Get connected with MOPS!
Mothers of Preschoolers is a group of moms who are pregnant or who have a child newborn throughkindergarten. MOPS meets to encourage and support one another and share the joys and challenges of motherhood. During meetings, children are cared for in the MOPPETS program while moms play games, do crafts, have discussion groups, listen to speakers, and eat. The group also has monthly playdates, Moms’ Night out, and other events.

Rincon MOPS meets at First Baptist Church in Rincon on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 9-11:30 am in the Memorial Chapel. Meeting Dates for 2011-2012 are: September 13, October 11, November 8, December 13, January 10, February 14, March 13, April 10, and May 8. For more information, please contact Esther at (912)-826-0455.

All mothers of children ages 0 – Kindergarten are invited and welcome to join  MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers).

FOR INFO ON A MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) PROGRAM NEAR YOU OR OTHER MOMS GROUPS, VISIT THE SOUTHERNMAMAS.COM CONNECT WITH MOMS PAGE HERE.

Last minute deal for Southernmamas readers! Buy one, get 1/2 off enrollment fee for early-fall classes. You can share this deal with your friends! Classes start next week!

Email Art on the Park & mention Southernmamas to receive this great deal on group art classes. A few spots remain open in the following two classes:
Creative Crafting for Girls: A Fine-Arts take on Craft-Making
For Ages 6-8.
Thursdays, 4-515pm. Starting September 15th
and
Upper-Elementary Drawing- Drawing Techniques
For Ages 9-11.
Wednesdays- 4-515pm- Starting September 14th

Email tskart@yahoo.com  for more class options!

Art on the Park Studio: Situated directly on Daffin Park, the studio is a great place to spread out, get messy, and take play breaks if needed. Art on the Park Studio is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Parents want kids’ books & CDs to be smart.
Kids want them to be fun.
You get both with the just-released book & CD “Chicken Joe Forgets Something Important,” Trout Fishing in America’s sequel to the award-winning My Name is Chicken Joe.

The story is brought to life with 11 original songs that will have your kids singing out loud every time you play it. Listen to some here.
My kids’ favorite is C-A-T in the H-E-N House in which they get to spell fun words including I L-O-V-E Y-O-U. Yours will also love the characters’ names: a dog named Miss Kitty, a parakeet named King Kong, a cat named Chicken Joe.
Chicken Joe is a cat who sleeps in the hen house and is woken up by rollicking rock-and-roll playing roosters. He forgets it‘s his birthday until meeting with friends.
The new story is written by Trout Fishing in America’s Keith Grimwood and Ezra Idlet, a nationally touring acoustic/folk rock duo whose music has garnered four Grammy nominations and legions of devoted fans.

The book/CD, released Sept. 6, is from the Secret Mountain, the Montreal based purveyor of beautifully produced children’s media. More info here.

Disclaimer: SouthernMamas.com receives free copies of products for review. Even though we receive these benefits, the opinions given are 100 percent ours.

Savannah Celtic FC invites you to join them for some great soccer this FALL!!!

Savannah Celtic FC runs Savannah’s most highly rated recreational soccer program for children ages 30 months up through high school.

Teams are starting to take shape and a few are even beginning practices . Games are right around the corner, but there is still time to get signed up this FALL!!!

Spots are limited based on the number of coaches and roster sizes, especially now. Click here for more info.

Part of 17th Annual Telfair Art Fair
Saturday, November 12

Children’s Art Fair in the Square & Telfair’s Family Art Lab / 10am – 2pm

Bring your children to create, design, learn and have fun! Telfair Museums will host their Family Art Lab inside the studios in the Jepson Center while the rest of the children’s events will reside in Telfair Square. Family Art Labs are sponsored by the Anderson Family Foundation. Live performances are scheduled throughout the day in Telfair Square featuring The Massey Boys, Savannah Arts Academy Jazz Band, Georgia Kyle, Right Now Praise, The MS3 Band, Bottles and Cans, Two Strings Are Better Than 1, and more.

