Oglethorpe Mall will officially kick off the 2012 holiday season with Santa’s Arrival at Macy’s Court on November 16, 2012 from 6 to 7 p.m. This annual family-friendly event is free and open to the public, and will include face painting, giveaways and much more.

Santa’s holiday hours a@ Oglethorpe Mall
November 17-December 24, Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with breaks from 1 to 2 p.m. and 5 to 6 p.m. Sunday hours are noon to 6 p.m. with a break from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Cats & Dogs Visits with Santa
As part of a continuing tradition at Oglethorpe Mall, Santa will also welcome cats and dogs on November 19 and November 26 and on December 3, 10 and 17 from 6 to 8 p.m.

On Saturday, December 1 at 2 p.m., Habitat for Humanity Savannah and Savannah Rum Runners Bakery and Cafe will host a special Gingerbread Workshop at the soft play area in the jcpenney Court, featuring special entertainment from the Woodville Tompkins choir. Families are invited to craft their gingerbread dream house using confection sugar, candy, icing and gingerbread. Chef Meggan Hartley, a trained pastry chef and proprietor of Savannah Rum Runners Bakery and Café, will lead the workshop. A donation of $20 per participant is required. Please register in advance at 912.353.8122 or via email at hunter@habitatsavannah.org.

Greenbriar Children’s Center, a non-profit agency whose mission is to provide services to promote healthy development of children and families, will open its gift wrapping center in Macy’s Court on Saturday, December 1 and will continue through Christmas Eve.

This holiday season, children ages three to seven are also invited to participate in the Oglethorpe Mall’s Junior Security Officer Badge Program. Mall Security Officers will hand out official security badges to children willing to help “patrol” the mall as their parents shop. Ask a security officer for more information about this fun children’s program.

Oglethorpe Mall will also host the Elf Academy, a special event for military families on Saturday, December 8 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Children of active duty military parents are welcome to participate in a variety of take-home crafts, special giveaways, face painting, and more.

Through the end of the year, all coins placed in the mall fountains located at Center Court, Macy’s Court and the jcpenney Court, will be donated to the Greenbriar Children’s Center.

Savannah Mall
Santa Arrives at Savannah Mall Sat. November 17. He will be @ Dillard’s Court.

Santa’s Hours @ Savannah Mall:
Monday – Saturday: 10am – 8pm
Sunday: 12pm – 6pm (breaks 2pm – 2:30pm and 5pm – 5:30pm)

Savannah Mall’s Holiday Train will be in Center Court from Nov. 16 to Jan. 6. Train rides are $2 per person.

Santaland @ Bass Pro Shops, Savannah Mall
Free photos with Santa, free crafts
Now through Dec. 24
More info here.

Oglethorpe Mall will officially kick off the 2012 holiday season with Santa’s Arrival at Macy’s Court on November 16, 2012 from 6 to 7 p.m. This annual family-friendly event is free and open to the public, and will include face painting, giveaways and much more.

Santa’s holiday hours a@ Oglethorpe Mall
November 17-December 24, Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with breaks from 1 to 2 p.m. and 5 to 6 p.m. Sunday hours are noon to 6 p.m. with a break from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Cats & Dogs Visits with Santa
As part of a continuing tradition at Oglethorpe Mall, Santa will also welcome cats and dogs on November 19 and November 26 and on December 3, 10 and 17 from 6 to 8 p.m.

On Saturday, December 1 at 2 p.m., Habitat for Humanity Savannah and Savannah Rum Runners Bakery and Cafe will host a special Gingerbread Workshop at the soft play area in the jcpenney Court, featuring special entertainment from the Woodville Tompkins choir. Families are invited to craft their gingerbread dream house using confection sugar, candy, icing and gingerbread. Chef Meggan Hartley, a trained pastry chef and proprietor of Savannah Rum Runners Bakery and Café, will lead the workshop. A donation of $20 per participant is required. Please register in advance at 912.353.8122 or via email at hunter@habitatsavannah.org.

