Bham Family - April 2024

JUMP

Around

“The World’s Biggest Bounce Park” comes to Leeds

PAGE 26

PAPER PRETTIES

Two moms merge their creativity to form Wells Lee Paperie

PAGE 22

SWEET TREATS AT CHURRO STATION

Vestavia’s National Merit Finalists

Dear Readers,

EDITOR’S NOTE

Spring roared in with crazy storms, but all the rain left behind beautiful blooms, and I’ve seen glimpses of green on the trees around my neighborhood. I hope in this case, it’s the storm before the calm and that April will be good to us! I am also looking forward to getting outdoors and enjoying all the flowers and (fingers crossed) mild weather this month brings.

Early spring is the perfect time of year to get outside with family, so you’ll want to plan a visit to FUNBOX (pictured on our cover) one sunny day between now and May. “The World’s Biggest Bounce Park” will be at The Shops of Grand River in Leeds until the middle of next month and offers kids the chance to jump around 25,000 square feet of inflatables. Flip to page 26 to learn more.

There’s lots more to enjoy in this issue—perhaps during an afternoon thunderstorm from your front porch swing—including a chat with two moms who paired their creative skills to launch a whimsical small-

batch paperie. Read about their venture on page 22. I was also excited to visit Churro Station for the first time a few weeks ago, and I highly recommend a stop by this new dessert shop at The Summit—perhaps a post-shopping treat. Check them out on page 20.

Our regular columnists bring such great content each issue, and I am so thankful for their voice in Bham Family. This month, Ward Williams writes about the value of hard work (page 8); Alana Smith offers her take on the pressures of cooking dinner (page 10); and Sean Dietrich shares a sweet homage to Cracker Barrel (page 12).

I hope you enjoy this April issue. I love hearing from y’all, so please reach out to share ideas, feedback, or just a hello! Email me anytime. Happy Spring!

Stephanie Gibson Lepore, Content Director and Mom, stephanie@jbmcmedia.com

Birmingham Family Magazine @BhamFamilyMag

ON THE COVER

FUNBOX, “The World’s Biggest Bounce Park,” recently set up at The Shops of Grand River in Leeds. Kids can jump into 25,000 square feet worth of brightly colored inflatables with 10 connected play zones, including Mountain Challenge, Gumball Gallop, Battle Beam, Ninja Wall, a 23-foot slide, Chill Zone, an obstacle course, and more.

Photograph courtesy of FUNBOX®

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To view this and previous issues in a digital flip version, scan the QR code with your phone’s camera.

ABOUT US

Bham Family is published monthly by JBMC Media, LLC, P.O. Box 26432, Birmingham AL 35260. 10,000 copies are printed and distributed at more than 650 locations throughout Jefferson and Shelby Counties.

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OUR PEOPLE

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(205) 617-9609 matthew@jbmcmedia.com

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OUR ADVERTISING PARTNERS

These folks are the ones to thank for our magazine’s success — spend your money with them, and tell them you saw them in Bham Family!

Applause Dancewear

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El Patron Mexican Restaurant

Kasey Davis Dentistry

Lyons Electrolysis & Lashes

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Sikes Children’s Shoes / Jack n Jill Shop

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Vulcan Termite and Pest Control

Urgent Care for Children

Wrapsody

Just for Dads

Ward Williams gives advice p. 8

Holy Moly Motherhood

Culinary prowess p. 10

Sean of the South Cracker Barrel p. 12

Active Living

Lacing up the right shoes p. 14

Schoolhouse

Update from the Hoover School District p. 16

Faith

Voice teacher finds her calling p. 17

Food Review

Churro Station p. 20

Education

News from local schools and college students p. 29

Kids Who Shine

National Merit Finalists p. 30

FEATURE STORIES

Pretty on Paper

Two moms partner to blend their creative skills p. 22

Bouncing Around 25,000 square feet of inflatable fun in Leeds p. 26

I started my first official job as busboy at a condominium restaurant on Padre Island in the spring of my eighth-grade school year. After receiving my first paycheck, I went directly to Sunrise Mall and bought a $52 pair of Girbaud jeans and got a fancy mall haircut at Regis Salon, which I believed would automatically elevate me to big man on campus.

It was so rewarding to splurge on myself after some hard work, even if the new haircut and fancy jeans did not change my social standing. When asked what my greatest accomplishment in the workplace would be, I always share that I sold $2,500 worth of Kinney Shoes and accessories in a single shift when I was 18, which is an amazing feat.

