On Thurs. Dec. 31, Monkey Joe’s Savannah will have a countdown to NOON, with a bubble wrap fireworks celebration. Bounce, stomp, and jump into the New Year with family friendly popping fun at the indoor inflatable playground at 311 Eisenhower Drive.

Standard admission rates apply. Monkey Joe’s will close at 6 PM on New Year’s Eve.

On New Year’s Day, come watch the Bowl Games while the kids jump. Monkey Joe’s will be open regular hours, 10 AM – 9 PM New Year’s Day. 912-349-2528.

Tell them SouthernMamas sent you.

The City of Savannah’s annual Bring One For The Chipper Christmas tree recycling event will be 9 AM to 3 PM Sat. Jan. 9.

Bring your Christmas trees to one of four locations Saturday and receive a dogwood seedling and as much free mulch as you can haul. Christmas tree mulch will also be used by the City for parks and neighborhood beautification projects throughout Savannah.

The free service is available at the following locations:

Bacon Park Transfer Station, Shorty Cooper Road
Dean Forest Landfill, 1325 Dean Forest Road
The Home Depot, 11180 Abercorn St.
The Home Depot, 1901 Victory Dr.

More than 4,000 tree were recycled in 2008. For more information about Bring One for the Chipper, call 912.651.6520.

Angel Foley!

Angel wins a family four-pack of tickets to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus is coming to Savannah Civic Center Jan. 21-24. Thanks to everyone who participated. Check out other readers’ comments on their favorite holiday tradition the comments section under this post.

Purchase circus tickets by clicking here or at Savannah Civic Center Box Office, Lester’s Florist, Savannah Mall Customer Service Booth or by phone at 800-351-7469 or 912-651-6556.

Tickets are $15 & $17 with a limited number of $28 VIP seats and $35 VIP Floor Seats also available.

Ringling Bros. starts the excitement early with a FREE All Access Pre-show, which begins one hour before the show. The audience will have a chance to go onto the arena floor, try on costumes, walk the low wire and meet many of the show’s performers.

Performance Schedule
Thurs., Jan. 21 7 PM
Fri., Jan. 22 7 PM
Sat., Jan. 23 11 AM, 3 PM & 7 PM

Don’t forget to become a fan of SouthernMamas on our SouthernMamas Facebook page here. All we want for New Year’s is 2,010 Facebook fans by 2010!

Thanks Mama – a sweet, online cloth diaper store – has a new giveaway up and running on their blog www.clothdiapertalk.com.

Thanks Mama is giving away a new Thirsties Duo Diaper. The winner will be able to choose size and color of the diaper. Duo diapers come in cute colors and in two sizes: size 1 fits babies 6-18 lbs; size 2 fits 18-40 lbs. So you can get a lot of use out of it while still getting a perfect fit. Each diaper comes with a double microfiber/hemp insert and provides excellent absorbency.

Click here to enter to win.

Thanks Mama has cloth diapers, diaper covers, potty training pants and more from top brands like BumGenius, Fuzzi Bunz, Blue Penguin and Bummis. The online boutique carries a variety of cloth diaper styles and accessories like prefolds, pocket diapers, inserts, flushable and washable liners and swim diapers.

Free shipping on orders over $60.

Thanks Mama believes cloth diapers a great choice because they are more natural, expose your baby to fewer chemicals and are more environmentally friendly. Visit the Thanks Mama Cloth Diaper info page for answers to common questions about going cloth.

Thanks Mama offers a 30-day money back guarantee return policy for unused and unwashed items and offers quantity discounts on many brands.

182 Mills Run Drive, Savannah

Here are some Coastal Empire home holiday light displays that are well worth checking out this year:

• 105 Mapmaker Lane, in Battery Point, Whitemarsh Island: computerized lights display animated with music

• 170 Dalcross, Hampton in Buckhead subdivision, Richmond Hill: computerized lights display animated with music (while driving there, check out the three brillantly-lit homes on 144 at Charlie Rd. One has a lake in front that reflects the lights.)

• 182 Mills Run Drive, off Chatham Parkway: computerized lights display animated with music (THIS ONE IS A MUST SEE!!)

