Butterfly Hollow Open March 9 – September 30

Butterfly Hollow at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens will feature a lush tropical forest and meadow, flowering plants that provide the nectar for hundreds of native butterflies that may even land on you.

Enjoy fairy houses, garden art, water features and arbors. Butterfly pupae will be on display inside the exhibit, so guests can see the butterfly’s life cycle. As the season progresses, new species will be added.

Professor Wendy Perrywhistle, an expert on butterflies and the fairy world from Eldonshire, England, has posted her journal entries throughout the exhibit to help guests discover the butterflies and the important role they play in our environment. Visitors will also see evidence of gnomes and trolls that will help tell the story about butterflies and the environment they live in.

Butterfly Hollow is open from 9:30 a.m. until a half hour prior to closing each day.

Fees:
Butterfly Hollow tickets can be purchased at Main Camp ticket booths or on the board walk to the entrance of this exhibit.
•$2.00 per person for non-members
•$1.50 per member

Value Tickets including general Zoo Admission, Butterfly Hollow, Stingray Bay, Train and Carousel may be purchased online or at the Zoo’s main entrance.
•$21.95/adults
•$19.95/seniors
•$14.95/children

For more info on Jacksonville Zoo, click here.

You can have a say about the plans for new libraries.

Live Oak Public Libraries officials are asking the public for input as they unveil preliminary plans for two new libraries at two upcoming public meetings.

They are scheduled as follows:

Community input session for Islands Library
Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. at the existing Islands Library, 125 Wilmington Island Rd.

In the preliminary designs, both libraries will have the same design and square footage with several unique features that reflect the individual communities. Estimated completion of the libraries is summer 2013.

You’re invited to a March 3 fund raiser to support a proposed Tybee Island charter school, which now has an official name, the Tybee Island Maritime Academy.

The focus of the school’s curriculum will be the full scope of the local, from the ecology and biology of the Lowcountry to the jobs that are specific to it (e.g., ports jobs, boat maintenance, shrimping, etc.).

Please like the proposed charter school on Facebook here for the latest updates.

3-6 PM Sat. March 3

Consign with Kids 2 Kids Consignment seasonal sale at Savannah Mall in March and receive 70% commission.

Kids 2 Kids is partnering with the Salvation Army to help local families. Bring a pack of diapers and wipes and you can shop early. Check out their website here for details.

Consign more to make more. Consign 100 items and receive 75% commission on all items. Registration is now open. kids2Kids Consignment is taking ALL Seasons of gently used clothing, toys, books, furniture, baby and maternity items. For more information, click here.

Kids 2 Kids seasonal consignment sale is set for March 8-11 2012 at Savannah Mall.

Sale Dates:
Thurs. March 8 3p-7p
Frid. March 9 10a-7p
Sat. March 10 10a-7p
Sun. Mar.11 11a-2p (Select Items will be 40% off)

Want to Shop Early? Volunteer and shop March 8 10a-3p

Drop Off is March 6 & 7.

Kids 2 Kids easy tagging system is NOW available. Click here to Register/ Start Tagging/ or Sign up for Volunteer Shifts.

The advantages to seasonal consignment sales are numerous:
•shoppers find better prices at seasonal consignment sales than at consignment shops
•the variety and quality is better than garage sales
•consignors keep a larger percentage
•it is fun and easy

Kids 2 Kids Consignment Sale, http://kids2kidsconsign.net/, March 8-11 2012, Kids 2 Kids Consignment Sale is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

For National Children’s Health Month, please come join Simply Children’s Dentistry on Feb. 24, 2012 from 9am to 11 AM for a healthy snack and a free tooth brush. Staff at Simply Children’s Dentistrylook forward to seeing you then. The practice is at 613 Stephenson Ave Suite 201 Savannah 31405. (912)353-9993.

FREE & open to the public!

Dr. Kamiti Harden at Simply Children’s Dentistry regularly hosts such children’s dental health awareness events that are open to the public.