Greenbriar Children’s Center, a non-profit agency whose mission is to provide services to promote healthy development of children and families, will open its gift wrapping center in Macy’s Court on Saturday, December 1 and will continue through Christmas Eve.

This holiday season, children ages three to seven are also invited to participate in the Oglethorpe Mall’s Junior Security Officer Badge Program. Mall Security Officers will hand out official security badges to children willing to help “patrol” the mall as their parents shop. Ask a security officer for more information about this fun children’s program.

Oglethorpe Mall will also host the Elf Academy, a special event for military families on Saturday, December 8 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Children of active duty military parents are welcome to participate in a variety of take-home crafts, special giveaways, face painting, and more.

Through the end of the year, all coins placed in the mall fountains located at Center Court, Macy’s Court and the jcpenney Court, will be donated to the Greenbriar Children’s Center.

Savannah Mall
Santa Arrives at Savannah Mall Sat. November 17. He will be @ Dillard’s Court.

Santa’s Hours @ Savannah Mall:
Monday – Saturday: 10am – 8pm
Sunday: 12pm – 6pm (breaks 2pm – 2:30pm and 5pm – 5:30pm)

Savannah Mall’s Holiday Train will be in Center Court from Nov. 16 to Jan. 6. Train rides are $2 per person.

Santaland @ Bass Pro Shops, Savannah Mall
Free photos with Santa, free crafts
Now through Dec. 24
More info here.

FOR MORE LOCAL HOLIDAY KID-FRIENDLY EVENTS, VISIT OUR CALENDAR HERE.

Savannah Danse Theatre is performing The Golden Pecan at the Lucas Theatre this Friday at 12:30pm.

The Golden Pecan is the prequel to the Nutcracker. Tickets are only $5! A portion of the funds from the show will support Savannah Danse Theatre’s OutReach program to help support the arts in Savannah.

For more info, call Savannah Danse Theatre at (912) 897-2102.

Are you ready to shop locally during next week’s big shopping events – Black Friday (Nov. 23) & Small Business Saturday (Nov. 24)?

One of your favorite local kids’ boutiques – Petite Feet – Savannah’s children’s shoe & accessories store – has an amazing Black Friday & Small Business Saturday sale coming up.

Buy one pair of shoes or boots at 10% discount and receive 25% off any other shoe or boot purchased.
Exclusions are accessories and UGG Boots.

This great Petite Feet deal is for Fri and Sat only, Nov 23 & 24.

Small Business Saturday – the Saturday after Thanksgiving – is the day to celebrate the Shop Small movement to drive shoppers to local merchants across the U.S.

Fashion writer Erin Ebert will feature Petite Feet’s deals in a Savannah Morning News article this Saturday Nov. 17 about specials planned for Black Friday as a way to highlight shopping locally.

Petite Feet, 5521 Abercorn Street, Savannah, 31405, www.petitefeetsavannah.com, Petite Feet is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

The Savannah Arts Academy’s Theatre Department – under the direction of Andrea Verdis, Theatre Department Chair – presents their fall musical, CAROUSEL on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, November 15, 16, & 17 at 7:00 PM and Sunday, November 18 at 2:30 PM.

Dinner and the show will be offered on Friday and Saturday with designated seating at 6:00 PM. Dinner Theatre tickets are $25 and must be reserved by November 13th. General admission for the show only is $15 and Students and Senior Citizens are $10. Tickets can be purchased at the school box office Monday – Friday beginning November 5, 2012 from 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM.

CAROUSEL is a classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical in which a smooth-talking carousel barker, Billy Bigelow, falls in love with and marries a mill worker, Julie Jordan. Years after he dies tragically, he is given a chance to return for a day and teach her about the life lessons he has learned. Audiences will remember such memorable songs as
“If I Loved You”, “June is Bustin’ Out All Over” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone”.

Proceeds from the play will benefit the theatre department’s productions, conferences and scholarship fund.

