Create a unique take-home memory, cherished keepsake, by personalizing your very own ceramic plate. 

For reservations or more information, please contact The Sandbox at 843.842.7645. Log on to www.thesandbox.org  for information on other upcoming events and activities.

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of the Coastal Empire will host the 4th Annual Ride for Ronald Motorcycle Poker Run presented by Dr. Brad Durham. Registration will open at 9:00 a.m. with the last bike out at 11:00 a.m. and the last bike in at 2:00 p.m.
The scenic route will take participants through the Coastal Empire, as they make stops to pick up cards to add to their poker hands. Cash prizes include $500 to the Best Poker Hand, $250 to the Runner Up and $100 to the Worst Hand. Registration for the event is $20 and includes a poker hand, one door prize ticket and lunch courtesy of Driftaway Café. Additional riders are $10. Additional poker hands are available for $5.00.
To register online and/or begin an online fundraising webpage to help raise funds for RMHC visit www.firstgiving.com/rmhccoastal  and follow the steps. Walk up registrations are welcome.
You do not have to ride a motorcycle to be a part of this event! An after-party and awards ceremony will be held at the Ronald McDonald House from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. and the public is welcome. Live music, tours of the Ronald McDonald House and the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile®, door prizes and more are part of the festivities that will include special guest Ronald McDonald.
To date, the Ride for Ronald has raised more than $43,000 for children and families served by RMHC programs including the Ronald McDonald House, the Ronald McDonald Family Room®, and the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile thanks to participants and event sponsors.
For more information or to register, contact Mindy at 912-350-7641 or mindy@rmhccoastalempire.org .

Saint Peter the Apostle Catholic School Open House for prospective students and parents Sunday, May 15 from 10-11a.m. and May 16 – 19 from 9-11 a.m.
Saint Peter the Apostle School has openings available for the new three-year-old preschool program through the eighth grade.
Located on Wilmington Island, Saint Peter the Apostle Catholic School has been providing students with a strong, faith-based education for over 50 years. Saint Peter the Apostle School provides preschool through eighth grade students an education that nurtures a sense of community, a respect for learning, and an opportunity for personal growth.
The school offers a rigorous academic program that includes: Small class sizes, SMART Board technology in every classroom, a state-of-the-art computer lab, fine art enrichments, and an extensive athletic program. Saint Peter the Apostle School is part of the Savannah Dioceses and has received accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the Florida Catholic Conference (FCC).
For more information, visit www.saintpetertheapostle.com  or call the admissions office at 912-897-5224.

It’s spring and you are so ready for your home to be professionally cleaned.

Hubbard’s Maid Service in Savannah and the Lowcountry is your go-to company for a spotless cleaning job done by responsible crews you can trust.

Not only does Hubbard’s offer a quality service, the company also gives back to the community. Hubbard’s Maid Service cleans homes for free for women that are undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer. Hubbard’s Maid Service has joined Cleaning for A Reason, a nationwide non-profit foundation. 

The Foundation Call Center screens and qualifies requests before passing them onto a residential cleaning business to service. The Foundation matches patients with qualified cleaning businesses who have pledged to provide 4 free cleanings for women while they are undergoing treatment for cancer. The Foundation recruits licensed, insured, and bonded cleaning companies such as Hubbard’s who provide background checks on their employees to provide these in demand services.

Hubbard’s then pledges to donate funds to the foundation and do all the cleanings 100% free for the women. There are currently 850 cleaning companies participating in the United States and Canada. Hubbard’s is available to take on more Cleaning for A Reason patients. Call Hubbard’s Maid Service directly at 912-961-9131 for more information or click here.

Call 912.961.9131 for a free house cleaning quote. Be sure to tell them SouthernMamas.com sent you!.

Serving Savannah & the Lowcountry since 2004, Hubbard’s Maid Service has been keeping thousands of houses and offices spotless. You can be assured that Hubbard’s licensed, bonded, and insured team has one goal: your complete satisfaction! No office, house, store, or construction site is too small or large for Hubbard’s cleaning crews.

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

Tues. May 10 – Fri. May 13
10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Stop by The Sandbox and help decorate the outside of the museum building! The Sandbox will be turned into a work of art for everyone to see.

Make unique works of art with plants from The Sandbox’s garden. Supplies included with admission. (843) 842-7645 or www.thesandbox.org .

UPDATE: Jennifer Pinkerman Williams is the winner!  Congratulations Jennifer!

Mother’s Day isn’t over.