Simply Children’s Dentistry, 613 Stephenson Ave Suite 201, Savannah 31405; www.simplychildrens.com , email: businessassistant@simplychildrens.com , (912) 353-9993. Simply Children’s Dentistry is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Interpretive Center hours: Wednesday-Sunday 10 AM-5 PM
Come see the display of the Giant Ground Sloth replica, wildlife exhibits, live reptiles and birding station. Programs listed below meet promptly at the Interpretive Center unless otherwise noted. Programs are free. $5 for parking.

Skidaway Island State Park
52 Diamond Causeway
Savannah, GA 31411

Wednesday, February 22:
11:00 AM Interpretive Center Tour: Join a tour of the museum. See and touch fossils, reptiles, and more!
3:00 PM Coastal Reptiles: Learn all about lizards, turtles, and snakes… Oh My! See and touch live examples.

Thursday, February 23:
12:00 PM Big Ferry Trail Hike: Come for a 2-3 mile walk through a Maritime Forest. Meet at the Big Ferry Trail Entrance.
3:00 PM Fire Building: Come learn how to build a fire using different fire starting techniques.

Friday, February 24:
8:30 AM Bird Walk: Come and meet Mrs. Nell and join her on a walk to observe birds in the marsh and maritime forest. Bring binoculars and bird guide (also available to borrow. Meet at Interpretive Center.
1:00 PM Giants of Skidaway: Come learn about the amazing Giant Ground Sloth and others that roamed Skidaway during the Ice Age, more than 10,000 years ago. See and touch real fossils!
4:00 PM Invasive Species Program: Learn all about invasive plants and animals that are threatening our native plants and animals.

Saturday, February 25:
11:00 AM Interpretive Center Tour: Join a tour of the museum. See and touch fossils, reptiles, and more!

Sunday, February 26:
11:00 AM Feeding Show: Learn what our animals eat and watch as they enjoy their lunch.
2:00 PM Intro to Geocaching: Learn the basics of geocaching, the geocache program that GA state parks offer, and participate in a real live geocache!
4:00 PM Craft: Tissue Paper Butterflies

For National Children’s Health Month, please come join Simply Children’s Dentistry on Feb. 24, 2012 from 9am to 11 AM for a healthy snack and a free tooth brush. Staff at Simply Children’s Dentistry look forward to seeing you then. The practice is at 613 Stephenson Ave Suite 201 Savannah 31405. (912)353-9993.

Dr. Kamiti Harden at Simply Children’s Dentistry regularly hosts such children’s dental health awareness events that are open to the public.

Simply Children’s Dentistry, 613 Stephenson Ave Suite 201, Savannah 31405; www.simplychildrens.com , email: businessassistant@simplychildrens.com , (912) 353-9993. Simply Children’s Dentistry is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

TBall Season is HERE.

Isle of Hope TBall will start March 20 & 22 2012. Tball is for girls and boys 3 to 4 year olds on Tuesday and 5 to 7 olds on Thursday nights. Email at edyannett@att.net  to request a registration form.

You are invited to the Kumon of Savannah Open House, 10 AM-2 PM March 3 2012.

The Kumon Math and Reading Center of Savannah assists students who are struggling in school and need to catch up, as well as those who want to advance.

Designed for students from pre-school to college level, Kumon helps children master skills in math and reading according to their own ability level.

Stay connected to Kumon of Savannah by liking them on Facebook here.

Programs for pre-K-12th grade.

Kumon Math and Reading Center of Savannah, www.kumon.com/savannah, open on Mondays and Thursdays from 3-7 PM, 10010 Abercorn Ave. in Savannah. For more information or to schedule a complimentary placement test, call owner and instructor, Janese Cooper at (912) 920-8899. Kumon of Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

With a three-day Presidents Day holiday weekend approaching, we are sharing some of our favorite daytrips to kid-friendly places you can visit in a daytrip or over the weekend. Here are our 10 favorite picks for nearby spots outside of Savannah that are well worth the trip:

1. Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Jekyll Is., Ga (closed Mondays including Presidents Day Feb. 20). Hours, admission rates, directions and more details here.

2. South Carolina Aquarium, Charleston Harbor , S.C. Open on Presidents Day Feb. 20. Hours, daily events, admission rates & specials here.

3. Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry, Charleston, S.C. Open on Presidents Day Feb. 20. Hours, exhibits, admission rates & more details here.

4. Museum of Science & History (MOSH) & The Bryan-Gooding Planetarium, Jacksonville, Fla. Open on Presidents Day Feb. 20. Hours, daily Planetarium shows, upcoming special events, admission specials & more details here. .

5. Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, Jacksonville, Fla. Open on Presidents Day Feb. 20. Hours, Black History Month Discount, admission rates & more details here.

6. The Center for Wildlife Education & the Lamar Q. Ball Raptor Center at Georgia Southern University Campus, Statesboro, GA. A reptile program is held on each Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Lecture Hall & a flighted raptor program is held at 3 p.m. in the Amphitheater. Admission rates, show details, directions here.  OPEN ON Presidents Day Feb. 20.

7. The Sandbox Interactive Children’s Museum, Hilton Head Is., S.C. Open on Presidents Day Feb. 20 Day. Hours, admission rates & more details here.

8. Lawton Stables, Sea Pines Resort, Hilton Head. Is. S.C. OPEN on Presidents Day Feb. 20 (open everyday except Christmas) Lawton’s free animal farm includes goats, sheep, pot-bellied pigs, ponies, rabbits, a deer named Callie and a Clydesdale named Harley (who loves visitors bearing carrots and apples). Pony rides and horseback riding available for a fee. Details here.

9. Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, Columbia, S.C.. Check out the new bald eagle exhibit & safari ropes challenge course. Details here.

10. EdVenture Children’s Museum, Columbia, S.C. OPEN on Presidents Day Feb. 20. Eight exhibits including EDDIE® the World’s Largest Child, plus a library, learning laboratories, resource centers & more. Two additional outdoor gallery spaces are located just outside the museum’s front doors. Within the total 92,000 square feet that is EdVenture Children’s Museum, there are more than 350 individual hands-on exhibits. Details here.

The Sandbox Interactive Children’s Museum is open Mon. Feb. 20 on President’s Day
10 AM-5 PM
The Sandbox is dedicated to the positive development of young children through educational play with parents, grandparents, caregivers and friends.
18-A Pope Avenue, next to St. Andrew By-The-Sea United Methodist Church.
843.842.7645 or email crinehart@thesandbox.org.
www.thesandbox.org

10 AM February 18, 2012

In partnership with our friends at the Savannah Tree Foundation, the Savannah Bicycle Campaign is leading a ride out of Daffin Park this Saturday. Go for about 10 miles and see some tree plantings carried out by Savannah Tree Foundation in their mission of maintaining and growing the urban forest of Savannah

WHO: Everyone! Probably not appropriate for kids under 8 to ride under their own power, but they’re welcome in kid seats, trailers, or tag-a-longs.
WHAT: Arbor Day Ride – 10 miles at a casual pace. Helmets are strongly encouraged.
WHEN: Saturday, February 18, 10am
WHERE: Daffin Park start. Meet on Waring Drive south of the circle.
WHY: The Lorax would want you to go.

Dinner with General James Oglethorpe
7 PM Saturday, February 18, 2012, 7 P.M.
Fort King George, Darien
General James E. Oglethorpe, and the Garrison of Fort King George would like to invite members of the public to a quaint colonial dinner in the enlisted soldiers barracks. Evening entertainment will feature the arrival of General Oglethorpe, musket & cannon firings, as well as interaction between the fort officers, soldiers, and dinner guests. Come share time with the founder of the colony

Savananah children’s art classes with Scribble Art Studio and Primary Art Supply!
A fun, unique opportunity to create art at every artist’s dream location! Beginning this February, Primary Art Supply and Scribble Art Studio are working together to bring exciting new class options!

*Aliens and Monsters! Ages 4+
Begins: Monday, Feb. 20, 4pm-5pm
Cost: $120 for 6 weeks, includes supply kit!
Class Dates: Feb. 20, 27 Mar. 5, 12, 19, 26
SPOOKY! SILLY! We’ll cover them all in this class designed especially for all the alien and monster lovers out there!