For those of you who don’t remember Kinney Shoes, they sold generic Keds, generic Eastlands, generic Nikes, and paint-them-yourself wedding shoes. My mom, through hard work and determination, provided for her five children without financial support from others. The value of hard work was demonstrated to me my entire life.

My wife is an amazingly talented and hardworking individual, and hard work is a trait and value we desired to pass along to our children. I am very grateful for the many examples of hardworking men and women in my life and firmly believe hard work is a determining factor in upward financial mobility.

There are a couple of ways that we can help our children develop a strong work ethic. The first is to surround them with and let them see people who

work hard. Up until the early 1900s, children usually observed and participated in hard work with their parents. Children worked on farms, helped around the house, learned a trade, and watched day-to-day problem solving.

Today, our hard work is done outside of our kids’ view. We spend hours at the office and get home exhausted with leftovers to give them. Take time to accomplish tasks or projects with your family.

The second way to give them opportunities to reach goals is to be good at something. Help your children to find their passion and become passionate about doing it. In our family, our kids love dance, band, and theatre. They all have learned to work hard to become better in their trade. When you are passionate about something, you are often self-motivated, and you seek ways to become better.

The third way is to be part of a team, group, or organization where they compete or work toward a common cause. Working on a team toward a common cause, you learn through observing others, by doing work alongside others, and from others’ victories and mistakes. There is a motivation that comes from having others depend on you and you depending on others that often pushes us beyond what we can do by ourselves.

Think about one of my favorite Proverbs. In Proverbs 14:23, it says, “All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” Work to build a profit in your life, not only a financial profit, but in your relationships and all areas of your life.

Ward Williams is the founder and executive director of Vineyard Family Services. Contact him at ward@vfsdads.com.

Ward Williams

PHOTOGRAPH

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WOOD WORKS

Cooking for Dummies

Cooking gives me high blood pressure. I have lofty dreams of putting a fancy meal on the table, but I just don’t think that is my calling. I would rather clean all of the bathrooms in the house than cook a dinner that makes me chop something or deal with raw chicken. The next time anyone sees me in the poultry section at the grocery store, just tell me to walk away, because we both know that chicken will end up in the depths of the freezer with the Hot Pockets on top.

One would think that because I’m a pretty organized person in regard to life that I would be capable of planning dinner. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Something is always frozen, or I only have four of the 12 ingredients, so I make peanut butter sandwiches instead.

Of note: I can confidently cook scrambled eggs. So, I decide I will cook breakfast for dinner one night this week, because everyone likes breakfast. What could go wrong?

Step 1: Cook the sausage, because that seems logical. Label says to put sausage in cold pan and fry on low. Sausage is super-difficult to get out of its package, but I press on. Sausage in pan, check! Turn knob to low.

Step 2: Pour hash browns into skillet. I’ve never cooked hash browns before, but the Waffle House folks seem to navigate the “scattered, covered, smothered” order in three seconds flat, so surely I can cook plain hash browns. In they go! Good luck hash browns! I’m not sure if they need butter, oil, or nothing, so I plop some butter in with them and push them around.

Step 3: Eggs, my specialty. I think I will skip breaking the eggs in the bowl first because the Pioneer Woman is always breaking them right into the skillet and that seems easy, so I give it a go. One egg goes in quite nicely, and I dance over with the next egg and tap it on the edge. This egg is not as kind, and a rogue eggshell is now mixing in with my cooking eggs. I try to quickly remove it, but my sausage needs to be turned! I abandon the eggshell and flip over a sausage patty. It’s black as night and burned to a crisp—it was on low but apparently

not extra-low. I turn down the eye, flip the rest of my now-burned sausage, and go back to my eggs.

That eggshell is totally lost by this point, so I just hope I’m not the unlucky soul who gets that bite. I make a mental note to avoid breaking the eggs in the skillet like a professional chef ever again.

I’m starting to sweat, as everything is cooking at the speed of lightning—except the hash browns. They are just one big pile of goo. A semi-melty, hash brown pile. It’s not even remotely cooked, so I turn up the heat. This is probably what Goodnight Moon meant by “goodnight, mush.” I try to remedy it without success.

My eggs are done, so I get those and my burnt sausage off the stove. I call my kids in to eat, and they both say some version of, “What’s that smell? Ewww.” Lovely.

