In honor of this past weekend’s Grandparents Day, Just for Baby and More at 7701 Waters Ave. Savannah will  increase their normally 15 percent Grandparent discount to 25 percent.   Grandparents are invited to come in, share a story or photograph of their grandchild or grandchildren, enjoy some refreshments in a relaxed environment and get some great deals, free gift wrapping and even shipping options. To receive the discount, just bring in a photo of your grandchild. For more info, call 912-355-4455. FREE and open to the public.

For other activities happening this week in Savannah, Bluffton, Hilton Head Is, click here.

Bottoms Up is the newest cloth diaper resource in the Savannah area. This week you can win a $25 gift certificate to Bottoms Up!

Bottoms Up carries several styles of cloth diapers and accessories. New to cloth diapering? No problem! Bottoms Up specializes in private consultations in your home, or invite some friends and host a diaper show. Hosts get a free gift!

To enter to win the $25 gift certificate, visit the Bottoms Up Facebook page by clicking here, “like” the page and write a comment answering this question, “Do you or would you cloth diaper? Why or why not?”

Deadline to enter is Sun. Sept. 19. We’ll announce the winner here.

Bottoms Up, www.clothbottomsup.com, Contact Michelle Terhune at 912-658-6229 or via email: little_buns@yahoo.com. Visit Bottoms Up on Facebook by clicking here.

 Thirty-One celebrates, encourages and rewards women through offering quality products and an outstanding opportunity to become successful business owners. The products are exclusive to Thirty-One, which provides style and convenience at an amazingly affordable price.

From Thirty-One’s key product line, to their “direction” line for teens, or uniquely crafted “31kid” line for children and moms, you will find so many options to fit every personality type and every situation. Thirty-One continues to develop new products built on the idea that products must be stylish, functional, affordable and easy to give as gifts to encourage someone special.

Local Thirty-One consultant Tracy Jones is offering a SouthernMamas special: anyone that books a show in September receives an additional $10 hostess credit towards product at their show! Click here to view the online catalog. Tracy does catalog shows as well as in-home shows.

You’re invited to view a Savannah art show that addresses the experience of making art amongst the chaos of raising young children.

Works by four artist-mothers will be showcased in Four Squared, an exhibition that will be at the City of Savannah’s Gallery S.P.A.C.E. 9 W. Henry St. Sept. 17-Oct. 29, in conjunction with film screening and parent-child ceramics workshop.

The experience of being a mother is what the artists describe as “the push and pull of motherhood, domesticity and creativity.”

The exhibition showcases work by four Savannah artists – Ashley Waldvogel, Atsuko Smith, Linette Dubois and Melinda Schawel.

In conjunction with the exhibition, a special film screening of Who Does She Think She Is? will be presented on Thursday, October 28 at 7 p.m. The film raises important questions about how art is valued in our culture. A discussion with the artists will follow.

A parent-child handbuilding ceramics workshop will also be offered in conjunction with the show. The workshop will meet four consecutive Saturdays beginning October 2 from 9:30-11 AM. Cost:$50. Space is limited and advance registration is required.

S.P.A.C.E. Gallery, 9 W. Henry St. Gallery hours are 9 AM-5 PM Monday through Friday. Free off-street parking is available. For information, contact 912-651-6783 or visit www.savannahga.gov/arts.

In2Books Savannah needs 481 volunteer pen pals to help students in 27 Savannah classrooms.

In2Books is an award-winning program that connects students with adult mentors – community members who have agreed to become “Pen Pals.” These generous volunteers provide essential support for the development of our elementary school students’ reading, writing and critical thinking skills, and their direct engagement and assistance in our classrooms is making a substantial difference in the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System.

Visit www.in2bookssavannah.com to sign up. If you have questions, email info@in2bookssavannah.org or find In2Books Savannah on Facebook by clicking here.

The new school year has begun and Moms In Touch International (MITI) groups are already meeting to pray for our children and schools.

Whether your child is 3, 13, 23…, this is an awesome chance to lift them up in prayer with other women and see how God moves. For more info on this non-denominational, Christian opportunity contact: Stacy Cerone at scerPM@comcast.net, 912-228-4270, or visit www.momsintouch.org.

For more info on Savannah-area and Lowcountry moms groups, click here.

Savannah’s Place for Art, Culture and Education (S.P.A.C.E.) is now registering students for its fall visual arts classes and workshops. Day and evening sessions are offered for children, teens and adults in all skill levels. Sessions begin Sept. 20 & Oct. 4 and are held at the Department of Cultural Affairs’ S.P.A.C.E. studios, located at 9 W. Henry St.