Savannah Arts Academy, 500 Washington Avenue Savannah, 31405

Children and adults of all ages are invited to make Christmas ornaments/crafts, Advent wreaths ($8), decorate cookies, and eat some great food @ Advent Event for all ages at First Presbyterian Church of Savannah in Ardsley Park.

Wreaths can be ordered by calling the church office, 912.354.7615.

The dinner line—featuring three soups, including one vegetarian, grilled cheese sandwiches, and holiday cookies—will open at 5:30 p.m. ($5/adult, $1/child).

Advent Event for All Ages, Sunday, November 18. 5:00-6:30 p.m. in Stewart Hall

First Presbyterian Church of Savannah, 520 Washington Ave., Savannah, 31405 (912) 354-7615

You’re invited to a talk by Savannah-area speech-language pathologist Kim Rowe, MA, CCC-SLP on Creating a Language Rich Environment at 10:30 AM Friday at The Sandbox Children’s Museum on Hilton Head Is.

The talk is part of the museum’s Parents 411 series. The talk is free with admission to the museum.

Kim is the creative force behind a Web site called Little Stories , which offers information and support to families interested in early speech and language development. Little Stories has something for everyone, whether your child is having difficulty learning language or is learning language easily.

Little Stories will be posting new information weekly, so be sure to subscribe to the blog or like Little Stories on Facebook here to get updates. You can follow Little Stories via Twitter @lilSTORIESblog

The Sandbox Children’s Museum is at 18A Pope Ave., Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 842-7645, www.thesandbox.org/

Children and adults of all ages are invited to make Christmas ornaments/crafts, Advent wreaths ($8), decorate cookies, and eat some great food @ Advent Event for all ages at First Presbyterian Church of Savannah in Ardsley Park.

Wreaths can be ordered by calling the church office, 912.354.7615.

The dinner line—featuring three soups, including one vegetarian, grilled cheese sandwiches, and holiday cookies—will open at 5:30 p.m. ($5/adult, $1/child).

Advent Event for All Ages, Sunday, November 18. 5:00-6:30 p.m. in Stewart Hall

First Presbyterian Church of Savannah, 520 Washington Ave.,  Savannah, 31405 (912) 354-7615

Join Georgia State Railroad Museum for the ONLY local event based on the magic of The Polar Express!

On December 8th, 2012 from 9am-4pm, the Georgia State Railroad Museum will host this annual event that has delighted families for years!

Pajama-clad guests will be invited to ride our very own #30 steam engine that is decked out for Christmas, meet Santa, participate in holiday crafts, and much more for only $15 per person! (Member adults $10) PRE-REGISTRATION is highly encouraged for Savannah Santa Train to ensure that the museum has enough materials for every child.

You also have the option of viewing the holiday classic, The Polar Express, in the historic theater at The Savannah History Museum, which is only steps away from Georgia State Railroad Museum. This family favorite is $5 per person. It will begin showing at 9:30am, noon, and 2:30pm on December 8th.

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED for the viewing of The Polar Express due to limited seating in the museum’s historic theater.
PRE-PAYMENT for either part of the event is not necessary. You will have the option to pay upon arrival at The Georgia State Railroad Museum. If you have pre-registered for the movie, you will have the option when you arrive of which time you would like to attend. Please note that if the time you choose has filled up, it will be necessary to choose another time.

Questions? Please email childrensevents@chsgeorgia.org

Georgia State Railroad Museum, 655 Louisville Rd., Savannah, 31401, 912.651.6823, http://www.chsgeorgia.org/Railroad-Musuem.html

Celebrate the end of the year with the entire family in a healthy way at this great family-friendly three-day New Year’s event: Alive in Savannah 2012.
This popular annual celebration takes place Dec. 29-Dec. 31 2012 at the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa’s race track.
Kids can enjoy a carnival atmosphere with bounce houses, a 5 sided Rock Climbing Wall, Zip Line, Rope Swing, Super Slides
There will also music, kids’ fun run & fireworks.
Other competitions include 5K, 10K, Extreme Fitness Challenge & more. On-site childcare provided for competitors.
Forgo the pricey babysitter and crowded bars for this fit, family event.
Stay connected by “liking” Alive in Savannah on Facebook here.