My husband knows my level of kitchen prowess, so he should know to tread lightly, but he makes a face at my hash brown pile when he comes into the kitchen. He comes over to try to save it. I am no longer in a good mood, as this dinner has tried to age me, so I don’t take his help easily. I finally stomp over to make a plate of mushy hash browns and burnt sausage and attempt to swallow my pride down with my eggs.

I don’t think husbands can quite comprehend how close to the edge that we moms teeter on. One second, we are fine and dancing eggs across the kitchen, and the next, we are swearing off cooking altogether and yelling at everyone. I have to remind myself that I am a working mother. I am good at a lot of things—loving my kiddos, running our home, cleaning, and organizing—but cooking just isn’t one of those things. Thankfully, cooking is something that can be learned, when life runs at a slower pace, so I will just have to be patient with myself.

To all the husbands—bear with us, pour us a glass of wine, and—for the love—order pizza!

Alana Smith is a boy mom (ages 9 and 4), nurse anesthetist, and writer in Birmingham. She shares her writing at Holy Moly Motherhood (on Facebook and Instagram), where she tackles all things motherhood and marriage.

Alana Smith is a boy mom (ages 9 and 4), nurse anesthetist, and writer in Birmingham. She shares her writing at Holy Moly Motherhood (on Facebook and Instagram), where she tackles all things motherhood and marriage.

Alana Smith

Cracker Barrel

Cracker Barrel, 8:17 p.m.—it’s busy tonight. There’s a boy in a wheelchair at the table beside me. His father is spoon feeding him cooked apples and fried chicken.

When the boy’s sister says something funny, the boy claps and laughs.

His father wipes his face with a rag and says, “You’re my special boy.” Then, he kisses his forehead.

A nearby girl wanders toward the boy. She is four, maybe. Her hair is in locks. She stares at him with her hand in her mouth.

“Is he okay?” she asks.

The boy leans and gives a big “HELLO!”

There are apple bits on his chin.

The girl gives a smile brighter than a Christmas tree. “HI THERE!” she says in return. Then, she skips off.

Three tables from the boy is an old man. He is wearing a ball cap, Velcro shoes. He’s sitting at a two-top. He orders chicken-fried steak and potatoes. He has no cellphone to occupy his

attention. No reading material. He sits.

He and I share a waitress. Her name is Blanche—it’s embroidered on her apron. Whenever he speaks to her, he holds her hand. Something you don’t see much.

He has a voice that sounds beautifully genteel. It’s a wonder he’s all alone.

Behind him is a table of Mexican workers— men, women, and kids. At least I think they’re Mexican. Every word they say is tagged with a diminutive “ito” or “ita.” They sit covered in paint and grit. They speak rapid Spanish. Lots of laughing.

One Mexican boy crawls into his mother’s lap. She strokes his silk hair with her paint-spotted hand, saying, “Cariño mio,” over and over.

And though I don’t know much Spanish, I imagine this, more or less, means: “You’re my special boy.”

To their left: a teenage couple. He weighs a

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buck ten, she is a foot taller than him. They hold hands when they walk out. They kiss. They look drunk on each other. What a feeling.

When I pay my tab, Laney is my cashier. She takes my breath away.

I haven’t seen Laney since she was a 10-year-old in Vacation Bible School class. She’s in her mid-20s now. She has two kids. She’s a fine young woman.

God, where has time gone?

I ask about her mother. While we chat, the boy in the wheelchair is leaving the restaurant. His father wheels him out the door.

The boy throws his hands and says, “BYE EVERYONE!”

I wave goodbye. Most folks in the gift shop do the same. There’s not a single frown among us. How could there be.

Because it’s all around us—whatever you call it. I suppose it’s always here, hanging in the air like potpourri my mother would make on the stovetop.

It saves lives. It changes people. And you won’t find it on a television, smartphone, or newsfeed.

Sometimes I pay attention to it, and it makes me feel strong. Other times, I don’t.

Tonight, I did.

There goes one special boy.

Lace Up Right!

A guide to choosing the perfect running shoe

BY DR. AMIT MOMAYA

Whether you’re pounding the pavement for marathons or exploring nature trails on weekend treks, finding the right running shoe is paramount to enjoying your journey and avoiding injuries. With mountains of options and an alphabet soup of technical terms, the task can feel daunting. Fear not, fellow runner! This comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge to choose a shoe that complements your feet, form, and terrain, propelling you toward peak performance and comfort.

STEP 1: KNOW YOUR FEET (AND YOURSELF)

Before diving into shoe features, understanding your unique needs is crucial.

