It was love at first listen for us.

Freckles’ debut CD “Be My Friend” manages to do the impossible: entertain kids while simultaneously reminding us parents to savor every second of our kids’ fleeting childhoods.  Even better: the CD was created by Savannah native & Savannah Country Day School graduate Laura Crane – better known as Lalo Friedman while growing up in Ardsley Park & Dutch Island. We love seeing fellow moms succeed at achieving work/life balance – especially when Lalo has a 3 & 5 year old at home.

Like all parents of curious preschoolers, we especially appreciate a song called Why? As Lalo says, it’s the perfect song to croon when your kids start asking the endless Whys. Why does a dog bark? Why can’t I put my mouth on the grocery cart? Why’s it so hard to walk up a hill? Why would I ever ever want to stay still? 

The CD is available at www.frecklesmusic.com. The digital copy of the album is on iTunes at https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/be-my-friend/id814729867

Read our Q&A with Lalo  – originally published in the Savannah Morning News – by clicking here.

For her MFA thesis on performing arts, Mary Elizabeth Godfrey wanted to get some real life experience. Godfrey reached out to St. Andrew’s School on Wilmington Island, inquiring on ways to get involved with young people on stage.

She may have gotten more than she bargained for when she then took on being the director of the annual Middle School musical! Starting February 20, the curtain goes up on Seussical Jr., a musical extravaganza that brings all of your favorite Dr. Seuss characters together on stage at one time.

“This age group is straddling childhood and adulthood and needs a lot of support,” said Godfrey. “I love helping these young people find their creative side and let it shine on stage.”

Godfrey gives stage direction to Joseph Simons ‘21

When the production is over, Godfrey will begin writing her thesis, with a focus on the importance of arts education for middle school students. She has especially enjoyed watching each student take a Dr. Seuss character and bring it to life. Godfrey believes the experience on stage teaches young people to be creative and to search for more than one right answer to a situation. This is what 21st century teaching and learning looks like.

Don’t miss seeing these 21 talented students on stage.

Seussical Jr.
February 20 – 22
7 p.m.
St. Andrew’s Skinner Hall Stage
$10 Adults, $5 Students
Open to the public

St. Andrew’s School, 601 Penn Waller Road, Savannah, 31410, www.saintschool.com St. Andrew’s School is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Calling all alumni, great readers and “kid- friendly” businesses!

Maggie’s Morning School in Savannah is holding their 1st Annual Read-a-Thon Fundraiser Feb. 26 and 27th!

Maggie’s is encouraging alumni, interested community members and those in child related businesses to come and read a book or two!

Feel free to dress up, wear a hat, bring a puppet or a prop! Advertise your company to over 150 school and staff families and at the same time help our preschool reach their reading and pledge goals. As a 501c3 non-profit preschool, Maggie’s Morning School depends on donations and help from the community. Financial donation receipts will be provided for tax purposes.

Funds raised will be used for playground improvements.

Call the school at 352-8404 if you would like to participate.

Stay connected by “liking” Maggie’s Morning School on Facebook here.

Maggie’s Morning School, 6610 Abercorn St., Savannah, 31405, www.maggiesmorningschool.org,  On Facebook here. (912) 352-8404, (912) 352-8065 Maggie’s Morning School is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Come out to Skidaway Island State Park to enjoy FREE kids’ nature activities most Wednesdays-Sundays during February 2014 & free birding programs during the Great Backyard Birdwatch Feb. 14-17.

To see the complete list of FREE kids’ nature activities @ Skidaway Is. State Park during February 2014, click here.

Skidaway Island State Park, 52 Diamond Causeway, Savannah , GA 31411. On Facebook here.

FOR MORE FREE LOCAL KIDS’ EVENTS, CLICK HERE.

The A-Town Get Down Festival music festival this Sat. February 22, 2014 at the Charles Morris Center in downtown Savannah will include a variety of local and regional musical and visual artists PLUS workshops in songwriting, urban art, performance, art labs, Children’s Section with DIY art lab & more.

