Shannon Christopher Photography specializes in family and wedding photojournalism.

Shannon Christopher’s work showcases the unique relationships of his clients by encouraging them to be fully in the moment and playing laughing and loving those closest in their lives. It is not uncommon during his family beach sessions for everyone to end up wet head to toe during the experience.

Family sessions are one hour, but may run longer without extra charge because Shannon believes in delivering a certain result and standard to every client.

You will receive a minimum of 100 edited images two weeks after your session delivered via private link along with a private viewing and ordering site.

Family sessions are limited to one a day during the last hour before sunset and are $350. All wedding clients receive a free custom quote based on their needs.

Shannon Christopher’s portfolio can be seen at www.shannonchristopher.com
Find him on Facebook by clicking here. 
His nature work can be found at http://instagram.com/shanchrisphoto#  and is currently exhibiting at the Tybee Island Social Club until October 28th.

Shannon Christopher Photography, www.shannonchristopher.com, Shannon Christopher Photography is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

FREE Storytimes  @ Live Oak Public Libraries branches in Savannah, Wilmington Island, Pooler, Tybee Island, Rincon/Springfield, Hinesville are a wonderful FREE way to expose your child to storybooks read aloud by a librarian as well as songs and fingerplays.

Plus, attending storytimes regularly helps your child to become accustomed to visiting the library regularly.

Storytimes usually involve much more than simply reading a book. Chances are your child will also engage singalongs, fingerplays and crafts.

Click here for a the breakdown of regular storytimes at Live Oak Public Libraries & the targeted age levels for each. (Storytimes were on a hiatus for the last two weeks of August 2013 but most return the first or second week September. Call ahead to confirm!)

Click here for the list of local FREE library storytimes.

FOR MORE LOCAL KIDS’ EVENTS, VISIT OUR ONLINE EVENTS CALENDAR BY CLICKING HERE

The Halloween Hike @ Oatland Island Wildlife Center is one of our all time favorite annual kids’ events in Savannah! (Which is why were publicizing it so far in advance. We don’t want you to miss it). If you’ve never taken your little trick-or-treaters to this non-scary Halloween event, make sure this is the year you do so!

This year’s Halloween Hike will be 5-8 PM Oct. 18 & 19.

Walk with your trickster down Oatland’s friendly forest trail to meet and gather goodies from our friendly animal characters.

Let Mother Earth show you the way and sit with Mother Goose as she tells her favorite rhymes. Face painting, spooky crafts, and many more monstrous activities await your arrival. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Details here.

Oatland Island Wildlife Center Wildlife, 711 Sandtown Rd. Savannah, GA, 31410 (912) 395-1212 Driving directions here.

FOR MORE LOCAL KIDS’ EVENTS, VISIT OUR ONLINE EVENTS CALENDAR BY CLICKING HERE

This upcoming Labor Day weekend is your last chance to ride the kiddie train @ the 75-ton sand sculpture in the center court of Savannah Mall. The sculpture features a summer animal theme and incorporates some of the animals from the mall’s double-decker carousel.

Sand sculptors from Sandtastic created the sculpture. See photos of the sculpture’s progression from a pile of sand to the completed masterpiece on the Savannah Mall Facebook page by clicking here.

Train rides are $2.

The last day to view the sand sculpture is Sept 8.

For more information about the Savannah Mall, please visit www.savannahmall.com or call 912-927-7467.

Mall Hours:
Mon – Sat: 10 am – 9 pm
Sun: Noon- 6 pm

Savannah Mall, 14045 Abercorn St. Savannah, 31419, (912) 927-7467, www.savannahmall.com , Savannah Mall is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

What treasures are you hoping to find this season at Coastal Kids Market Fall 2013 Sale ? Tell us on the Coastal Kids Market Facebook page here. (be sure to like the FB page first, of course!) to be eligible to win this week’s SouthernMamas.com giveaway: 2 preview passes and $25 gift certificate to Coastal Kids Market upscale Fall 2013 consignment sale.  Please say SouthernMamas.com sent you! Deadline to enter is 10 PM Monday 9/2. We’ll announce the winner here & on our SouthernMamas.com Facebook page here, so be sure to check back.

