One of the best ways to save $ on a Walt Disney World vacation is to take advantage the popular FREE dining promotion.

This discount offers incredible savings on travel this fall between August 25 and September 29, 2012. For example, a family of four (2-adults, 1-junior, 1-child) staying in a standard room at a select Value Resort will save $584 on a 5-night/6-day vacation with the FREE Quick-Service Dining Plan.

FREE Dining Plans are available for guests staying at all Walt Disney World Resorts (except campground) and requires a minimum 3-night stay with 2-day base tickets. Guests staying in a Value Resort will receive the Quick-Service Dining Plan and guests in Moderate, Deluxe, and Deluxe Villa Resorts receive the Disney Dining Plan. You can even upgrade your dining plan by paying the cost difference between your complimentary plan and the plan you want. This is a very popular time for our clients to try out the Deluxe Dining Plan!!

Booking for this incredible promotion ends this Friday, May 18 and requires only a $200 deposit. Availability is limited, so hurry and contact Tara McCoy at Mouse Tales Travel today for details or a free quote.

Tara McCoy, Disney Vacation Specialist at Mouse Tales Travel
803.816.0686
Become a Facebook fan at facebook.com/enchantedtravel
Sign up receive the latest Disney news & deals here

Disney Vacation Specialist Tara McCoy. Become a Facebook fan at facebook.com/EnchantedTravel. Visit Mouse Tales travel blog at www.mousetalestravel.com/blog, 803.816.0686, Tara McCoy is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Beach Noodle Puppets, 12-2 p.m. Sat. May 19 Ages 5-11. At Main Street Youth Theatre. Join Yostie for storytelling and create your own puppets that can dance, sing and tell stories. Each participant will make a cardboard stage for performing and their own puppet using beach noodles and other supplies. $20. (843) 689-MAIN (6246) or msyt.org.

Have you booked (or even considered) a Walt Disney World Vacation in the past and felt overwhelmed by all of the options? With the four different theme parks, 29 resorts, and the countless dining plans, special tours and events to choose from… it’s easy to see why!!

As a dedicated Travel Planner at Mouse Tales Travel, an Authorized Disney Planner Agency, Tara McCoy can take care of all the little details creating a magical vacation for your family.

Tara is a mother, a wife, and a believer in the magic of Disney. Her family has shared some unforgettable moments at Walt Disney World and onboard Disney Cruise Line, creating memories that will last a lifetime!

Allow Tara to take the stress out of vacation planning and add value to your Disney vacation. She can work out all the special details like dining reservations, special shows/tours, excursions, and even create a personalized park itinerary. As a proud graduate of Disney College of Knowledge, she’ll be able to book magical destinations including Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Lines, Adventures by Disney, as well as the newest, Aulani Resort and Spa in Hawaii.

The best thing is that ALL of Tara’s services are completely, 100% FREE. Yes, that is right. Your very own go-to Disney gal, at absolutely no cost to you. Visit Tara’s Facebook page here for more details and let her make all of your Disney Vacation dreams come true.

Disney Vacation Specialist Tara McCoy. Become a Facebook fan at facebook.com/EnchantedTravel. Visit Mouse Tales travel blog at www.mousetalestravel.com/blog, 803.816.0686, Tara McCoy is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
370 Zoo Parkway
Jacksonville, Florida 32218
Tel: (904) 757-4463

Father’s Day – Special Admission Offer
Jun 17
Fathers get free admission with a coupon from below. Sponsored by Wells Fargo.

Hours
Open daily 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., 364 days a year
Closed Christmas Day
Gates close one hour prior to Zoo closing. Subject to change for events.

