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

 . .that is the question! Several days ago I was speaking with a client, who will go unnamed, who was returning full time to the professional work force. She was trying to budget in-maid service for her home because, with her new work schedule, house work was going to be very difficult for her to get to. As I was explaining different price options to her, and she was listening intently, I stopped in mid sentence.

Now, I don’t ever like to turn business away, but to me, good business is always thinking about what is best for the client as opposed to oneself. I could tell in her voice the uncertainty she was feeling about going back into the work force full time and the regret she was feeling about having to do so. It is unfortunate that for so many of us, we need dual incomes to support our families. There is an intangible value to a parent pursuing a career in the home, as opposed to the professional world, that is often not recognized or appreciated. Pursuing a career in the home often requires the same hard work, self- sacrifice, and dedication that professional occupations such as the Military and Highway Patrol require.

Anyway, I stopped in mid-sentence during my conversation with the client because she was going to increase her maid service budget with me because she was going back to work. However, was going back to work really in her best interest?

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.

You’re invited to the Spring Book Fair which begins Wed. March 28 and runs through Wed. April 4. The Book Fair is open 8:30 AM-4:30 PM. Family Night is Thurs. March 29 when the fair will be open until 7:30 PM.

The public is invited to come enjoy a wide selection of books for your student while helping to support the Charles Ellis Montessori Academy library. For every dollar spent, the library receives .25 cents to put toward the purchase of library books, Accelerated Reader quizzes and other items for the school. You also help purchase free books for students who make their reading goals.

Red Shoes Run / Pop Tab Pandemonium 2012/Blood Alliance Blood Drive
benefiting
Ronald McDonald House Charities
What: A 5K Run/Walk & Pop Tab Collection Event
During the event, please stop by The Blood Alliance & donate blood! The blood drive will be 9 AM-Noon. The Blood Alliance will make a donation ot the Ronald McDonald House Charities for every unit of blood collected at the RMHC blood drive!

Red Shoes Run & Pop Tab Pandemonium is a family friendly fundraiser that will feature free activities including fun with Ronald McDonald, a 1/4 mile kiddie run, live music, games, prizes and refreshments!
There is a wonderful bridge that participants will traverse twice for which this 5K is nicknamed the “mini-bridge run!” It’s perfect training for those aiming for the big one at the end of the year!

Strollers are welcome.

To Register: Red Shoes Run: Download registration form here
or register online: www.active.com
key words red shoes run

Pop Tab Art Contest
RMHC is now accepting entries for the Pop Tab Art Contest.
All entries must be turned in to the House by March 31st.
For more information, contact Alex Wysocki – contact info below.
Download application here.

To Fundraise: http://www.firstgiving.com/rmhccoastal

5K Fees: $25 January 1 – February 29
$30 March 1 – April 13
$35 Race Day

Event Schedule at Ronald McDonald House:
Race Day: Saturday, April 14, 2012

•7:00am 5K Walk Up Registration & Pre-Registration Packet Pick Up
• 7:00am -Noon Pop Tab Weigh In
•8:45am Free Kiddie Run (1/4 mile dash)
•9:00am 5K begins
•
•After Party Goes until Noon
Contact Information: Alex Wysocki
alex@rmhccoastalempire.org  912.350.7641

Have you been to Lake Mayer playground lately?

If not, you’ll be as surprised as we were to find the once dismal equipment gone & replaced with three new climbing structures complete with climbing walls, tunnels; plus new swing sets, new baby swing sets, new mulch, new swivel seat, new twirling toy & oh-so-modern sleek see-saw! We love it. When we visited on a sunny weekday afternoon, the spot was teeming with moms and kids. Such a switch from how the playground used to be. No longer do you need to try to talk your kids out of a playground visit while you’re doing Lake Mayer laps. It is finally a fun, clean spot for playing! Thank you, Savannah, for the much needed facelift to the Lake Mayer playground!