Here’s the schedule of events

Schedule:
Dec 29th
PB&J Relay – 4 x 800 and 4 x whatever relay (2 miles total)
Alive Extreme Fitness Contest Open qualifier
Dec 30th
Alive Extreme Fitness Contest Gym qualifier
Live Music
Dec 31st
Youth Band Competition
Alive Extreme Fitness Contest Champions
Kids Run ¼ mile
5K, 10K Race through the Westin Golf Course
2 Live Bands
Team Impact Presentation
Fireworks

All three days
20 Inflatables
Childcare for participants up to 2 hours
Savannah Harbor Festival of Lights Drive through Light show

Alive in Savannah @ Westin Savannah, www.aliveinsavannah.com/ , Alive in Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

The Friends of the Coastal Gardens presents December Nights & Holiday Lights @ Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens (Bamboo Farm & Coastal Gardens)

November 30th through December 23rd, 2012 (Friday – Sunday nights only)
6pm – 9pm
At the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens at the Historic Bamboo Farm
2 Canebrake Road, Savannah, 31419

12 nights of holiday lights, music and food.
All proceeds will go to fund the Children’s Garden at the Bamboo Farm.
$5 per person, children under 5 years free
A walking tour of the garden’s historic district * Tram rides available for the disabled and elderly * Special activities for children * Saturday night pictures with Santa

Please call for more details (912) 921-5460. “Like” Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens on Facebook here to stay updated on events.

On Sundays at 1:30 PM, a keeper will be available at the Wolf Wilderness exhibit in Oatland Island Wildlife Center to to tell you more about Oatland’s armadillos, wolves, owls, and flying squirrels. The keeper will cover the natural history of these wonderful critters. Questions are welcome! Details here.

Giving in Love, Inc. cordially invites you to join them for a From My Storehouse to Yours Drop and Drive Donation Event that will take place on Saturday, November 10, 2012, at 48 W. Montgomery Cross Road, #101, (across from Kmart inside Parrot Plaza) from 12:00pm-3:00pm. During this time, Giving in Love, Inc. will be collecting donations for baby and toddler items. These items can include clothes, toys, shoes, bottles, nursery furniture, etc.

Giving in Love, Inc. is a non-profit organization whose primary service is collecting baby and toddler items through donations and distributing them to low-income mothers and mothers-to-be in the Chatham county area. For additional information, please contact Tia McMillan at (912) 388-1658 or email info@givinginlove.org. For more information about Giving in Love, Inc. you can also visit their website at www.givinginlove.org. This event is sponsored by The Parrot Company.

You’re invited to bring your child or children to a free Spanish Playgroup that takes place every Friday at 4:30 PM. The goal of this playgroup is to help children become bilingual.
Open to the public
This week, the Spanish playgroup will meet at 32 degrees in Richmond Hill at 4:30-6 PM to enjoy some frozen yogurt and practice their Spanish skills.
Contact bilingualfamilia@gmail.com  for more info
Cheyenne Kozaily, Founder, Lingüa™
Ü Lingüa is for families who want más.™
www.bilingualfamilia.com
www.twitter.com/linguaU
www.facebook.com/lingua.U  www.pinterest.com/linguaU

We’re thrilled to learn that Music with Mar classes are restarting in Savannah & will now also be offered on Wilmington Island, too!

Music with Mar is a popular, fun & smart music & movement parent-and-me class.

Classes will be in Savannah & Wilmington Island:
*11 AM Tuesdays in the music room of St James Catholic Church (8412 Whitfield Ave. Fronts on Montgomery Cross Road), Savannah;
*10:45 AM and 4:30 PM Thursdays at Wilmington Island Presbyterian.

