Island Child – a sponsor of SouthernMamas – wonderful selection of Corolle and Madame Alexander dolls and accessories in time for the holidays.

Check out the collection of dolls and accessories at the Island Child Web site here. You can order online or at the Island Child store in the Village at Wexford on Hilton Head Is. 1.888.705.5437 or 843.686.5437.

Island Child – owned by children’s clothing gurus Steve and Senny Powell, who have seven adopted children and have fostered seven children – has been dressing Lowcountry tykes for 25 years

Send Island Child a favorite photo of your Island Child and he or she could become ISLAND CHILD’S NEXT TOP MODEL.

Kelig Neal!

Congratulations. Kelig wins a free Kindermusik semester of classes for her baby.

Kindermusik  has three new parent-and-me music classes starting this month at three locations – Mondays in the Sandfly area, Tuesdays on Wilmington Island and Saturdays on the Southside. The classes run November through January 2010.  

To register for Kindermusik, visit the Coastal Empire Savannah Kindermusik Web site and click on the Kindermusik for Ages 0-7 button. Or call 912.728.KEYS (5397)

Click here more information.

Check out Kindermusik’s sister site 88 Keys, for piano tuning, piano service, sales/rentals, even piano moving. The family-owned business also buys, sells and RENTS pianos. You can rent a spinet piano for $1 per day. That’s right  -$30 a month for a piano. For more info, click here or call 912.728.KEYS.

Attention Savannah and Hilton Head Is. moms groups!  Here’s a fun idea for an event: have a Tippy Toes Pottery party.

Tippy Toes is an amazing concept developed by local mompreneur Amanda Reed, who uses your child’s footprints, hand prints and finger prints to create a whimsical painting on pottery.

Think large lobster serving platter, which the claws of the lobster are a child’s footprints or a magical garden with flowers made of a child’s handprints. The artwork includes the child’s name and year.

I was thrilled to attend a Tippy Toes open house today, where Amanda made prints of my two children’s hands and feet to create creative and sentimental presents for the grandparents!

Check out some of the gifts Tippy Toes can create for you here.

Tippy Toes Pottery travels around to events. Hosting a tippy toes event is a great way to get your friends together to make precious memories.

Hostesses receive 10 percent of all event sales toward the purchase of their pottery. Find out more here.

Become a fan of Tippy Toes Pottery on Facebook here.

Heated discussions about childhood vaccines are seen on national news channels and are being talked about more openly among parents.

To help sort through the confusion of safety, rights and choices, the following topics will be discussed during an upcoming vaccine seminar hosted by the Savannah Autism Support Group Meeting at the pediatrician office of Dr. Ramon Ramos, 313 Eisenhower Dr.:

• Vaccine laws, recommendations and exemptions
• Mercury/ thermarosal and other additives in vaccines
• Questions to ask your physician or pediatrician: informed consent
• Predisposition to vaccine reactions
• Strategies to increase immune function if you choose not to vaccinate

The meeting will be 6:30-8 PM Tues. Nov. 10. Attendees will go home with a packet of information of guidance and support materials to help you make an informed decision for your child. The presenter is chiropractor Steve Ranicki of Pooler.

For more info, call 912-748-1506 or email Jennifer@ranickichiropractic.com. RSVP requested: Jessica at SavannahGAandAutism@yahoo.com or call: 667-9060.

“Joy to the World” will be one of the tunes playing in your head after enjoying Disney On Ice presents Disney/Pixar’s Finding Nemo.

It’s just one of the Motown hits featured in the ocean adventure of the clownfish Nemo, playing this weekend at Savannah Civic Center . Remaining shows are:
Sat. Nov 7 @ 11 AM
Sat. Nov 7 @ 3 PM
Sat. Nov 7 @ 7 PM
Sun. Nov 8 @ 2 PM

The show is well-worth braving all those trinket and cotton-candy concession stands, with beg-your-parents-for $15 Nemo hats. But kids quickly lose interest in the goodies once the fish on skates hit the ice.