Gait analysis: Visit a specialized running store for a gait analysis. This evaluation, often involving cameras or pressure mats, reveals your foot’s natural movement pattern (overpronation, neutral, supination). It helps

determine if you need stability features to correct excessive inward rolling or neutral shoes for smooth strides.

Foot type: Are you wide-footed? Do you have high arches? Recognizing your foot’s shape guides you toward shoes with the appropriate width and arch support.

Experience and goals: Are you a seasoned runner tackling ambitious distances? Or a beginner seeking comfortable jogs? Matching your level with the shoe’s cushioning, responsiveness, and durability ensures a good fit.

Terrain: Concrete jungles demand different features than rugged trails. Consider the surfaces you’ll be conquering—road shoes prioritize responsiveness, while trail shoes offer grip and protection. CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

PHOTOGRAPH BY FATCAMERA ON ISTOCK

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF MOMAYAMD.COM

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STEP 2: DECIPHERING THE SHOE SPEAK

Now, let’s decode some key shoe lingo:

Cushioning: The midsole foam’s thickness and softness. Neutral shoes offer moderate cushioning, while maximalist shoes provide plush comfort for long runs. Trail shoes may have aggressive treads for traction on uneven terrain.

Drop: The difference in height between the heel and forefoot. Zero-drop shoes mimic barefoot running, while higher drops offer more cushioning and stability. Choose based on your preference and comfort.

Upper: The fabric enveloping your foot. Look for breathable, lightweight materials that conform snugly yet comfortably. Wide options cater to specific foot shapes.

Outsole: The rubber gripping the ground. Road shoes have smooth outsoles for efficiency, while trail shoes have aggressive treads for traction on uneven terrain.

STEP 3: THE FITTING DANCE

Trying on shoes is a crucial step, not a quick dance. Here’s how to do it right:

Go shopping later in the day: Feet swell throughout the day, so afternoon or evening shopping ensures a proper fit.

Wear your running socks: Different sock thicknesses affect fit. Wear the socks you plan to run in.

Leave no toe unturned: Wiggle your toes freely. There should be enough space for comfortable movement without excess room causing sloshing. Heel hug is key: The heel should feel secure with no slippage. Snugness, not tightness, is the goal.

Walk and run (indoors!): Simulate your running movement to assess flex, support, and comfort. Listen to your feet!

STEP 4: BEYOND THE BASICS (OPTIONAL, BUT BENEFICIAL!)

For more personalized choices, consider these factors:

Stability features: Medial posts or firmer inner edges provide counterbalance for overpronation. Choose based on your gait analysis and personal preference.

Weight: Lighter shoes offer a speedier feel, while heavier ones prioritize stability and cushioning. Balance weight with your needs and preferences. Brand loyalty: While some swear by specific brands, prioritize fit and function over brand names. Experiment and find what works best for you.

STEP 5: REMEMBER, IT’S A JOURNEY, NOT A DESTINATION

Your feet and needs may change over time. Don’t hesitate to reevaluate your shoe choices as your mileage and goals evolve. Regularly replace your shoes (typically every 300-500 miles) to maintain optimal performance and prevent injuries. Bonus tip: Trust the experts! Specialty running stores often have knowledgeable staff who can guide you through the selection process and answer your questions.

With this knowledge in your stride, you’re well on your way to finding the perfect running shoe—a trusty companion that supports your journey, mile after mile, toward a happy and healthy runner’s life. Happy trails!

Dr. Amit Momaya is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist. He serves as head of the sports medicine division within the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

PHOTOGRAPH BY YOBRO10 ON ISTOCK

Hovercraft takes flight

The Hovercraft Project is a STEM initiative that has brought innovation and hands-on learning to fifth graders across the district. This program has been made possible through the generous support of the Hoover City Schools Foundation. Through this initiative, students have the opportunity to learn, problem-solve, and collaborate as they work together to build hovercrafts and, most importantly, ride them! The Hovercraft Project is an effort between Hoover City Schools and the Hoover City Schools Foundation to provide enriching educational experiences that inspire lifelong learning and achievement.

Finley Award winners announced

The Finley Committee has announced the 2024 Finley Character Award winners. Each year, the committee accepts nominations for a Hoover City Schools District (HCS) faculty member and a senior from each high school to be considered for the coveted Finley Award.

