St. Nicholas Day!

Advent is here! Join us on St. Nicholas Day for holiday fun!

On Monday, December 6th at 11:00 am, the playgroup will meet in the nursery suite at church for holiday crafts and music. Please bring a lunch for your child(ren). We will have special snacks for the moms to enjoy.

Please let us know you plan to attend by checking the "Hope to be there" box below or email/call Melissa. And please pass the word to anyone who may be interested in joining us! The more - the merrier!

Wishing your family a blessed Advent season!

Come to Storytime at Emmet O'Neal and Ruffner Mountain

Now who doesn't love storytime? Make plans to meet the playgroup for the following:

TUESDAY, October 26 at 9:30 am at Emmet O'Neal Library in Crestline Village

The theme for storytime is H is for Halloween. No registration is required...just come ready for fun! We may walk over to the Tot Lot for some playground time afterward.

MONDAY, November 1 at 10:00 am at Ruffner Mountain Nature Center

Children's Story Time at Ruffner Mountain is held on the first Monday of each month. It includes a story with a nature theme and a short activity. The cost is $3/child and includes a tour of the exhibits in the Tree Top Visitor Center (lots of local critters to see!) It starts at 10 am so allow driving time. We might bring a snack or lunch to enjoy outside before going home...


Hope to see you at one or both of these fun story times!

October Playdates

FALL is here! I hope everyone has been outside enjoying the cooler temperatures...

First of all, I hope many of you have made plans to attend the Women's Ministries Fall Coffee on Thursday, October 14. There are 2 options: 7:00 am at Advent Park and 9:30 am in Clingman Commons. Sand Price is the speaker and I'm sure she has something timely and meaningful to share with us....Childcare is available at 9:30. Please contact Laura for more information.

Now for the rest of October.....Mark your calendar for the following playdates!


Tuesday, October 12 at 10:00 am
Join us at the new Railroad Park on 1st Ave. South. Come and explore this new park with friends! Picnic lunch optional. Raindate: Oct. 19






Tuesday, October 26 at 9:30 am
Join us for "Together Time" at the Emmet O'Neal Library. The theme is "H" is for Halloween. No registration is necessary for this storytime. We might play at the Tot Lot for a bit afterward...

Hope to see you in October!

September is here!

September always seems to sneak up on me!

Here are some dates for you to put on your calendar:


Sunday, September 12 is RALLY DAY!
Rally Day is so much fun! 3K and older get to watch the sermon skit before going to Sunday school to meet their new teachers.
AND the Old Fashioned Picnic at the Birmingham Children's Zoo is Not To Be Missed! The picnic starts at 5 pm.
Full Moon BBQ, Carousel Rides, BINGO, Animal Demonstrations and More. If the kids want to play in the water, remember their towels and suits. $8/adults $5/children



Tuesday, September 21 at 10:00 am
Please join us to play at the Splash Pad at Celebration Park in Gardendale. It is located at 2191 Fieldstown Road. The water turns on at 10:00 am and if we get there a little early there is a great playground next to the Splash Pad. Picnic lunch is optional. Raindate is Tuesday, September 28...


Hope to see you in September!

Tuesday at Southern Museum of Flight!

We hope to see you on Tuesday, August 17th at the Southern Museum of Flight!

The website says they have over 75 aircraft! We will meet at 10am to tour the museum, and depending on interest, will then eat lunch at VJ's on the Runway (a meat and three cafeteria). It should be lots of fun!

Here are directions:



Take I-20/59 to Exit 129.
Go left at the light (toward the airport) on Messer Airport Hwy.
Look for signs to the museum and for airplanes taking off (you'll be driving beside the runway!)

View Larger Map

August Playdates

We hope to see you in August! Please mark your calendars for our upcoming playdates:

Tuesday, August 3rd

at 10:00 am at the Pink House

Please join us for a MUSICAL playdate at the Pink House! Known for it's interative and FUN Kindermusik programs, the Pink House is located in downtown Forest Park. Snacks will follow our fun! To help us plan, please comment on the blog post (or send me an email) if you can attend.

Tuesday, August 17th

at 10:00 am at the

Southern Museum of Flight!