• 512 Gordonston Ave., Savannah

• 711 South Drive

• 202 Blue Marlin Drive in Seagate, Whitemarsh Island

• 203 Windsor Road, Windsor Forest

• 18 Cutler Drive, Georgetown area (in the same area, drive down Lions Gate (also in Georgetown), there are several brightly-decorated homes as well as a house on Waynesboro)

• 136 Chimney Road, Rincon

• 13008 Largo Drive, Windsor Forest

• 16 Godley Park Way in Pooler (Santa and Mrs. Claus will make an appearance 6-8 PM Dec 21-23. Join in the holiday spirit for cookies and hot chocolate.) Pictured to the right.

• 504 E. 52 St

• Musical light display at a home on Wingate in Wilmington Park

• Stuart St. just off Waters: a yard full of blow ups

• Three homes on Clark St, just off Montgomery Crossroads.

In Fantasyland, you’re the queen of holiday baking, wielding a peppermint stick scepter, sporting a chocolate tiara and churning out dozens of yummy yuletide confections.

But in reality, you simply can’t find the time to do all the baking you wanted to do this season. Southern Belle Cupcakery in Savannah to the rescue. Southern Belle is all about gourmet cupcakes made completely from scratch with the freshest ingredients and no preservatives.

Southern Belle’s Holiday Cupcakes are perfect for any holiday occasion and great as gifts. Owner and bakemeister Brittany Banks creates pretty little bites of heaven.

Peppermint Chocolate

Holiday flavors include peppermint chocolate cake with peppermint cream cheese frosting, garnished with crushed candy cane; hot chocolate with marshmallow buttercream frosting, garnished with mini marshmallows and hot cocoa powder; holiday red velvet with green cream cheese frosting, garnished with holiday sprinkles. Brittany also makes rum cakes infused with a rum glaze, garnished with pecans.

See all the delicacies here. Place your holiday orders by this Sun. Dec. 20 to ensure delivery. Cupcakes are $28 per dozen.

Hot Chocolate

Southern Belle Cupcakery also offers creative flavors year round. Cookies-and-cream confection is topped with a generous swirl of Oreo buttercream, then adorned with a teensy Oreo. Brittany’s chocolate raspberry cupcakes with cream cheese frosting garnished with a fresh raspberry were a hit at my son’s birthday party.

Give Brittany 48 hours notice, and she’ll supply your next dinner party, shower or carb craving. Love at first bite!

Southern Belle Cupcakery in Savannah, 912.695.5654, www.southernbellecupcakery.com

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus is coming to Savannah Civic Center Jan. 21-24

This week SouthernMamas is giving away a family four-pack of tickets to one lucky reader!

Here are the rules on to win free tickets toRingling Bros’ Illuscination, a fantasy-filled world where thrills, wonderment, and unbelievable magic intersect with the outlandish fun of the circus..

Purchase tickets by clicking here or at Savannah Civic Center Box Office, Lester’s Florist, Savannah Mall Customer Service Booth or by phone at 800-351-7469 or 912-651-6556.

Tickets are $15 & $17 with a limited number of $28 VIP seats and $35 VIP Floor Seats also available.

Ringling Bros. Presents Illuscination invites you on a mystifying adventure as Illuscinator David DaVinci bridges the believable world in which we live, to the seemingly impossible one of the circus.

David entertains audiences with eye-popping illusions, mind boggling transformations, and unique up-close magic. This modern Houdini even attempts to escape a straightjacket while suspended three stories in the air over a den of lions.

In an intimate setting, where the action takes place just feet away from your seat, audience members’ eyes will witness astonishing acrobats, awesome aerialists, and amazing animals, including majestic Asian elephants, a pride of lionesses, horses, ponies, and even a rare white lion.

Ringling Bros. starts the excitement early with a FREE All Access Pre-show, which begins one hour before the show. The audience will have a chance to go onto the arena floor, try on costumes, walk the low wire and meet many of the show’s performers.