Admission
ZOO PARKING IS FREE
VALUE TICKETS (includes admission, Stingray Bay and unlimited Train and Carousel rides):
$19.95 Adults (age 13 to 64)
$17.95 Seniors (age 65+)
$12.95 Child (age 3 to 12)
FREE – Children age 2 and under
REGULAR ADMISSION:
$14.95 Adults (age 13 to 64)
$12.95 Seniors (age 65+)
$9.95 Children (3 to 12)
FREE – Children age 2 and under
DAILY EXHIBIT & RIDE FEES:
Train Rides (unlimited):
$4.00 plus tax Adult non-member
$2.00 plus tax Child non-member (3 to 12)
$3.50 plus tax Adult member
$1.50 plus tax Child member (3 to 12)
FREE – Children age 2 and under
Stingray Bay:
$2.00 non-member
$1.00 member
$1.00 to feed (when food is available)
Wildlife Carousel (per ride):
$2.00 Child (all ages) – members and non-members
FREE – Parents needing to escort small children
Animal Encounters:
Giraffe Feedings – $2.00 per person
Lorikeet Feedings – $1.00 per person per cup of nectar
Pygmy Goat Grooming – FREE

Savannah Sharks is an All Stars Competitive Cheerleading Squad located on Wilmington Island serving girls ages 4-14. Accepting girls of all levels from beginner to advanced!

Savannah Sharks is having try-outs on June 1 2012 for FREE – open to all returning girls and newcomers!

Practice will be one day a week through the summer and twice a week starting in the fall! E-mail savsharks@gmail.com for more information on the program and for Summer Camps.

“Like” Savannah Sharks on Facebook here to stay updated about try-outs & programs.

You are also invited to check out Savannah Sharks at a May 31st exhibition at St. Andrews School on Wilmington Island at 6 PM. Everyone is invited to watch the FREE 30-minute long show. St. Andrews School is at 601 Penn Waller Road Savannah, 31410.

Savannah Sharks All Stars Competitive Cheerleading Squad, On Facebook here, email savsharks@gmail.com, 601 Pennwaller Road, Savannah, 31410 Savannah Sharks is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Savannah Sharks is an All Stars Competitive Cheerleading Squad located on Wilmington Island serving girls ages 4-14. Accepting girls of all levels from beginner to advanced!

Savannah Sharks is having try-outs on June 1 2012 for FREE – open to all returning girls and newcomers!

Practice will be one day a week through the summer and twice a week starting in the fall! E-mail savsharks@gmail.com for more information on the program and for Summer Camps.

“Like” Savannah Sharks on Facebook here to stay updated about try-outs & programs.

You are also invited to check out Savannah Sharks at a May 31st exhibition at St. Andrews School on Wilmington Island at 6 PM. Everyone is invited to watch the FREE 30-minute long show. St. Andrews School is at 601 Penn Waller Road Savannah, 31410.

Savannah Sharks All Stars Competitive Cheerleading Squad, On Facebook here, email savsharks@gmail.com, 601 Pennwaller Road, Savannah, 31410 Savannah Sharks is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Savannah Sharks is an All Stars Competitive Cheerleading Squad located on Wilmington Island serving girls ages 4-14. Accepting girls of all levels from beginner to advanced! 

Savannah Sharks is having try-outs on June 1 2012 for FREE – open to all returning girls and newcomers!

Practice will be one day a week through the summer and twice a week starting in the fall! E-mail savsharks@gmail.com  for more information on the program and for Summer Camps.

“Like” Savannah Sharks on Facebook here to stay updated about try-outs & programs.

You are also invited to check out Savannah Sharks at a May 31st exhibition at St. Andrews School on Wilmington Island at 6 PM. Everyone is invited to watch the FREE 30-minute long show. St. Andrews School is at 601 Penn Waller Road Savannah, 31410.

Savannah Sharks All Stars Competitive Cheerleading Squad, On Facebook here, email  savsharks@gmail.com,  601 Pennwaller Road, Savannah, 31410 Savannah Sharks is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

La Dee Da Children’s Boutique in Rincon, is proud to announce the addition of Bloch and Mirella dancewear to their store!