Four, six and eight week classes are available, as well as one-day workshops. Fall visual arts sessions include ceramics, fibers, metalsmithing, stained glass and painting. New offerings in jewelry & metalsmithing include courses in chainmaking, custom jewelry mechanisms, clay jewelry, metals & glass, and an open studio.

Class fees include instruction, use of studio space, use of equipment and all materials and tools required. Space is limited and advance registration is encouraged. Credit cards are accepted. Class schedule and registration forms are available by clicking here or by calling (912) 651-6783.

About S.P.A.C.E.: S.P.A.C.E. is Savannah’s Place for Art, Culture and Education. Located at 9 W. Henry St., S.P.A.C.E. houses the offices of the City of Savannah’s Department of Cultural Affairs as well as a public gallery, a 100-seat black box theatre and art and ceramics studios. For more information, visit www.savannahga.gov/arts.

Youth Visual Arts Classes
Kid’s Hands on Clay, Ages 6-10
8 weeks
Instructor: Matt Maggioni
Tuesdays, Sept. 21 – Nov. 9, 4-5pm
This class for children offers an exciting introduction to the world of clay. Young students can let their imaginations go wild through fabulous hand-built projects.
$85

Teen Wheel-Throwing, Ages 11-16
8 weeks
Instructor: Matt Maggioni
Wednesdays, Sept. 22 – Nov. 10, 4-5pm
This introductory class will teach young students the basics of throwing clay on the potter’s wheel. Students will trim and finish their works of art with a variety of glazes.
$85

Weekend Workshops
Expressionist Landscape Painting for kids, Ages 6-10
Instructor: Layla Cady
Saturday, October 2, 9am-12noon
Children will create very colorful and expressionist landscape paintings inspired by artist David Hockney. Students will learn about this artist and learn how to set up a landscape picture using perspective techniques and then applying paint to canvas. Each child will walk away with a wonderful unique work of art.
$10

EmmAva Photography will be hosting several pint size sessions over the next few months.

Starting on September 11 and 12, EmmAva Photography will be at Bethesda, perfect setting for Christmas card photos. Each mini session is $35 for a 30 minute session.

You will receive 15 pictures on disc with limited copyrights. Additional dates are available.

For more available dates, click here. 

You can find EmmAva Photography on Facebook by clicking here or email EmmAva to book a session.

To book your session, email  EmmAva Photography at EmmAvaPhotography@yahoo.com or call 912.429.7454.

Click here to view more photos by EmmAva Photography, which also is available for newborn, children, family, engagement, bridal shoots and weddings.

The September SouthernMamas giveaway:  a family four pack of tickets to Yo Gabba Gabba! Live: There’s a Party In My City Wed. Oct. 27 at the Times Union Center for the Performing Arts in Jacksonville!

  Yo Gabba Gabba! Live: There’s a Party In My City is traveling to 60 North American cities this fall.  Joining DJ Lance Rock and his friends will be Biz Markie with “Biz’s Beat of the Day,” and surprise Super Music Friends and Dancey Dancers at every stop. To order tickets, click here. Other nearby spots the tour hits include Atlanta’s Fox Theatre on Oct. 23, Columbia, S.C. on Nov. 2, Tampa, Fla. on Oct. 30, Chattanooga, Tenn. on Oct. 19 and Charlotte, N.C. on Oct. 17. For more cities the tour will visit click here.  Check out the Get Tickets page for a list of the shows.

Need old-fashioned cleaning services for your busy home? Call Ms Frannie!

She has been doing housekeeping services all over Savannah for over 20 years. She is dependable, honest, and always reliable. Ms. Frannie also offers other personal services that can make life easier for you or your loved ones. Whether it is residential or commercial, give Ms Frannie a ring.

You will love her prices and the special touch she can give your house to make it sparkle and shine..

Ms. Frannie’s Services:
Deep Spring Cleaning
Weekly & Bimonthly cleaning
Light cleaning
Ironing
Laundry

Additional Services:
Care for elderly/errands
Plant Care
Dry-Cleaning Drop off/Pickup

Just send Ms Frannie an email and let her know what services you need and she can give you a quote. You can also call her anytime!

Gift certificates also available and make a fantastic gift for the holidays!

Contact:
Email: Savannahhousekeeping@gmail.com
Phone: 912-691-0183

Coastal Empire Montessori Charter School is a Montessori Learning Community serving children 3-years old through the second grade.

