Has anyone ever attended the Savannah Fairy Find?

It sounds intriguing. Check out the Web site here.

Professor Primrose’s Guide to Finding Fairies is billed as family-friendly entertainment that’s part show, part scavenger hunt. It includes solving riddles and following clues to find the fairies hidden throughout downtown Savannah for prizes. Children of all ages get the opportunity to search the city of Savannah to find fairies in various shops and establishments.

The multi-media show features local artists and explains the origins and mystery of fairies and the history of the Primrose Institute – the world’s only center for the study of magical creatures. Hmmm????

The goal is to encourage exploration, problem solving, and the use of imagination.

Shows are daily at Bryson Hall – 5 E Perry St. downtown Savannah. Admission $10 per person. Call for show times: 912.631.6928 or email fairyfind@gmail.com. Tell them SouthernMamas sent you!

The second annual Pink Tea is 2- 5 PM Sun. Aug. 9 @ Wilmington Island Club.

The event features food, drink and fun. You can mingle while visiting booths of various local businesses and organizations. There will also be crafts for kids and face painting etc. Moms are encouraged to bring young children.

Tickets go on sale this Wed. July 15. Click here for locations where you can purchase tickets.
Hale Tea will be serving their “special” teas again this year.

The tea benefits Savannah’s Young Survival Coalition, which serves as a point of contact for young women living with breast cancer. The Young Survival Coalition (YSC) works with survivors, caregivers and the medical,research, advocacy and legislative communities to increase the quality and quantity of life for women diagnosed with breast cancer ages 40 and younger.

If you would like to have your business be a sponsor for the Pink Tea, click here.

You gotta love free kids shoes. Especially when their feet seem to grow a size over night. Thanks to See Kai Run, we’re giving away TWO pairs of their stylish and comfy kicks! Specifically, you could score the Cameron Sky girls’ sandals  (size 8 in green, shown to the right) OR the Seamus by Smaller (size 0-6 months in gray/steel blue, shown below.) Just check out the rules below to enter to win a pair.

My son is still talking about the pony ride he took on “Cookie” last week at Lawton Stables on Hilton Head Island. And the goats he feed; as well as the llama, bunnies, sheep, chickens, turtles, roosters, donkeys, miniature ponies and trail horses he visited at Lawton’s FREE animal petting farm.

Pony rides for children ages 7 and younger are $10.

Kids can also pet and feed a friendly retired Clydesdale, Harley, at the stables, located inside Sea Pines Resort. Don’t let the gates at the Sea Pines entrance keep you from visiting. You don’t have to be staying at Sea Pines to visit Lawton Stables. It’s open to the public. Entrance to Sea Pines is $6 per car.

Lawton Stables also has a gift shop with horse-related items and a coin-operated horse for kids too young for the pony experience. Lawton also hosts kids’ horse-themed birthday parties and offers horse trail rides and carriage rides.

Click here for more info.

Struggling to find that perfect unique gift for the soon to be mommy?

Give her a much needed break and time off her feet with a one-size-fits-all 912Food2Go.com gift card.

Call 912.354.3663 to have the gift card sent to the new mom and 912Food2Go.com will throw in a 912food2go.com restaurant guide and 2 weeks of free delivery fees for use after the birth. To receive this special free delivery, tell them SouthernMamas sent you.

So now when dinner time rolls around, all the new mommy has to do is pick up the phone place her order.

912Food2Go.com is Savannah’s premiere, locally owned and family operated restaurant delivery service. Whether you want to feed your family and friends at home, need to plan a hassle-free meeting at the office, or would like to plan a meal in the park, 912Food2Go.com delivers lunch and dinner from a variety of local restaurants.  Hours  are Monday – Friday 10:30 AM- 10:30 PM and Saturday & Sunday 4 PM- 10:30 PM.

Here’s a way to participate in the education of our youth. The Savannah-Chatham County Public School System has partnered with ePals, Inc. to introduce an e-mentoring program called In2Books to 50 3rd-5th grade classrooms this fall.