The production includes all your child’s favorite characters, ever-forgetful Dory, Bruce the shark, the overprotective Marlin, “super-dude” turtle Crush and Nigel the pelican.

Beware, though, there are a few, small fireworks in the first half of the roughly 90-minute show, which temporarily upset a few kids near my family. We saw the show courtesy of Feld Entertainment, the Disney on Ice promoters which provided the recent ticket giveaways on SouthernMamas.

Tickets are available @ etix.com OR 1-800-351-7469.

A slew of open houses at schools happening this month. If you are looking into schools for the 2010-2011 school year, below are a few open houses to check out. If you’d like to have a school included in this list, please email the info to anne@southernmamas.com:

Open House for Prospective Families @ at St. Andrew’s School
noon-3 PM Sun. Nov 15
St. Andrew’s, a college prep school for Pre K3 through Grade 12, is hosting an Open House at the school at 601 Penn Waller Road on Wilmington Island.
897.4941.

Open houses at Savannah Christian Preparatory School
2:30 PM Sun. Nov. 15 at the Lower School (preK-5th), Chatham
Parkway Campus, 1599 Chatham Parkway
10 AM Thurs. Dec. 3 at the Lower School (preK-5th), Chatham
Parkway Campus, 1599 Chatham Parkway
7 PM Mon. Nov. 9 at The Lower School (K-5th) at DeRenne Avenue Campus,
2415 E. DeRenne Ave.
10 AM Wed. Dec. 2 at The Lower School (K-5th) at DeRenne Avenue Campus,
2415 E. DeRenne Ave.
912.234.1653 ext 106

Bouncy house lovers, take heed: Bouncing Angels , the beloved Savannah indoor play place at Victory Drive and Skidaway Road, is undergoing some fabulous changes to make it into an even more fun play space and birthday party headquarters.

The indoor inflatable play & party entertainment center @ the Victory Drive Shopping Center, 2123 E. Victory Drive, no longer charges higher weekend rates!  Now, you pay the same price every day for kids: $5 plus tax for tots 2 and younger; $8 plus tax for the 3-and-up set.  

Coming this month and in December, more inflatables and less distracting arcade games. That means kids will spend more time jumping and playing than begging Mom and Dad for money to play the coin-operated arcade games. New inflatables include Dora and Diego and a farm, plus more slides.  

Bouncing Angels also plans to add two Wii Sports games, yet another fun way for children to exert all their energy.

New discount cards are also available so after 10 visits, your next THREE visits are free. You receive a discount on admission with three or more kids.

In addition to regular walk-in, open play, Bouncing Angels also is available for birthdays, field trips, mommy clubs, group events etc. Birthday parties are a snap at this monolith of play. If you’re planning to host a birthday party there, ask about the free party deal: after 15 paid admissions of $16 each, you earn a free birthday party with up to 16 kids (a $259 value).

Birthday are becoming much more special at Bouncing Angels, too. Coming soon: thrones for the birthday boy or girl (like the one pictured here) as well as a personalized “Happy Birthday” banner with the child’s name.  Birthday guests receive unlimited jump time – so they can bounce off all that birthday cake.

Many popular features of Bouncing Angels will remain including the free Wi-Fi and frequent jump cards, which allow you to save on admission fees.

Bouncing Angels hours:
10 AM-8 PM Mon-Thurs.  
10 AM- 9 PM Fri.- Sat.
noon-8 PM   Sun.

Check out their Web site here. For more info. call: 912.691.8797.

The Coastal Health District, which includes Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, and McIntosh Counties, has received 1,300 doses of the injectable form of the H1N1 influenza vaccine.

Due to the limited amount of vaccine, local health departments are targeting two of the priority groups recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
• Pregnant women because they are at higher risk of complications and can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated;
• Emergency medical services personnel because they are essential critical response partners and can be a potential source of infection for
vulnerable patients.

County Health Departments are sharing the vaccine with some local obstetricians and gynecologists who initially requested vaccine from the state of Georgia, but have not yet received any. Women who are pregnant are encouraged to contact their personal physician to check on H1N1 vaccine availability.