Here at SouthernMamas.com we believe in celebrating Mother’s Day for the entire Month of May.

Glow Medical Spa & Beauty Boutique  in Savannah is helping to celebrate our Moms Month with an incredible month-long giveaway for a lucky SouthernMamas subscriber: The Spa Sampler. The giveaway includes two of Glow’s most popular treatments:  a mini-facial and a thirty minute massage. It ends with a Mommy make-up make-over and make-up lesson. Two hours. Value is $150.

To enter to win, join the Glow MedSpa group on Facebook by clicking here. The answer this question on the Glow MedSpa Wall: “As a mother, the most difficult thing to do in regards to my own health/beauty is (fill in the blank?)”

We’ll pick a name at random at the end of the month and announce the winner here in June!

Glow is located in Governours Square at 415 Eisenhower Drive between Waters Avenue and Hodgson Memorial Drive. Visit Glow’s MedSpa Services page to see the services offered and read all about the cutting-edge cosmetic medical procedures that have made Glow the leading Medical Spa in Savannah- famous for offering the newest and latest beauty services. Glow offers a variety of services including eye lash extensions, microdermabrasion, massage, chemical peels, Botox, Juvederm, laser leg vein treatments, laser facial treatments and more. 912.303.9611

Pack the Park. Oatland will receive a portoin of the proceeds for ticket sales .
At the game, visit some of Oatland’s most popular animals.
To benefit Oatland, purchase tickets at Oatland Island before the game. Come show your support for the Center!
More info here.

FREE Skidaway State Park,. Programs meet at the Interpretive Center unless otherwise noted. Come see the center’s display of the Giant Ground Sloth replica, wildlife exhibits, live reptiles and birding station: 912-598-2300

Wednesday, May 25:
2 PM Interpretive Center Tour: Join in a tour of the museum and see and touch fossils, reptiles, and more.
4 PM Coastal Reptiles: Learn all about lizards, turtles, and snakes… Oh My! See and touch live examples.

Thursday, May 26:
2 PM The Buried History of Skidaway: Learn all about the exciting archeological and paleontological discoveries on the island.
4 PM CRAFT: Sand Art

Friday, May 27:
12 PM Fossil Friday: Come check out fossils and artifacts that can be found around the park.
3 PM Fossil Rubbings: Learn how to do fossil rubbings and identify fossils.

Have fun learning a new skill while spending time together!

Let SCRIBBLE ART STUDIO  in Savannah design a workshop that allows for families and friends to express themselves creatively while spending quality time together. Workshops designed to span all ages and experience levels. Popular workshops include Watercolor, Drawing, and Sculpture!

Don’t forget to check out SCRIBBLE ART STUDIO’S SUMMER CAMP 2011.

Scribble Art Studio Summer Camp – run by Savannah artist Carrie Christian – has children drawing, painting, stamping, sculpting, and creating collages based on a variety of themes! Get ready to have some summer fun and explore your creative side!

4-5 year olds (different dates):
JUNE 6-10 | 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
JUNE 27-July 1 | 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
JULY 4-8 | 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
JULY 25-29 | 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
AUGUST 1-5 | 10:30 am – 12:00 pm

5-7 year olds:
Morning classes: 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
8-13 year olds:
Afternoon classes: 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm

8-13 year olds:
Afternoon classes: 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Art From Around The World! | JUNE 13-17: Russia, Africa, Mexico, Japan, India, and France are just some of the cultures explored while creating new and exciting works of art!
American Art / Folk Art! | JUNE 20-24: Pulling from the natural folk art tendencies of children, this week’s theme explores the history of this organic art and offers inspiration for creating new masterpieces!
Calling All Animal Lovers! | JULY 11-15: Campers will use animals and their surrounding habitats as a springboard to create unique, colorful creations. Animal imagery and stories will be used for reference!
Fantasy / Fairytale! | JULY 18-22: This week includes projects designed around classic fairytales, creatures of fantasy, tall tales, and legends!
Meet the Masters! | AUGUST 8-12, AUGUST 15-19: Learn about the lives and works of new and familiar artists through their masterpieces!

CONTACT: Carrie Christian | 912-323-0123 | carrieachristian@hotmail.com | | www.scribbleartstudio.com Cost: $150 for the week. Deposit of $50 necessary to ensure spot. Tuition includes all the finest art materials. Make checks payable to Scribble Art Studio. Scribble Art Studio is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Summer 2011 Kindermusik ‘Adventures’ sessions are  an enriching, fun way to beat the heat with some cool indoor musical learning together. Classes offered in Southside Savannah, Wilmington Island and Richmond Hill.