The school is growing and will add a grade each year until a full compliment of elementary classrooms is reached. Currently, the school has openings in the 3-year old program, Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade. If you would like more information on enrolling your child please contact the school office at 912-238-1973 or click here.

Coastal Empire Montessori Charter School, supported by the Montessori philosophy and method, educates the Whole Child.

A new yoga class is being taught in Savannah that is geared toward children with special needs.

The Special Needs Yoga Class will be 4:15-5 PM Thursdays for six weeks at Yoga Me Fit, 7208 Hodgson Memorial Dr. Cost is $120

The class is for children ages 4 – 8 year olds. For more info, contact Lynn Geddes, 912-308-3410 or email yogamelynn@comcast.net.

Bouncing Angels, a Savannah inflatable play and party center, has new rates that started Sept. 1, 2010.

Here are the new admission fees:
Children 0 to 2 years old: $5 weekdays; $5 holidays and weekends
Children 3 to 5 years old: $6 weekdays; $7 holidays and weekends.
Children 6 to 10 years old: $7 weekdays; $8 holidays and weekends
*Children 11 to12 years old: $8 weekdays; $9 holidays and weekends

Each Parent: $2 weekdays; $2 holidays and weekends. (Parents only pay if playing on the inflatables, not for bringing the kids)

*Bouncing Angels is designed for kids 10 or younger. If older kids want to play, they must behave properly or will be asked to stop using the inflatables or leave the premises

Special Discount: Monthly 1 Child Unlimited Admission Rate: $20. Monthly Unlimited Family Admission Rate: $35

Bouncing Angels inflatable play & party entertainment center is @ the Victory Drive Shopping Center, 2123 E. Victory Drive near Skidaway Road.  Check out the Bouncing Angels Web site here. For more info. call: 912.691.8797.

As a leader with Thirty-One Gifts, Tiffany Bradley says the gift of  Thirty-One is one of the best opportunities she has ever been given.

“Thirty-One allows me the opportunity to work when I want, earn the income I want, and I get to share my faith and make new friends at the same time. I love the fact that I have made many new friends through my business and done things that I never would have without it.”

Thirty-One is more than just a company that sells cute purses and bags, their mission is to celebrate, encourage and reward all women. Tiffany Bradley does this by providing women the opportunity to have a night out with girlfriends at a FUN Thirty-One party.

Wrist Wallet

During the month of September any ladies who have a Thirty-One home party will receive not only the September hostess special, hostess exclusive items, and free and half priced products, but they will also receive a FREE wristlet wallet, valued at $22 from Tiffany! Dates are limited so contact Tiffany ASAP to reserve your party date.

Tiffany is also offering all SouthernMamas readers the opportunity to receive half price embroidery ($3) on any one Thirty-One item. To do so, simply email her before 5 PM on Wed. Sept 15 at tiffanybradley31@yahoo.com with your order. In addition, any one who places an order of at least $31 will be able to purchase the adorable Demi Purse for $14.50! (Regularly priced at $29)

Tiffany Bradley

Every mom deserves a night with her girlfriends. Bring the party to your house by having a Thirty-One Party with Tiffany!

View the beautiful new fall/winter Thirty-One catalog on Tiffany’s website by clicking here.

Sponsored by Thirty-One Gifts Independent Director, Tiffany Bradley. Contact Tiffany to book your party, place your order, or to find out how you can start your own rewarding Thirty-One business! Email tiffanybradley31@yahoo.com or call (912) 414-2859 for more information on any of these amazing opportunities. To keep up with the monthly specials, join Tiffany Bradley’s Thirty-One Gifts Facebook Fanpage by going clicking here. facebook.com/tiffanybradleys31gifts

Offer your child (and family) a musical experience that is both fun and rewarding!

Whether joining your child in a parent-and-me Family Music class, or listening to them play what they learned in keyboard class each week, there is much music to be made!

Make A Joyful Noise offers engaging music and movement experiences for babies and parents up to 5 years of age. Also offered: group classes for just the kids from ages 5 – 9, including keyboard classes where over 20 folks songs are learned by ear, and kids sing, move, play instruments, and develop music literacy skills each week.

For 8-14 year olds, the Sounds of Praise Children’s Choir provides vocal training and performance opportunities in the community. Choir rehearsals begin Sept. 2.

Early childhood & keyboard classes begin the week of Sept. 20. Register by Sept. 8 and take $10 off any class! Class, tuition and payment details can be found by clicking here or call 912-920-6542 for more information!

You’ve heard that seasonal consignment sales are a great way to find inexpensive, high-quality kids’ clothing.