In other words, if you’re looking for the shot-version of the swine flu vaccine for your kids, you have to wait.

“We do not have enough quantities at this time to give the vaccine to everyone who wants it and we ask for the public’s patience and understanding as we move forward with our vaccination efforts,” said Dr. Diane Weems, Coastal Health District Chief Medical Officer. “Eventually, we hope to have enough vaccine for everyone.”

Last month, the Coastal Health District received a limited supply of the H1N1 Influenza nasal spray vaccine, available for children. Click here to find out more.

Health departments will not charge for the vaccine; however Medicaid, Medicare and some private insurance can be billed for a nominal administration fee.

Yes, there’s still time to have professional portraits shot for your holiday cards – without blowing your budget.

Savannah photographers Heather Shiver and Siobhan Egan are offering mini-photo sessions this weekend in Forsyth Park, Sat & Sun. Nov. 7 & 8.

The 30-minute sessions cost $50 and include the session and a CD of edited images.

To book a session, contact Heather, a SouthernMamas sponsor, via email at info@heatherimagery.com or call 912.844.6379.

Check out Heather’s amazing work here.

Your waistline, your children’s teeth and your children’s teachers will thank you. Here’s where you can donate that excess Halloween candy,

*Operation Gratitude sends care packages to U.S. troops overseas. You just pay to ship to California, but an extra $11 donation covers overseas postage.

*Any Soldier and Operation Shoebox will also let you donate candy.

*Ronald McDonald House Charities accepts candy donation for kids. Search for a local branch here.

If anyone knows of any local shops, food pantries, pediatric wards, nursing homes, churches or synagogues that have candy drop-offs, please comment below or on our SouthernMamas Facebook page here. Also, anyone have any tips on ‘encouraging’ kids to donate their candy?

This week, a lucky SouthernMamas reader will win a free Kindermusik semester of classes for her baby.

Kindermusik  has three new parent-and-me music classes starting this month at three locations – Mondays in the Sandfly area, Tuesdays on Wilmington Island and Saturdays on the Southside.

These particular classes in the giveaway are open to babies ages newborn to 20 months, although Kindermusik has classes for ages 0 to 7. This week’s giveaway is for one of the three 0-20 mth. old classes, which start in November and run through January 2010. It can only be used for one of those sessions and can’t be redeemed for cash.  A minimum of five children are required for each class.

Children and parents in the class will move, fly and dance with an exciting curriculum called ‘DoSiDo’. The value of the giveaway is $104, which is the cost for the class and includes tuition through January 2010 and home materials. Find out more here.  

Check out the rules below to enter to win:

Don’t want to wait for the giveaway to register for Kindermusik? Enrollment is limited, so sign up soon. For exact details on times and dates or to enroll online TODAY, visit the Coastal Empire Savannah Kindermusik Web site and click on the Kindermusik for Ages 0-7 button. Or call 912.728.KEYS (5397)

A Kindermusik session makes a great  gift. Kindermusik “gift certificates” are available for a semester of classes. Click here more information.

Check out Kindermusik’s sister site 88 Keys, for piano tuning, piano service, sales/rentals, even piano moving. The family-owned business also buys, sells and RENTS pianos. You can rent a spinet piano for $1 per day. That’s right $30 a month for a piano. For more info, click here or call 912.728.KEYS.

Check out the fabulous prices @ See Jane’s Beauty Bar, Savannah’s ultimate chic and cheeky destination for exceptional manicures, pedicures, waxing, brow grooming and facials.

Custom facials from as low as $20. Brow shape waxing for $15. Custom built lashes for $20. Plain Jane Manicure for $15. Signature manicure for $20.

Almost as enticing as those prices: BEAUTY BAR HAPPY HOUR is every Thursday night. Receive a complimentary cocktail with every service, treatment or purchase from 5-9 PM.

