instead of dying.

(I don’t know about you, but a 100 year sleep sounds quite appealing on many days of my week!)

Pricking her finger must have hurt! (I myself nearly faint when giving a blood sample at the doctor’s office.) Could the accident have been avoided?  Perhaps it could have, if certain standards had been in place.

Childcare Resources worked as an integral part of the recent Health and Safety Regulations issued by the Jefferson County Department of Health. The new regulations help to ensure higher quality standards in both licensed and license-exempt child care centers in Jefferson county.  We are proud to have impacted the lives of approximately 17,600 children enrolled in child care!

Attending the Fairy Tale Ball supports our child care provider training sessions, one of which addresses these new regulations. At least twice per month, sessions are led to assist child care providers in understanding what is now required of them, ensuring that more child care provides are complying with the standards.  As a result, children are spending their days in safer, healthier environments!

Need another reason to attend the Ball this year? I heard a rumor that a Prince is coming to wake Sleeping Beauty her from her 100 year sleep—right before our eyes. I can’t wait to see it!