Local autism expert Lynn Adams will host a workshop this month in Savannah:  “Autism: Behavioral and Sensory Needs Through the Lifespan.”

Her books are available for purchase after the workshop or through www.pluralpublishing.com.

Early registration is recommended; $50 for professionals, $30 for parents and students. Some scholarships available for parents.

The autism workshop will be 9 AM-12:30 PM Sat. Jan. 23 @ The Armstrong Center for Professional and Continuing Education, 11935 Abercorn St.

For information and to register: Call Jennifer McGee at 912-355-9098, e-mail jennifermcgee@matthewreardon.org or click here.

Kids and their parents are invited to a Family Sleepover Educational Program this month @ UGA’s Marine Education Center and Aquarium, 30 Ocean Science Circle, Skidaway Island.

Time 6 PM – 8 AM Sat-Sun. Jan. 23-24. Cost: $25/person all children must be accompanied by an adult.

The sleepover’s activities will focus on coastal development. All activities will be hands-on and exciting. There will also be a mini fishing clinic. Program includes snack and continental breakfast.

Please bring the following items: sleeping bag, pillow, hand towel, pajamas, bug spray, toothbrush and paste, flashlight, fishing pole, camera, and change of clothes.

Maximum of 25 participants. Advanced registration required. 912-598-2496 or email fish@uga.edu

One of our favorite companies, JULIAN & Co., has handcrafted, personalized gifts for the whole family.

Including the $49 mini JULIAN & Co. customized charm for mom. The front of the sterling silver birth necklace is customized with your child’s name and either baby handprints or footprints, while the back can engraved with birth time, date, weight and height.

The personalized pendant is durable enough to endure tiny, tugging hands.

JULIAN & Co. is offering Southern Mama readers $10 off order. Use the coupon code: SOUTHERNMAMAS when ordering online to receive the discount.

The deadline for Valentines Day orders is Jan. 31.

Also, check out “Heart on Her Wrist,” a $79 sterling silver id bracelet, for babies or little girls.

You’ve been meaning to sign up for parent-and-me early childhood music classes. Now’s your chance.

The new Spring 2010 semester of Kindermusik classes begin the week of Jan. 24 and run through May 21.  Classes will be offered in three locations: Mondays in Savannah, Wednesdays in Richmond Hill, and Fridays in the Pooler/W. Chatham/S. Effingham area.

The Coastal Empire Savannah Kindermusik Web site has been updated and online enrollment is available. Classes are limited to 12 children per class, so sign up today! If you have any questions, please email music@instrumentalinks.com or call 912.728.5397.

To register, click here, then click on the Kindermusik for Ages 0-7 link. This will take you to our Kindermusik page, where you can create a secure account, enroll your child, and even pay by credit card online.

A Kindermusik session makes a great  gift. Kindermusik “gift certificates” are available for a semester of classes. Click here more information.

Check out Kindermusik’s sister site 88 Keys, for piano tuning, piano service, sales/rentals, even piano moving. The family-owned business also buys, sells and RENTS pianos.

You can rent a spinet piano for $1 per day. That’s right $30 a month for a piano. For more info, click here or call 912.728.KEYS.

Kids can spend a night in a real museum.

The Coastal Heritage Society is proud to present a “Night at the Museum” sleepover at Savannah History Museum. Kids can enjoy games and activities as well as a screening of “Night at the Museum” in the museum theater. Dinner and breakfast are also included

Night at the Museum is 6:30 PM Sat. Jan. 23, 8:30 AM Sun. Jan. 24 at Savannah History Museum – 303 MLK Blvd, Savannah. Cost: $22.95 per person

Tickets MUST be purchased in advance. Children must be 3 years or older to participate. Just to clarify, this is a family event, rather than a drop-off-your-kids event.

For more information or to purchase tickets, please call 912.651.6823 x203 or email childrensevents@chsgeorgia.org.

Don’t forget your sleeping bag!!

Island MOPS (Mother of Preschoolers)  will host their annual Spa Day on Jan. 27 from 9:15 – 11:30 AM.

If this is your 1st time coming to Islands MOPS, it’s free. Otherwise, the cost is $5 per meeting. Scholarships are available and confidential. 

The Savannah moms group meets at 6613 Johnny Mercer Blvd. on Wilmington Island every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month (Sept. thru mid-May). For additional info, please call Laura at 898.0869.