Now you can find boutique brands at low prices at Upscale Kids Clothes Sale in Bluffton.

The Upscale Kids Clothes Sale, held twice a year, offers a new way to buy quality children’s and maternity supplies without paying those high retail prices. Merchandise consists of gently-used children’s clothes, shoes, toys, nursery items, infant furniture and maternity clothes.

Dates of the Fall 2010 SALE are:
Fri. Sept. 10
2 PM – 8:30 PM

Sat. Sept. 11
8 AM – 12 PM

For info how to cash in by selling your children’s gently-used items, click here.

The sale will be in Shell Hall, at the northeast corner of Buckwalter and Bluffton Parkways
in Bluffton, S.C. If you have any questions or for exact location of the sale, please contact Fran at: fran@upscalekidsclothessale.com or call 843.227.8208.

Looking for a way to introduce your preschooler to Savannah’s downtown historic architecture?

Check out  “Savannah Safari,”  a $6 booklet that takes kids on a quick and easy walking adventure through Historic Savannah. Today, I took my 20-month-old daughter and 3-year-old son on the tour. Although my daughter may be a little young to “get it”, my 3-year-old son really enjoyed the search for architectural animals in gardens and squares (horse hitching posts, lion statues, frog fountain, dolphin downspouts, gargoyles)  

You can order a copy on the Savannah Safari Web site. The illustrated booklet complete with a map is also available at  Girl Scout First Headquarters, 330 Drayton Street, or the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace (10 E. Oglethorpe Ave).

For more info on another kid-friendly self-guided downtown Savannah walking tour/scavenger hunt, click here

Nourish, a yummy natural bath products store at 202 W. Broughton St., has products that are good for your and your children’s skin, inside and out.

Products are homemade and handcrafted in Downtown Savannah using the best ingredients that mother nature has to offer. No parabens, no harsh detergents. Only nourishing natural ingredients to treat your and your children’s skin. As a side note, Nourish owners Corey and Shoshanna Walker will be featured on HGTV’s House Hunters! at noon Sept 19 and at 7:30 PM Oct. 30. Congrats Corey and Shoshanna. Click here for their HGTV story.

Nourish, 202 W. Broughton St., Savannah, Ga 31401 912/232.3213, email: contact@nourishsavannah.com, www.nourishsavannah.com

Toddler Tuesdays are back at Oatland Island Wildlife Center after a summer hiatus!

This season, there will be TWO Toddler Tuesdays timeslots each week, as opposed to one. Same topic and activities for each one. One program will be at 10 AM and the second at 11 AM.

Michele Mazzei, the beloved leader of the popular weekly programs, said the goal of having two sessions is to keep the classes small and intimate.

Preregistration via phone at 912.395.1500 $3 program fee per child and adults free!

The theme of Tues. Sept. 7 is Welcome Back Toddlers! and will feature a visit from Daisy, Oatland’s resident opossum.

Oatland Island Wildlife Center is located just outside Savannah. Click here for info.

Group art fall lessons in Savannah for the pre-K set!

Savannah artist Carrie Christian is now hosting Saturday Pre-K art classes.
10:30-11:30AM
10 classes offered
$10 a class (includes all supplies)
Sign up now!

Lessons are designed to help create a foundation on which your child’s artistic education will grow and blossom. Students will learn basic concepts such as color, composition, and perspective, while creating drawings, paintings, sculptures, and mixed media projects.

Students will work with a variety of materials, including colored pencils, oil pastels, acrylic, watercolor, and collage.

Dates:
Sept. 11-Nov. 6. Please call or email with any questions!

Carrie’s studio – pictured here flooded with natural light and some extremely busy preschoolers – is located at 212 E. 37th St., directly behind Bella Mia (bridal shop) at the corner of 37th and Abercorn Streets.
Phone: 912-323-0123
Email: carrieachristian@hotmail.com

Artist Carrie Christian

Carrie Christian received her MFA in Painting and her BFA in Illustration from Savannah Collage of Art and Design. Her works have been exhibited nationally and internationally.

She was included in the 2007 & 2009 Southern Editions of New American Paintings publication. Her work has been exhibited both in the Mobile Museum of Art and the Ogden Museum in New Orleans and included among many private collections.

The Islands MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group meetings will start again soon.

All mothers of children ages 0 – Kindergarten are invited and welcome to join us at Islands MOPS! At Islands MOPS you will enjoy a time of encouragement, friendship, great food, and fun while your children are cared for in our MOPPETS program.