In addition to their children’s fine apparel, footwear and gifts, La Dee Da now carries a complete assortment of dance apparel, footwear, bags, tights, skirts, tutus and ballet dresses. Bloch makes a comprehensive range of dance apparel and accessories designed specifically for dancers. David Bloch, says their philosophy is simple, “Working with the dancers is an essential part of designing garments that will perform well, enhance movement and feel great. Our greatest pleasure is when dancers tell us they love our products.”

Julie Lanham, mother of 6 and store owner says, “What makes our boutique special and unique is the diversity of our inventory, convenience, our commitment to offering low prices and a flexible layaway plan. We understand that our customers, in these difficult economic times, want quality that’s affordable and that is what we provide”.

The boutique also boasts a playroom, kitchen, and changing table to make shopping both pleasant and convenient for moms on the go.  “As a mother myself, I understand how challenging it can be to shop with little ones in tow,” says Julie, “and that is why it was important to us when opening the store, to offer a fun and conventient shopping experience for parents and children alike.”

Located in the Goshen Park Plaza in Rincon next to Baibry’s coffee and sandwich shop.

Simone Curry, co owner says,”Our boutique is located in a shopping center that is extremely family friendly, The Loft Cafe offers a Kids Eat Free day every Thursday and we have extremely talented newborn and child photographer, Nicole Williams of Memories for Keepsake right upstairs.”

La Dee Da is open Monday-Friday from 10am-6pm, Thursday & Friday10am-7pm and Saturday from 10am-3pm
912.295.5470, www.ladeedakids.com  La Dee Da is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Nicole Hubbard, owner of Hubbard's Maid Service in Savannah, with her son Jedidiah.

Below is a guest post by Nicole Hubbard, owner of Hubbard’s Maid Service, a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Wow! Since giving birth to my son, my time is much, much more precious to me. I get things done in the seconds, minutes, and occasionally the few heavenly hours that arrive in my life like diamond treasures. The things I used to do on my own time, time that I took for granted, I will never possibly be able to do again, at least for a long, long time. I have to analyze every decision I make as to how to get a task done, “how” being operative. Even as I sit here and write I am carefully measuring my words as I don’t know how long before my son is going to wake from his slumber.

Money is tight for everyone these days but I fantasize about getting my hair professionally blown out once a week, heck I fantasize about taking a shower once a week! I love to garden and water my flowers and am now considering hiring a lawn service because I don’t know when I would be able to water them in this soon to arrive hot summer. Things I would have done myself and enjoy doing now need to be delegated to others. If I can afford to pay someone else to do it, as a mother, it really makes sense to do so because time is precious!

To read the entire guest post, click here.

Hubbard’s Maid Service, 912.961.9131, www.hubbardsmaidservice.com Hubbard’s Maid Service is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

The week of May 14 only: a shower curtain monogram sale @ 2 Cutie Patooties, Savannah.

Bring your shower curtain to 2 Cutie Patooties for a monogram – one letter: $40. 3 letters: $55. This is a steal! Bring, mail them, UPS them, Fed-Ex them, just get them in.

2 Cutie Patooties, 224 Stephenson Ave, Suite C, Savannah 31405, tel: (912) 856-7096 email
2cutiepatooties@gmail.com, www.2cutiepatooties.com On Facebook here,  2 Cutie Patooties is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Telfair Museum’s Jepson Center in Savannah has fantastic kids’ activities in May including the fun themed family make with their popular weekly, What Can We Make? program. “Paper Dolls”, in conjunction with the Juliette Gordon Low exhibit at the Telfair Academy. 

WCWM? (What can we make?)
Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays / 10 am – 2pm / Jepson Center’s Melaver Studio
Explore your creative side with inspiring activities utilizing recycled materials, found objects, and traditional art supplies. Free to members and to visitors with paid admission. Walk-ins welcome, but attendance is limited to 12 participants at a time. For more info, call 790.8823 or click here.