Performance Schedule
Thurs., Jan. 21 7 PM
Fri., Jan. 22 7 PM
Sat., Jan. 23 11 AM, 3 PM & 7 PM
Sun., Jan. 24 1 PM

All SouthernMamas wants for New Year’s is 2,010 Facebook fans by 2010.

Please visit the SouthernMamas Facebook page here and become a Facebook fan of SouthernMamas. Right now, we have about 1,220. Please tell your friends who also read SouthernMamas to join. It’s an easy way to keep up with all the events on SouthernMamas!

Click here to become a fan of SouthernMamas on Facebook.

Not all family Christmas albums are created equally.

Which is why Putumayo’s newest CD “A Family Christmas” is the one and only disc we’ve been playing this holiday season. The entire 11-track set is
so festive and includes new interpretatios of classic tis-the-season favorites in jazz, blues, retro-swing, folksong and country.

Take a look:

1. “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” – Johnny Bregar
2. “Holly Jolly Christmas” – Martin Sexton
3. “Is Zat You Santa Claus?” – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
4. “Let it Snow” – Leon Redbone
5. “Winter Wonderland” – Deana Carter
6. “Sleigh Ride” – Sam Bush
7. “Here We Come A-Wassailing” – Kate Rusby
8. “Jolly Old St. Nick” – Brave Combo
9. “Mele Kalikimaka” – Debbie Davis and Matt Perrine
10. “Boogie Woogie Santa Claus” – The Christmas Jug Band featuring Angela Strehli and Maria Muldaur
11. “Frosty the Snowman” – Lars Edegran and his Santa Claus Revelers featuring Big Al Carson

Listen to a sample by clicking here

The minute we’re in the car, my 3-year-old starts asking me to put in the disc, saying “Play it from the beginning!” I love that he’ll always consider Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s “Is Zat You Santa Claus?” as as much of a Christmas classic as “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.”

You can hear sample tracks of A Family Christmas or purchase the CD at Putumayo World Music or at Putumayo Kids (where you can also download a free mp3 from A Family Christmas).

Putumayo’s “A Family Christmas” will lift your mood, no matter how stressed you are this season. Enjoy!

A cozy Christmas party at Bouncing Angels indoor play place sounds perfect right about now.

Mark you calendars for “BOUNCE INTO THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT ” an all day event at  Bouncing Angels on Sat. Dec. 19. Highlights include hot chocolate and cookies for the kids at the party room, drawing and coloring contest with surprise prizes for the winners, Christmas arts and crafts workshop. There will be a big inflatable outside (think Elmo and Scooby Doo) of Bouncing Angels for kids at all ages to use if isn’t raining.

Even better, there’s NO extra charge for the party, just the regular entrance price.

Also starting this week at Bouncing Angels: Spanish classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11-11:30 AM and from 1-1:30 PM at no extra charge. So kids can come for regular price to play and also participate on the Spanish class. Times and dates of classes are subject to change depending on demand. These classes will be done while playing in the inflatables to make it more attractive for children ages 6 and younger.

Bouncing Angels inflatable play & party entertainment center is @ the Victory Drive Shopping Center, 2123 E. Victory Drive near Skidaway Road.  Bouncing Angels 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.  

Check out the Bouncing Angels Web site here. For more info. call: 912.691.8797.

Lisa Maine wins the SouthernMamas giveaway from Totally Bowlicious – a brand new, online store that specializes in fun hair accessories with a touch of whimsy for little girls.

Lisa wins a tutu bow holder, three hair bows, and a fairy wand! The locally-owned Webshop sells embellished clips and bows, ponytail holders and other unique children’s gifts including kufi hats; bows with matching belts; fairy-wand bouquets for newborns.

A SouthernMamas reader asked for suggestions on daytrip getaways during the holiday season. The kids are out of school and there’s finally time to explore.  We love the idea! Here are a few holiday happenings nearby.

1. Celebrate the holidays @ the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, let the kids toast the new year with apple juice and see the new baby bonobo born at the Zoo last month.
From 10 AM-1 PM on Dec 31, a Radio Disney Celebrity and DJ perform for JaxZoo’s Annual Noon Year’s Eve Celebration. Radio Disney live entertainment, games, prizes and free noisemakers and hats special entertainment, games, prizes, and an apple juice toast at (a much-more kid-friendly) 12 noon.