Some of Kindermusik Summer 2011 highlights:
-two 5-week sessions, to accomodate your Summer plans.
-afternoon classes, as well as morning and weekends.
-classes for the older age groups (ages 3-5, and 5-7).
-Family Time classes (for siblings combined, ages 0-7!). 1st child pays. All subsequent children are FREE, yes, FREE!!
-a Summer-long musical sign language class, for hearing babies, ages 6-36 months.
– Curricula for Summer Session A is DIFFERENT than for Summer Session B, so you can sign up for both sessions if you wish, and enjoy 10 weeks of non-stop Summer Kindermusik.

Summer sessions include:

Adventures for Babies (For ages newborn – 20 months):
“Busy Days” and “Peek A Boo, I Love You!”. With a little more “Bach” in your Twinkle Twinkle repertoire, you’ll love how each lesson features fun activities and songs you can enjoy in all the places you go and the things you do together. Be inspired as you discover new ways music can help your busy days with your child be easier, happier days.  In “Peek A Boo, I Love You!”, more than just a curious story, Mother Goose games like peek-a-boo help babies understand language. In this special class, uncover more ways to say “I love you” using American Sign Language, soap bubbles, and parent-baby dances. Plus, parents can meet with other newborns and families in the community and learn how music improves the child development process. For ages newborn – 20 months.

Adventures for Toddlers (For ages 1.5-3.5 and their parents)
Explore creatures all summer long, with “Creatures at the Ocean” and then “Creatures in my Backyard”. In “Creatures at the Ocean”, sing sailor songs and make the ocean count. “Five little seashells lying on the shore: Swish! Went the waves and then there were four.” In “Creatures in My Backyard”, give your children something to sing about in their own backyards. Be the flower from the “seed’s” perspective. Run and jump in rain puddles made from hula hoops. Shoo real flies and sing “Shoo Fly.” 

Adventures for Pre-Schoolers ( For ages 3-5 and their parents):
In “On the Road”, you will re-live your childhood, with your child. Every song is likely to revive a memory from your summers? past. Play ?Eye Spy? and find shapes in the clouds to pass the time. Take imaginary trips in a bus named ?Van Go? to fun-filled vacation destinations such as the carnival, a summer cottage, and the beach. In “Confetti Days”, throw a new party every day. Ride a carousel inside the classroom. Play a balancing game and walk on the web of ropes. Do a musical move and freeze. Learn colors and sing the Spanish song “De Colures,” “Pop, Goes the Weasel,” and “Looby Loo.”

Adventures for Big Children ( For ages 5-7) :
The theme is called “Tell Me A Tale”. Through storytelling, your children will develop an early awareness of rhythm, movement, singing, and drama. Each lesson features a new tale from around the world, explored through multi-instrument and multi-cultural elements. All told, it?s an around-the-imagination adventure of the greatest stories from Europe, Malaysia, South Africa, and more. 

Adventures for Families (pay for one child, all additional siblings are free):
Experience the joy of the One-Room Schoolhouse approach as “Here, There and Everywhere” invites ALL the members of a family to come enjoy a musical adventure together! This class is open to siblings of ages 0-7, all together. Pay only for the first child. All the siblings are FREE!

Adventures for Sign Language (for hearing babies ages 6-36 months):
One 10-week session of Sign and Sing, Units A and B, for hearing babies, ages 6-36 months. Learn over 150 ASL signs to use with your baby to eliminate communication frustrations for both baby AND you. Not only will you learn in a fun, musical atmosphere, but you will also be taught how to interpret YOUR baby’s version of the signs, how to engage your child to WANT to sign, and how to use music and props as “attention – getters” to GET your baby to sign.

REGISTER
All class sizes are limited, so hurry and sign up today. Session A will run from the end of May through the end of June, and Session B will run from mid July through early August. Each session lasts 5 weeks and costs include tuition PLUS all home materials.

To sign up, please visit the new website by clicking here and scroll down to the BOTTOM of the home page. You will find a Kindermusik link. Click there to get to our Kindermusik website. Online registration is available NOW. Questions? Email music@88keysga.com  or 912.988.KEYS (5397).