For tickets & updated information, click here.

Kid-friendly performers & activities include:
Eclipse!
Savannah Arts Academy
The R&B band is comprised of Savannah Arts Academy students.

Coastal Middle School Jazz Band
Coastal Middle School
The Jazz band is comprised of students from Coastal Middle School in Savannah Georgia.

Savannah Children’s Choir
The Savannah Children’s Choir is an auditioned, community choir with a mission of uniting Savannah’s children through the power of song.

Scribble Art Studio
TheScribbleArtStudio.com
Scribble will be doing kids projects at the event. Walk away with a little piece of A-Town!

Loop It Up Yarn Bomb
LoopItUpSavannahWestBroadyMCA.Blogspot.com
Molly Lieberman and Jessica Leigh Lebos will be working with the kids at the YMCA and schools in the area to create an A-Town yarn bomb.

All Walks Of Life (AWOL)
AWOLinc.org
AWOL will be hosting an Open Poetry Jam workshop.

*All Ages! Bring your ID for wristbands.

Charles Morris Center, 10 E. Broad St. , Savannah, 31401, http://a-towngetdown.com/

This Spring and early Summer you can save up to 30% off on rooms at select Walt Disney World® Resort hotels this Spring and early Summer.

Upgrade to a room and ticket package and get one more ticket day FREE! (Minimum 4-day Magic Your Way ticket required.)

A family of four can enjoy a 5-day package at Pop Century with a Disney Dining Plan for less than $140 per person, per night! This offer is available on most stays March 14 – April 12 and April 20 – June 15, 2014.

While you’re at Walt Disney World this Spring or early Summer you can even enjoy special events and celebrations during your stay.

Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival – March 5th to May 18th – HGTV celebrity designers, concert series, hands-on activities, and how-to seminars from expert gardeners and Disney’s own team of master horticulturists. My personal favorite is the Disney character topiaries!! This event is included in your Epcot admission.

Star Wars Weekends – Weekends May 16th to June 8th – Hollywood Studios comes alive to celebrate the legendary saga and animated series. Celebrity autograph sessions, parade featuring largest ensemble of costumed Star Wars characters, special shows, & more! Included in your Hollywood Studios park admission, this high-energy event is fun for everyone…whether you a Star Wars fan or not!

Hurry, because this promotion ends on March 31st and availability is limited. Contact Tara McCoy for your no-obligation vacation quote or details.

Tara McCoy, Vacation Specialist at Two Sisters Travel
843.284.3241
Become a Facebook fan at facebook.com/twosisterstravel

Tara McCoy is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Registration for American Girl Cheer Camp @ Savannah Sharks gym is now open!

Last summer this camp was so much fun, the girls begged to come back for a 2nd week at the end of summer. You do not have to own an American Girl Doll to attend. Savannah Sharks has plenty to share.

Camp is June 16th-20th
9 AM-2 PM
Ages 5-10 $150

*If you pay for camp in full by May 1st, you will receive $15 off (Total camp cost with discount $135)

Camp activities:
Customized cheer routines for each group
Mock cheer competition
Fashion show
Tea party
Chik fil a lunch day!
Paint/decorate your own sports bra
Create your own music video
Special guest speakers
1 camp instructor for every 5 girls
Doll clothing swaps
Happy cards for the elders (nursing home patients)
Messy game day
Snow cones
Bouncy house
Relay races
Fort building contest

We hope your daughter will join Savannah Sharks for this fun week!

To register, email your child’s name and age to SavSharks@gmail.com

Savannah Sharks Cheerleading & Tumbling, www.savsharkscheer.com , 2123 East Victory Dr (behind Chick-fil-A)  Savannah, 31404, email savsharks@gmail.com,  (912)335-2234 On Facebook here.   Savannah Sharks is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Hubbard’s Maid Service Valentine’s Deal: Receive a cleaning this week for 4 hours of maid service & get a $10 gift certificate to Savannah Sweets and a bottle of wine.

This is the perfect Valentine’s Day Gift – romantic AND practical!