Let's celebrate National Aviation Day (there's a day for everything!) at the Southern Museum of Flight. Admission is free on this day (and throughout the week of the 17th). If you are interested, we can follow up our visit with lunch at VJ's on the Runway(a meat and veggie cafeteria).

Hope to see you in August!

Advent Women's Retreat

Have you heard about the women's retreat yet? Keep checking the Adventurer and purple sheet for information about registration but for now, hopefully, the information below (from a flyer received at the Thursday women's study) will encourage you to save the date! It would be great to have many of you there!


Have you ever longed for a "closer walk with God?" Have you ever wanted to draw nearer to Jesus? Do you hope for a sense of that "peace which passes all understanding?" If so, this retreat might be for you. The focus of the weekend will be engaging with the word of God in Holy Scripture and engaging with the Word of God, Jesus, in prayer.

Where: Children's Harbor Retreat Center on Lake Martin

When: 5:00 pm August 20th to 11:00 am August 22nd

What: We will have three retreat addresses, small group time, opportunity for private prayer and counsel, and social gathering time. We will end with Holy Communion on Sunday.

Cost: $100

July Playdates!

Welcome summer!

It is hot and sticky out there, but we have the solution... a cool evening outing... water fun one morning... and a playday at the lake! And the added bonus is adult conversation for the moms. Hope to see many of you soon!

Mark these dates on your calendar and join us when you can:

THURSDAY, July 1st at 7:00p.m. Patriotic Carillon Concert

Join us to hear the bells of Samford! Fellow Adventer and Samford's carilloneur, Steven Knight, will be performing again on the Rushton Memorial Carillon (bells played via keyboard and foot pedals). The children so enjoyed running and playing on the beautiful lawn of the library during the last concert (see the picture of the children with Mr. Steven Knight and the bells in the background. ) Program will include entirely patriotic selections (Star Spangled Banner, Yankee Doodle, America...) Park in the circle drive with the flag pole at the front gate of Samford and walk up the steps to the library lawn. Pack a picnic dessert, blanket, and a frisbee! Oh, and don't forget to bring your American flags to wave!

WEDNESDAY, July 7 at 9:30 am Water FUN! (Note the date change!)

Join us at the Franklin's home (711 Comer Drive) for some water play and watermelon! Sprinklers, watering cans, a baby pool, a fort/playset...Come burn off some kid energy before it gets too hot and be prepared to get WET! Please see our contact information to the left or email franklinHQ@yahoo.com, if you need specific directions.

FRIDAY, July 16th All day! (9 to 5) Playday at Lake Martin - Poplar Cove

Take a dip in the lake, swing in the hammock, churn homemade icecream, rock in a rocking chair, or paddle a canoe! Too many good choices! And yes, there should be plenty of space for little ones to nap... Please e-mail Eleanor @ aems0524@gmail.com to RSVP and receive directions (yes, we do need a fairly accurate head count in order to prepare for lunch and snacks please) . Please bring your child's life preserver, swim vest, towels, and any other necessary "water gear" with you! We have some to share, but probably not enough to cover the whole group! Hope to see you there!

ATTENTION! CORRECTION! EVENING CONCERT!

When? Thursday June 24th @ 7:00 p.m. (CORRECTION FROM EARLIER POST)

Where? Samford University (Lawn in front of Harwell Goodwin Davis Library, walk up the steps from the front center circle where the flagpole is located)

What? Please join us at 7:00 p.m. sharp for a Carillon concert

Fellow Adventer and Samford's carilloneur, Steven Knight, will be performing on the Rushton Memorial Carillon (bells played via keyboard and foot pedals)

Bring a picnic dinner or maybe even just a picnic dessert, a picnic blanket, and maybe a ball or frisbee for the children to toss around while we enjoy listening to selections from composers including Bach and Mozart to name a few...

Childcare Provided!

"Childcare provided" I don't know about you, but I really appreciate those two words... We all love to spend time with our children, but it is also important for us to have time to "fill our cups!" AND our children have the benefit of observing how we prioritize our spiritual growth.

Don't forget to make childcare reservations for these upcoming events:

June 25 Noon to 1pm Missions Luncheon...childcare and a delicious meal provided. Contact Becky Rone (226-3512) by June 22

EACH Thursday 11:30 to 12:30 Heidi's Thursday study is continuing for the summer! Below you will find a schedule of guest teachers and their topics. Coffee and tea are provided. Bring your lunch if you would like. Contact Leslie Housman (443-8552) to make LUNCH BUNCH reservations for your children, preferably by Monday of the week of the study you will attend (I just told her which Thursdays we will not be attending since we plan to be at most).