Also don’t forget: The Jepson’s Toddler Third Thursday for May 17 will meet at 10 am at the Owens Thomas House at 124 Abercorn Street Savannah, 31401 for a featured living history tour and scavenger hunt.
10–11:30 AM Thurs. May 17

Toddler Third Thursdays are great for parents, grandparents, and caregivers with pre-school children. Designed especially for preschoolers ages 3-5 and their adult companions, this program allows toddlers to explore artwork from Telfair exhibitions and complete a fun-filled art project relating to their tour. This coming Thursday, May 17^thparents and toddlers will meet at the Owens Thomas House for a featured Living history tour. Toddlers will experience the home with characters dressed in period dress.

 Toddler Third Thursday Registration and adult supervision required. Call 790-8823 or click here to register. Enrollment is $5 per child. Adult admission is FREE for museum-members and $12 for non-members. Sponsored in part by JCB, Inc.

Telfair Museum’s Jepson Center, 207 W York St, Savannah GA 31401 Telfair Museums are a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

In celebration of World Oceans Day, Jacques Cousteau’s birthday and the new “Sea Jellies of the Georgia Coast” exhibit, the UGA Marine Extension Service will host FREE hands-on education programs from 10am-4pm on Saturday, June 9, 2012 at the Marine Education Center on Skidaway Island, Savannah.

Free aquarium admission & educational activities are sponsored by NOAA’s Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary.

The day’s activities will focus on the issue of marine debris and how it affects Georgia’s coastal waters and the ocean. Visitors can learn more about sea jellies and participate in marine debris and sea jelly crafts, a marine debris program, a salt marsh clean-up, an aquarium treasure hunt, and ocean stories.

The new exhibit “Sea Jellies of the Georgia Coast” will open at 10AM with a half hour introduction to the exhibit at 11AM and highlighting the local and global importance of sea jellies and water quality.  More info here.

Activities Schedule
Marine Debris Program and Salt Marsh Clean-up: 8-10AM
Treasure Hunt (on-going): 10AM-4PM
Marine debris and sea jellies crafts (on-going): 10AM-4PM
“Sea Jellies of the Georgia Coast” Exhibit Opening: 11-11:30AM
Ocean Stories (15 minutes long and on the half hour): 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30

Sea turtles fascinate kids. Fortunately, we have several sea turtle walks or talks offered by various nearby museums/marine science centers including:

Evening Turtle Talks and Walks by Coastal Discovery Museum, Hilton Head Is.
8 PM Tuesdays and Thursdays starting June 5 2012 through August 2012.
Location given out at time of reservation
An evening lecture and beach walk to educate participants about the threatened loggerhead sea turtle. Presentation given to entire group, then 2 groups of 10 proceed to the beach to examine the nesting habitat and nest sites. No guarantee of turtle sightings. Adult $20/Child $15 (no children younger than 4).
Reservations are required and may be made by calling 843-689-6767 ext 223.

Evening Turtle Walks at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Jekyll Is.
TURTLE WALK RESERVATIONS CAN BE MADE BY CALLING (912) 635-4444
Explore the beach at night, and learn about the amazing journey of loggerhead sea turtles nesting along the Georgia Coast. These popular programs begin with a 30-45 minute presentation at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center about the natural history of sea turtles, followed by a guided beach tour in search of a nesting turtle.
May 29 – July 31* (*Except July 4th) with two nightly programs at 8:30 and 9:30 P.M. Reservations are required as group size is limited by DNR permit restrictions (25 per group maximum) and programs fill quickly.
FEES
Walk Only:
$6 per person (Members)
$12 per person (Non-members**)
**Price does not include general admission into the Georgia Sea Turtle Center)
COMBO TICKETS:
$16 per person
Includes 1 day general admission to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center & 1 Turtle Walk. Turtle Walks are based on availability and reservations are required due to space limitations.
Additional Information:
* Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Due to the time and nature of these walks,  children be at least 4 years of age.
* During the Turtle Walk presentation the Sea Turtle Center’s hospital area will not be accessible. However, you are welcome to visit the Center during its normal visiting hours with a general admission purchase or combo ticket!
* Seeing a nesting turtle on the beach is not guaranteed. More info here.