Lake Mayer Community Park, 1850 E. Montgomery Crossroads Savannah, GA 31406

FREE Spanish Storytime for Kids to Learn Spanish @ Bilingual Speech Therapy & Language Center
Wednesday, May 23, 11:00-11:45.
Your children will have lots of fun learning Spanish through story and song! Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday through May at Bilingual Speech Therapy & Language Center
For more information, call Lorena Luna-Bradfield M.S. CCC/SLP at 912.335.8486 or visit www.bilingualspeechtherapy.net  . For Ages 3 and up. RSVP requested. Free.

The free Spanish storytime is canceled for this wk. No storytime on Wed May 9. The next story time will be as scheduled May 23 (details via the link below), which will be the last story time for this spring season. But there will more in the fall!

FREE Spanish Storytime for Kids to Learn Spanish @ Bilingual Speech Therapy & Language Center
Wednesday, May 9, 11:00-11:45.
Your children will have lots of fun learning Spanish through story and song! Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday through May at Bilingual Speech Therapy & Language Center
For more information, call Lorena Luna-Bradfield M.S. CCC/SLP at 912.335.8486 or visit www.bilingualspeechtherapy.net  . For Ages 3 and up. RSVP requested. Free.

FREE Spanish Storytime for Kids to Learn Spanish @ Bilingual Speech Therapy & Language Center
Wednesday, April 25, 11:00-11:45.
Your children will have lots of fun learning Spanish through story and song! Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday through May at Bilingual Speech Therapy & Language Center
For more information, call Lorena Luna-Bradfield M.S. CCC/SLP at 912.335.8486 or visit www.bilingualspeechtherapy.net . For Ages 3 and up. RSVP requested. Free.

The Richmond Hill Farmer’s Market
3-7 PM Tuesdays at JF Gregory Park under the pavillion.
Bring the family to J. F. Gregory Park for the Richomnd Hill Farmer’s Market. Each week, the market will offer the best in local produce and crafts.
912.572.5888
Email: mcleodah@aol.com
http://www.RHGA-Market.com

For details on more Savannah & Lowcountry Farmers Markets, click here

No more excuses for not buying locally-grown fruits and veggies. Check out these Savannah and Lowcountry Farmers’ Markets that are open and ready for business or opening in April.

The Richmond Hill Farmer’s Market
Opens April 3 2012, 3-7 PM Tuesdays at JF Gregory Park under the pavillion.
Bring the family to J. F. Gregory Park for the Richomnd Hill Farmer’s Market. Each week, the market will offer the best in local produce and crafts.
520 Cedar St., Richmond Hill, GA 31324
912.572.5888
Email: mcleodah@aol.com
http://www.RHGA-Market.com

Forsyth Farmers Market held Saturdays in Savannah
9 AM-1 PM Saturdays
South End of Forsyth Park (Between the basketball and tennis courts)
Email: forsythfarmersmarket@gmail.com
More info here.

Farmers Market of Bluffton held Thursdays 2012
2-7 PM Thursday
Carson Cottages in Old Town Bluffton, 40 Calhoun St. intersection of Calhoun Street & Lawrence Street, Bluffton, 29910-7014
More info here.

Hilton Head Island Farmer’s Market opens April 6 2012
8:30 AM-1 PM Fridays through Dec. 7 2012
Historic Honey Horn
70 Honey Horn Plantation Road, Hilton Head Is., 29926
Fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, seafood, flowers, preserves, pasta, bread and more. Free parking. More info at (843) 422-4168
More info here.

The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina presents Yostie’s Puppetry Toy Theatre. Create your own books, stages, puppets and story props in this hands-on paper-folding puppetry class using colored paper, file folders and fun trims. This is a great activity for school, home and church taught by acclaimed puppeteer Yostie Ashley. (843) 686-3945, x 233 or www.artshhi.com .

Hilton Head Presbyterian Church invites your children to hop on over to our annual Easter Egg Hunt! 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Hunt down hidden eggs, hop in the bouncy house, help yourself to hotdogs,and heaps more fun! www.hiltonheadpca.com  .