The winner of this week’s SouthernMamas giveaway is Julie Herrin. Julie wins FOUR PERSONAL TRAINING SESSIONS and a body analysis from Train Me 24/7, the personal trainers to Savannah’s Ruby Gettinger on Style Network’s show “Ruby” and to Paula Deen.

Trainers Drew and Shazi Edmonds of  Train Me 24/7 were so impressed by readers’ NY resolutions in the comments section under the initial post announcing the giveaway,  they want to honor all those who entered. You can take group fitness classes or get personal training at a reduced rate when you mention you entered the SouthernMamas giveaway contest.

FOR MORE KID-FRIENDLY LOCAL ACTIVITIES, VISIT THE SOUTHERNMAMAS.COM EVENT CALENDAR HERE.

Jumping Jacks indoor playcenter in Savannah is offering our SouthernMamas.com readers discounts worth jumping about!

* BIRTHDAY PARTY SPECIAL: When you book the $199.00 Birthday Party Package, mention you saw it on Southern Mamas and get a FREE $5 game card for each child in your party! 
* 25% off one game of laser tag or one Jump Zone when you mention you read about Jumping Jacks on SouthernMamas.com
(Each of these may not be combined with any other special or promotion)

Whether it’s a birthday party or a day of fun, Jumping Jacks is an atmosphere where families can have a blast!

Toddler Tuesday at Jumping Jacks!
JuMp ZoNe ONLY $6.00 Tuesdays from 10-3 !

Jumping Jacks is a locally-owned, Christian-based fun center with huge inflatables, over 50 arcade games, mini-bowling, laser tag, a large concession counter and the best redemption counter in the Savannah area.

With almost 20,000 square feet, there are 4 party rooms and six jump zones including one for children ages 6 and younger.

Open 7 days a week.

Birthdays @ Jumping Jacks

BACK TO SCHOOL BIRTHDAY PARTY SPECIAL: When you book our  $199.00 Birthday Party Package mention you saw it on SouthernMamas.com and get a FREE $5.00 game card for each child in your party.

PARTY PACKAGE (1)

* $289.00 for up to ten kids
* Hour and half in a party suite with your own dedicated party host!
* 2 Slices of pizza for each child with unlimited drinks!
* Birthday child gets birthday balloon and sticker!
* Goody bag for each child includes $5 dollar game card and 300 tickets! (100 dollar value)
* Includes paper plates, cups, tablecloth, and utensils
* Jumping Jacks does all the clean up
* Additional kids are $15.00 each.
* Personal party host/hostess
* Bounce Zone or 3 games of laser tag
* 2nd activity at half price
* Discounted lg pizza for adults
* Discounted pitcher of soda for adults
* Additional children $15 each
* Active Military receive $20 discount

PARTY PACKAGE (2)
* $199.00 for up to 10 kids
* Hour and half in party suite with your own dedicated party host !
* Jump zone bracelets for each child
* 2 slice of pizza per child and unlimited drinks!
* Birthday child gets birthday sticker!
* Includes paper plates, cups, tablecloths and utensils.
* Jumping Jacks does all the clean up!
* Additional kids are $10.00 each.

PARTY PACKAGE (3)
BUILD YOUR OWN PARTY
* $99 for up to 10 kids
* Hour and half in party suite with your own dedicated party host!
* Includes paper plates, cups, tablecloths and utensils.
* Jumping Jacks does all the clean up!
* Additional kids are $3 each.

Jumping Jacks, 5918 Ogeechee Rd, Savannah, Georgia 31419, 912-920-2474, On Facebook here. Email jumpn.jacks@yahoo.com, www.jumpingjacksga.com Jumping Jacks is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser. 

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Have your kids experienced Eurobungy Trampolines in Savannah Mall next to the softplay?

They can seriously jump, 10, 15, 20 feet in the air. Some do flips. Or the little ones can simply jump & jump.

Click here a coupon for Buy One, Get One free all day Mondays-Thursdays & until 3 PM Fridays – perfect for those of you with more than one child who wants to jump.  To obtain the coupon, click here.

Open mall hours: Mon-Sat: 10 AM-9 PM, Sun:Noon- 6 PM.

Gift certificates available.

Eurobungy Savannah, inside Savannah Mall, 14045 Abercorn St. Savannnah, email ruberman@eurobungy.com, On Facebook here. Eurobungy Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser. 

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Other indoor play spots near Savannah include:

Rainbow Jump N Fun play center at Rainbow Play Systems in Richmond Hill.