Morning Nest Walks by Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Jekyll Island
Offered during hatching season 7-9 AM Sundays, Wednesdays, Saturdays
$6 per person (Members); $12 per person (Non-Members**).
**Price does not include general admission to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center
More info here.

Congratulations Savannah Arts Academy, named No. 1 Georgia public high school by US News & World Report in the 2012 U.S. News Best High Schools.

Top Ranked GA Schools
To be eligible for a state ranking, a school must be awarded a national gold or silver medal.
#1
Savannah Arts Academy
500 WASHINGTON AVE, SAVANNAH, GA 31405

#2
Davidson Fine Arts
615 12TH ST, AUGUSTA, GA 30901

#3
Walton High School
1590 BILL MURDOCK RD, MARIETTA, GA 30062

#4
Northview High School
10625 PARSONS RD, DULUTH, GA 30097

#5
Riverwood International Charter School
5900 HEARDS DR NW, ATLANTA, GA 30328

#6
Columbus High School
1700 CHEROKEE AVE, COLUMBUS, GA 31906

#7
Lassiter High School
2600 SHALLOWFORD RD, MARIETTA, GA 30066

#8
Chamblee Charter High School
3688 CHAMBLEE DUNWOODY RD, CHAMBLEE, GA 30341

#9
Lakeside High School
3801 BRIARCLIFF RD NE, ATLANTA, GA 30345

#10
Duluth High School
3737 BROCK RD, DULUTH, GA 30096

Click here to read the article.

Are you a full-time or part-time at home MOM? Do you want to meet other MOMS like you? Are you looking for kid-friendly activities?

Are you a full-time or part-time at home MOM? Do you want to meet other MOMS like you? Are you looking for kid-friendly activities??

MOMS Club of Bluffton & Hilton Head is hosting an Open House on Tuesday May 15th, 10am- 2pm at Jarvis Park.

Join us and learn about what our club has to offer. Playgroups, Lunch Bunch, Park Days, and MOMS Night Out.

For more information email momsclubofbhh@gmail.com

A.S.P.I.R.E (Achieving Success-Pursuing Inspiration- Reaching Excellence)  – an I-Youth program for ages 10-17 – is offering the following deal on Series 1 June 18 through July 13.

The program designed to help students to develop portfolios through the application of skills aquired. Located at 309 Hwy 80 in Pooler, GA near Fitness Witness.

Students will enjoy special guest appearances, networking events, and much more! Apply online
•Goal Setting ,
•Social Media Etiquette,
•Oral Communication Development,
•Leadership,
•Decision Making
•Community Service

Apply online by clicking here. Don’t forgot to use the code PROMO to receive the $40/wk deal!

I-Youth program is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Celebrate Children’s Book Week with Lynnae Weller as she presents an imaginative balloon art program featuring several popular children’s books such as “Where the Wild Things Are,” Green Eggs and Ham” and “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.” Ages 3 and up.

Thunderbolt Library, Tuesday, May 15, 11 a.m.
West Broad Library, Wednesday, May 16, 11 a.m.

Still trying to work out your summer schedule?

Be sure to check out our Summer Camps 2012 page for a variety of local camps – art, sports, science & more. Click here to read the page & start your summer planning.

The Savannah Arts Association presents the 3rd Annual Sketchcrawl on Sat. May 12

The event starts at 10 AM at the Jepson Center for the Arts and goes until 4 PM.

FREE.

More info here.

Jepson Center, 207 W York St, Savannah, GA 31401

SketchCrawl is an international series of events where artists of all skills get together & walk around their city doing sketches.

Bopping Heads Dance & Entertainment Videos  – a new type of entertainment for children’s birthdays in Savannah – is offering a May 2012 special: any party booked in the month of May will get 15% off their booking and 10% will get donated to Hope for Savannah, which provides hope and comfort to cancer patients and their families.