For more local Easter Egg Hunts & Easter Activities, click here.

The Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn will host an “Indigo Tie-Dye” program at 10:30 a.m., ages 7-12. This unique program for children will focus on indigo! Space is limited and reservations are required. Cost is $10. (843) 689-6767 x 223 or coastaldiscovery.org.

The Coastal Discovery Museum will host a carnivorous plant bog garden workshop for kids at 11 a.m. The program will investigate unusual plants and you will learn about their unique adaptations for survival. Space is limited and reservations are required. Cost is $20. 70 Honey Horn Dr. (843) 689-6767 x 223 or coastaldiscovery.org.

Alligators and Others
9:30-11:30 a.m. Apr 7, 2012
$25 per person; $10 for children under 12 accompanied by an adult. To make a reservation, please call 912.236.8115 or visit www.wilderness-southeast.org

Explore the newly reopened Wildlife Drive of the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge! You’ll venture just outside Savannah to discover alligators basking in the sun while great birds fish serenely nearby. Your official naturalist guide will tell you alligator stories as you discover secrets of historic rice plantations, and understand the importance to wildlife of maintaining the old rice paddies.

Fee: $25/person ($10/child under 12 accompanied by a parent) includes use of binoculars and spotting scope. Meet at Savannah National Wildlife Refuge; call 912.236.8115 for specific directions. Reservations required

Revved Up For Autism Car, Truck & Bike Show
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Mar 31, 2012
Savannah National Guard 1248 Eisenhower Dr.
Free
www.krcacademy.org/Events—News.html

(912) 355-7633
Get revved up for Kicklighter’s Annual Car, Truck and Bike Show! classic cars, muscle cars, custom cars, hot rods, choppers, trucks, street bikes and so much more! Admission is free!

 Savannah Music Festival runs through April 7. The city-wide musical arts event features renowned performers in jazz, classical, Americana and world music.

Doggie Easter Bonnet Contest & Egg Hunt
@ Daffin Park on Victory Drive, Savannah 31304
Sun April 1 2012
1-2 PM: Registration
2-3 PM: Easter Bonnet Contest
3-4 PM: Easter Egg Hunt
All dogs must be on a leash, have proof of current rabies shots and under control at all times
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Bring your basket & water for pets
Lots of prizes (no entry fee)
Sponsored by Savannah Kennel Club.

For more local Easter Egg Hunts & Easter Activities, click here.

Garden City’s Easter Eggstravaganza.
Sponsored by the Parks & Recreation Department and Police Department,
Features an Easter egg hunt with over 4,000 eggs, a petting zoo, inflatables, mini fire truck rides, egg toss and a bicycle raffle.
Bring a camera for a photo with the Easter Bunny! This event is free and open to the public.
@ Sharon Park, along the lake at 507 Sharon Park Road, Garden City, Ga
10 AM-1 PM Saturday, March 31, 2012
912.966.7777
www.gardencity-ga.gov

For more local Easter Egg Hunts & Easter Activities, click here.

The Great Egg Hunts 2012 at Holiday Farms
10884 Grays Hwy, Ridgeland, SC, 29936
Spend time at Haytona Speedway, The Bounce House, The Barnyard Zoo & playing many games. Everyone will take a hay-filled wagon ride to The Egg Patch where each child will get a dozen toy & candy filled eggs to take home.
The Easter Bunny will be there EVERY DAY! Click here for more info.
843 726 5527
HOURS:
March 29 – April 7
Monday – Thursday 9 AM – 2 PM
Friday – Saturday 9 AM- dark, last hayride leaves at 6 pm
Closed on Sundays

For more local Easter Egg Hunts & Easter Activities, click here.
E-mail: holidayfarms@yahoo.com
PRICES:
$8 per person, includes all activities, wagon ride to the Easter Patch and 1 dozen toy & candy filled eggs for all children 17 & younger
Each participant MUST bring an empty egg carton