See Jane Apothecary + Beauty Bar is @ 323 W. Broughton St. Click here for more info. Tell them SouthernMamas sent you! Tel. 912.234.1080. Email: info@seejaneshop.com

See Jane is also Savannah’s hottest socializing space for group bookings such as bachelorettes, bridal showers, girls’ night out. Click here for more info on excusive use of See Jane. For all bookings, the hostess gets a free pedicure.

Tamara Cordero!

Tamara wins a free Gift Account entitling her to send five free cards from SendOut Cards, which allows you to select cards and personalize them with your own message.

Thanks to everyone who entered to win. To inquire about setting up a card account, contact Tina Barefield at 912-897-0010 or cardcentral@comcast.net.

A new Mommy and Me program begins in November @ UGA’s Marine Education Center and Aquarium, 30 Ocean Science Circle, Skidaway Island.

The educational Mommy and Me programs will be every Tuesday from 8:30-9:15 AM through 2009 for children between the ages of 1 and 4. In January of 2010, the program will be provided on both Tuesday and Thursday mornings.

The first session is Tues. Nov. 3. Must be under 4 years old. Maximum of 15 participants. Cost: $6/child for non-member; $4/child for members. Adults get in free with a paid child. For information, call 912-598-2496, email fish@uga.edu or click here.

It’s great to see another activity in our area for the pre-preschool set. This particular program will include learning techniques that allow for the development of motor skills, understanding of different sizes, shapes, weights, and movements among a variety of marine animals native to Georgia waterways and the ability to identify the difference between fish, crabs, turtles, and invertebrates. The programs will include hands-on experiences with different animals, arts and crafts, a story time, and a game.

Upcoming dates include:
November 3, 10, &; 17, 2009 and December 1, 8,15,& 22, 2009
January 5, 12, 19, &26, 2010 & Thursday January 7, 14,21,& 28, 2010

Thanks to Karin Paquin for telling us about this!

Have you noticed all those misleading “Smart Choice” labels on cereals like Kellogg’s Fruit Loops and “Healthy Choice” labels on General Mills’ Cocoa Puffs?

Cocoa Puffs a healthy choice? Not many parents would fall for that.

Researchers at Yale University’s Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity analyzed the marketing and nutritional content of breakfast cereals and found that kids are a big target for heavy marketing of sugary cereals

Check out the home page of their new report, Cereal FACTS (Food Advertising to Children and Teens Score) The lowest-scoring cereals, nutrition-wise: Kellogg’s Corn Pops – Chocolate Peanut Butter and Quaker’s Cap’n Crunch w/ Crunchberries.

The top-scoring cereal, from a nutritional standpoint: Kashi’s Puffs — 7 Whole Grains Puffs. The cereal most heavily marketed to children: General Mills’ Cinnamon Toast Crunch.

Here’s the full report.
 
The FDA plans to step in and take a closer look at misleading labels and plans to develop a nutritional gold standard for products labeled as “healthy.”

Just for Baby & More offers more than nursery and youth furniture, apparel, gifts and accessories.

The locally-owned and operated store at 7701 Waters Ave. also hosts occassional classes including an infant CPR course in their store 10 AM-2 PM Sat., Nov. 14

If an emergency strikes, your first line of defense is to rely on your abilities to save the life of your child. You need to be prepared. One way you can do this is by getting trained in Infant CPR. For nearly a century, the American Red Cross has prepared people to save lives through health and safety education and training. Just for Baby & More – a sponsor of SouthernMamas – recognizes this great need to help those with children lead healthier and safer lives.

The class is open to the public. Cost: $35 per person or $60 per couple. Class fee includes instructional manual, supplies, certification card and a light lunch. To participate, email casey@justforbaby.net or call (912)355-4455 to register.

CPR is a simple and very effective lifesaving technique training lay responders to overcome any reluctance to act in emergency situations and to recognize and care for life-threatening respiratory or cardiac emergencies in infants. Make sure you are familiar with the procedure as you never know when you may need to use it.

Did your child fail to become a genius despite a steady diet of Baby Einstein DVDS and videos?