Classes started the week of Nov. 5.

For children ages 6 months-6 years old and a parent/caregiver. Cost is $7/class per family (up to 4 children) or a block of 5 classes (to be used any time during a 2 month period) is $30. For more information, email email megkitchens@gmail.com .

Music with Mar is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

We’re thrilled to learn that Music with Mar classes are restarting in Savannah & will now also be offered on Wilmington Island, too!

Music with Mar is a popular, fun & smart music & movement parent-and-me class.

Classes will be in Savannah & Wilmington Island:
*11 AM Tuesdays in the music room of St James Catholic Church (8412 Whitfield Ave. Fronts on Montgomery Cross Road), Savannah;
*10:45 AM and 4:30 PM Thursdays at Wilmington Island Presbyterian.

Classes started the week of Nov. 5.

For children ages 6 months-6 years old and a parent/caregiver. Cost is $7/class per family (up to 4 children) or a block of 5 classes (to be used any time during a 2 month period) is $30. For more information, email email megkitchens@gmail.com .

Music with Mar is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Spanish storytime will meet on Thursdays at 10:30 AM at the Richmond Hill Library (please note the day change*). Come shake a maraca and learn some Spanish! For ages 0-6
Please contact bilingualfamilia@gmail.com  for more information
Cheyenne Kozaily, Founder, Lingüa™
Ü Lingüa is for families who want más.™
www.bilingualfamilia.com
www.twitter.com/linguaU
www.facebook.com/lingua.U www.pinterest.com/linguaU

For the complete list of free April 2013 Skidaway Island Kids’ Activities, click here. Visit the park’s Interpretive Center (Wednesday-Sunday 10 AM-5 PM) to see the display of the Giant Ground Sloth replica, wildlife exhibits, live reptiles and birding station.

April 10 – Wednesday 9.00am Big Ferry Guided Hike: Come for a 2 to 3 mile hike through a Maritime Forest, learning early history of Skidaway. Meet at the Big Ferry Trail Head. 3.00pm Insects Galore: Learn about the different of Insects in this area.

April 11 – Thursday 11.00am Bird Walk: Join Kerry for a walk to observe birds in the marsh and maritime forest. The walk begins at the Interpretive Center. Bring Binoculars and a bird guide. 3.00pm Geology of the Coast of Georgia – What is a barrier island, why doesn’t Georgia get hit by hurricanes very often and what is the Georgia Bight thing? All those questions and more answered.

April 12 – Friday 3.00pm A Venue of Vultures: Learn about these important and interesting birds that do the dirty work no other animal will.

April 13- Saturday College Day! College Students enjoy the perks of the park with your student ID. 11:00am Sandpiper Guided Trail Hike: A great hike to get introduced to Skidaway Island. Learn about birds, trees, vegetation, and other wildlife 1:00pm Reptiles and Amphibians: Know the difference between the two? Come for a lesson on them and get to touch live examples!

April 14 – Sunday 9.30am Knot tying: Learn the basics on some handy knots for everyday use. 3.00pm Build a Turtle: a fun craft and learn about turtles.

Skidaway Island State Park, 52 Diamond Causeway, Savannah, GA 31411 ** Programs meet promptly at the Interpretive Center unless otherwise noted **

The Shalom School | Savannah, GA | Phone 912-224-4617 | E-mail theshalomschool@gmail.com

Just in time for the holidays!

Don’t miss out on the BEST sale for designer brands on upscale children’s clothing and shoes.

Join Kottage Kids Boutique, Tater Tots Embroidery and Gifts & TréBella Photography at their
Children’s Holiday Expo
November 10, 2012
11 am – 4 pm
@ Southbridge’s Grand Lake Lodge & Spa
815 Southbridge Blvd., Savannah, Ga.