Monkey Joe’s Savannah 

Savannah Mall Soft Playtime Center
14045 Abercorn Street (Savannah Mall, lower level)
Monday-Saturday: 10:00am-9:00pm Sunday: 12:00pm-6:00pm

Soft play inside Oglethorpe Mall
Monday-Saturday: 10:00am-9:00pm Sunday: 12:00pm-6:00pm

Savannah Climbing CoOp

Island Playground, Bluffton

FOR MORE KID-FRIENDLY LOCAL ACTIVITIES, VISIT OUR EVENT CALENDAR HERE.

Savannah personal trainers Drew and Shazi Edmonds, who work with Paula Deen and Ruby, are giving away four personal training sessions to a SouthernMamas subscriber.

Your New Year’s Resolution to drop all those holiday pounds may come true after all.

This week’s SouthernMamas’ giveaway couldn’t come at a better time. We’re thrilled to announce that a SouthernMamas reader/subscriber/Facebook fan will win FOUR PERSONAL TRAINING SESSIONS and a body analysis from Train Me 24/7, the personal trainers to Savannah’s Ruby Gettinger on Style Network’s show “Ruby” and to Paula Deen.

Personal trainers Drew and Shazia Edmonds, the husband-and-wife team behind Train Me 24/7, offer personalized training services at their clients’ homes and their private studio.  Train Me 24/7 also offers an affordable online program.

Here are the rules on to how to win.

Let the music begin in 2010!

Make a Joyful Noise is offering two free previews of music classes:

1. All 8 – 15 year olds are invited to join the Sounds of Praise Children’s Choir for an open rehearsal this Thurs. Jan. 7. The choir performs locally for hospitals and nursing homes, and most recently, the Ronald McDonald House. Concerts are scheduled wherever the choir can sing and lift hearts with the joy of music. The rehearsal (free and open to all interested 8 -15 year olds) is January 7 from 6:30 -7:45. If you can not make it, contact Vicki at MakeAJoyfulNoiseMusicStudio@comcast.net or 912-920-6542 for further details on joining for the spring semeser.

2. Early Childhood Music (Babies – 8 year olds) parent-and-me classes: Sat., Jan. 16 at 9:30 a.m. Come sing, dance, play instruments and more as Vicki leads you through activities to encourage you and your family to Make A Joyful Noise. Come for the fun, stay for the education.

All classes are held on the campus of Savannah Country Day School in Modular Village: E2. Email Vicki to sign up for either free preview at MakeAJoyfulNoiseMusicStudio@comcast.net or call 912-920-6542.

Opportunities to Make a Joyful Noise include:
Sounds of Praise Children’s Choir: 8 – 14 year olds
Group Keyboard: 7 – 9 year olds
Music Makers: 4 – 8 year olds
All Together Now: Babies – 5 year olds
Cycles: 3 – 5 year olds
Family Music: 18months – 3 years
Babies: Newborn – 17 months

Meet the star of the Lawton Stables’ animal farm in my Sunday newspaper column.

This four-legged darling is better than Bambi! Callie the fawn can bring children and deer hunters to their knees. Read all about the star of the Sea Pines petting farm on Hilton Head Is. here.

Below is a guest post by Marsha Woelber is a Partner at Independent Investment Services, LLC/Securities Offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC.

A New Year’s Resolution for mamas everywhere: “I will not rely solely on my husband/father to handle my family’s finances”.

Does this sound like you? Many women tell me that either their husband (if married) or father (single gals) takes care of their finances. While typically there is no problem with this, I have to think that ladies everywhere are just not taking the time to sit down and understand some basics. Surely we are just as smart as our male counterparts?

My personal goal for the year is to focus on educating women about their finances. A little knowledge will give you some piece of mind should you ever need to make a financial decision on your own.

First Step: Get organized. Gather contact and account information using the list below. Please email me at marsha@iissav.com for e-version of this spreadsheet.

Gather some contact information. Finding who to call is often the most frustrating part of dealing with a crisis.
Key Contacts
Accountant
Financial Advisor
Insurance Representative: Life, Homeowner, Health, Auto
Lawyer

Next, organize your accounts/paperwork. To read the rest of this article, click here.

Happy New Year!

SouthernMamas is back after a brief holiday hiatus. During break, we checked out some nearby kid-friendly spots including the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens where feeding the giraffes was one highlight;
the South Carolina Aquarium on Charleston Harbor (PENGUINS!); the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry in Charleston; Charleston’s Holiday Festival of Lights.

All of which we highly recommend as being well worth the road trip.