Hubbard’s Maid Service, 912-961-9131

Bird watch with professional birders every 3rd Saturday at Fort Pulaski National Monument

Starting in February, Fort Pulaski National Monument will be partnering with the Ogeechee Audubon Society, the Savannah chapter of the National Audubon Society. Every 3rd Saturday at 8 AM, members of this organization will lead bird walks in the park. As the seasons change and birds migrate, there will be the opportunity to see new and different birds.

The next program of this collaboration will be on Sat. March 15. Interested birders can meet Nick Martens and Maureen Leong-kee near the park’s Entrance Station at 8 AM.  Be on the lookout for marsh sparrows, shorebirds, and sedge wrens. At 9 AM, Nick and Maureen will lead a bird walk through the park. These special programs will be offered each month at no charge.  

Click here for a list of children’s books for young birdwatchers at Science Books for Kids

Fort Pulaski National Monument, off U.S. Highway 80, 12 miles east of Savannah, (912) 786-5787,  www.nps.gov/fopu. Learn more about Fort Pulaski National Monument on Facebook www.facebook.com/FortPulaskiNPS and Twitter www.twitter.com/FortPulaskiNPS.

FOR MORE FREE LOCAL KIDS’ EVENTS, CLICK HERE.

We’re amazed by all the FREE things there are to do with kids this month in Savannah.

FREE Week at the Jepson Center is under way, Feb. 9-15; FREE Blizzard ‘snow’ event; FREE arts & crafts with Scribble Art Studio coming soon to Whole Foods Market Savannah; FREE admission to Fort Pulaski this upcoming Presidents’ Day Weekend with free bird walks & lots more local free family events.

Check out our FREE Winter 2014 Kids’ Events in Savannah & the Lowcountry page by clicking here.

All kids love pizza! But wouldn’t it be more fun to make their, own?

Uncle Maddio’s Pizza Joint in Savannah offers a fun, alternative to the normal pizza party!

Uncle Maddio’s gives kids the opportunity to have fun making their own pizzas. The kids will get their own kids size pizza and their choice up to 3 toppings. Mom and dad, of course, will pick them out ahead of time so Uncle Maddio’s can have the pizza making stations set up beforehand.

Then once the kids are done making their pizzas, Uncle Maddio’s will put them through the oven and bring them back for them to enjoy. Kids also get the opportunity to decorate their own pizza boxes just like their pizza.

It’s fun for everyone and it’s definitely a party that they won’t forget.

For pricing and package options give Uncle Maddio’s a call today: Uncle Maddio’s Pizza Joint 7805 Abercorn Street Savannah, GA. 31409 tel. 912.777.4479

Pricing and Packages
Party Package # 1
Pizza Making Party $9.00 per child
Includes,
Kids Size Pizza
Drink

Party Package # 2
$8.00 per child
Includes
Kids Size Pizza
Drink

Room Requirements
*Uncle Maddio’s requires a credit card number to hold your room reservation. However, no charge will be placed on your account.

*There is also a minimum $75.00 order requirement use of the backroom. If you do not meet that requirement you will be billed for the remaining amount.

*A 20% gratuity is also added to your bill at the end of the order.

You may provide your own decorations; however, if you need Uncle Maddio’s to they can decorate for $20-25 depending on what you want.
Decorations include; tablecloths, wall deco, balloons, party hats, etc

You may also provide your own cake and ice cream.

Contact Uncle Maddio’s Pizza Joint in Savannah for details and pricing. Call (912) 777-4479 or email abercorn@unclemaddios.com,

Uncle Maddio’s Pizza Joint, 7805 Abercorn Street #2, Savannah, 31406, (912) 777-4479 email abercorn@unclemaddios.com, On Facebook here.  Uncle Maddio’s is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser  

What is the plan for your child’s education this Fall? Do you have a child entering preschool this year? Or perhaps you have an older child and are thinking about a change?

Consider Veritas Academy! Veritas Academy is a family oriented Classical and Christian school located in the heart of Savannah’s historic district.