On Dec 26 – 30, and Jan. 1 – 3, from 10 AM-4 PM each day, areas of the zoo will be highlighted to showcase the different parts of the world that the animals are from at the World Animal Festival. Live entertainment (on the weekends only), information booths, cultural crafts, a giant inflatable slide, bounce house, animal encounters, prize drawings, and visits from Jazoo, the Zoo’s friendly lion mascot.

The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is on Jacksonville’s north side at 370 Zoo Parkway, one-half mile east from I-95. For more info, click here.

2. The 20th annual Holiday Festival of Lights in Charleston SC
Through Jan. 3 @ James Island County Park. Includes a 3-mile drive through more than 2 million sparkling lights and hundreds of light displays. Then walk through Santa’s Village & Winter Wonderland

3. Holiday events at the South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston, SC
-Catch the Waddle Wagon, a new up-close encounter penguin program
Through Sun. Dec. 27 at 1:30 PM Saturdays and Sundays
Only this holiday season, join educators and staff as one of the aquarium’s Magellanic penguins is escorted through the Great Hall in a special custom made “waddle wagon.” See a penguin up close, then afterwards at 2 p.m. to see the penguin feeding program and learn more about the colorful lives of penguins.
–Turtle Tours
Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat. and Sun 11 AM and 1 PM
The South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Rescue Program is opening up the renowned Sea Turtle Hospital five days a week for behind-the scenes tours. Guests will discover firsthand the extraordinary care that is provided to sick and injured sea turtles.  Stand inches from rescued sea turtles ranging from 6 to over 300 pounds. A behind the scenes tour is a perfect family activity this holiday season. Tickets: $10 for adults and $5 for children after general admission or membership to the Aquarium.

4. Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens in Columbia SC
6-9 PM through Jan. 3 Closed Dec. 24, 25 and 31
Nearly one million twinkling lights, animal images, music in motion lights, larger-thank-life holiday cards created by local students, nightly visits with Santa through Christmas Eve, Jingle Bell Bonfire, hot cocoa, marshmallows and festive foods for purchase.

GIVEAWAY ITEMS!

Totally Bowlicious – a brand new, ADORABLE online store – has a terrific SouthernMamas giveaway this week: tutu bow holder, three hair bows, and a fairy wand. Just in time for the holidays.

Totally Bowlicious specializes in fun hair accessories with a touch of whimsy for little girls. I can’t wait until my baby daughter’s hair is long enough to sport these oh-so-sweet embellished clips and bows and ponytail holders. The online, locally-owned boutique includes other unique children’s gifts including kufi hats; bows with matching belts; fairy-wand bouquets for newborns.

Here are the giveaway rules:

Totally Bowlicious also can do custom orders on just about anything! If you don’t see what you are looking for just email christina@totallybowlicious.com and she’ll do everything she can to make it just for YOU!

Have you taken the kids to visit the Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops at Savannah Mall?

It’s great because they have free photos with Santa on weekday evenings and on weekends, as well as fun kids games like remote control trucks, model trains, racetracks, a letter-to-Santa table, crafts etc. A little less appealing  – for this non-gun-packing-mom at least – was the toy shooting range for kids.

Toy guns and kids is the topic of my newspaper column this week entitled “You’ll Shoot Your (Or Rudolph’s) Eye Out. Read it here. Would love to know what you think of the toy shooting ranges and whether you plan to or already have allowed your kids to play with BB guns? Do you find yourself quoting Ralphie’s mom in “A Christmas Story”: “You’ll shoot your eye out?” Or do you feel BB guns are safe and moms like me are overreacting?

Dec. 11 is the deadline to register your child for the holiday program at Chatham County Aquatic Center. The holiday program is for ages 6-14. Kids will enjoy swim lessons, snorkeling, water safety, kayaking, pool games.

Here’s the schedule:
Dec. 21 Mon. 11 AM–2 PM
Dec 22 Tues 11 AM–2 PM
Dec. 28 Mon 11 AM–2 PM
Dec. 29 Tues. 11 AM–2 PM
Dec 30 Wed. 11 AM–2 PM

Pack a lunch, drop off the children and have a few hours to yourself. For more info and cost, click here or call 912.652.6793.  Please tell them SouthernMamas.com sent you.