For those of you who aren’t familiar yet with this popular sale, Coastal Kids Market is the place to find boutique bargains. They do two sales a year, one in Fall & one in Spring. You do not want to miss this chance to find sweet deals on children’s fall/winter gently-used & some new clothes.

Coastal Kids Market thanks their Sailboat Sponsors: Savannah United, The Habersham School, Mathnasium, and Mindstorm Communications.

2013 Fall consignor registration is still open @ Coastal Kids Market Fall 2013 Sale There’s still time to consign with Coastal Kids Market. Deadline to register is Sunday, September 8.

Go on over to www.coastalkidsmarket.com and click on the registration tab for clear instructions on how to become a consignor. If you are new to consigning, just click on our consignor tab to get full details on how this popular seasonal market works. Before you are through, make sure to check out the benefits of volunteering (be the first ones in the door!!) and select a check-in time to drop off your own stash! Volunteer registration spots will be opening soon too!

Coastal Kids Market survey from the Spring market told CKM that shoppers really want more BOYS esp size 5T and up, GIRLS size 6 and up, SMOCKED boutique brands, toys and outdoor toys! Please see the Coastal Kids Market Web site for details on what is acceptable so that you won’t go to extra trouble tagging items that the market can’t accept.

Sale dates are:

Wednesday,September 11th,6 – 8 PM (Preview Party)
Volunteer hour at 5 PM & Charity Power 1/2 hour at 5:30 PM)-details to come
Thursday, September 12th, 6 – 8 PM (Charity Hour 5:00 PM)
Friday, September 13th, 9 AM – 5 PM
Saturday, September 14th, 9 AM – 2 PM (some items 50% off)-New extended hours!

Visit the CKM Facebook page here.

If you any questions, please contact Allison @ contacts@coastalkidsmarket.com

Coastal Kids Market, Upscale Fall 2013 Consignment Sale is Sept. 12-14 , Pooler, GA, http://coastalkidsmarket.com/ (912) 655-4686, email contacts@coastalkidsmarket.com Coastal Kids Market is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

The Sandbox Children’s Museum and Lawton Stables , both on Hilton Head Is., invite you & your family to “Sandbox at the Stables” this Labor Day.

Everyone is invited to this community celebration on Labor Day Monday, September 1 2014 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. @ Lawton Stables, located inside Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Is. (about a 1 hr drive from Savannah).

This event will include: Music, Pony rides, hayrides and the animal farm, The Sandbox’s Imagination Hour, craft projects and mobile interactive museum exhibits A pitching radar Kids Zone’s inflatable water slides and bounce houses Cappy the Clown Face painting Family activities like bocce ball, frisbee, ring toss, horse shoes and corn hole  

There will be concessions available for purchase and refreshments including, snow cones and cotton candy.

Participants may bring their own picnic provisions and beverages.

Participants can purchase additional tickets for food, drinks and some activities.

Admission is $5 per person, children 12 months and under are free. LOTS OF FREE ACTIVITIES. (Plus $6 Sea Pines gate entrance fee per auto)

(The Sandbox at the Pope Avenue location will be closed on Labor Day)

Lawton Stables, 190 Greenwood Drive, Hilton Head Island, S.C. 29928 tel: (843) 671-2586, www.lawtonstableshhi.com/

FOR MORE LABOR DAY WEEKEND ACTIVITIES, VISIT OUR EVENTS CALENDAR HERE.

Come out to Hunter Cattle Co. for Farm Heritage Day Sat. 9/21! Meet the family, animals and staff of Hunter Cattle and learn about the farm while enjoying life in the country.

FOR A SCHEDULE OF EVENTS INCLUDING PIG RACES, CLICK HERE.