Veritas is a unique school where a gracious environment and joyful learning are combined with high standards and challenging academics; teaching students to think, speak, and write with excellence. As Veritas administrators say “We seek to honor Christ in all we do.”

Come and visit Veritas for their Open House on Tuesday, February 18 at 9 am.

For an address and details, please visit veritassavannah.org or call 238-1222.

Stay connected with Veritas Academy by liking their page on Facebook here. On Twitter @VeritasGryphons.

Veritas Academy , Pre-K through 12th grade, located at the Independent Presbyterian Church, 207 Bull St., Savannah 31401, 912-238-1222, www.VeritasSavannah.org Veritas Academy is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Meet & design jewelry with Elisha Argentinis at Punch & Judy this Tuesday February 11th in Habersham Village.

Save up to 40% on last minute Valentine’s Day jewelry gifts or just visit to enter our jewelry giveaway.

Metal Pressions was started in 2008 by Elisha and her husband Andreas Argentinis. They create fine handmade personalized jewelry in silver and gold.

All the text is impressed with individual craftsman’s tools for impressions deeper that conventional engraving. Embellish your jewelry designs with diamonds, gold accents, and more.

At MetalPressions.com, they have developed with world’s first true online jewelry design software. In minutes you can design jewelry without restrictions. Drag and place customizations in just about any position. The only limit to the jewelry you can design is your imagination!

Metal Pressions, www.metalpressions.com, 800.554.8196, On Facebook here. Metal Pressions is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

There is still time to consign with Savannah’s BIGGEST children’s consignment event – High Cotton Kids – which is set for February 27-March 1, 2014 in the same great central Savannah location at 706 Mall Boulevard, formerly Seeds of Faith Bookstore!

Consignor registration is OPEN through Sunday, February 23rd! Clean out and cash in, consignors can receive 60-70% of their sales! High Cotton Kids also accepts high-end maternity clothing, children’s furniture, artwork, baby and nursery necessities (e.g. bouncers, exercausers, etc.), strollers, toys, books, DVDs and more. For a complete list of items High Cotton Kids accepts and does not accept click here.

This spring’s High Cotton Kids upscale resale shopping event will have thousands of 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!

High Cotton Kids Consignment Event is sponsored by The Habersham School, Hannah Beans, Spices Etc., Coach Val’s Tumblegym, Christine Hall Photography and Mo Hotta Mo Betta.

Stay connected and get updates about the event by liking High Cotton Kids on Facebook here.

High Cotton Kids, http://www.highcottonkids.com/, 706 Mall Blvd, Savannah, info@highcottonkids.com High Cotton Kids is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

We’re amazed by all the FREE things there are to do with kids this month in Savannah.

FREE Week at the Jepson Center is under way, Feb. 9-15; FREE Blizzard ‘snow’ event; FREE arts & crafts with Scribble Art Studio coming soon to Whole Foods Market Savannah; FREE admission to Fort Pulaski this upcoming Presidents’ Day Weekend with free bird walks & lots more local free family events.

Check out our FREE Winter 2014 Kids’ Events in Savannah & the Lowcountry page by clicking here.

SeussFest is coming to Savannah!

On March 1st and 2nd, Savannah Children’s Museum will celebrate the 110th birthday of Dr. Seuss. Even Savannah History Museum and WhistleStop Café are getting in on the fun this year. You don’t want to miss it.

This year, Savannah Children Museum is expanding SeussFest to include both the WhistleStop Cafe and Savannah History Museum!

Join SCM for tons of Seuss-themed activities like Story Time, art activities, science, recycling and fitness. Plan on getting messy with Oobleck!

The WhistleStop will be serving Green Eggs and Ham($4.99). At noon, there will a special story Time featuring Green Eggs and Ham on the WhistleStop Patio.

Savannah History Museum will be joining in the fun from noon-2pm with our “Hats Off” exhibit, a story Time featuring The Cat in the Hat and a special craft.

SeussFest is one of Savannah Children’s Museum’s enhanced programming offerings, meaning everything will take place during normal operating hours both March 1st (10-4) & March 2nd (11-4). All activities will be included in admission/membership.

Go to www.savannahchildrensmuseum.org or call 912-651-4292 for details.

Saturday 3/1/14, 10am-4pm
Sunday 3/2/14, 11am-4pm
Savannah Children’s Museum
655 Louisville Road
Savannah, GA 31401

Savannah Children’s Museum, www.savannahchildrensmuseum.org, 655 Louisville Rd., Savannah 31401, 912.651.4292 On Facebook here. Savannah Children’s Museum is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Life is Full of Blessings Children’s Clothing store on Wilmington Island is having a Winter Blowout sale this week through Friday Feb. 14.

About Life is Full of Blessings

Inside the Life is Full of Blessings store on Wilmington Island, you’ll find everything from new to gently-loved clothing, school uniforms, new brands of cloth diapers and children’s furnishings, even boutique hair bows. You name it and you will see it in this store!

Life if Full of Blessings has a variety of items coming in and going out on a daily basis, so it is always exciting as a customer to see what new items have come in.

They offer three forms for consignor reimbursement: Cash, store credit or consignment. Designed to make resale easy for moms, this boutique accepts items of any season any time. Learn more by liking Life is Full of Blessings on Facebook here.

Life is Full of Blessings children’s consignment boutique, 212 Johnny Mercer Blvd. Savannah, 31410 tel. (912) 247-2624, https://www.facebook.com/Savannahsfavoritekidstore Life is Full of Blessings is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Looking for a way to lose that baby weight without having to put your baby in childcare? Check out Stroller Strides of Savannah/FIT4MOM Savannah from in MOTION media on Vimeo.

FIT4MOM Savannah is a fitness program for moms offering pre and post-natal fitness classes for every stage of motherhood.

Classes & events in Pooler Tom Triplett Park, Richmond Hill, Savannah Mall.

Stroller Strides/Fit4MOM is a total fitness program that moms can do with their babies. Classes include running/ power walking and intervals of strength training. Please visit http://savannah.fit4mom.com/  for a complete listing of classes & pricing, (910) 987-5943, email natalialucero@fit4mom.com , Stroller Strides is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

For the month of February, Cutting Cave – which provides boys & men’s haircuts in Pooler – will donate 10% of every child’s haircut to Catie’s Fund for Cure.

The purpose of Catie’s Fund is to support life-saving research for pediatric cancers through CURE Childhood Cancer. Read about Catie’s fund for a cure for childhood cancer by clicking here.

Come to the Cutting Cave, 11 AM-1 PM Sat. Feb. 15 to see & have photos with the Bulldog Pure Stock Racecar and 11 AM-1 PM Sat. Feb. 22 to meet and have pictures taken with Spiderman.

Photos are free with a haircut or you can just get a picture for a donation to Cure, $5 minimum. Bring your own camera.

More info here.

*No other discounts or coupons will apply
*If you have a little girl, they can trim her hair, but no styles or styling.
Children’s haircuts are $12 (ages 0-15) (ages 16-18 are $16)

Cutting Cave, www.cuttingcave.com,  1014 E US Hwy 80 Unit #300, Pooler, Georgia 31322 On Facebook here.

You’re invited to an open house at Savannah Honor Academy, which will be a new independent K-5 school in midtown Savannah. Please click here for more information.

Open House
Sunday March 2
2 pm at 22 E. 38th Street ((the yellow house on the corner of 38th & Drayton). Reservations are required. RSVP to MarlaCocalis@yahoo.com to reserve a spot.

Refreshments & childcare will be provided.

Click here for more information.

Connect with Savannah Honor Academy on Facebook here.

Savannah Honor Academy, email marlacocalis@yahoo.com,  www.SavannahHonorAcademy.com, Savannah Honor Academy is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Dynamic new Savannah preschool, located at the Jewish Educational Alliance, is accepting enrollment for the 2014-2015 school year.