Just For Baby & More at 7701 Waters Ave. carries Guardian Sleepers.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission recently released information regarding the recent press around the tragic deaths of infants in defective cribs and bassinets. The Guardian Sleeper maintains the baby in the correct sleeping position to reduce the danger of SIDS. It helps to prevent the baby from slipping down under the blanket by means of a soft harness and therefore helps to protect the baby from overheating and suffocation.

This product positions the baby at the foot of the bed and away from the sides reducing the danger of suffocation while allowing airflow around the baby as it kicks to help maintain a healthy body temperature.

Cost of the Guardian Sleeper is $43.95.

For more info, call Just for Baby and More , a sponsor of SouthernMamas, at 912-355-4455.

The Savannah College of Art and Design invites you to the second annual SCAD Holiday Matinee, a family-friendly celebration of holiday spirit, Sat., Dec. 19, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

The free event, open to the public and held at SCAD’s historic Trustees Theater, 216 E. Broughton St., will feature screenings of the animated classics “Frosty the Snowman” and “Frosty Returns” beginning at 11 AM and the holiday comedy “Elf” at 2 PM.

Guests at SCAD Holiday Matinee also may enjoy complimentary refreshments, sing-alongs of favorite holiday classics and more.

For more info, contact the SCAD box office at 912.525.5050.

For more children’s holiday activities, visit the SouthernMamas Ultimate Holiday Guide here.

Hanukkah begins Dec. 11.

The Coastal Heritage Society’s Roundhouse Railroad Museum will present a special children’s storytime that is inclusive of both Hanukkah and Christmas.

The storytime is 10-11 AM Wed. Dec. 9 in the Baggage Car at the Roundhouse Railroad Museum,
601 West Harris St. It will feature stories about Christmas and Hanukkah as children learn more about holiday celebrations. Kids will make a Christmas ornament and a Hanukkah dreidel and enjoy a holiday snack.

Cost: $4 per child with adult admission. Reservations are requested. You can call 912-651-6823 or email childrensevents@chsgeorgia.org.

SouthernMamas Holiday Guide lists a slew of Christmas activities for children, but is lacking in Hanukkah activities. If you know if any that are open to the public and would be appropriate to include, please email the info to anne@southernmamas.com.

A toll-free 2009 H1N1 influenza information line is now up and running in the Coastal Health District.

Residents can access general information on the H1N1 flu 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by calling 1-888-497-8444.

The toll-free line provides callers with information on how the H1N1 flu is spread, how to avoid getting the flu, and tips on what to do if you get sick. In addition, the information line provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding the H1N1 flu.

The line was launched in an effort to educate citizens throughout the District, which includes Bryan, Camden Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, and McIntosh counties, regarding H1N1 flu.

“Flu activity still remains widespread and the 2009 H1N1 virus continues to be the current dominant influenza virus circulating in our communities,” said Dr. Diane Weems, Chief Medical Officer for the Coastal Health District. “It is my hope that the Coastal Health District information line will provide our citizens with the knowledge they need to help combat the spread of the virus.”

Looking to start an annual tradition of choosing and cutting down your own Christmas tree?

Check back to SouthernMamas this week for a review from a reader of Okatie Farm , which has Christmas trees-you choose and you cut, precut Christmas trees, living Christmas trees (to plant later), Christmas wreaths and boughs, Christmas decorations, saws provided, trees bagged, trees tied, trees tied, gift shop. Click here for more info.

For more children’s holiday activities, visit the SouthernMamas Ultimate Holiday Guide here.

Kids love homegrown outlandish holiday lights displays with colorful flashing lights, huge blow-up snow globes and more. Tell us where your favorites are by commenting below.  