Come out for a tour,  learn the farm’s operation, eat a grassfed burger and get to know the farm animals.

This is the perfect opportunity to learn about local , sustainable farming and have a fun day with the whole family!

Highlights of the day include wagon ride through fields; collecting eggs; holding piggies, rabbits, chickens; meeting the farm animals; pig races & Hunter’s Burger Barn.

Other highlights include: pottery; grain mills; bees & honey & more,.

Purchase tickets
You can pay for admission when you arrive:
$7 per person (Adults, Seniors and Children. Toddlers 3 years and under are free.)
$35 per family (Perfect for families with 3 or more children! Valid for up to 2 adults and 3 or more children. Families only please.)
———————————- OR ——————————————-
You can save money by purchasing your tickets in advance by clicking here!
$5 per person (Adults, Seniors and Children. Toddlers 3 years and under are free.)
$25 per family (Perfect for families with 3 or more children! Valid for up to 2 adults and 3 or more children. Families only please.)

For directions, click here.

Hunter Cattle Farm., 934 Driggers Road, Brooklet, Ga., 30415, www.huntercattle.com tel: 912.823.2333

FOR MORE LOCAL KIDS’ EVENTS DURING THE WEEK & FOR SEPTEMBER, VISIT OUR ONLINE EVENTS CALENDAR BY CLICKING HERE

Scribble Art Studio & Blick art materials present Saturday art workshops @ Dick Blick, Savannah. See a complete list of workshops available here.

Don’t forget Scribble’s Fall art classes for kids in Savannah & Pooler start next week. More info here.

To learn more about Scribble’s art classes & summer camps for kids in Pooler & Savannah, click here or call 912-713-7376 or email info@thescribbleartstudio.com  .

Scribble Art Studio in Savannah & Pooler also offers private & group art classes, summer art camps, adult art parties. For gifts, Scribble as art kits & gift certificates . For more information, contact artist Carrie Christian at (912) 713-7376 or email info@thescribbleartstudio.com  . Click here for more info. Scribble Art Studio is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Toddler Tuesday nature programs themes are set for the rest of 2013 at Oatland Island Wildlife Center in Savannah!

This week’s theme: Tails of Tales  – Long, short, furry, naked, feathered, scaled, the group will discover the tails of animals
and why they are useful.  If you come to this Toddler Tuesday, you just might leave with a tail (tale) or two.

At Toddler Tuesday, children & their parents/caretakers experience nature through themed activities including live animal encounters, wildlife nature walks, storytelling, songs, interactive finger-play & crafts.

Details & a look ahead at Toddler Tuesday themes for Aug-Dec. 2013 by clicking here.

FOR MORE LOCAL KIDS’ EVENTS, VISIT OUR ONLINE EVENTS CALENDAR BY CLICKING HERE

Don’t delay! This is final week to register for kids classes at Savannah’s Clay Spot.

Classes begin the first week of September, so grab a spot now. Kids classes range from preschool to teen and parent and child classes are also available.

www.savannahsclayspot.com, or 912-509-4647

Savannah’s Clay Spot, www.savannahsclayspot.com , 1305 Barnard St. Savannah,  31401, tel 912-509-4647 Savannah’s Clay Spot is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Fort McAllister Labor Day Festival 2013
Saturday, August 31, 2013.
9 AM until 4 PM

Enjoy music and entertainment, fun games for children & adults, a challenging grease pole and great food at a historic Civil War fort. Admission: Adults $6.50, Seniors $6.00, Youth (ages 6-17) $3.75, Ages 5 & under are free. 912-727-2339, http://georgiastateparks.org/FortMcAllister.

Fort McAllister State Historic Park, 3894 Fort McAllister Road, Richmond Hill

FOR MORE LABOR DAY WEEKEND ACTIVITIES, VISIT OUR EVENTS CALENDAR HERE.