Adult e-mentors (you) are paired with a 3rd, 4th or 5th grade student (a pen pal) and introduced online. Over the course of the academic year, you and your pen pal will read five books, exchanging emails along the way to discuss the books. (For a quick video demo, check out this blog)

You can be a pen pal without leaving your home or office! Here’s how it works:

1. At the beginning of the school year you’ll be matched with a student and you will exchange “getting to know you” letters via the In2Books website.
2. Your student will select his or her first book, and you’ll be notified by email what book you should read. You can purchase the book or find it at a local library.
3. Next you’ll write an online letter to your student about the book. Pen Pal Place, the In2Books website dedicated to pen pals, will provide you with instruction, tips and examples to get you started.
4. Once the teacher has approved your letter, the student will read it and respond back.
5. The process is then repeated for the next four books.

The program, a pilot for Savannah, fosters reading, writing, and critical thinking skills by connecting engaged mentors with children in the classroom.

Here’s how to sign up to volunteer for a Savannah student:
1. Go here and click on the in2books ICON to begin the registration process. Note: for the safety of students you will be required to complete a background check.
2. Be sure to enter Savannah from the dropdown list when asked for your affiliation on the registration page.
3. The next step takes you to the background check page. Make sure you use the following promotion code SAV469 on the background check page.

Add this to your list of weekend outings: the Gregg Russell Playground at Harbour Town on Hilton Head Is.

The playground in Sea Pines definitely ranks as one of the best in the Lowcountry. It has it all, including shade and benches for mom and dad. Other features include: a treehouse complete with steering wheel; tire swing; regular swings and baby swings; numerous slides; motorcycle rocking horse (pictured above); wooden bridge (pictured above); lots of climbing bars, jungle gym bars, monkey bars, parallel bars; a balance beam; tic-tac-toe board; and terrific live oak tree that’s ideal for climbing.

Just outside the fenced-playground is a water fountain; picnic table; bathrooms; and plenty of spots for lunch, drinks or coffee. Cost is the $5 Sea Pines gate fee.

Help is coming for children with epilepsy.

Children’s Medical Services, St. Joseph’s/Candler, the Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia, and UCB biopharma, are teaming up to provide a free educational workshop on epilepsy. The workshop will be 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Wed. July 15 @ Candler Hospital’s Marsh Auditorium (5353 Reynolds Street in Savannah). Refreshments will be provided.

The session will focus on various types of epileptic seizures, the appropriate first-aid for seizures, and the different treatment options available. The workshop will also address the impact that seizures can have on a child’s academic abilities and quality of life.

The goal is to help educate family members and friends of children with epilepsy along with daycare providers, school nurses, pediatric medical practice staff members, social workers, and teachers.

The workshop is free. Registration is encouraged. Call Children’s Medical Services at 1-866-647-0010.

Butterfly kisses were my 2-year-old son’s main objective during a recent visit to the Karen Wertheimer
Butterfly Enclosure on Hilton Head Island. He was all about trying to touch a swallowtail to find out if they really felt like eyelashes fluttering on his cheek. Fortunately for the butterflies, he wasn’t quick enough.

The butterfly habitat is a treat for kids. The small screened enclosure includes a variety of butterflies as well as nectar plants to feed the butterflies and host plants to feed the butterfly larvae.

Kids can see a live caterpillar and see butterflies in all four stages of their metamorphosis up close.

The habitat is at the Coastal Discovery Museum in Honey Horn Plantation on Hilton Head Is, which also has other children’s activities. For the butterfly habitat’s hours click here. 

Visiting the habitat is FREE. $3 museum donations are suggested.

There’s also a weekly Butterfly Discovery Tour, a guided tour through the butterfly enclosure to get up close and personal with native butterflies. Kids learn about the different stages of a butterfly’s life cycle, see a living caterpillar and a chrysalis. Museum guides also share how to help butterflies survive and thrive and also explain their adaptations and characteristics. Reservations suggested. 843-689-6767 ext 223.

