I am not sure I can gush enough about the sales offered @ Fantaisiekids.com, our newest sponsor.

Currently, nursery, baby gear, and gifts are 20 percent off. Clothing items from brands including Fantaisie Kids, Neige, Seafolly Girl, le top, Tommy & Fern, Flora and Henri, and Tea Collection are now 30-60% off.

The summer rewards program extends all summer long. Spend $125 @ Fantaisiekids.com and receive a $25 gift certificate. Spend $250, and receive $50. Spend $500, and receive $100. Applies toward full-priced items only. Offer ends when August ends.

There’s also the alluring refer-a-friend program. Refer five friends, and receive a $25 Fantaisiekids gift card.

Below are some other reasons to check out Fantaisiekids.com. Now do you see why I am gushing?

You’re invited to the release of the loggerhead sea turtle, Squirty 1:30-3:00pm Thurs. Aug. 7 @ the Tybee Island Pier.

Burton 4-H Center on Tybee Island has raised Squirty since he was one week old and weighed only 20 grams. He arrived as a straggler hatchling so he could be an ambassador to children. Since then, 12,000 students have seen him and learned more about endangered sea turtles. Squirty is now almost two years old and weighs in at an impressive 19 lbs.

Squirty’s “bon voyage” party Thursday will include educational booths with info about sea turtles and other animals; food and T-shirts for sale to help raise money for 4-H’s next sea turtle; and a 2 pm demonstration nest and contest. Then, Squirty will make his way to the ocean.

Burton 4-H Center is accepting donations to help fund the release. Donations can be made by clicking here

A big thank you to SouthernMamas subscriber Deborah Evans for letting us know about this fun event.

kuuru shoes – the shoes you would wear if you were in your child’s shoes – is giving away a pair to a SouthernMamas subscriber.

kuuru shoes are designed to support babies and toddlers in their early walking years. The styles combine modern designs, bold colors, and thoughtful details to provide comfort and functionality for developing feet. kuuru literally means “cool” in Japanese.

The giveaway winner will be able to chose her favorite pair from a wide variety of styles, such as mary janes, sandals, sneakers, loafers, and t-straps. Click here to see the shoes.

Here’s how to win. One of the most frequent requests we receive @ southernmamas.com is moms seeking playgroups or other ways to meet moms. To be eligible for the giveaway, make a comment on this post about the best way to meet other moms with kids of similar ages of yours – specific playgroups, Web sites, activities or just general tips etc. If you are among those LOOKING for a playgroup, then your comment can be about what you want in a playgroup (location, age range, interests etc) so perhaps SouthernMamas can play matchmaker.

Don’t forget to tell us at least your first name.

Just click on “comment” below this post to make yours by 9 pm Thurs. Aug. 7. We’ll pick a name at random from the comments and announce the winner here Friday.

You have to be a SouthernMamas subscriber to participate. Subscribing is free. Click here to do so.

Tossing out all your baby bottles that contained BPA and replacing them with BPA-free bottles?

If those bad bottles came from Babies R Us, the chain store is making it easy to dump them. Babies R Us reportedly has a generous return policy when it comes to allowing concerned parents to exchange the hard, plastic bottles that contain bisphenol-A for ones that are BPA-free.

Bisphenol-A, which is added to polycarbonate plastic, has come under scrutiny in recent months after studies linked it to potential health problems in animals and humans. A draft report issued by the National Toxicology Program in April found BPA could cause “neural and behavioral effects in fetuses, infants and children” and may be linked to breast cancer, prostate cancer and early puberty in girls.”

Babies R U saw sales of glass baby bottles and BPA-free bottles jump in 2007 and will phase out baby products containing BPA by the end of the year. Wal-Mart, the nation’s largest retailer, and Toys R Us, the largest toy seller, have said that by January their shelves will be free of children’s products containing BPA.

The bottle exchange reportedly various from store to store. So call ahead to find a store that honors the BPA-free return policy.

Read more about the BPA-free bottle exchange here. For a list of BPA-free bottles and sippy cups, click here.

Looking for a soccer league for the kids?

Fall registration is under way with Savannah Celtic, a league that started with over 250 kids its first year and jumped to more than 500 two seasons later.