*Fabric Arts – Expressing Your Inner Animal! Ages 6+
Begins: Wednesday, Feb. 22, 4pm-5pm
Cost: $120 for 6 weeks, includes supply kit!
Class Dates: Feb. 22, 29 Mar. 7, 14, 21, 28
Students will do everything from designing their own fabric to creating stuffed animal toys in this fun, basic fibers class!

*Retro Crafts! Ages 6+
Begins: Thursday, Feb. 23, 5:15pm-6:15pm
Cost:$120 for 6 weeks, includes supply kit!
Class Dates: Feb. 23 Mar. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Get your Vintage on! Revisit the 50′s 60′s and 70′s in this retro craft class!

*Lego Art! Ages 5+
Begins: Friday, Feb. 24, 5-6pm
Cost: $120 for 6 weeks, includes supply kit!
Class Begins: Feb. 24 Mar. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Who doesn’t love legos?! A variety of art projects inspired by this beloved toy!

For more information, contact artist Carrie Christian at 912-323-0123 or email ScribbleArtStudio@hotmail.com. Click here for more info. Scribble Art Studio a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

You’re invited to a March 3 fund raiser to support a proposed Tybee Island charter school, which now has an official name, the Tybee Island Maritime Academy.

The focus of the school’s curriculum will be the full scope of the local, from the ecology and biology of the Lowcountry to the jobs that are specific to it (e.g., ports jobs, boat maintenance, shrimping, etc.).

Please like the proposed charter school on Facebook here for the latest updates.

You can have a say about the plans for new libraries.

Live Oak Public Libraries officials are asking the public for input as they unveil preliminary plans for two new libraries at two upcoming public meetings.

They are scheduled as follows:

Community input session for Westside Library
Thursday, February 23 at 6 p.m. at City Hall in the new Garden City Town Center

Community input session for Islands Library
Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. at the existing Islands Library, 125 Wilmington Island Rd.

In the preliminary designs, both libraries will have the same design and square footage with several unique features that reflect the individual communities. Estimated completion of the libraries is summer 2013.

Time to register for youth Spring 2012 soccer with Savannah Celtic.

There is still time to sign up. You can do so here:

Bigger Micro Program
The Wilmington Islands program is booming. Last season, Savannah Celtic had 5 U6 teams and 5 U8 teams on the island. This year, both programs are at 6 and 6 and the calls are POURING in every day for them.  Savannah Celtic even added a U10 team that practices on the island.

Schedule Change
 This season, EVERYONE (including Bloomingdale) will come to Savannah for the final weekend of games, May 19 & a big awards ceremony. An added perk is that your teams will get to play a team they didn’t play during the rest of the season.

Start Date
Games will start March 24, giving everyone plenty of time to practice.

Bloomingdale Addition
There’s a new Bloomingdale Micro program this season, headed by Jeff Storey-Pitts with 5 teams in U6 and 5 at U8. Jeff is full time with Celtic and is a Nationally Licensed Coach.

New Island Director
Ciara Thomas will be running the program on the islands this season.  She is the GK for the SCAD women’s soccer team and has already talked several of her teammates into helping her out.

Here’s a timeline of this coming SPRING Season.

Feb. 3 to March 1
Registrations will remain open until the start of March, however teams will already be formed and practicing. If you want your child on a specific team or you want them to get started with everyone else, Savannah Celtic suggests registering in the next week.

March 24
Games are slated to begin. There will be NO GAMES on St. Patricks Day, March 17th.

If you are already registered but need to pay, please mail your check to:
Savannah Celtic FC
PO Box 14207
Savannah, GA 31416

If you need to register still, please click here. For the various discounts offered & payment plans, click here

If you have questions, please email celitc@savannahceltics.com

Savannah Celtic is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Time to get the kids ready for swim season!

Starfish Swim Lessons in Savannah are offered at Chatham Aquatic Center, Savannah, 7240 Sallie Mood Drive
Savannah, 31406-3991
(912) 652-6793
Each session consists of 8 lessons.
Click here for the February 2016 schedule.

(If you are looking for private swim lessons for your child, we can’t say enough great stuff about swim instructor Theresa Palmer, an independent swim instructor who teaches out of the Chatham Aquatic Center!)