Click here for more info about Hilton Head Island’s butterfly habitat.

If you’re planning a day trip to Hilton Head Is. from the Savannah area, visiting the butterfly enclosure won’t take up too much time. It’s a good kids’ activity to pair with a visit to the Sandbox Interactive Children’s Museum or to the animal farm at Lawton Stables, which also has horseback riding, pony rides, birthday parties, trail rides and more. All of which make up a great outing for Savannah moms groups.

Becoming a fan of SouthernMamas on Facebook is a great way to stay connected to SouthernMamas and stay informed about kid-friendly activities in the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry.

So please become a fan of SouthernMamas on Facebook. Click here to do so. Thanks!

Let your child learn and receive the benefits of yoga early.

A youth yoga class – Little Warrior Yoga – meets 4-4:45 PM Mondays @ Ashram Savannah, 2424 Drayton St. It’s for ages 3-7.

During July, SouthernMamas readers receive a 2 for 1 special to the children’s yoga. Just mention SouthernMamas to receive your discount.

The class is led by yoga instructor Cathy Baxter of Twisted Warrior Yoga.

The class includes lively children’s music, games, movement, storytelling, and drawing. The goal is to spark children’s interest in yoga and give them the tools to be self-confident, focused and happy.

Yoga mats will be provided. Dress in comfortable clothing.

The adult accompanying the participating child needs to stay in Ashram Savannah, but can practice yoga, read, or enjoy a few quiet moments in the open studio next door.

Classes are playful and light hearted and a great beginning to a lifetime of loving yoga.

Cost is $10 for first child, 1 sibling $5. Don’t forget to mention SouthernMamas to receive your discount.

For more info, email Cathy@TwistedWarrior.com or visit the Web site here for youth yoga info as well as adult yoga classes.

Tracy Richa!

Congratulations. Tracy wins  Pee Pal stickers, adhesive stickers that  help with potty training. If you have a child that’s potty training, be sure to check out the helpful potty training tips offered by other SouthernMamas readers in the comments section under this post.

Don’t forget your children’s swimsuits next time you hit Hull Park.

The FREE spray pools are open at various Savannah parks including Hull Park at 55th Street and Atlantic Avenue in Ardsley Park and Forsyth Park at Drayton and Hall streets.

The pools, a chance for kids to play in cool water under adult supervision, are open 10 AM-2 PM Mon-Fri until Aug. 14.

The Hull Park fountain is also open 10 AM-3 PM Saturdays. For more info, click here.

Katie Sharp!

Congratulations! Katie wins a free studio session from Memories for Keepsake Photography by Nicole.  Or, if Katie opts to do the baby plan, which covers maternity through the baby’s first year, she can win a free mini album of the session of choice.

Photographer Nicole Williams, a maternity, newborns and children’s photographer in the Savannah area,  offers a 10 percent off portrait prices to SouthernMamas readers.

Nicole is also offering an amazing special for moms expecting multiples. Contact her for more info

This was a sweet summer evening activity we did in our backyard: releasing live lady bugs.

Yes, this what you have to do in city lacking fireflies. Import your own friendly insects. And ladybugs have almost as friendly a rep as fireflies. My toddler son loved feeling the ladybugs tickle up his arm. Releasing them onto the stems of flowers proved to be a bit more challenging. They didn’t want to leave us.

You can order the live ladybugs here. They are apparently a more healthy alternative to chemical bug spray. You release them at sundown (because they don’t fly at night) and they eat aphids and other bugs. Gnats? We’ll see. We’re also hoping they’ll lay eggs and we’ll see baby lady bugs in a few weeks.

Babble also has suggestions for 25 Nature Adventures for Kids, including things you can do in your backyard. I love the birdwatching tip to encourage kids to take part in the annual Great Backyard Bird Count through the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society.

Don’t forget. Father’s Day is this Sun. June 21.