• Keri Ross, Spain Park High School, is the Finley Character Award Faculty Winner

• Phanuelle Manuel is the Hoover High School Finley Character Award Senior Winner

• Josh Helms is the Spain Park High School Finley Character Award Senior Winner

The award honors the late Coach Bob Finley, whose legacy of exemplary character lives on in Hoover City Schools for young men and women to emulate. The Finley Committee created the Finley Award program to pay tribute to Coach Finley’s character and legacy and to recognize outstanding character found within Hoover City Schools.

Ross Manuel Helms

Hitting the Right Note

A celebrated voice coach takes a winding road to fulfill her purpose, trusting God the entire way.

Marjorie Trimm, a celebrated Samford University music alumna, takes us on a journey through her life, which has been a story of resilience, passion, and transformation. From her initial career in marketing and nonprofit management to becoming a Certified Vocologist and acquiring a master’s in voice pedagogy to running her own studio, Marjorie’s story is a testament to the power of pursuing one’s calling and the transformative role of education.

Before pursuing a career in music, Marjorie attended Boston College, earning a degree in English with a minor in psychology, marketing, and French. However, after her son Will’s brain injury in 2012, she felt a distinct calling from God to pursue a career as a voice teacher. This

passion had developed over the years through her dedicated involvement in singing in various choirs. Unlike most voice majors who aspire to perform on stage, Marjorie had a dream of becoming a voice teacher.

Despite having two middle school-age children, she pursued a second undergraduate degree at Samford’s School of the Arts. Besides receiving an excellent education, she also found a sense of community. Her return to education as an adult not only enabled her to follow her passion, but it also helped her foster healthy study habits in her children. When asked if she would give any nontraditional students advice

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF SAMFORD UNIVERSITY

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if looking to come to Samford on their career journey, she says, “One hundred percent do it. You will be surprised by the education you get, the life-changing experience you get going to a God-centered university, and what that will do for your life. It’s the people at Samford that make such a difference, both the students and professors. It’s one of the healthiest things I’ve ever done for myself.”

During her time at Samford, Marjorie began teaching voice lessons to students while pursuing graduate studies. She obtained a graduate level certification in vocology, a relatively new field of voice science that helped her to better identify vocal issues, including reflux, allergies, or even voice disorders. If issues are suspected, she accompanies students (and a parent) to get checked out. Marjorie also earned her master’s in voice pedagogy from Westminster Choir College in 2023, while also teaching and expanding her voice studio. Her

courses, particularly Professor Brad Diamond’s Voice Pedagogy, prepared her for the vocology program and her master’s studies.

“One of my initial hesitations when people started asking me for voice lessons before I went back to school was my concern about how to identify if there was something wrong with the voice,” says Marjorie. “I was really worried about this. But I was led to an answer with the field of vocology, a combination that includes the fields of ENT/Laryngology, speech language pathology, voice teachers, and voice acting teachers.”

She currently has a roster of nearly 80 students, ages 7-76, who she teaches one-onone in her private voice studio. The adolescent singer is of particular interest. Marjorie cherishes the opportunity to guide her students as they navigate the challenges and changes of their developing voices.

Last month, she welcomed nine of her students for the second annual Samford University High School Honors Voice Recital

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in Brock Recital Hall. “It was an amazing opportunity for several of my high school students to perform in such a splendid facility,” says Marjorie. “The recital is a fantastic way to give high school singers interested in studying voice in college a snapshot of what their future could look like.”

Marjorie’s future plans are to develop the master’s thesis into a book, designed as a manual to help other independent voice teachers who teach adolescent singers during the male and female voice change. Her influence has even led her eldest son, Chris, to attend Samford. As a current fifth-year senior in sport administration in the School of Health Professions, he also shares a passion for music. He was a member of the Samford Marching Band and A Cappella Choir. For Marjorie, her time at Samford was instrumental in laying a foundation for her vocation as a voice teacher. Despite facing

challenges, she remained steadfast, pursuing her passion and God’s calling for her life. Her journey is a testament to the transformative power in trusting God’s plan, serving as a reminder that it is never too late to pursue your dreams. As Marjorie continues to contribute to music education and inspire her students, her story will undoubtedly resonate and inspire many more.

For more information, visit marjorietrimmvoice.com.