Below is a roundup of Savannah-area Christmas lights displays that were big last year. Let’s hope they are up again this year. If anyone knows the status of these and others, please let us know by commenting below or email anne@southernmamas.com

• 1. The Roddenberry home in Windsor Forest on Savannah’s Southside. It’s in the 200 block of Windsor Road.
• 2. 711 South St.
• 3. 202 Blue Marlin Drive on Whitemarsh Island, Seagate subdivision
• 4. 512 Gordonston Ave. (Definitely a favorite and one not to be missed!)
• 5. a home in The Hamptons, located in Buckhead South (Richmond Hill). Features light and music animated with 99.3 FM (Directions: third house on the left in Hamptons in Buckhead South.
  Take Highway 144 pass Publix, keep going for a while, turn right after the Episcopal church into Buckhead. Then when you are in the subdivision, take the second left. The subdivision is having a holiday lights contest. Enjoy!)
• 6. Stuart St. off of Waters Ave. between Stephenson and Lee St.
  (near the Oakdale subdivision)
• 7. http://www.ccprc.com/index.asp?nid=140
• 8. ADDITION FROM A SAVVY READER: 105 Mapmaker Lane, Battery Point subdivision on Whitemarsh Is. Computer controlled channels with 15,000 lights and the music is pumped into your car through the radio on 99.3 FM. There is a 20 minute show that loops from 6-10PM everynight. 
• 9. 182 Mills Run Drive, off Chatham Parkway
  10. 136 Chimney Road, Rincon

For more children’s holiday activities, visit the SouthernMamas Ultimate Holiday Guide here.

SouthernMamas reader Sally Ann Mertens wins a signed copy of a new book from Random House/Clarkson Potter, entitled “WHAT I KNOW: Uncommon Wisdom and Universal Truths from 10-year-olds and 100-year-olds.”

The autographed hardcover is a collection of life insights from opposite ends of the life spectrum, compiled as the author traveled all across the country to meet and interview centenarians and children alike.

Savannah centenarian twins Eloise Rogers and Lois Fisher were among dozens of 10-year-old youths and 100-year-old sages interviewed by author Roger Emerson Fishman of Los Angeles. The book consists of short quotes and profiles of people from around the nation.

Putting together a fun-filled fest for a troupe of toddlers with high expectations can feel like a tall order for any mom.

Let the team at Angela Beasley’s Puppet People take care of the entertainment. The beloved professionals perform puppet shows, Disney-like face painting or glitter tattoos, and “Mom & Me” puppet making workshops and hat making at the Puppet People Party Place or at any local venue of your choosing.

Parties at the Puppet People Party Place usually involve two hours of organized fun on a fantasy-filled puppet factory. Off-site shows are 30 minutes. Favorite theme parties include Prince/Princess or Mad Hatter Tea Party.

The 1,000-square foot Party Place is complete with a sound system so you can plug in your iPod or bring your own CDs. The party can be extended the backyard, canopied with pecan trees and Spanish moss. You just select a party theme and puppet show from Puppet People’s family-friendly parties section.

An on-site party includes a party host to tend to every need; an interactive studio; music, games and bouncing balls; puppet-making – each guest leaves with their own puppet; tableware.

Anyone who’s seen Puppet People at Savannah events knows these playful puppets deliver! Not surprisingly, Puppet People was named the 2009 Family Choice Award for Best Children’s Birthday Party by Coastal Family Magazine.

Sometimes it pays to go with the professionals.

The Puppet People Party Place is at 3119 Furber Ave. Book your party by calling 912.355.3366 or email puppets@puppetpeople.com. Click here for more info.

As part of Community Appreciation Days at The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum, Chatham, Jasper, Beaufort and Bryan County residents will receive half off of their admission rate this week (Nov. 22-29 2009)

The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum in Pooler is launching a new initiative to encourage local citizens to take advantage of what’s right here at home. The museum has dedicated November as Community Appreciation Month to the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry, and has reduced its regular admission rate of $10 for adults and $6 for kids to only $5 for adults and $3 for kids.

In addition to the reduced rate, guests will also receive a 10 percent discount in the Gift Store. Now is the perfect time to visit the museum and see the new B-17.

The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum is just minutes from downtown Savannah in Pooler at 175 Bourne Ave. off I-95, exit 102. For more info, click here or call 912.748.8888.