Ocean Plaza Parking Lot just one block from the beach. Admission is $1 per person per day. $20 wristbands can be purchased each day. The wristband allows the wearer to ride an unlimited number of rides.
Events include: Grand Ferris Wheel, Himalaya, Super Slide, Spin Out, Scrambler and Kiddie Rides. All American Pony Rides and the smallest cow in the world. Carnival foods, too.
Part of the Tybee Seafood Fest. | 912-652-6784 or 912-429-4892
• Wed. May 4 5- 9 PM
• Thurs. May 5 5-9 PM
• Fri. May 6 4- 9 PM
• Sat. May 7 10 AM – 9 PM
• Sun., May 8 Noon – 6 PM
More info here: http://tybeeseafoodfest.com/about/

For kids’ events in the Greater Savannah area & Lowcountry, visit our Events Calendar by clicking here. 

Bring your family and party attitude to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. The program is hosted by Oscar Velasquez. Festivities include learning the history behind the day, music and a pinata. Appropriate for all ages.

3-3:45 PM Mondays in May except May 30.
From alligators to no-see-ums, learn about some of the area’s most intriguing residents and the habitats they call home. Bones and preserved specimens will be shown. Reservations required by calling 843-689-6767 ext 223. $5 per person; Meets at Honey Horn location; 45 minutes

Programs meet at the Interpretive Center unless otherwise noted. Come see the center’s display of the Giant Ground Sloth replica, wildlife exhibits, live reptiles and birding station: 912-598-2300

Sat. May 28
11 AM Volley Ball Game Meet at Picnic Shelter 1
2 PM Hayrides ($2 per person)
5 PM Birds of Prey: Come and learn about different Birds of Prey in this area.
7:30 PM Bat Watching Program: Learn all about these misunderstood mammals while seeing and hearing them using our bat detector. Bring a flashlight! Meet at the Amphitheatre

Sun. May 29:
1 PM Hillbilly Horseshoe Tournament and Other Family Games
3 PM The Painted Bunting: The painted bunting is arriving this month. Find out all about one of America’s most beautiful birds

Programs meet at the Interpretive Center unless otherwise noted. Come see the center’s display of the Giant Ground Sloth replica, wildlife exhibits, live reptiles and birding station: 912-598-2300
Sun. May 22:
11 AM Coastal Georgia Jeopardy: All ages! Come test your Georgia knowledge
3 PM Toads and Turtles: Learn the difference between reptiles and amphibians and see and touch live examples.
.

Programs meet at the Interpretive Center unless otherwise noted. Come see the center’s display of the Giant Ground Sloth replica, wildlife exhibits, live reptiles and birding station: 912-598-2300

Wednesday, July 6:
2:00 PM Marsh Talk: Georgia has 1/3 of the salt marsh on the East Coast. Learn about this diverse and critical ecosystem.
4:00 PM Coastal Georgia Jeopardy: All ages! Come test your GA knowledge.

Thursday. July 7:
7:00 PM Bat Program: Wildlife Biologist, Trina Morris will be talking about a nationwide survey effort in light of the white nose syndrome and other threats to bats across the country. You can watch Trina and her interns mist net for the Rare Georgia yellow bat.

Friday, July 8:
12:00 PM The Buried History of Skidaway: Learn all about the exciting archeological and paleontological discoveries on the island.
4:00 PM CRAFT: Sand Art

Saturday, July 9:
3:00 PM Giants of Skidaway: Come learn about the amazing Giant Sloth and others that roamed Skidaway 10,000 years ago.
5:00 PM Birds of Prey: Come and learn about different Birds of Prey in this area
8:30 PM Sensory Awareness Hike: Learn all about the different creatures that come out at night. Then awaken your senses with experiments on this hike. Meet at the Sandpiper Trail entrance.

Sunday, July 10:
2:00 PM Sandpiper Nature Hike: Come for a 1.5-mile walk to learn about native plants and animals that inhabit the marsh.
4:00 PM The Painted Bunting: Find out all about one of America’s most beautiful birds.

For more free or discounted children’s summer 2011 activities in the Savannah/Hilton Head Is. area, click here.

Programs meet at the Interpretive Center unless otherwise noted. Come see the center’s display of the Giant Ground Sloth replica, wildlife exhibits, live reptiles and birding station. 912-598-2300
12 PM Buried History of Skidaway: Learn all about the exciting archeological and paleontological discoveries on the island.
3 PM Fossil Rubbings: Learn how to do fossil rubbings and identify fossils.