StarBabies (Ages 6 months – 36 months)
The purpose of this course is to build off of the skills and love of the water learned in StarBabies. The course does not teach children to be accomplished swimmers; it does prepare young children for the SeaSprites level of the Starfish Swim School. One parent or trusted caregiver must be in the water with each child. Swim diapers are required.

SeaSprites (Ages 3-5)
Designed to meet the needs of pre-schoolers, this class will develop a high comfort in the water, a readiness to swim, and for those children who are developmentally ready, teach beginning swim skills. Students work toward development of the five core swimming competencies and receive color level patches for each achievement. Approaches teaching skills through creative, fun activities.

SeaStars (Ages 6-8)
Students work toward development of the five core swimming competencies and receive color level patches for each achievement. The color levels are used to divide students into broad ability groups. Children progress at individual rates with the opportunity to learn the core swimming skills and progress to advanced strokes. Learning is self-paced but challenging.

SwimStars (Ages 9 & Older)
Students are divided by age group (Ages 9 – 14, Adults) Classes are taught along the same philosophy as SeaStars.

StrokeStars (Any age that meets skill prerequisite)
Swimmers refine freestyle and learn stroke technique for backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and more!

AngelFish
The AngelFish program is designed to meet the needs of your special needs child. These classes are taught along the same philosophy as the Starfish Swim School. The classes will provide necessary teaching adaptations and or adaptive equipment that may be required to make your child as independent and successful in the water as possible. Private lessons are available for children and adults of all ages.

Butterfly Hollow Open March 9 – September 30

Butterfly Hollow at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens will feature a lush tropical forest and meadow, flowering plants that provide the nectar for hundreds of native butterflies that may even land on you.

Enjoy fairy houses, garden art, water features and arbors. Butterfly pupae will be on display inside the exhibit, so guests can see the butterfly’s life cycle. As the season progresses, new species will be added.

Professor Wendy Perrywhistle, an expert on butterflies and the fairy world from Eldonshire, England, has posted her journal entries throughout the exhibit to help guests discover the butterflies and the important role they play in our environment. Visitors will also see evidence of gnomes and trolls that will help tell the story about butterflies and the environment they live in.

Butterfly Hollow is open from 9:30 a.m. until a half hour prior to closing each day.

Fees:
Butterfly Hollow tickets can be purchased at Main Camp ticket booths or on the board walk to the entrance of this exhibit.
•$2.00 per person for non-members
•$1.50 per member

Value Tickets including general Zoo Admission, Butterfly Hollow, Stingray Bay, Train and Carousel may be purchased online or at the Zoo’s main entrance.
•$21.95/adults
•$19.95/seniors
•$14.95/children

For more info on Jacksonville Zoo, click here.

This week, win a $25 gift certificate to the  High Cotton Kids upscale spring/summer 2012 consignment event happening this month!  Savannah’s biggest children’s consignment event – High Cotton Kids – is set for February 23-25 2012 at 706 Mall Boulevard, Formerly Seeds of Faith Bookstore!

To enter to win the $25 gift certificate, please “like” High Cotton Kids on Facebook here & then answer this question on their wall “What is your favorite part of spring in Savannah? (activity, tradition, sport etc)? Deadline to enter is noon Sun. Feb. 19. We’ll announce the winner then.

Come shop consignment at it’s finest. High Cotton Kids is THE place to save a lot of money, make a lot of money and have a great time doing both! This spring’s upscale resale shopping event will include high end boutique children’s brand clothing sizes 0-12 and many other items. There will also be a variety of new merchandise from several local retailers. Get ready to rack up on all your favorite children’s brands at a fraction of the retail price! There is something for everybody’s taste and budget from adorable smocked frocks to funky threads to even high cotton play clothes your kids will love to throw on all spring and summer.