6th Annual Labor Day Beach Bash to Feature Swingin’ Medallions and Fireworks at Tybee Pier and Pavilion on September 1

Free live entertainment starts at 7 p.m. featuring the Swingin’ Medallions. This high-energy band has performed live with Bruce Springsteen and been featured in the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. The Labor Day Beach Bash fireworks display can be enjoyed from the pier, the beach or anywhere on Tybee Island after dark (around 9:15 p.m.).

This popular annual event is free and open to the public, but limited reserved seating is available on the Tybee Island Pier & Pavilion for $20 per person or $200 for a table for 10. To purchase reserved seats, please visit VisitTybee.com online.

Sunday, September 1, 2013
7-11 p.m.
Tybee Island Pier and Pavilion
Tybrisa St. and Strand Ave. Tybee Island
Visit www.VisitTybee.com or call 912.786.5444

FOR MORE LABOR DAY WEEKEND ACTIVITIES, VISIT OUR EVENTS CALENDAR HERE.

Step into the shoes of a soldier this Labor Day Weekend at Old Fort Jackson in Savannah. Through special programming, learn how Civil War soldiers lived their lives! Meet Old Fort Jackson’s great interpreters and be sure to stay for the cannon firings!

WHERE: Old Fort Jackson

WHEN: Labor Day Weekend: Aug. 31 & Sept. 1 & 2, 2013

SITE HOURS
Old Fort Jackson
1 Fort Jackson Rd.
Savannah, GA 31404
P: 912.232.3945
F: 912.236.5126
Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm
Saturday-Sunday 9:00am-5:00pm

FOR MORE LABOR DAY WEEKEND ACTIVITIES, VISIT OUR EVENTS CALENDAR HERE.

Old Fort Jackson, (912) 232-3945, 1 Fort Jackson Rd., Savannah, 31404, http://www.chsgeorgia.org/Old-Fort-Jackson.html

Sunday: 11am-4pm
Monday: Closed
Tuesday-Saturday: 10am-4pm
Special OPEN Holiday Hours on Labor Day, Monday, September 2nd from 10am-4pm!

FOR MORE LABOR DAY WEEKEND ACTIVITIES, VISIT OUR EVENTS CALENDAR HERE.

Savannah Children’s Museum is at 655 Louisville Rd., Savannah, 31401

Kids love to ride one of the FREE water ferries with Savannah Belles Ferry system on River Street. Or if you want to make River Street your destination, catch it on the other side of the Savannah River @ the Westin Savannah Harbor Resort & Spa on Hutchinson Island.

The free ferries shuttle you from River Street, across the Savannah River, to the Westin, with departures with arrivals every 15–20 minutes from 7:00 AM until 12 AM (subject to weather and river traffic conditions)

While @ the Westin Savannah, enjoying your treat at the Midnight Cafe, check out the bush playhouse near the ferry landing.

Click here for a ferry schedule. The ferries operate 7 days a week, 362 days a year – closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas & New Years Day. Click here for more info. on the ferry system.

While on River Street, be sure to ride the rails on the FREE River Street Streetcar – an authentic 1930s Melbourne streetcar – that runs back and forth on River Street. There’s a streetcar stop right by the ferry dock, in front of City Hall and the visitors center. (UPDATE: STREETCAR IS TEMPORARY OUT OF SERVICE FOR MAINTENANCE)

The River Street Streetcar runs Noon-9 PM Fri-Sun with the exceptions of First Saturdays festivities each month when it stops running at 6:30 PM. The 54-passenger streetcar is updated with environmentally-friendly green technology. It makes six stops along Historic River Street between Montgomery St. & the Waving Girl Landing

FERRY FACTS

• Scenic two-minute ride on the Savannah River
• Operates 7 days a week, 362 days a year with departures with arrivals every 15–20 minutes from 7:00 AM until 12 AM (subject to weather and river traffic conditions)
• Climate-controlled, easy passenger loading and unloading
• Unique vessel, designed to ensure a steady ride
• All vessels US Coast Guard certified
• Ferry vessels and ferry landings ADA compliant
• Modern passenger-only ferries, reminiscent of vessels seen in the harbor a century ago
• Named for Savannah’s “Belles”— strong women who shaped the city’s history.