To find out more about the Telfair Art Fair, click here

For more information contact Jamie Gall at 912.790.8869 or gallj@telfair.org

Take advantage of the Lowcountry’s amazing September light and book a photo session with  Savannah photographer LeeAnn Ritch.  LeeAnn Ritch Photography is offering a fabulous September special: A photography session, online proofing and high-resolution CD for $400 plus tax (Regular cost is $575)!

UPDATE: Congratulations winner Andria Fetterman!

Win a $25 Gift Certificate to High Cotton Kids Consignment Show & TWO Preview Party Tickets. Savannah’s biggest consignment event will be held September 15-17 in a new central location at 706 Mall Boulevard, Formerly Seeds of Faith Bookstore! The Preview Party is 6-8 PM Wed. Sept. 14.

To enter to win, “like” High Cotton Kids on Facebook by clicking here. Then answer this question on their FB wall: What bargains are you hoping to find at the High Cotton Kids Consignment Show? Please say SouthernMamas.com sent you! Deadline to enter is noon Sun. Sept. 11. We’ll announce the winner here & on SouthernMamas.com Facebook page.

Be sure to return to SouthernMamas.com midweek this week when we announce even more High Cotton Kids giveaways from some of HCK’s sponsors.

Come shop consignment at it’s finest! High Cotton Kids  is THE place to save a lot of money, make a lot of money and have a great time doing both! This fall’s upscale resale shopping event will include boutique and high end 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! There is something for everybody’s taste and budget from adorable smocked frocks to funky threads to even high cotton play clothes just in time for going back to school!

Do you want to shop early for the best selection? Come to the Shop for a Cause Presale  benefiting the Children’s Hospital at Memorial on Thurs. Sept 15 from 5-6 PM. Help brighten the hospital stay of a child during the holidays by bringing TWO stocking stuffers and you will be able to shop one hour early, before the show opens to the public! ITEMS REQUESTED: Bring 1 box of crayons and at least 1 container of playdough. Items should be new!

Deadline for Consignor registration  is Mon. Sept. 12! Clean out and cash in, all consignors keep 65% of your sales! Bring your gently-loved children’s items to High Cotton Kids consignment marketplace and let HCK do the selling. High Cotton Kids also accepts high end maternity clothing, children’s furniture, art work, baby and nursery necessities (ie. bouncers, exercausers, etc.), strollers, toys, books, dvds and more. For a complete list of items HCK accepts and does not accept, click here .

High Cotton Kids thanks it’s sponsors The Monogram Place & Robyn’s Nest ; Bahama Joe’s  and Zaxby’s Sandfly . Stay connected and get updates about the event by liking High Cotton Kids on Facebook here.

The first 200 shoppers will receive HCK’s Savvy Shopper Coupon Book filled with more than $200 in savings from local businesses!

High Cotton Kids 2011 Fall & Winter Show Hours
Thur. Sept. 15
5-6 PM Shop for a Cause Presale benefiting The Next Generation. Check the details to shop early!
6-8 PM Open to the Public
*Military and Expecting/First Time Moms with Children under 12 months of age may register with HCK for early entry during the presale by emailing us at info@highcottonkids.com .

Fri. Sept. 16 9 AM -3 PM
Sat. Sept. 17 9 AM– 1 PM (Select items will be 40% OFF)

High Cotton Kids, 706 Mall Boulevard (formerly Seeds of Faith Christian Bookstore), www.highcottonkids.com , email info@highcottonkids.com High Cotton Kids is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Islands Dance Academy classes begin the week of Sept. 6. Any new student who mentions you read about Islands
Dance Academy on SouthernMamas.com will receive half off the registration fee! Details here.

Free kid-friendly structured activities are regularly held at the park. For a complete listing of September 2011 Free Skidaway Island State Park Kid-Friendly Events, visit our new Skidaway State Park children’s activities page by clicking here.

The park’s Interpretive Center (i.e. Nature Center) is surrounded by easy hiking trails including the 1-mile Avian Loop Trail, 1-mile Sandpiper Trail Loop, and the 3-mile Big Ferry Trail Loop.