Now you can get your money back. According to this New York Times article, the Walt Disney Company is offering a $15.99 refund for Baby Einstein videos, up to four per customer. Receipts not required.

The videos have been the subject of complaints and a threatened lawsuit by the advocacy group Campaign for Commercial-Free Childhood, which contended that contrary to the company’s early claims that Baby Einstein would enhance child development, watching TV is actually detrimental to children younger than 2. The American Academy of Pediatrics is against children younger than 2 watching any TV.

Here’s the link to the statement on the Baby Einstein Web site about the refund. For full details and an official mail-in certificate, click here.

I initially intended not to have my kids watch any TV until post-2, but failed miserably. However, I use DVDs to entertain while making dinner etc. and never believed Baby Einstein’s pitch that their products would land my kid in the gifted class. Did you? And if so, do you plan to take advantage of the refund and stop using Baby Einstein products?

Volunteers are needed to help single moms enjoy a day of pampering.

On Dec. 12, the Salvation Army will host a “Cinderella Saturday” for single mothers who are currently residing in the organization’s Savannah shelter. For these mothers, things that we take for granted such as a trip to the salon or a new outfit are true luxuries. Their day-to-day concerns are providing food and shelter for their children.

As part of Cinderella Saturday, the mothers will receive a day of pampering, along with a shopping trip to find a perfect everyday outfit. The event will culminate with a fun event at night. Childcare will be provided for them the entire day so that they can truly enjoy one day to themselves.

Hair stylists are needed as well as manicurists and makeup artists willing to donate their services; shops willing to donate outfits; entertainment venues willing to host the kids for an hour of play; and food establishments willing to provide meals for both the children and parents.

Anyone interested in volunteering, donating their services or making a financial contribution may contact event chair Amy Pine at amyk215@yahoo.com or 912-659-3050

The Classical Conversations group of Savannah will host open houses – by reservation only – during the next few weeks.

Learn how the Classical Conversations of Savannah community can help equip, encourage, and support parents in their homeschooling endeavors. Open houses start at 9 AM with a short explanation of the Classical Method of Education as well as a brief overview of Classical Conversations. At 9:15 AM, there will be an opening ceremony and dismiss for classes at 9:30 AM. During morning class time, learn and review information from English Grammar, Geography, History, Latin, Science and Math and an entire history timeline from a Biblical perspective. Enjoy watching the class presentations, hands-on science experiments, and Fine Arts sessions of the Foundations programs. Pack a lunch if you would like to eat lunch with the group.

Hear and observe the Essentials program from 1-3pm. This is when 3rd – 6th graders learn grammar, writing and play math games.

Reservations are required to ensure enough space is available. Meet on Tuesdays in Effingham county. The following dates are available for reservation: Oct. 27, Nov. 3 and Nov. 10. More dates will be available in 2010.

If you are interested, please contact Kristin Bigalke, Director of CC Savannah, at 912-655-8173 or rkadb004-education@yahoo.com.

When those gift and card giving holidays start to sneak up on you, it only means one thing: time to buy or fish out some cards and get them mailed.

Even just a few personalized holiday cards can take up to an hour to complete, address, stamp and seal for delivery. The process is time consuming and SendOut Cards has noticed.

With SendOut Cards, you choose the card and personalize it with your own message. SendOut Cards does the rest!

This week one lucky SouthernMamas reader will receive a free Gift Account entitling her to send five free cards. To be eligible to win, visit this SendOut Cards website and Send A Free Card. Then click on comments below this post and tell us your favorite card!

Can’t wait for the giveaway? To inquire about setting up a card account, contact Tina Barefield at 912-897-0010 or cardcentral@comcast.net.

Lowcountry photographer Cecillia Berger loves to create emotion that inspires memories when someone views her photographs.

A recently transplanted photographer from San Diego now serving the Beaufort, SC and surrounding Lowcountry areas, Cecillia is considers the world as your studio, with a thousand and one backdrops from which to choose your perfect setting. In the Lowcountry, we are blessed to have a variety of location choices from which you may select; from old buildings, to beautiful parks, forests, and sunny beaches. Or you have your session in the beauty and warmth of your own home.