Savannah Celtic strives to keep the cost of its programs as affordable as possible so that as many children as possible can enjoy soccer. Started by two men from the United Kingdom, the premise of the club is to promote soccer locally to everyone, no matter of age, gender, race, ability or social demographic.

For more info and to register online, click here

The league is also always seeking coaches who’d like to make a contribution to the community by supporting local children. Interested in coaching? Call 912.495.9996

We here at SouthernMamas rely on our savvy readers to keep us informed. One such reader is Ginger Heidel, the subject of our latest savvy SouthernMama Q&A. Meet the woman behind a popular Savannah mommy blog, gummibunny. (If you know a SouthernMama you’d like to nominate for a profile, email anne@southernmamas.com. Read past profiles by clicking here. )

Your family: I’m married to my high school sweetheart Lee Heidel, and we are the very proud parents of Camille, who just turned two. We live in Savannah’s Ardsley Park, and Lee and I together own Heideldesign, a web development and multimedia firm. I work there three days a week, and spend the rest of my time being mommy to the sweetest girl I’ve ever met.

Website: www.gummibunny.com

How would you describe your parenting philosophy? Listen to all the advice you’re offered, and then go with your gut. Sometimes it’s hard to know what to do or how to parent in a particular situation, and I find the advice of trusted friends and family very helpful. But on occasion when we’ve disagreed, I’ve found going with our gut instinct has worked best for us.

What are your child’s favorite books and toys? Right now she is loving Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham. But her favorite book is her First Baptist Church of Savannah pictorial directory – it’s hilarious! She enjoys flipping through and looking at all the pictures and asking everyone’s name, and we joke that she knows our fellow church members much better than we do. As for toys, she really into her tea set, her little toy farm and various farm animals – the goat is her favorite.

What are your child’s favorite TV shows or movies? She is a huge Elmo fan, and also likes the TV show Yo Gabba Gabba. But her favorite thing to watch is a Brainy Baby DVD about farm animals (noticing a farm animals theme? More to come).

What are your child’s favorite foods? Right now she’d like to eat a popsicle for every meal if I’d let her, which I don’t. She loves grits (my true Southern Belle!), fruit, and macaroni and cheese.

What one adjective would you choose to describe motherhood? Rewarding.

Describe your most humbling parenting moment: I think the whole parenting experience is humbling because the learning curve is so steep! I felt humbled when we left the hospital after her birth, knowing we were responsible for the care and upbringing of another human. It was an awesome, albeit humbling, moment.

Describe your most beautiful parenting moment: There are so many great moments, how to choose? I remember feeling blown away the first time Camille smiled at me and meant it. It was like the biggest payday to realize she was communicating her happiness to me.

Favorite local kid-friendly eatery? We enjoy going to Barbara Jean’s on Wilmington Island. The portions are large enough she can eat from our plates, and she likes many of the yummy veggie casseroles. And if she gets antsy, we go out on the deck and look for birds flying around the marsh.

Favorite local kid-friendly spot/event? Our favorite spot is definitely the Oatland Island Wildlife Center. We like their Toddler Tuesday program (which we learned about on southernmamas.com!), and Camille LOVES visiting all the animals in the barn. She’ll talk about them for days after we visit – “Cow eat hay! Goat itch ear!” I am also infinitely grateful to the City of Savannah for maintaining so many nice parks and playgrounds – we frequent Daffin and Hull Parks.

What resource for children does our area lack, one that you would like to see here? We recently visited the public library in Estes Park, Colorado, and they had a fantastic kids area. There were lots of books and reading tables of course, but they also had a table with a great train set, a farm set with plastic animals, architectural building blocks, and several other wonderful toys that encourage creativity and imagination. They had wifi too, so I surfed the net a little while she busily put the plastic animals on the train tracks (didn’t have the heart to tell her it was a recipe for disaster). We visit the Bull Street library branch here in Savannah and enjoy the books, but I’d love to have a kid’s play area like the library in Estes Park. We’d be there all the time!

Who is your pick for the area’s best pediatrician? Do I have to tell? We love her so much, and I’m afraid if everyone knew about her she’d be swamped! Our pediatrician is Dr. Micah Riegner with SouthCoast Pediatrics. She has the know-how of a doctor with the loving compassion of a mother, and we’ve been very pleased.