The Interpretive Center includes a display of the Giant Ground Sloth replica (pictured here); wildlife exhibits; live reptiles including a terrapin turtle; and birding station.

Interpretive Center hours: Wednesday-Sunday 10 AM-5 PM at Skidaway Island State Park. Cost: $5 for parking.
52 Diamond Causeway, Savannah, 31411, 912-598-2300, http://www.gastateparks.org/SkidawayIsland

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, SC has lots of events planned for Fall 2011. Read all about them on the new Riverbanks page on SouthernMamas.com. Click here for details.

Kid-friendly events at the zoo include Animal Enrichment Day when zookeepers give animals special treats designed to encourage and stimulate natural behaviors: Boo at the Zoo, a spook-fest for costumed children 12 and younger that includes a trick-or-treat trail with candy and more; a Pumpkin Smash when the zoo’s mammals, birds, reptiles and fish enjoy their own trick-or-treats, a form of animal enrichment designed to encourage and stimulate natural behaviors; free admisison for active duty and retired military personnel on Veterans Day; Lights Before Christmas, when the Zoo shines with nearly one million twinkling lights and more than 350 handcrafted images. Take your photo with Santa, roast marshmallows at the Jingle Bell Bonfire and be sure to wear your hat – it snows nightly during the Lights Before Christmas.

Visit the SouthernMamas.com Riverbanks page here for more information.

YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES include Behind-the-Scenes Adventure Tours; Homeschool Mondays; Overnights and Night Howls; and two new 30 minute, 3-D movies:
TURTLE VISION
From the warm waters of the tropics to the icy Antarctic, join Sammy the sea turtle and his friends on an exciting journey through the ocean. Swim through colorful coral reefs and enjoy a dazzling ride on a fun-loving octopus. Dive into icy polar waters to meet a friendly whale and learn the importance of protecting our oceans.
DINOSAURS
If it weren’t for a series of cataclysmic events, a comet impact being first on the list, our planet could still be the domain of dinosaurs. Deeply rooted in science, the film will carry you back in time to witness these amazing beasts come to life. Meet the largest living animals to have ever walked the Earth; the titanesque plant-eating Argenitsaur and its nemesis the Gigantosaur, a bipedal carnivore that could easily challenge the T-rex!

Admission: $3 for one show, $5 for both, in addition to regular Zoo admission.

Visit the SouthernMamas.com Riverbanks page for more information. Details here.

Boo at the Zoo
October 14 – 16 and 21 – 30, 2011
Hey, kids! Put on your cutest costume and head over to Riverbanks Zoo and Garden for the popular Halloween spook-tacular, Boo at the Zoo. Children 12 and under are invited to wear costumes for a spook-fest complete with Frankenstein’s Foam Zone, an eeky freaky DJ dance party and a trick-or-treat trail with candy and more. This family-friendly festival runs for 13 nights leading up to Halloween from 6 to 9pm. Visit www.riverbanks.org   or www.facebook.com/riverbankszoo or call (803) 779-8717 for more information.

For more kid-friendly fall activities at Riverbanks and year-round kids programs including 3D nature movies, visit the SouthernMamas.com Riverbanks page for more information. Details here.

Boo at the Zoo
October 14 – 16 and 21 – 30, 2011
Hey, kids! Put on your cutest costume and head over to Riverbanks Zoo and Garden for the popular Halloween spook-tacular, Boo at the Zoo. Children 12 and under are invited to wear costumes for a spook-fest complete with Frankenstein’s Foam Zone, an eeky freaky DJ dance party and a trick-or-treat trail with candy and more. This family-friendly festival runs for 13 nights leading up to Halloween from 6 to 9pm. Visit www.riverbanks.org  or www.facebook.com/riverbankszoo or call (803) 779-8717 for more information.

For more kid-friendly fall activities at Riverbanks and year-round kids programs including 3D nature movies, visit the SouthernMamas.com Riverbanks page for more information. Details here.