Churro Station

Create your own sweet or savory treat at this Mexican dessert spot

BY STEPHANIE GIBSON LEPORE

It was like a moth to a flame when I saw a new sign for Churro Station go up at the Summit. Churros are a longtime favorite of mine. When I had to prepare a food to share with my Spanish class in high school, my mom helped me deep-fry the long strips of dough in her electric skillet normally reserved only for chicken. On a vacation to Mexico with my husband a few years ago, we searched the streets of a small tourist town for churro carts, to no avail. Postpartum and near tears, my husband asked a local guy where we might locate some authentic churros. He asked us to hold one for a few minutes, ran up to an apartment, and emerged about 10 minutes later, cup filled with churros in hand. They were the best ones I’ve ever eaten—until I popped into Churro Station recently.

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PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF CHURRO STATION

Owners Jazmin and Aaron craft authentic Mexican churros, and they know exactly what they’re doing. The couple moved to Birmingham from Mexico for work in 2019, fell in love with the Magic City, and decided to put down roots. But one of the things they missed most about home: crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-theinside churros. As they note on their website: “Churro is a delicacy consumed throughout the day in Mexico as breakfast with coffee, a snack, dessert, or even as a full meal by itself. The more you eat, the more you want!” Unable to find what they craved here, they looked to a cherished family recipe to make their own—and then began sharing the love with their adopted hometown via pop-up shops and farmers markets. In January, they opened the doors to their first brick-and-mortar location.

Churro Station offers several types of churros, including Classic (cinnamon-sugar), Filled, Gourmet (filled plus drizzle plus topping), Nachuro (savory with Cheddar), and Churro Bites. Fillings and drizzles are decadent, and you can customize your churro with flavors like Nutella, dulce de leche, peanut butter, Cheddar, strawberry, and Bavarian cream. Toppings range from crushed Oreos to sprinkles, white chocolate, M&Ms, crumbled bacon, jalapeños, and more. The restaurant also offers crafted coffee drinks and ice cream, from classic vanilla and Zanzibar chocolate to Kitty Kitty Bang Bang and Bourbon Pecan Pie.

One bite of the classic cinnamonsugar treat, and I was instantly transported to the vibrant streets of Mexico, only I didn’t need to hop a flight to get there! Though I am

more of a traditionalist, I did love the Bavarian creamfilled option, too, and the M&M topping was a hit with my 7-year-old. With warm spring days hitting the ’Ham, I envision lots of shopping fueled by bite-size Churro Bites—the perfect sweet treat to enjoy while strolling The Summit. Do yourself a favor, and swing by the Churro Station today. Be sure to let me know what flavor(s) you try!

Churro Station is located at 329 Summit Boulevard next to Taco Mama. Hours are Monday noon-9 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., and Sunday noon-8 p.m. For more information, visit thechurrostation.com.

Paper Pretties

Two moms grow their friendship into a partnership of their creative talents.

BY STEPHANIE GIBSON LEPORE

The story of Alison Fargason and Mattye Woodcock began just like any other modern friendship fairy tale: Mattye sent Alison a DM on Instagram. Their oldest children were still babies, and Mattye came across Alison’s post about an upcoming move to Birmingham. “I messaged Alison to connect because we were both creatives and new moms,” says Mattye. “Then, we ended up in the same small group that fall, and the rest was history!”

Mattye, born and raised in Houston and a small town in Tennessee, moved to Birmingham—where her dad also lives—after a stint in the Midwest for her first post-college job. “I was transitioning from Indianapolis to

Birmingham and met my husband, Woody,” she says. The two got married in 2012 and made their home in the Magic City. At the time, Alison— who graduated with a BFA in graphic design from Auburn in 2010—was still living in North Carolina with her husband, Luke, and working as a design director for a Charlotte-based nonprofit. The Fargasons moved to Birmingham in 2017, and that’s when Mattye saw that fateful Instagram post.

Fast-forward a few years, and the friends now parent six children between them: Mattye has Fox (7), Mae (5), and Hampton (1); Alison is mom to Shiloh (7), Samuel (3), Shepherd (20 months), and a 15-year-old golden retriever “who still thinks she’s the baby of the family,”

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PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF ALISON FARGASON/WELLS LEE PAPERIE

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says Alison. Along with raising their families, the two continued pursuing various creative avenues. “I am a freelance copywriter, illustrator, and co-founder of Namesake Celebrations, a line of high-end, quality keepsakes for baby, child, family, and home,” says Mattye, who has been drawing and writing since childhood. “For as far back as I can remember, I’ve used words and drawings to tell stories and make sense of the world.”