Holly-Day Camp at the Bamboo Farm (Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens)! 10 AM-1 PM Sat. Dec. 8 2012. Parents, need to do some holiday shopping? Drop your kids off for a morning at the Bamboo Farm! Only $20 per child Ages 6-10. Cookie decorating, ornament making and a nature walk ending with a visit to the Bamboo Farm’s famous Lord’s Holly tree. Contact Liz Lubrani at (912) 921-5460 or email elubrani@uga.edu Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens, 2 Canebrake Road, Savannah, 31419 On Facebook here.

Drop ‘n Shop @ Oatland Island Wildlife Center
9 AM-3 PM Nov. 23 2012
&
9 AM-3 PM Dec. 15
Wondering how you are going to get all of your shopping and last minute errands finished in time for the holidays? Let Oatland Island Wildlife Center help you! Drop your child off at Oatland for the Drop ‘n Shop program! While you are off finishing your many errands, your child will be hiking with an Oatland guide, playing games, making holiday themed crafts and enjoying a live animal encounter. All of this topped off with a snack and holiday movie! Let the kids have fun at Oatland while you get your holiday shopping tied in a bow of accomplishment!
Reservations Required 395-1500
$25 per Child
Additional Siblings $15 each
Call: 912-395-1212
Oatland Island Wildlife Center, 711 Sandtown Road, Savannah, 31410
On Facebook here.

Drop ‘n Shop @ Oatland Island Wildlife Center
9 AM-3 PM Nov. 23 2012
&
9 AM-3 PM Dec. 15
Wondering how you are going to get all of your shopping and last minute errands finished in time for the holidays? Let Oatland Island Wildlife Center help you! Drop your child off at Oatland for the Drop ‘n Shop program! While you are off finishing your many errands, your child will be hiking with an Oatland guide, playing games, making holiday themed crafts and enjoying a live animal encounter. All of this topped off with a snack and holiday movie! Let the kids have fun at Oatland while you get your holiday shopping tied in a bow of accomplishment!
Reservations Required 395-1500
$25 per Child
Additional Siblings $15 each
Call: 912-395-1212
Oatland Island Wildlife Center, 711 Sandtown Road, Savannah, 31410
On Facebook here.

Holly-Day Camp at the Bamboo Farm (Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens)!
10 AM-1 PM Sat. Dec. 8
Parents, need to do some holiday shopping? Drop your kids off for a morning at the Bamboo Farm!
Only $20 per child
Ages 6-10
Cookie decorating, ornament making and a nature walk ending with a visit to the Bamboo Farm’s famous Lord’s Holly tree.
Contact Liz Lubrani at (912) 921-5460 or email elubrani@uga.edu
Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens, 2 Canebrake Road, Savannah, 31419 On Facebook here.

Drop ‘n Shop @ Oatland Island Wildlife Center
9 AM-3 PM Nov. 23 2012
&
9 AM-3 PM Dec. 15
Wondering how you are going to get all of your shopping and last minute errands finished in time for the holidays? Let Oatland Island Wildlife Center help you! Drop your child off at Oatland for the Drop ‘n Shop program! While you are off finishing your many errands, your child will be hiking with an Oatland guide, playing games, making holiday themed crafts and enjoying a live animal encounter. All of this topped off with a snack and holiday movie! Let the kids have fun at Oatland while you get your holiday shopping tied in a bow of accomplishment!
Reservations Required 395-1500
$25 per Child
Additional Siblings $15 each
Call: 912-395-1212
Oatland Island Wildlife Center, 711 Sandtown Road, Savannah, 31410
On Facebook here.

Holly-Day Camp at the Bamboo Farm (Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens)!
10 AM-1 PM Sat. Dec. 8
Parents, need to do some holiday shopping? Drop your kids off for a morning at the Bamboo Farm!
Only $20 per child
Ages 6-10
Cookie decorating, ornament making and a nature walk ending with a visit to the Bamboo Farm’s famous Lord’s Holly tree.
Contact Liz Lubrani at (912) 921-5460 or email elubrani@uga.edu
Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens, 2 Canebrake Road, Savannah, 31419 On Facebook here.