FERRY LANDINGS LOCATIONS

• River Street at City Hall
• Waving Girl Landing at the Savannah Marriott Riverfront
• Hutchinson Island at the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center and adjacent to the Westin Savannah Harbour Resort & Spa
• Ferry Schedule

FOR MORE LOCAL KIDS’ ACTIVITIES, VISIT OUR ONLINE EVENTS CALENDAR BY CLICKING HERE

Congratulations Bilingual Familia Consulting & International School, which received an honorable mention in Georgia’s first “Small Business Rock Stars” competition, a new program representing the first-ever collaboration of the Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA) and the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). The program recognizes outstanding, unique and impactful small businesses in the state of Georgia.

Companies with up to 50 employees were considered for uniqueness and innovation, as well as for their involvement with their local economic developers and state resource providers. Nominated companies represent fields ranging from information technology and healthcare to racing and restaurants. Six companies were named winners in the competition, and four companies received honorable mentions.

The companies who received awards and honorable mentions were recognized Monday in Atlanta at a ceremony attended by Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle. Bilingual Familia Consulting & International School was represented by Cheyenne Willis-Kozaily, Founder and CEO.

Bilingual Familia, or Lingüa™, as it is affectionately known, is based in Richmond Hill and offers unique linguistics services including group language classes, private language coaching in 13 languages, translation/interpretation services, and Raising Little Lingüists Consultations, where any family can become and stay bilingual.

For info about language classes offered @ Lingüa contact Lingüa for more info: bilingualfamilia.com, email bilingualfamilia@gmail.com  www.facebook.com/lingua.U

Lingüa, www.bilingualfamilia.com, email bilingualfamilia@gmail.com, Lingüa is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Book a babysitter or pet sitter today!  Try Guardian Angels Sitting Service  for the first time with no daily fee. $10 daily fee waived. Offer valid once. Hourly fees and mileage still apply. Now thru the end of August. Visit Guardian Angels Sitting Service website by clicking here to reserve your sitter today.

“Like” Guardian Angels Sitting Service on Facebook here. Learn more about how Guardian Angel Sitting Services works on YouTube here.

Guardian Angels Sitting Service, serving Savannah, Hilton Head Is., Bluffton & beyond, www.guardianangelssittingservice.com/, Toll Free Phone/Fax: 877-470-4277, Local: 843-681-4277, email SCinfo@guardianangelssittingservice.com Guardian Angels Sitting Service is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

If your child is a LEGO® fan, then you need to check out Snapology, which uses LEGO® to make learning a snap!

Snapology offers educational classes, camps and birthday parties with LEGO® bricks for Boys and Girls ages 3-13 in the greater Savannah area including Richmond Hill & Pooler. Register here.

Snapology offers to birthday parties:

Have Snapology bring the party to you! Snapology’s dedicate party facilitator will bring the Lego® party to you.

More Snapology birthday info here.

Stay connected to Snapology of Savannah by liking them on Facebook here.

Snapology of Savannah, Richmond Hill, 770-883-3024, email Savannah@Snapology.com , http://www.snapology.com/savannahhome.php, Snapology is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

The Little Lambs Consignment Sale benefits First Presbyterian Preschool. It is a great place to buy and sell gently used children’s clothes, toys, and so much more!

This annual consignment sale will soon be accepting Fall/Winter clothing (Newborn – Size 14), children’s shoes, maternity clothes, baby equipment, toys, books, etc.!

Sale location
First Presbyterian Church
520 Washington Avenue
Savannah, GA

Sale dates
Thursday, Oct. 24– Preview sale for volunteers and sellers only
Sale opens to the public Friday, Oct. 25 and Saturday, Oct. 26 2013.