For Alison, the appreciation of her deep design roots came a bit later. “From a young age, my father [an accomplished artist] taught me the principles of design and helped foster a love for art, but it wasn’t until a senior high school art class that I realized how much I enjoyed

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“We honestly needed to come up with something quickly because we were launching cards on a fast track,” says Mattye of choosing the name. “Alison loved the word “paperie” and mentioned using our youngest sons’ middle names. We were pregnant with them at the same time, so it was sweet and sounded good together, and we ran with it!”

Alison (left) and Mattye (right) with their sons (Shepherd Wells and Hampton Lee), for whom Wells Lee Paperie was named.

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creating,” she says. “I declared graphic design as my major and never looked back. My education was fine arts-based, very hands-on, with a focus on typography and design principles. Though my passion has always been branding design, I also love bringing strong, creative marketing design to business owners desiring to grow their companies.”

It’s inevitable that these two, with so much in common, would eventually merge their individual talents. After a decade in the creative industry, in 2022 Alison knew it was time to venture out on her own and formed her graphic design company (alisonfargason.com). Since her third baby was born in summer the same year, Mattye (mattyewoodcock.com)—who designed her family’s Christmas cards alongside a graphic designer friend each year—had found herself drawn to watercolor. “After creating a watercolor invitation for my daughter’s birthday last year, I really wanted to try to watercolor our family Christmas card,” she says. “I worked on a couple designs and thought other people might want them, too. I snapped a few photos to send Alison and see if she’d want to collab on some holiday cards, and she loved the idea. It took some back and forth to figure it out, but we couldn’t let the idea go, and Wells Lee was quickly born

from there!” Quick it was, as the two launched Wells Lee Paperie—named after their youngest sons’ middle names—in fall 2023 with a line of custom, classic yet whimsical designs that included gift tags and holiday cards. A bespoke Valentine’s collection followed earlier this year.

On top of their family and freelance responsibilities, Alison and Mattye manage to brainstorm Wells Lee design ideas and often find their visions are already closely aligned. “We’ve always shared similar taste in art and design, so we tend to gravitate toward similar things,” says Mattye. “We have an iPhoto album where we share inspiration, otherwise we just (mostly audio) text ideas. I usually start with the watercolor illustration, and Alison brings it all together with typography and beautiful composition.” Alison draws inspo from all over, including gardening, kids’ art, children’s literature, old books, music, antiques, and interiors, to deliver the final product.

Though both women have (very!) full plates, there are no plans to slow down. “We have lots of fun plans to create meaningful paper goods that you and your family can use for all major holidays,” says Alison. “We’re your go-to gals for celebrations throughout the year.”

To see more, follow Wells Lee Paperie on Instagram (@wellsleepaperie), or visit alisonfargason.com/ wellsleepaperie.

Bouncing Around

Find 25,000 square feet of fun at this new inflatable playground in Leeds

Dubbed “The World’s Biggest Bounce Park,”

FUNBOX—25,000 square feet worth of brightly colored inflatables—debuted at The Shops of Grand River in Leeds last month. Located in the front parking lot of the outlet mall, kids can jump into the fun that includes 10 connected play zones like Mountain Challenge, Gumball Gallop, Battle Beam, Ninja Wall, a 23-foot slide, Chill Zone, an obstacle course, and more.

FUNBOX is a franchise of large-scale inflatables that operates in several cities across the United States,

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PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF FUNBOX

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including Daytona Beach, Atlanta, Dallas, Little Rock, Memphis, Ft. Worth, Austin, Tucson, Miami, Orlando, Oklahoma City, Houston, several locations in California, Ontario, Canada, and Valencia, Spain. In a press release, Birmingham franchisee Mustafa Saleemi says: “I’m so excited to bring FUNBOX to the Birmingham area! It’s something people have never seen before. The whole family can enjoy the park together and really let out their inner child. FUNBOX promises to astonish and enchant families with its endless opportunities for screen-free enjoyment!”

Based in Southern California and founded by entrepreneur Antonio Nieves in 2018, FUNBOX is meant to be an “immersive experience that captivates and inspire.” Antonio and his nine younger siblings grew up in the

foster care system, and he is committed to supporting local charities through FUNBOX. There are nearly 6,000 children in Alabama’s foster care system. A portion of Birmingham proceeds will go to local organizations Heart Gallery Alabama and Garrett’s Place. Heart Gallery is a nonprofit that connects youth in foster care with adults to provide stability and guidance (heartgalleryalabama.com); Garrett’s Place serves foster children and families by providing basic needs, emotional support, and community (garrettsplace.org). They also provide suitcases, clothes, books, toys, school supplies, and more to children entering the foster system.