What is your pick for the area’s best preschool? Camille goes to Bible Baptist, and we’ve been very happy with her care there. The staff seem very loving, and the owners are very attentive.

Most valuable baby gift you received that you couldn’t live without? Camille really liked her exersaucer when she was an infant, and sometimes putting her in there was the only way I’d have enough time to get dinner in the oven!

If you had zillions of extra bucks to donate, what charity/cause would you select?:That’s tough … I’d probably donate some to cancer research, some to Oxfam to help fund solutions to poverty, and some to my church.

What is the one phrase you hope your child will say to you when she’s all grown up? “I love you, Mama!” I’ll never get tired of hearing it.

Welcome to another SouthernMamas Q&A with one of our savvy readers about parenting tips, troubles and triumphs. (If you know a SouthernMama you’d like to nominate for a profile, email anne@southernmamas.com. Read past profiles by clicking here. )

Meet savvy SouthernMama Deganit Ruben of Skidaway Island. Deganit was kind enough to answer these questions on the same week she was to due to give birth to her second child. (UPDATE: On July 15, Deganit had her baby Elana Suzanne, weighing 7 lbs, measuring 19 ins. Congratulations Rubens!)

About:

Your Family

Husband: Jesse, Child: Jordan, age 3 1/2 & another due any day now. We live at The Landings. My husband works at NetJets in Bluffton, SC.

How would you describe your parenting philosophy?

Lots of love and patience in all situations, but with the clear message that rewards and good things all come from being earned and that there is no such thing as “entitlement.”

What are your child’s/children’s favorite books and toys?

Jordan loves the Little Critter series and enjoys toys that involve arts & crafts.

What are your child’s/children’s favorite TV shows or movies?

She loves the Wonder Pets on TV, and is not really a fan of movies yet.

What are your child’s/children’s favorite foods?

She is a typical 3 year old: pizza, fries, yogurt, cheese, peanut butter

What one adjective would you choose to describe motherhood?

awe-inspiring

Describe your most humbling parenting moment:

Finding out about my daughter’s permanent hearing loss and realizing that there was nothing I could do to fix it

Describe your most beautiful parenting moment:

Realizing that all the months of hard work on behalf of my daughter’s disability was manifesting itself in success beyond what I would have imagined

Favorite local kid-friendly eatery?

The Original Pancake House near Mall Blvd. My daughter loves the food and atmosphere and the staff there is wonderful with children.

Favorite local kid-friendly spot/event?

Storytime at the Bull Street and Oglethorpe libraries, Oatland Island, the 2 soft plays at the malls.

What resource for children does our area lack, one that you would like to see here?

A REAL Children’s Museum

Who is your pick for the area’s best pediatrician?

We love our pediatrician, Dr. Gustave Kreh of Pediatric Associates, and we also loved Dr. Ben Spitalnik who we saw once when Dr. Kreh was unavailable.

Most valuable baby gift you received that you couldn’t live without?

My mother’s continuous babysitting offers!

If you had zillions of extra bucks to donate, what charity/cause would you select?:

Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and other organizations devoted to helping children with a hearing loss learn to listen and speak

What is the one phrase you hope your child/children will say to you when they are all grown up?

Thank you for everything you did for me, and I’m sorry for all I did to you!

Welcome to the first of what we hope will be a regular feature on SouthernMamas.com: Q&As with our savvy readers.

Every now and then, we’ll introduce you to a different local mom and share her parenting tips, troubles and triumphs. (If you have a savvy SouthernMama you’d like to nominate for a savvy mama profile, email anne@southernmamas.com)

Meet our first savvy SouthernMama, Christy Griner Hulsey of Statesboro.

About Your Family: I love my family! I live with my red headed husband Brian, my daughter Beatrice, my Labrador retriever Barry White, and our American Bulldog Sugar.

Website: Moon Dreams and Day Beams

How would you describe your parenting philosophy?

Good old’ fashioned parenting – shaken and stirred with lots of attachment, twists of obsession, a little infatuation, splashes of affection all on the rocks of love.