Do you want to shop early for the best selection? Come to the Shop for a Cause Presale on Thursday, February 23 from 5:00 to 6:00 PM. High Cotton Kids is partnering with The Next Generation at Memorial Health Backus Children’s Hospital to help brighten the day of a child in the hospital. HCK will be collecting gift cards to be used for birthday celebrations and/or end-of- chemotherapy parties. Please bring your gift cards to Target, Walmart or Toys-R-Us and shop one hour early, before the show opens to the public! Minimum amount of $5 is requested and more is greatly appreciated! Monetary Donations of $5 or more will also be accepted at the door as your entry pass. Join The Next Generation now and receive two Preview Party tickets!

Consignor registration is open now through Sunday, February 19th! Clean out and cash in, all consignors keep 65% of your sales! Bring your gently loved children’s items to our consignment marketplace and let HCK do the selling. High Cotton Kids also accepts high end maternity clothing, children’s furniture, art work, baby and nursery necessities (ie. bouncers, exercausers, etc.), strollers, toys, books, dvds and more. For a complete list of items HCK accepts and do not accept, click here

High Cotton Kids thanks it’s sponsors The Monogram Place & Robyn’s Nest , Pediatric Dentistry and JPaige. Stay connected and get updates about the event by liking High Cotton Kids on Facebook here

High Cotton Kids Spring & Summer 2012 Show Hours
Thursday, February 23rd
5:00 – 6:00 pm Shop for a Cause Presale benefiting The Next Generation. Check the details to shop early!
6:00 – 8:00 pm Open to the Public
*Military and Expecting/First Time Moms with Children under 12months of age may register for early entry during the presale by emailing HCK at info@highcottonkids.com .

Friday, February 24th 9:00 am – 3:00pm
Saturday, February 25th 9:00 am – 1:00pm (Select items will be 40% OFF)

High Cotton Kids, 706 Mall Boulevard (formerly Seeds of Faith Christian Bookstore), www.highcottonkids.com , email info@highcottonkids.com High Cotton Kids is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Consign with Kids 2 Kids Consignment seasonal sale at Savannah Mall in March and receive 70% commission.

Kids 2 Kids is partnering with the Salvation Army to help local families. Bring a pack of diapers and wipes and you can shop early. Check out their website  here for details.

Consign more to make more. Consign 100 items and receive 75% commission on all items. Registration is now open. kids2Kids Consignment is taking ALL Seasons of gently used clothing, toys, books, furniture, baby and maternity items. For more information, click here.

Kids 2 Kids seasonal consignment sale is set for March 8-11 2012 at Savannah Mall.

Sale Dates:
Thurs. March 8 3p-7p
Frid. March 9 10a-7p
Sat. March 10 10a-7p
Sun. Mar.11 11a-2p (Select Items will be 40% off)

Want to Shop Early? Volunteer and shop March 8 10a-3p

Drop Off is March 6 & 7.

Kids 2 Kids easy tagging system is NOW available. Click here to Register/ Start Tagging/ or Sign up for Volunteer Shifts.

The advantages to seasonal consignment sales are numerous:
•shoppers find better prices at seasonal consignment sales than at consignment shops
•the variety and quality is better than garage sales
•consignors keep a larger percentage
•it is fun and easy

Kids 2 Kids Consignment Sale, http://kids2kidsconsign.net/, March 8-11 2012, Kids 2 Kids Consignment Sale is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Looking for another chance to win tickets to this weekend’s Southern Women’s Show Savannah?  Savannah Baby Co.. has two ticket giveaways under way. Deadline to enter is 11:59 PM Wed. Feb 15.

Ways to win:

1. Write Savannah Baby Co a review on Google and one person will randomly be selected to win TWO tickets. Reviews must be truthful and written after visiting the store. Must also “like” Savannah Baby Co. on Facebook here.

2. Write some advice to new moms on the Savannah Baby Co. Facebook page and whoever has the most “likes” on their advice by the deadline will receive FIVE tickets. Must also “like” Savannah Baby Co. on Facebook here.

Savannah Baby Co. will be at the Southern Women’s Show Savannah this weekend Feb. 17-19 so stop by and visit their booth!

Savannah Baby Company, 5301 Paulsen at the corner of Paulsen St and 69th in the Medical Arts neighborhood, Monday-Friday, 10-6. Saturday 10-4. 912-480-0212, www.savannahbabyco.com, Savannah Baby Company is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser