Frugal Family Living in Smyrna-Vinings

Mama Mia! Looking for a break from cooking on a random Thursday night? Bring the brood to St. Angelo’s Pizza for family night, where kids eat for only 99 cents. Yankees rave about the authentic New York-style pizza baked by St. Angelo’s and the fun, relaxed atmosphere is a hit with almost everybody. In addition to great pizza, St Angelo’s makes fresh signature salads, doughboys, Panini’s, calzones and Stromboli’s. After eating, little ones will get a kick out of face painting and other shenanigans while moms and dads can enjoy the opportunity to chat and relax.

How would you parents like to save more on groceries without laboriously surfing the internet sales or driving around from store to store? Let's face it, that's a no-brainer. Most of us don't have the time or energy necessary to do the legwork. A new website makes it a piece of cake and virtually effortless to save. My Grocery Spy compares prices at the leading stores, such as Kroger, Publix, Walmart and Ingles, to find the best prices. A price comparison chart and sorted list makes it a foolproof way to trim your grocery bills. Calling itself an “online price-sleuthing device”, My GrocerySpy is offers a free 14-day trial subscription. Subscribing normally cost $8.50 per month and other group discounts and fundraisers are available.

Mothers of small children sometimes feel isolated and overwhelmed by the changes to their lives and the challenges of raising children. Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) is an international organization that functions as a social outlet, spiritual growth facilitator, and support network. Striving to foster Christian camaraderie between mothers of all ages, hosts its own MOPS chapter which provides twice-monthly fellowship with other moms, coffee and breakfast, talks from guest speakers, small group interaction and discussion, and a craft. MOPS is currently studying “Momology: The Art and Science of Mothering.” Women throughout the community with children under the age of 5 are invited and welcomed to join MOPS. The group meets on the second and fourth Mondays of the Cobb County School calendar year from 9:15-1:30 a.m., with childcare provided. An annual fee of $23.95 is required to join and $6 is charged per meeting to cover costs. MOPS strives to offer “refreshment for your body, mind and soul.”

In addition to offering an adorable selection of necessary and delightful items for the mom-to-be, in Vinings Jubilee has partnered with Lumina Birth to setup several classes for parents to be and new parents. Classes currently offered include Daddy Boot Camp, Pack Your Hospital Bag, Infant Massage, Cloth Diapering and Epidural Prep. In addition, Due Maternity Boutique invites you to a free preview of the Little Songbirds Music Class on Wednesday, Feb. 23 at 10 a.m. Music classes are enormously beneficial to toddlers by providing music education and playful musical movement in a fun, relaxed and interactive environment. Geared toward ages up to four, these concepts can help enrich your child’s cognitive development and develop motor skills as they play and have fun. Join the Little Songbirds as they “wiggle, giggle, dance, tap, clap, play along, and SING!” Mixing classical, contemporary and world music with creative accessories such as scarves, drums, bells keeps tots mesmerized. The preview class will introduce parents and children to the musical concepts and philosophy. Teacher Laura Gary will offer sign-ups for six-week sessions ($65) afterward.

Catch the excitement and action of an Atlanta Thrashers hockey game without the budget-busting cost of parking and tickets at Philips Arena. The Thrashers have an open practice schedule at the IceForum in Duluth and the public is invited to come observe. This is great for two reasons a) watching practice is totally free and entertaining b) you don’t feel obligated to stay for the whole thing like you would if you paid for a game. So, if you’re off on President’s Day (Mon., Feb. 21), and you don’t mind traveling down the road a bit, then the Thrashers’ website promises that “a brutally good time” awaits you and your kids at the team’s open-to-the-public 10 a.m. practice.