NEW!!! COME AT 11:00 am each Thursday (before Heidi's study) for prayer and fellowship! Childcare begins at 11 am so please join us--there is no excuse :) We will be in the Living Room for prayer(just across Clingman Commons) and then will move to the Chapter Room for the study. Hope to see YOU there soon!

Thursday Ladies' Study Schedule:
June 24 -Marilyn Dixon, The Spiritual Disciplines
July 1 - Sand Price, The Psalms-Navigating the Storms of Life
July 8 - Sand Price, The Psalms-Walking by Faith
July 15, 22 & 29 - Leslie Housman and Heidi Kinner, Gospel Themes in Children's Books and Movies
August 5 - Linda Moon, Prayer as Relationship
August 12 - Linda Moon, Prayer as Reconciliation
August 19 & 26 - Heidi Kinner, Study of Matthew

This summer, may we allow the Good Shepherd to fill our cups to overflowing...

Hope to see many of you soon!

UPDATED June Playdates!

We're going to have FUN this summer! Please mark your calendars and plan to join us when you can....And as always INVITE A FRIEND!



First of all, don't forget the summer happenings at church:

* Sonforce Kids VBS June 7-10 from 9 to noon (pre-registration required and childcare is provided for volunteers...it is great fun!)

* Heidi's Thursday Bible Study is continuing through the summer! LUNCH BUNCH is available for preschoolers at the same time (call/email Leslie Housman to RSVP for Lunch Bunch). The study begins at 11:30 AND (beginning June 3rd) prayer and fellowship will precede the study at 11:00. Please come when you can!



AND NOW OUR PLAYDATES...

Friday, June 4 at 10:00 am at Krispie Kreme in Hoover

Let's celebrate National Donut Day together with a trip to Krispie Kreme (aka: the doughnut factory). We'll enjoy a FREE doughnut and some fellowship. We might follow up the trip with a visit to Little Shades Creek park...





Friday, June 25 at Lake Martin MOVED to JULY!!! We want to attend the Missions Luncheon to hear about the Deibert's work in Nicaragua--AND we hope to see you there, too. Be sure to make your reservation for both lunch and childcare (they are feeding the kids, too!).
Join us for a FUN day at Lake Martin. There will be plenty of places to romp, explore, splash, float and nap! More info will come but in the meantime, contact Eleanor (see #'s to the left) with questions.





And looking ahead to July, hope you can join us on Tuesday, July 6 at 9:30 am (MOVED TO WEDNESDAY, JULY 7!)for water play in the Franklin's yard. Sprinklers, watering cans, a baby pool, a fort/playset...and a midmorning WATERMELON snack. Sounds like summertime to me!

UPDATED May Playdates!

VISIT TO PETTING ZOO RESCHEDULED TO RAINDATE! Hope to see you Tuesday, May 25 at 10:30 am.


Friday, May 21 at 10:30 am at the Petting/Exhibit Farm at Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham.

Picnic lunch optional.

I think it is $2 for adults to enter the park and kids under 6 are free.

Raindate: Tuesday, May 25


We hope to see you in May!

April Playdates! UPDATED!

Friday, April 9
10:30am Meet to play at Canterbury Park on Canterbury Road in Mountain Brook, Picnic lunch optional
Rain date: April 16

Tuesday, April 20
10:30am Meet at the Botanical Gardens to enjoy the spring blooms with friends! Perfect for all ages—even newborns! Picnic lunch optional
Rain date: April 27

UPDATE: Bitsy Williams who is a docent at the Botanical Gardens and according to her daughter-in-law, Gretchen, is wise in the Lord and loves children will be joining us! Please bring a friend!

Hope to see you in April!

Easter Egg Hunt

It was a great day for hunting eggs, wasn't it?! I hope your Jelly Bean Prayer is displayed and that you will have a chance to talk about the great story of Easter again this week. Enjoy these pictures of our precious little ones! If you have pictures to share, feel free to add them to the Picasa album linked to in the slideshow.




See you at church this week!