Bopping Heads uses “Green Screen” technology to superimpose the participants heads onto professional dancing bodies, up to four people at a time sit infront of the camera as they “Bop” their heads to hundreds of available songs!

The exclusive Bopping Heads Digital system can also capture the performance, which is then transferred to a DVD instantly with NO wait time ! Bopping Heads Videos are a Great Party Favor and the Birthday Girl/Boy gets a master DVD with all their friends videos included!

Bopping Heads s local and are proud to serve Southeast Georgia and the Lowcountry!

Mention SouthernMamas at the time of booking and 10% of your party booking will be donated to Hope for Savannah!

Having a FUNDRAISER? Give Bopping Heads a call! 912-704-7803 or email info@boppingheadsofsavannah.com.

Bopping Heads looks forward to making your next Party Super Fun with Non-Stop Laughter Guaranteed!

www.Boppingheadsofsavannah.com Please “Like” Bopping heads on Facebook here to stay connected & updated about birthday deals, Bopping Heads is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Bamboo Farm & Coastal Gardens have added a new venue to their showing of the film, Mother Nature’s Child. You are invited to the showing of the film Mother Nature’s Child, which explores the essential ways contact with the natural world promotes children’s health and well-being. In addition to the moving expressions of the children themselves, the film includes interviews with Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods; tracker Jon Young; authors Stephen Kellert and David Sobel; outdoor educators Brother Yusuf Burgess, Misha Golfman and Amy Beam; Nancy Bell of The Conservation Fund; and teachers of every age group.
Friday, May 25th, 8:00 PM
The Sentient Bean Coffee House
13 East Park Avenue, Savannah, GA. 31401 (on Forsyth Park)
Please call to RSVP (912) 921-5460
$8.00 per person

The film is also showing:
Friday, June 1st, 6:30 PM
Bamboo Farm and Coastal Gardens
2 Canebrake Road,
Savannah, GA. 31419
Please call to RSVP (912) 921-5460
$8.00 per person

Here’s a way to donate to Mom’s Lemonade Fund, which supports Ovarian Cancer awareness & receive a truly lifestyle changing service at the same time.

In honor of Mother’s Day, The Mosquito Authority in Savannah is offering a great deal this upcoming Mother’s Day weekend: they are selling a one-time barrier spray treatment, which normally costs $79, for a $25 contribution to Mom’s Lemonade Fund. That means 100% of the $25 you pay to get rid of mosquitoes in your yard will go toward Mom’s Lemonade Fund.  (The Mosquito Authority is picking up the processing fees).

Talk about the perfect Mother’s Day special!

Mom’s Lemonade Fund supports local women and their families struggling with ovarian cancer in the Savannah area. The fund’s mission is to provide medications, testing, wigs, as well as comfort care items for the patients and their families.

The Mosquito Authority’s barrier spray treatment makes a tremendous difference in your quality of life in the yard, and they do it in a safe and effective way. Lean more about the service by clicking here.

This deal will run from noon Friday May 11 through the end of the day Sunday May 13. Click here for the one time $25 donation for a treatment. The coupon code is MOMS in all caps.  Questions? Call The Mosquito Authority at 912-414-2681

About Mom’s Lemonade Fund:
Mom’s Lemonade Fund supports local women and their families struggling with ovarian cancer in the Savannah area. The foundation’s purpose is to raise awareness of ovarian cancer, assist with emotional and medical needs and to provide comfort care items for patients, their family members, and caregivers battling the disease.
Mom’s Lemonade Fund was created in August 2009 by the families of Mary Anne Feist Mahfet and Ellen McAlpin Hogan to honor their memory by proactively helping women and their families struggling with ovarian cancer.
Find Mom’s Lemonade Fund on Facebook here.

The Mosquito Authority, serving Coastal Georgia and The South Carolina Lowcountry
PO Box 2153, Savannah, 31402, email justin@themosquitoauthority.com , 912-414-2681, www.bugsbite.com/coastal The Mosquito Authority is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.