What are your child’s/children’s favorite books and toys? Beatrice has lots of favorite books. The one she first fancied was That’s Not My Puppy: It’s Coat is Too Hairy by Fiona Watt. The touchy feely pages sparked her interest. At a young age she began to touch the “bumpy” paws and “furry” coats of the animals illustrated.

Admittedly our house feels like a giant toy box some days with an assortment of singing, laughing, plastic, card board, wooden play things. Yet, it isn’t hard to pinpoint one single toy. She has been a doll lover from the start!

When she was NINE MONTHS OLD she latched onto a doll in Walker Pharmacy. Neither the sales girl nor I could pry the Corelle Doll from her grip. It was amazing to witness how hard-wired the human brain is, to see her natural tendency to latch onto the baby. Since then we have kept the store busy with purchases of new soft-bodied realistic looking dolls to add to this little mama’s family, equipment (like strollers), and little smocked doll dresses.

What are your child’s/children’s favorite TV shows or movies? Beatrice loves the My Favorite Signs and the All Aboard the Potty Train DVDs. Both are from Baby Signs. I think it is the colorful music and the simple antics and screens that keeps her attention. We have many other DVD’s but these two are the most popular at our house.

What are your child’s/children’s favorite foods?

Beatrice is a true foodie. From fish to fresh vegetables to olives to chicken this girl eats EVERYTHING! She eats such a variety that I sometimes question the ability of her taste buds. Attempting to capitalize on her desultory preferences, I offer a broad menu that includes foods that even I do not eat. I regularly include items vitamin rich items like kale, spinach, avocados and kiwis.

Fresh corn-on-the-cob is her most recent fancy. I think it is the challenge of gnawing it off the cob that has sparked this southern girl’s admiration. Oh, and I can’t forget: cherry tomatoes!

What one adjective would you choose to describe motherhood?

Gratifying

Describe your most humbling parenting moment:

Sometimes I feel like I am re-inventing the wheel every minute of the day…I get frustrated and tired while I question the worth of my mother-ing skills.

But when she throws her arms open wide, reaching above her head to lovingly wrap them around my legs while uttering sounds that match the rhythm of I love you, my heart drops, my mind blinks with clarity, while a wave of love and a feeling of knowing resonates through my entire body. I know why I am where I am. I know why I am a mom.

Describe your most beautiful parenting moment:

The day we brought her home. It is riveting to know that I am a mother, that I am responsible for someone’s care, love, healthy growth and development. I cried in the car as we left St. Joseph’s. I cannot explain the feeling that resonated my body as I realized that I was someone’s mother. I became someone new as I became a parent. In that moment, I gained new confidence, new interests, and a brand new kind of love. I promised her right there that I would love her until the end of my life.

Favorite local kid-friendly spot/event? (park, museum, storytime, music class, trail or playground etc.)

Splash in the ‘boro (Family Water Park & Aquatics Center)

What resource for children does our area lack, one that you would like to see here?

There are many fine resources for children here, however, I would like to see bilingual education for toddlers and preschoolers. I would love to introduce Beatrice to other languages and cultures, yet find it difficult. There isn’t even a sign language class in our area. Yet, even in areas as close as Augusta foreign languages are taught in preschools.

Who is your pick for the area’s best pediatrician?

Dr. Michelle Zenah is Statesboro’s very best pediatrician, beyond outstanding knowledge and profession passion she is very involved in our community. She co-ordinates charitable giving for the Professional Women of Statesboro, supports the local Farmer’s Market and actively speaks to civic groups about topics such as the healthcare crisis. She is amazing!

What is your pick for the area’s best preschool?

Georgia Southern Child Development Center

Most valuable baby gift you received that you couldn’t live without?

My most valuable baby gift was one that I gave myself. It was a Sewfunky sling. Despite the initial intimidation and hesitation, I grew to love it. With my arms free and my baby close to my heart, I could not have been more relieved than the day I learned to use it properly.

If you had zillions of extra bucks to donate, what charity/cause would you select?:

I am a philanthropist, and if my bank account ever looked like Oprah’s, I have always said I would focus my giving on animal welfare or underprivileged children or Alzheimer’s research. And, I would. Given the impact memory-loss has had on my family lately, I think I would focus the majority of my donations on dementia research.