JEA Preschool Savannah , located at the Jewish Educational Alliance community center at 5111 Abercorn Street, serves children ages 16 months through 4 years. JEA Preschool Savannah is open to both JEA members and non members.

Please call 912-355-8111 (ext. 215) or email preschool@savj.org for more information.

JEA Preschool Savannah was created to provide for the social, emotional and cognitive growth of young children in a Judaic setting. The age-appropriate curriculum, led by qualified and experienced teachers, focuses on literacy, writing, math, science, music, art and movement all within newly renovated facilities at the JEA.

The dynamic preschool includes spacious classrooms and an innovative outdoor space where children can explore, interact with and connect to the environment. The children also have the opportunity for extracurricular activities which include swimming, Crossfit for Kids, and outdoor exploration. The school is centrally located with easy parking and affordable tuition.

The preschool’s core curriculum is Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Children have the option of attending two, three or five days per week. Extended hours are available daily from as early as 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. to serve the needs of working families. JEA Preschool Savannah is open to both JEA members and non members.

About JEA Preschool Savannah
JEA Preschool Savannah, located in the Jewish Educational Alliance community center at 5111 Abercorn Street, opened its doors in August 2013. The school, which serves the needs of children ages 16 months through 4 years, focuses on the social, emotional and cognitive growth of young children in a Judaic setting. The core curriculum, led by qualified and experienced teachers, is Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Extended hours are available daily, beginning at 7 a.m. and ending at 6 p.m. For more information on JEA Preschool Savannah, please call 912-355-8111 (ext. 215), email preschool@savj.org or click here .

JEA Preschool Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Let the anxiety begin.

Applications for the 2014-2015 school year for state-funded FREE Pre-K at Savannah-Chatham public schools will be available online and at the Pre-K school sites on March 19, 2014. The deadline to submit the application is April 4, 2014.The Lottery will be held electronically on Wednesday, April 16, 2014.

The FREE Georgia pre-k program is a full-day program available at some public and private schools. Some of the programs don’t have enough spaces for all those who want to attend.

To participate in the Pre-K Program at Savannah-Chatham public schools, children must be four years of age* on or before September 1, 2014, and must be a resident of Chatham County.

In order to apply for the lottery, parents must provide the following documentation to the school prior to the April 4, 2014 deadline:

Proof of Residence (current gas, water, electric bill, or lease)
Certified Birth Certificate

*Five-year-old children who have not previously attended the Pre-K program and who have developmental delays that impact their readiness for school may also enroll at the request of their parents.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE PUBLIC SCHOOL PRE-K APPLICATION, LOTTERY & REGISTRATION, CLICK HERE.

(Some private childcare facilities also offer the free, state-funded pre-K program including Maggies’ Morning School, Savannah Youth University, Candler’s The Children’s House, and YMCA Childcare Plus: but have a different application process. If you’re interested in a private child care that has it, call the school to find out when their applications are due. Many are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Registration for pre-K at Maggie’s Morning School started Feb. 3. Details here.  )

Join Urban Sketchers and Telfair Museums for a sketch crawl, led by Urban Sketchers founder Gabi Campanario and current members of the board.

Urban Sketchers is a worldwide nonprofit organization dedicated to raising the artistic, storytelling and educational value of location drawing, promoting its practice and connecting people around the world.

A sketch crawl (also called a sketch walk or sketch group or sketch outing) is when several sketchers get together in a particular place for the purpose of drawing on location.

This event is free and open to everyone. Families are encouraged.

Contact Kip Bradley at 912-790-8823 or bradleyk@telfair.org .

Savannah Sketch Crawl with Urban Sketchers
All Ages
Saturday, February 22
4:00pm – Meet in Telfair Square
4:45pm – Wright Square
5:30pm – Oglethorpe Square

Telfair’s Jepson Center for the Arts, 207 W York Street, Savannah, 31401, www.telfair.org Telfair Museums is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

FOR MORE FREE LOCAL KIDS’ WINTER EVENTS, CLICK HERE.