The Trustees Garden Club will discuss the flowers and trees of the area. Participants will also get their hands dirty with a hands-on planting project. All ages. Southwest Chatham Library, 925-8305

“The Princess and the Frog” puppet show

Live Oak Public Libraries presents a traditional puppet show of the classic story “The Princess and the Frog” performed by Curious Moon Puppet Theatre.  Ages 3 to 10. The program is to celebrate “National Get Caught Reading Month” and “Children’s Book Week”.

Hinesville Library, Monday, May 9, 10:30 a.m.
Midway Library, Monday, May 9, 4 p.m.
Port City Library, Tuesday, May 10, 10:30 a.m.
Tybee Library, Tuesday, May 10, 4 p.m.
Springfield Library, Wednesday, May 11, 11 a.m.
Rincon Library, Wednesday, May 11, 4 p.m.
Pooler Library, Thursday, May 12, 10:30 a.m.
Forest City Library, Thursday, May 12, 4 p.m.

“The Princess and the Frog” puppet show

Live Oak Public Libraries presents a traditional puppet show of the classic story “The Princess and the Frog” performed by Curious Moon Puppet Theatre. Ages 3 to 10. The program is to celebrate “National Get Caught Reading Month” and “Children’s Book Week”.

Bull Street Library, Monday, May 2, 10:30 a.m.
Oglethorpe Mall Library, Monday, May 2, 4 p.m.
Thunderbolt Library, Tuesday, May 3, 11 a.m.
Southwest Chatham Library, Tuesday, May 3, 4:30 p.m.
West Broad Library, Wednesday, May 4, 11 a.m.
W.W. Law Library, Wednesday, May 4, 4 p.m.
Islands Library, Thursday, May 5, 10:30 a.m.
Carnegie Library, Thursday, May 5, 4 p.m.
Hinesville Library, Monday, May 9, 10:30 a.m.
Midway Library, Monday, May 9, 4 p.m.
Port City Library, Tuesday, May 10, 10:30 a.m.
Tybee Library, Tuesday, May 10, 4 p.m.
Springfield Library, Wednesday, May 11, 11 a.m.
Rincon Library, Wednesday, May 11, 4 p.m.
Pooler Library, Thursday, May 12, 10:30 a.m.
Forest City Library, Thursday, May 12, 4 p.m.

Concert open to the public. St. Andrew’s School invites all to a spring concert on the Forsyth Park band shell. Choral, strings and band students in grades 3 through 12 will perform. The performance is free and all are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and a picnic.

Searching for a nurturing and challenging Pre-K for your child for 2011-12? Stop by to visit First Presbyterian Preschool’s private Pre-K half-day program at 520 Washington Ave. in Ardsley Park.

The Pre-K is open to the community and offers families an educational, warm Christian environment. The school day is from 9 AM-noon. For interested families, an optional Lunch Bunch is offered three days a week from noon-2 PM. Other optional enrichment classes offered after school for an additional charge include: Spanish, soccer, Jump Bunch and art.

Visitors are welcome to visit the school classrooms, meet the teachers and ask questions. Call Ann Anderson, First Presbyterian Preschool Director at 912-351-0609.

In addition to Pre-K, First Presbyterian Preschool also offers a morning program that includes a class for 1-year-olds (walking); a class for 2-year-olds; and a class for 3-year-olds. The school follows the Savannah Chatham School calendar, beginning the day after Labor Day and ending on the last Friday in May. During summer, two three-week “camp” sessions are offered.

Teachers approach learning “developmentally”, offering age-appropriate activities to meet each child’s developmental needs. The school’s comfortable, welcoming environment allows children to gain socialization skills as they work in a combination of large and small manipulatives and participate in Circle Time, a daily story, art, music and outdoor play. First Presbyterian’s associate pastor shares a Bible story weekly.

The First Presbyterian Preschool program boasts a dedicated staff of qualified teachers. Class size is limited to eight. The “Ones” and “Twos” have two teachers each, while the “Threes” and “Pre-K” have one teacher each. Director Ann Anderson is a veteran Early Childhood educator and floats among the four classrooms. Instructors are CPR certified and trained in First Aid.

On a personal note, as a First Presbyterian Preschool parent, I couldn’t be happier with the school, the engaging and energetic teachers and the director Ann Anderson, who greets families at the door each school morning, making children feel welcome and excited about the school day ahead.  The staff, the parents and the children all enjoy being at First Presbyterian Preschool, the true sign of a quality school.  

First Presbyterian Preschool, 520 Washington Ave., Savannah, GA 31405, 912.351.0609, http://savannahfpc.org/pre-school/