What is the one phrase you hope your child/children will say to you when they are all grown up?

I luuuuuv you, Mama!

Looking for a little diversion from the pool?

Kids can cool off for free in the popular splash fountains @ Hull Park , the diamond-shaped green spot smack in the center of Ardsley Park. The kid-friendly fountains are in the concrete amphitheater near the baseball diamond. The only drawback is hitting the park at the right time when the fountains are on. There doesn’t seem to be a set schedule. Best bet is 10:30ish to lunchtime.

The park bisects Atlantic Ave. @ 55th Street. There’s also a playground, complete with an unusual find these days, a merry-go round. But be prepared, there’s not much shade other than a picnic pavilion – which makes the splash fountain much more appealing this time of year.

Do you secretly mock mommy-and-me-style music classes? Moms who scrapbook? Or hipster parents who are just too cool?

Do you suspect that moms who say their kids watch absolutely NO TV are, indeed, lying?

Then you might enjoy the latest mommy lit offering by Stefanie Wilder-Taylor: Naptime is the New Happy Hour: and Other Ways Toddlers Turn Your Life Upside Down.

Wilder-Taylor, whose first book was Sippy Cups Are Not For Chardonnay, takes on the trend of moms who do everything they can- including lie – to appear to be superparents in the eyes of others.

Wilder-Taylor, mother of three, shares her irreverent take on parenting, including making fun of parents like me who made our own baby food and schlep our kids to Kindermusik. Hmmm. This read might hurt a little. But if you can’t laugh at yourself…

At least, the book makes a good gift for that first-time mom who feels overwhelmed by the new world of pseudo superparents she just entered. And serves as a painful mirror for the rest of us.

Pass the chardonnay, please.

Happy Easter.

Of course, it’s a busy day. But when you get a chance, please check out my column today in the Savannah Morning News about a remarkable Savannah couple’s story “When a miscarriage is prevented.”

Anyone who has suffered a miscarriage knows you’re usually told that, chances are, the loss was your body’s way of ending an unhealthy pregnancy. But not all miscarriages are the result of fetal chromosome abnormalities.

The story of Sean and Stefanie Reeder and their very healthy 22-month old son, Grant (pictured here) is proof that some miscarriages can and should be prevented. Thank you Sean and Stefanie for sharing such a personal, emotional story.

To see the Lori Grice photo of Sean and Stefanie – the one which captures their “I’m pregnant!” moment and is mentioned in the column – click here.

Know an accredited ticket holder to the Masters?

Now would be a good time to remind him or her of what wonderfully, well-behaved, golf-loving, Tiger-wannabe children you have.

Because for the first time this year, children aged 8-16 will be admitted free to Augusta National for the Masters, but only when they are accompanied by an accredited ticket holder, one whose name appears on the badge application. The aim is to boost youth interest in golf.

Chances are there are some ticket holders whose children or grandchildren are too young or too old to qualify for this freebie. So who knows? Perhaps they’d love to introduce your child to the sport. The tournament is April 7-13.

Also for the first time this year, the tournament’s entertaining, family-friendly Wednesday Par-3 event will be televised on ESPN.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again.

If you haven’t taken your toddler to the 10:30 am Thursday story time @ Bull Street Library with librarian Sha Dishong, then your child (and you) are missing out on a beloved part of growing up (and raising children) in our area.

Story time @ Bull Street for 0-2 year-olds (there’s also story and craft time 10:30 am Wednesdays for 3-4 year-olds) unfolds inside a cottage playhouse that looks like it’s right out of a Golden Book.

Sha is a pro at getting and keeping kids’ attention, even toddlers, with energetic choruses of “Hurry Up, Hurry Up, Drive that Fire Truck,” “Little Red Wagon” and standards like “Wheels on the Bus.”

You can read all about Sha and her job as children’s librarian in this recent Savannah Morning News article (photo by John Carrington, SMN). The woman obviously has found her calling: helping children share her love for books. Congrats Sha and thank you!

To find out about other story times in our area, click here.

Savvy moms know the importance of kids birthdays. So what better topic for our first post than a roundup of the best bets for parties.