Riverbanks will celebrate Animal Enrichment Day on Sunday, September 25. Watch the zoo wildlife in action when keepers give them special treats designed to encourage and stimulate natural behaviors. Guests will also enjoy animal encounters, a temporary tattoo station, arts and crafts, and a silent auction to participate in behind-the-scenes tours. Activities will take place between 10am and 4:30pm.

The park is open daily from 9am to 5pm, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas day. Admission is $11.75 for adults, $9.25 for children ages 3 – 12 and free for children 2 and under. Group rates and other discounts may apply. Year-round membership packages are also available. For more information, call Riverbanks at 803.779.8717, visit www.riverbanks.org  or www.facebook.com/riverbankszoo .

For more kid-friendly fall activities at Riverbanks and year-round kids programs including 3D nature movies, visit the SouthernMamas.com Riverbanks page for more information. Details here.

DAY OUT WITH THOMAS™: LEADER OF THE TRACK TOUR 2011 MOVES FULL STEAM AHEAD INTO CORDELE, GA.
Thomas the Tank Engine™ To Visit SAM Shortline Excursion Train. Families can take a 25-min. ride on Thomas the Tank Engine
October 22, 23, 29 & 30, 2011
Thomas the Tank Engine™ is pulling into southwest Georgia for the Day Out With Thomas™: Leader of the Track Tour. This fun-filled event offers little engineers and their families an opportunity to ride a 15-ton replica of Thomas the Tank Engine, star of the popular Thomas & Friends™ series. Children will ride along with their favorite hero on his latest adventure as he pulls SAM Shortline Excursion Train down the track. The tour, now in its 16th year, stops in more than 45 U.S. cities and is expected to welcome more than one million passengers in 2011. It is presented by HIT Entertainment and sponsored by MEGA Brands.
Includes:

DAY OUT WITH THOMAS™: LEADER OF THE TRACK TOUR 2011 MOVES FULL STEAM AHEAD INTO CORDELE, GA.
Thomas the Tank Engine™ To Visit SAM Shortline Excursion Train. Families can take a 25-min. ride on Thomas the Tank Engine
October 22, 23, 29 & 30, 2011
Thomas the Tank Engine™ is pulling into southwest Georgia for the Day Out With Thomas™: Leader of the Track Tour. This fun-filled event offers little engineers and their families an opportunity to ride a 15-ton replica of Thomas the Tank Engine, star of the popular Thomas & Friends™ series. Children will ride along with their favorite hero on his latest adventure as he pulls SAM Shortline Excursion Train down the track. The tour, now in its 16th year, stops in more than 45 U.S. cities and is expected to welcome more than one million passengers in 2011. It is presented by HIT Entertainment and sponsored by MEGA Brands.
Includes:

• 25-minute (approximate) ride with Thomas the Tank Engine
• Opportunity to meet Sir Topham Hatt, Controller of The Railway
• Activities for the whole family, including arts and crafts, storytelling, videos, live music, face painting and more.
• Commemorative activities, merchandise and giveaways focusing on steam engines and diesel engines, all to celebrate the 2011 Thomas & Friends DVD movie “Day of the Diesels” (September 2011, Lionsgate)
TIMES:
10:00 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:15 p.m.
COST:
$18 plus tax.
Ages 2 and younger free.
INFORMATION & TICKETS:
SamShortline.com
Toll-Free 1-866-468-7630

Weekend Train Rides Are Back On Track!

Weekend Train Rides Are Back On Track!