Nursery is provided for...

Lenten Lunch Bunch,Thursday April 1, 11:15-1:15
Maundy Thursday service, Thursday, April 1, 5:45-7:15
Good Friday service, Friday, April 2, 11:45-1:15
Easter Walk, Saturday, April 3, 10:15-12:15 (Kids 4 and older will enjoy going through the Walk)

UPDATED AGAIN March Playdates!

Our Egg Hunt is RESCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, March 30!

Please join us for an Easter egg hunt, hosted by St. Amelia's Guild and our playgroup, on TUESDAY, March 30 at 3:30pm at the home of Anna and Robby Colvin, 1932 Southwood Road in Vestavia Hills. Please bring a dozen filled eggs and a basket for each child. Older siblings are welcome! Please leave a comment to let us know you are attending (or call Melissa at 261-1199).

Bud's Best Cookies

We had a great time touring Bud's Best Cookies this morning! And then we followed up our cookies samples with short stacks from IHOP. Now time to repent of our Lenten sugar overload :) Enjoy the pictures and check back soon for a schedule of upcoming playgroup meetings...

Observing Lent with Little Ones

Eleanor sent me a great email filled with ideas for observing Lent with our little ones and I wanted to share it with you all.

First of all though, I wanted to be sure you all knew when the nursery is available, because one major thing you can do to observe Lent with your little ones is to bring them to church. I personally appreciate that our children receive not only loving care but thoughtful Christian formation in the nursery!

In addition to Sundays, the nursery is available:
Ash Wednesday 10:30 am & 6:00 pm services
Each Thursday during Lenten Lunches 11:15 to 1:15 (with reservation, email Leslie)
Good Friday 11:45 to 1:15

Ideas for Observing Lent with Our Little Ones:
Creating a "Lenten Jesse Tree" using a cross instead with 40 symbols, one for each day of Lent

Hosting a "Passover Seder" as a family

Making soft pretzels on Ash Wednesday

Making Resurrection cookies ... We gave out recipes for these at last year's Easter Egg Hunt. In my house, we make these on Holy Saturday before going to bed.

Using Resurrection eggs to help tell the Easter story

Making Hot Cross Buns

Hanging grapevine Cross on front door

Place a "crown of thorns" in the center of the dining table

Perhaps transform our 4 + center candle Advent wreath into a 7 + center candle Lenten/Easter wreath

Hang a one cross on our "cross Easter Tree" each week

Plant some bulb flowers

Create resurrection scene to display as you would a creche/nativity scene

Isn't that a great list! It got me going on plans for our family and I hope it helps you! In addition, I found this link with 40 different ideas for families of young children.

If you have a favorite family tradition for observing Lent and preparing for Easter, please tell us about it in a comment. Also, please share the titles of children's Easter story books you would recommend.

Lastly, don't forget our Tuesday, February 23rd playgroup tour of Bud's Best Cookies factory. Please let us know if you can come. It will be fun!

February 5th at the Park RESCHEDULED!

**Rain rain go away! We are rescheduling until next Friday, February 12th. Stay dry and safe :)

Please make plans to join us at Overton Park in Mountain Brook for our Friday, February 5th gathering. Let's meet at 10:30 am and bring a picnic lunch if you are interested. If the temperature is in the 40s and it is raining (that's the forecast), we will meet on February 12 instead...same place, same time. Hope the weather cooperates and that you can join us!

Looking ahead, our Tuesday, February 23rd trip to Bud's Best Cookies is by reservation...We only have 15 spaces so please let me know if you plan to join us! We will be meeting for the tour at 11:15am.

Tuesday at McWane UPDATED!

We hope to see you Tuesday, January 19 at McWane! Let's meet in Just Mice Size around 10:30 am so the kids can play while we wait to see who will be joining us. It is the last Curiosity Day so I hope you can join us!

We had a great time together! Enjoy the pictures...

Brrrrrr...Today is Rescheduled!

Let's not get our little ones into the freezing cold today...The "Real Feel" temp at 10:00 am is 4 degrees....FOUR degrees!

So let's move our McWane trip to our next meeting time, Tuesday, January 19 at 10:30am in Just Mice Size. This will also be the last day for Curious George's visit to McWane and it will be fun to see him with friends. Come early if you want!