Wild birthday with reptiles or birds

The Center for Wildlife Education & The Lamar Q Ball Jr. Raptor Center at Georgia Southern University offer four birthday packages. Each includes a reptile or bird program and reserved covered pavilion. Birthdays are held on Saturdays through the school year and Monday-Friday during June, July and August. Costs range from $100-$350 depending on the package. Special themed wildlife programs are available including Soft & Cuddly, Tails & Scales or Creatures of the Night. Gift bags and special gifts for birthday child are available. One package is a birthday overnight camping adventure and private wildlife program.

Party reservations are based on availability. Call Pam Harley at (912) 681-0831 or email pharley@georgiasouthern.edu.

Sandbox Interactive Children’s Museum

Kids can play in the magic sand at the loggerhead sandcastle, pretend to prepare exotic meals in the international bazaar, trek across the rock challenge course or paint a picture and play instruments at this Hilton Head Island museum. Rental of the birthday party room includes plates, napkins, utensils and a special gift for the birthday child and guests. Rates range from $125-$225 and includes museum admission for up to 12 children. 18A Pope Ave. HHI (843)842-7645

Edible Art Party, Savannah Rum Runners

Each child gets to sharpen their baking skills decorating three items – usually a large cookie, cupcake and donut – using butter cream icing and different colors, chips, sprinkles, sugar, candies etc. Children take their goodies home. Call 355-4177. Located in Habersham Village, 4515 Habersham St. at 61^st St. 

Sea Turtle Cinemas

For the budding film buff. Watch a blockbuster, play in the theater game room and eat popcorn, soda and candy. Packages range from $12-$15 per child. For ages 2-12. Located at 106 Buckwalter Parkway, Bluffton. (843) 706-2888.

Caboose Party, Roundhouse Museum

Play in the conductor’s seat of a real caboose. Watch the model trains run through a miniature Savannah. Get an up-close look at diesel and steam engines. Catered train or character cake will be waiting with character plates and napkins set with a railroad lantern centerpiece. Lemonade, cups, ice, forks, candles provided. Parties up to eight children: $150. Add $8 for each additional child. Located downtown 601 W. Harris St. 651-6823

Puppet People
Themed birthday parties are held at the Puppet People studio Parties include: interactive studio tour; puppet show; make-and-take paper puppet that coordinates with the party theme; Decorations, utensils, paper napkins and table cloths. Prices at the studio start at $250 for up to 20 children and last up to two hours. Fees are different when Puppet People are hired to go to birthday parties at different locations from the party studio. Studio is at 3119 Furber Ave. in Thunderbolt. (912) 355-3366. E-mail puppets@puppetpeople.com

Animals for hire

The Double C Ranch:The traveling petting zoo from Ridgeland, S.C. comes to Savannah to do birthday parties.They have a variety of animals including sheep, goats, a cow and donkey. Cost is $150 for a minimum of two hours. (843)247-0428

Running Horse Ranch: The ranch in Hagan, Ga. brings the pony rides to your own back yards. Two ponies cost $150 per hour. (912) 739-7837

Kindermusik Party

Turn your child’s birthday into musical celebration. A Kindermusik birthday on-site at your location includes 15 minutes of exploration and free play with instruments plus 45 minutes of instrument exploration, instrument play-alongs, creative movement, storytime and circle dances. Also included is a free gift for the birthday child. Birthdays are given by licensed Kindermusik educators. Cost: $150 if child is enrolled in Kindermusik; $175 otherwise. Upgrades are available. (912) 352-2420.

Chick-fil-A and Build-A-Bear Party

The two Oglethorpe Mall businesses team up for kids’ parties. Each guest makes a stuffed animal they can keep at Build-A-Bear. Parties start at $10 per guest. (912)352-1876. The party then moves to the food court for lunch that includes kids meals, balloons and pictures taken with the cow. Cost is $6 per child. (912)352-1580

Air Force Party

 The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum birthday parties include a private party room, personalized cakes, drinks and supplies, goody bags, free gift wrap for purchases in from the museum store and guided tours. Located off I-95, exit 102, Pooler. 748-8888 ext. 106. E-mail education@mightyeighth.org