Take the Savannah Central No. 119 Diesel Locomotive for a quick nostalgic trip down the Museum track. Come every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for scheduled train rides and a walk around Georgia State Railroad Museum. Did you know it’s the largest pre-Civil War era railroad complex in the world? Then walk across the street for a tasty bite to eat at the WhistleStop Cafe!
Train Ride Times:
Friday & Saturday
11 AM, 1 & 2 PM
Sunday
1 & 2 PM

MOMS Next: For moms with children K-12

The Islands MOMSnext group offers community, mothering support and hope to mothers of school-aged children, from Kindergarten through High School.
The group welcomes and accepts every mom who hopes to be inspired to reach her full mothering potential and influence within her family and her world. MOMSnext believes that better moms make a better world.
Islands MOMSnext Meeting Information:
Where – Islands YMCA; 66 Johnny Mercer Blvd, Savannah
When – Every First and Third Monday of each month (excluding holidays), beginning Monday September 19, 2011.
Time – 10 – 11:30 a.m.
(Childcare provided upon request)
For more information or to register for a meeting, call (912) 898-4344 or email kymmccarty@hotmail.com
MOMSnext is a ministry of MOPS International (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers), a non-profit, non-denominational support organization for mothers.

UPDATE: Winner is Laura Gresham!!! Congratulations!
Happy September!

We have a special September giveaway for you: a family four-pack of tickets to “Disney on Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic” coming to Savannah Civic Center Thu. SEPT. 29 – Sun. OCT. 2 2011. The giveaway tickets are for the 7:30 PM Sept. 29 show.

To enter to win, email your name and your answer this question to anne@southernmamas.com: What is the longest word in any Disney song? (Hint: the word has 34 letters). Please don’t answer by commenting below or on SouthernMamas.com. We don’t want to give away the answer.

Deadline to enter: 9 PM Sept. 7, 2011. You’ve got one week! We’ll announce the winner here & on SouthernMamas.com Facebook Sept. 8.

Can’t wait for the giveaway?  To order tickets by phone, call (800) 351-7469 or (912) 651-6556. Or click here.

SOUTHERNMAMAS DISCOUNT: Our readers receive 20% off tickets using code “mamas”!! Opening Night and VIP’s are not included.

Join the celebration as 65 of Disney’s unforgettable characters from 18 beloved stories come to life in Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic! You’ll be captivated by the one and only Mickey Mouse, the irresistible Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, Jiminy Cricket, Pinocchio and many Disney Princesses. Be thrilled by exciting moments from The Lion King; Mulan; and Disney/Pixar’s Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, and Toy Story films; in a skating spectacular filled with magical Disney moments you’ll remember forever as Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic!

Savannah Showtimes. More info here.
Sept 29- 7:30p.m.
Sept 30- 7:30p.m.
Oct 1- 11:00a.m.
Oct 1- 3:00 p.m
Oct 1- 7:00p.m.
Oct 2- 2:00p.m.

For a sneak peek at the show, visit www.disneyonice.com

SouthernMamas.com is the sponsor of this giveaway. Feld Entertainment is neither a sponsor nor endorser of this promotion. Disclosure: SouthernMamas.com is a Feld Family Ambassador, and in exchange for our time and efforts in attending shows and reporting our opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers, Feld Entertainment has provided SouthernMamas.com with complimentary tickets to Feld shows and opportunities to attend private Feld pre-Show events.

Army Band Performance at Forsyth Park Park Bandshell
7:30-8:30PM
A military salute to our ocean and coasts.
Free Admission.

Part of Savannah Ocean Exchange. For more Savannah Ocean Exchange family activities, click here

Here’s a fun family bike ride suggestion: the I-Spy-a-Critter Bike Ride on Hilton Head Is.

This creature feature ride is a 10-mile route perfect for kids because it’s a treasure hunt for the island’s collection of permanent “creatures” – an alligator statue, a peacock stained glass window, a giant pelican, dolphin door, heron and horse statue as well as a few live critters – a trio of macaws, a Clydesdale, ponies, goats and a deer.

To make the bike safari adventure semi-educational, have your little ones complete the nature rhymes we paired with “animal” sightings. Check out the ride here:

Petite Feet – Savannah’s children’s shoe and accessories boutique – now has North Face Denali jackets for children. Just arrived!

Lots of colors. Sizes from 2 Toddler to Large (14-16 year olds)

Petite Feet, 5521 Abercorn Street, Savannah, 31405, www.petitefeetsavannah.com, Petite Feet is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.