Interested in selling items?
* Click here for more information.
* Additional information coming soon on entering your inventory into MyConsignmentManager.
* If you’ve sold items at other sale which use MyConsignmentManager, you will be able to keep your seller # and transfer inventory without having to reprint tags!
* Little Lambs accepts all brands of clothing, as long as they are gently used; price them to sell!
* As a seller, you will receive 65% of what you sell and have an opportunity to shop the Preview Sale.
* If you also volunteer, you can shop the Preview Sale early and have opportunities to increase your profits. See the Little Lambs website for details under “Volunteer.”

Questions? Please email LittleLambsFPP@gmail.com .

Like the Little Lambs Sale on Facebook here to stay connected.

Chatham County Health Department will hold a Mom & Baby breastfeeding awareness family-friendly event on Mon. Aug. 26 2013 that will include games, door prizes, mommy and me pictures, and more. The first 30 to register at www.tinyurl.com/savbf  will receive a special gift.

WHO: Coastal Health District/Chatham County Health Department Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program
WHAT: Mom and baby rally to celebrate Breastfeeding Month
WHEN/WHERE: 9 a.m., Monday, August 26, Chatham County Health Department
1395 Eisenhower Drive, Savannah (facing Sallie Mood)

WHY: In honor of Breastfeeding Month, the Coastal health District and Chatham County Health Department WIC programs and Breastfeeding Support Groups of Georgia are sponsoring a mom and baby rally from 9 to 11 a.m. on Monday, August 26 at the Chatham County Health Department.

The Chatham County Health Department and Coastal Health District are committed to helping mothers breastfeed their babies because breastfeeding is so important for good health. Breastmilk is easy to digest, with just the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein for a baby’s growth and development. Breastfed babies usually get sick less often, because breastmilk contains antibodies that can protect infants from bacterial and viral infections.

You’re not sure which is growing faster, your little baby or your credit card bill.

Which is why you need to check out Life is Full of Blessings, a children’s consignment boutique on Wilmington Island near Savannah offering family-friendly customer service and a fun, loving atmosphere.

Inside the Life is Full of Blessings store, you’ll find everything from new to gently-loved clothing, school uniforms, 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

No matter how much you try to plan (the outfits, the location, the weather), traditional family photo shoots can fall flat.

Which is why Stayce Koegler Photography Lifestyle Sessions are a much more vibrant way to capture every day life and share with the people you love! Typically sessions take place in the comfort of your own home and are an excellent, stress free way to photograph young children in their own element.

Lifestyle sessions are also a wonderful way to capture a special day in your life. Whether you’re bringing home a new baby, your daughter and her friends are getting ready for their first dance or it’s just another day in your crazy life…these photos will help you relive that moment. Let Stayce K capture candid, personality-driven portraits of your brood.

Stayce Koegler Photography specializes in Family and Child portrait photography serving the coast of Georgia and North Florida.

Stay connected with Stayce K Photography by “liking” her Facebook page here.

Stayce Koegler Photography, www.staycekoegler.com, staycekoegler@hotmail.com Stayce Koegler Photography is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Interested in learning more about Montessori education for your children?

You’re invited to the lecture “Introduction to Montessori” by internationally-known Montessorian Sanford Jones on Tuesday, September 17th. The lecture will be 6-7:30 PM at the Southwest Chatham Library, by the Savannah Mall.

The Montessori Education Society of Savannah (MESS) is sponsoring the lecture.

The topic of the lecture is: “Introduction to Montessori: Understand the Hype and How You Can Apply it at Home.”

All are invited, especially parents, educators and education students. The lecture is free and open to the public. Adults only please though, childcare will not be provided.

Sanford Jones is known internationally as a Montessori educator, lecturer, and composer. He has made significant contributions to the Montessori movement, including the founding and directing of four schools on the East Coast. He was the founding president of the North American Montessori Teachers Internationale-USA. He currently runs Youth Opera International.

More information on The Montessori Education Society of Savannah (MESS) here.