Islands MOPS meets at First Baptist Church of the Islands, 6613 Johnny Mercer Blvd, Savannah, GA 31410. Contact Connie at 349-2959/connie_rt@hotmail.com or Christine at 898-1364/lipianc@att.net for more information.

Islands MOPS meetings are from 9:15-11:30 AM on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday from Sept-May. Meetings dates for this year will be:
Sep. 8 & 22
Oct. 13 & 27
Nov. 10
Dec. 8
Jan. 12 & 26
Feb. 9 & 23
Mar. 16 & 30
Apr. 13
May 11

For more info on local moms groups, click here.

Lots of Lowcountry fall workshops for children offered at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Is., S.C.

Here are the highlights. For details, click here.

• After-school art club for ages 6-10. Oct. 18-Nov. 22. Culminates with an exhibit at the Arts Center.
• Fall home-school art for ages 5-12.
• Fall home-school art for ages 13-17. Sept. 21-Oct. 19.
• Beginner acrylics for ages 11-15. Oct. 7-28.
• Puppet sculpting for ages 9-14. Nov. 11-Dec. 9.
• Nutty Nature Drawing: Using natural objects, kids ages 8-12 create original work of art using chalk pastels and colored pencils.
• Artstart classes designed to help children ages 2-5 (accompanied by an adult) develop fine motor skills and encourage creativity while creating one-of-a-kind artworks.
• Suzuki Violin Classes  for ages 3-5. Sept. 14-Oct. 26.
• Juggle Stuff for children ages 8-12 to learn basic and advanced three-ball juggling patterns and tricks, as well as the foundations for four and five-ball juggling.

Pre-registration is required for all classes and must be made at least 48 hours in advance. Instructor bios can be found by clicking here. To register, contact the Education Office at 843.686.3945 Ext. 233 or email jrichey@artshhi.com. Or download a registration form from the Website here.

The Museum Mile Weekend in Charleston looks interesting and includes The Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry.

The 2nd Annual Museum Mile Weekend is Sept. 25-26, 2010. Here’s the deal: you buy a Museum Mile weekend pass ($20 for adults, $10 for kids 12 and under). Put on your walking shoes and hit the streets. Your pass allows you to visit 13 sites in the Meeting Street area in historic downtown Charleston during this special weekend.

The one-mile section of Meeting Street includes six museums, five historic houses, four scenic parks and a Revolutionary War powder magazine, as well as numerous historic houses of worship and public buildings including the Market and City Hall. For more information call 843-722-2996. Fore more info or to buy tickets, click here. Tickets also available at all Charleston Visitor Center locations including the downtown location at 375 Meeting St. Online purchasers will receive their passes in the mail.

Participating Sites include The Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry, located at 25 Ann St., which offers eight hands-on interactive learning environments for children 3 months to 10 years.

Other kid-friendly highlights of The Museum Mile weekend include:
Aiken-Rhett House – 48 Elizabeth St.
Built in 1820 and greatly expanded by Gov. and Mrs. William Aiken, Jr. in the 1830s, this house and its outbuildings have survived as a time capsule virtually unaltered since 1858. Children are invited to enjoy a scavenger hunt throughout the weekend as they explore the house, grounds and outbuildings and learn more about the people who lived and worked on the property.

The Charleston Museum – 360 Meeting S.
America’s first museum showcases the cultural and natural history of South Carolina’s Lowcountry. On Saturday, The Charleston Museum will feature children’s crafts from 10 AM-noon.

Powder Magazine – 79 Cumberland St.
South Carolina’s oldest public building, The Powder Magazine (circa 1713) served as an arsenal within the old walled city of Charleston. Living history programs will be offered all weekend. A special performance of the original production The Gentleman Pirate will be offered on Saturday at 3:30pm. Call ahead for ticket information (843-722-9350) or visit www.PowderMag.org

Now that we all have those school schedules, time to think about planning those upcoming school breaks!  Edgewood Travel in Savannah can help.

Lot of great travel deals out there:
All inclusive Sale including the Occidental and Now resorts where Kids stay free!
Cruises: Have you heard about Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas? Call Edgewood Travel to get rates on the Worlds Largest Cruise ship!
Europe: the exchange rate is great right now! How about a tour of London or Ireland? Great first Europe destination for families!

Edgewood Travel is here to assist you plan your perfect vacation!

Edgewood is open Monday through Friday 9 AM-5:30 PM. Visit is www.edgewoodtravel.com or call 912 -351-0570. Please take a look at Edgewood’s website and send an email or pick up the phone, they’d love to hear from you!