FUNBOX is open Friday-Sunday for jumpers ages two and older until May 19. Tickets can be booked online. For more information, visit funbox.com/birmingham.

FBLA Students Take Atlanta

Shades Valley High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) students had an unforgettable experience participating in the Atlanta Hawks Sports Marketing Day. They engaged with top-notch sports marketing pros in a panel discussion, showcased their skills in a Hawksthemed project, and then cheered on the Hawks as they battled the Raptors. The students also had the opportunity to tour the College Football Hall of Fame.

Students Qualify for National Tournaments

Altamont School debaters Parker Denson and Johnny Stumpff qualified for the Tournament of Champions—one of the nation’s most challenging debate achievements. “This is something they’ve been working towards for years,” said Altamont debate coach Jim Sydnor. “It’s particularly noteworthy, as it marks the first time in over a decade that any school in Alabama has qualified a team in the policy debate division.” The pair qualified during the Tournament of Champions Digital series in February, which also saw Altamont students Serena Blutter and Jackson Shah finish among the top performers in the JV division for Lincoln-Douglas debate. Serena was 2nd place overall out of preliminary rounds. Serena and Johnny have qualified for the 2024 National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) Tournament. The pair will compete in the policy category at Nationals in Des Moines, Iowa, in June, debating fiscal redistribution policy in the United States alongside 6,700 debaters from 1,500 schools. The latest success for Altamont’s Debate Team follows student Will McLain’s victory and First Speaker honor in the Middle School Lincoln-Douglas division of the 39th Annual Stanford University Debate Invitational earlier in February.

Teacher of the Year Finalists

The following educators have been selected as finalists for Teacher of the Year in Jefferson County: Elementary School Finalists

• Sara Allyson McCombs – Warrior Elementary

• Avery Wall – Grantswood Community

• Rene’ Robinson – Bryan Elementary

• Angela Lancaster – Burkett

• Mary Jane Coker – McAdory Elementary

Secondary School Finalists

• Robert Adams – Mortimer Jordan High School

• Keith Brandenburg – Pinson Valley High School

• Nastassia Law – Minor High School

• Eugenia Denise Moore –Fultondale High School

• Bonnie Wilson – Irondale Middle School

KIDS WHO SHINE

VESTAVIA HILLS HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS

NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALISTS

Thirteen Vestavia Hills High School seniors were recently named National Merit Finalists. The students, Patrick Ball, Hunter Carroll, Daniel Cheng, Drakeson Hu, Shayna Jotani, Carol Li, Jessica Ma, Riley Newsome, Edward Pang, Danielle Qin, Hansen Sha, Anusha Singh,and Arav Singh, were first named among 16,000 semifinalists in the fall. The students entered this year’s competition by taking the 2022 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The nationwide pool of semifinalists represented less than 1 percent of high school seniors in the United States.

“Our faculty and staff at Vestavia Hills High School are so proud of these students,” Principal Tonya Rozell said in a news release. “This achievement is a testament to their extraordinary efforts throughout their years of education and also to their supportive families. This is an outstanding accomplishment that is certain to provide them with numerous unparalleled opportunities in the years to come.”

As National Merit Finalists, these students received some of the highest scores on the PSAT/NMSQT test in the state of Alabama. Finalists must also have an outstanding academic

DO YOU KNOW A KID WHO SHINES?

Bham Family is committed to sharing about the amazing kids in our community. From special awards recognizing extra-hard work to highlighting achievements and service, we know there are tons of young people making a difference in the Birmingham area, and we want to celebrate them in our Kids Who Shine column. If you know someone we need to know about, please share. You can send details to stephanie@jbmcmedia.com. We can’t wait to hear from you!

record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by their high school principal, and earn SAT or ACT scores that confirm their earlier performance on the qualifying test. By making it to the finals stage, the students will be considered for 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $32 million. The 2024 National Merit Scholarship winners will be announced in a series of nationwide news releases this spring and summer.

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF VESTAVIA CITY SCHOOLS

Front row L-R: Riley Newsome, Danielle Qin, Carol Li, Shayna Jotani, Jessica Ma, and Anusha Singh.

Back row L-R: Hunter Carroll, Patrick Ball, Daniel Cheng, Arav Singh, Drakeson Hu, and Hansen Sha.

Not pictured: Edward Pang

In the little moments and major milestones of childhood, we are here for our patients and their families – helping, healing, teaching and discovering.