Mention SouthernMamas when you book your session with Cecillia B Photography and receive 1 sheet of wallets and 1 5×7 print. Become a fan of CecilliaB Photography on Facebook here receive a $20 print credit with your session.

Primarily a natural light photographer, Cecillia specializes in families, maternity, newborn and children’s custom lifestyle portraiture. She loves capturing , energy, emotion, family connections and children’s true natures in her photographs.

The perfect photographer for those of you who want be able to look at pictures and relive happy and fun memories for years to come.

To see more examples of her work beyond those posted here, visit the Cecillia B Photography Web site and her blog.

Cecillia B Photography, 843.263.5971 or email CecilliaBPhotography@gmail.com

Chances are you’ve heard about Cabell Stewart, the Savannah infant who was in need of a heart transplant to survive.

Little Cabell has received a heart and is finally home from Atlanta. Read an update about Cabell in this column “How do you thank someone for saving your child?” and find out how you can help him and his parents, Amy and Brad Stewart.

Their story is an example of the importance of organ donation. But the Stewarts had to endure the agonizing experience of waiting for a miracle for their baby while at the same time knowing another family is going to have to face death for Cabell to live.

If all those pony rides at local fall festivals has your kid hooked on horses, check out Norwood Stables, near Isle of Hope, Savannah.

Norwood stables offers exercise and fun in the great outdoors. Ladies morning riding club $40 per session and children’s riding lessons $160 p/m. Pony rides $35 for 30 minutes up to 3 kids per pony. Call Linda at 663-5288 for more information or click here.

Be sure to tell them SouthernMamas sent you.

Also, according to the Norwood Stables Web site, Norwood also hosts children’s birthday parties. The $200 birthday package includes full use of the picnic area for a two-hour party with two ponies for one hour. Check out the picnic area and available upgrades here.

Trying to figure out the best college savings plan for our children is overwelming. Financial advisor Marsha Woelber, a Partner at Independent Investment Services, LLC/Securities Offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC, offered to provide helpful information on college saving basics. Check out her guest article below. She can be reached @ marsha@iissav.com or 912-650-2852.

You want to provide your child with every opportunity in the world. Paying for a college education seems so far away, but you can make simple investment decisions today to ease the blow of increasing tuition costs.

There are many options to facilitate college savings; I’ve focused on 529 savings plans, popular due to their tax advantages and flexibility. As you can see below, paying for just one year at even a Public College can be overwhelming. You may not be able to save enough for all four years of tuition, room and board, and other expenses – but you could save enough to give your child the right start.

Common Questions about 529 Savings Plans

Q – What is a 529 Plan?
A – A 529 plan is an investment plan designed to encourage saving for a child’s college expenses. The plans are named after Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions are made in cash and invested; the money can be used to pay for “qualified” college education expenses without incurring any income tax liability on the earnings and/or appreciated value of the assets.

Q – Who can open a 529 account?
A – Anyone. Parents, grandparents, other relatives or family friends can all be account owners with the child as beneficiary. Also note that anyone can contribute to an existing 529 account, no matter who owns it.

Q – How much do I need to invest in a 529 account?
A – Many plans have low initial minimums of $500-$1,000 and can usually be arranged for automatic investments of as little as $50 or $100 a month. Many states do have an upper limit on contributions, typically $200,000 – $250,000.

Q – Who controls the investments in the account?
A – The account owner selects from investment portfolios created by a professional money manager. The most common investment option is an age-based allocation strategy in which the age of the child (# of years until college) determines the specific mix of investments.

Q – Are there tax advantages to enrolling in a 529 Plan?
A – Contributions are not federal tax deductible on your tax return, however, your investments grow tax-deferred, and distributions for “qualified expenses” are federally tax-free. Your own state may offer tax benefits such as deductions; this should be considered prior to enrolling in a 529 plan.

Read the rest of the article by clicking here.