Dads can spend this Father’s Day at Charleston’s South Carolina Aquarium for FREE with a paying guest or child. Click here to download a special Father’s Day coupon for free admission to all dads on Sunday. The website coupon must be presented to take advantage of this offer. Fathers also will be recognized during daily programs.

The aquarium’s newest exhibit, Penguin Planet!, features four Magellanic Penguins in a brand new interactive exhibit. Watch as penguins dive underwater, learn about penguin colonies, discover what makes these unique birds march. The animals are on loan from SeaWorld.

On Saturday and Sunday, June 20 – 21, the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum is offering all Fathers half off of admission rates. The Museum admission rates for fathers this weekend will be $5. On Father’s Day, a special brunch will be offered in Chef Matt Cohen’s New South Pub, open daily from 11 AM to 3 PM.

The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum is @ 175 Bourne Avenue in Pooler, off of I-95 at Exit 102.

Registrations for the summer session of Make A Joyful Noise music programs are under way.

Mention SouthernMamas to receive a 10 percent discount. You’ll find sessions for toddlers to teens. Classes run July 2 – August 8 and include:

Music for Toddlers: 18m – 3 year olds
Cycle of Seasons/Twist & Turn: 3 – 5 year olds
Music Makers: 5 – 7 year olds
Sounds of Praise: Intro to Choir 7 – 15 yr olds
Sounds of Praise Choral Camp: August 3 – 7; 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. 7 – 15 yr olds

Audition for Sounds of Praise Children’s Choir’s 2009-2010 Season.  Contact Vicki to schedule the audition by August 3. The season begins September 10.

The classes and choir audtitions are @ White Bluff Presbyterian Church, 10710 White Bluff Road on Savannah’s Southside.

To find out more about summer class times and to register, click here.Contact Vicki @ MakeAJoyfulNoiseMusicStudio@comcast.net or call 912.920.6542.

Vicki Mills, who has a masters in vocal performance and more than 20 years of experience teaching children, offers the Make A Joyful Noise early childhood music program and  Sounds of Praise Children’s Choir.

Savannah and Pooler GA newborn and children’s photographer: Memories for Keepsake Photography by Nicole

This week, Memories for Keepsake Photography by Nicole is giving away a free studio photography session to a lucky SouthernMamas reader. Or, if you opt to do the baby plan, which covers maternity through the baby’s first year, you can win a free mini album of the session of choice. The idea is “your miracles, your moments…remembering every detail.”

Photographer Nicole Williams excels in maternity, newborns and children. The baby plan is a great way to make sure your baby’s first year is fully documented and it includes a special discount that is exclusive to the baby plan holders.

Please book early. The summer is slipping by and summer spots are almost gone

Mention SouthernMamas and receive 10 percent off portrait prices. Nicole is also offering an amazing special for moms expecting multiples. Contact her for more info.

Here are the rules:

Savvy SouthernMamas profiles are back.  Know a savvy mama you want to nominate? Email anne@southernmamas.com. Read past SouthernMamas rock! profiles here.

Meet Elizabeth St. Lawrence, stay-at-home mother of three who became a cloth-diaper enthusiast with the birth of her third daughter, Brianna (pictured here)

Your family:
Husband: Matthew. Three daughters: Alexandra (5), Samantha (4), and Brianna (6 months)

Liz, we understand you use cloth diapers. Are you nuts? Why did you decide to try cloth diapers this time around? And please tell us there’s no toilet dunking involved?

Honestly, I didn’t realize people still cloth diapered when I had my first two daughters! I think with the whole “green” movement the last few years combined with the economy, cloth diapers are making a great comeback. A few weeks before Brianna was born, I was giving into one of my guilty pleasures, Facebook, and one of my friends from high school mentioned cloth diapering on her status. I had to comment and bombard her with questions, and soon I was spending all of my free time researching cloth diapers!
There are a lot of valid reasons for cloth diapering; I will explain the reasons that “won” me over.

Read Liz’s reasons for cloth diapering, the entire interview with Liz and get help if you’re interested in cloth diapering (and even cloth wipes) by clicking here.