“A monogram makes something your own and endows it with weight in a world full of random things”- Isaac Mizrahi

So true, Isaac. Which is why we here at SouthernMamas.com are thrilled to tell you about 2 Cutie Patooties for uber-cool embroidered accessories, baby items (Think really sweet personalized baby bloomers) and home décor.

This adorable online monogram, embroidery boutique started by two Savannah moms is teeming with the highest quality of items at the most affordable prices: monogrammed shoes (sandals and clogs); bags of every color/size including market totes like the ones pictured here and backpacks; appliqued shirts for children; and so much more.

Opt for lettering in one of roughly 25 fonts (like the stately Heirloom or whimsical Giggles). Or choose from a dozen of monogram designs. Then select from an array of thread colors.

2 Cutie Patooties will also monogram/embroider any items that you already have and want personalized. That includes business/school logos on shirts.

For those who really want to have fun, 2 Cutie Patooties also does home shows. Book one by emailing 2cutiepatooties@gmail.com  or call 912.856.7096.

Mention SouthernMamas.com to receive 10 percent off your order. Start shopping here. Savannah residents do not need to pay shipping, as 2 Cutie Patooties will deliver to you. Just simply find what you want on the 2 Cutie Patooties Web site here and email your order to 2cutiepatooties@gmail.com . They will invoice you so you do not have to pay shipping.

2 Cutie Patooties – for al your embroidery needs. www.2cutiepatooties.com,  email 2cutiepatooties@gmail.com, 912.856.7096 2 Cutie Patooties is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

When it comes to summer camps, there are those for whom only tulle and tiaras will do.

If your tot falls into the frilly set, check out The Ballet School’s Perfect Princess Camps in Savannah.

Little princesses will receive an introduction to the fundamentals of both movement and classical dance techniques while learning about fun fairytale characters and famous ballet stories.

The tiny Cinderellas and Snow Whites will also have dress-up time and craft time, including decorating their own tu-tus and tiaras. Dancers may bring their favorite princess gown or costume on Monday to use throughout the week at “special dress-up times”.

The camp includes a magical tea party, princess spa and hair day. A photograph will be taken on her majestic throne. On the last day, “A ROYAL INVITATION” is offered for the family of the princess for a fabulous “Runway Show” and a short dance combination will be performed. Don’t forget your cameras!

For ages 3-5.

Perfect Princess Camps: One week sessions beginning June 13th-Aug 12th
June 13-17th
July 5-8th
July 25-29th
August 8-12th            

Times: 9:30 AM-NOON
Fee: $135 per session ( $25 deposit, applied to camp)

For the older set, The Ballet School also offers a Young Dancers Program
For Ages 6-9 years
June 27-July 1
Time: 4-7 PM
Fee: $145 ($50 deposit, applied to camp)

Enrollment is under way for both programs. Register now. Click here for more info.

The Ballet School, 10010 Abercorn St., Suite 8, Savannah, Piccadilly Square, (912) 925-0903 or email theballetschool@comcast.net, www.theballetschoolsav.com The Ballet School is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

UPDATE: Winner is Penny Cooke! Congratulations! Penny, we emailed you. If you didn’t receive it, please email us at anne@southernmamas.com. We’re giving away ANOTHER family-four pack of tickets to Sesame Street Live “1-2-3 Imagine! with Elmo & Friends” , coming to Savannah Civic Center next week, June 21 & 22, 2011.

Here are the rules on how to win this three-day-long contest.

Imagine singing and dancing with Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Big Bird and all your favorite Sesame Street Live friends. It’s as easy as counting “1-2-3 Imagine!”

This high-energy musical will transport audiences to far away places as Ernie captains the high seas, Elmo dances to the rhythm of the African rainforest and Bert meets an octopus who has the blues. It’s a story of adventure and fun that teaches children they can be anyone, do anything and go anywhere with the power of imagination. 

 Tickets are on sale  at the Savannah Civic Center Box Office, www.etix.com , or call 800-351-7469 or 912-651-6556. More info here.

Camp Invention – a weeklong summer enrichment program for children entering grade 1 though 6 – instills vital 21st century life skills such as problem-solving and teamwork through hands-on fun!

Camp Invention is at Isle of Hope Elementary, 9 AM-3:30 PM June 20-24, 2011

For registration information, call 800.968.4332 PHONE or call Ruthie Sales @ 395-6555

This is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) camp and is recommended by the National Science Foundation. More info here.

Armstrong Atlantic’s Girls Basketball Camp 2011 with Camp Director Matt Schmidt, who recently finished his third season as the Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Armstrong Atlantic State University.

The camp is June 27-29 for girls grades 3 to 9. For more information, call 912-713-7391. To see the schedule of a typical camp day and register, click here.  Cost is $115. Mention SouthernMamas.com on the phone or on your registration form for a discount prices of $95.

Looking for a Savannah summer basketball camp with a coach who has extensive experience running and directing basketball camps?

Check out Armstrong Atlantic’s Girls Basketball Camp 2011 with Camp Director Matt Schmidt, who recently finished his third season as the Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Armstrong Atlantic State University. Prior to Schmidt joining the Pirates, he served as an assistant women’s basketball coach for over ten seasons at the collegiate level and two years at the junior high and high school level.

The camp is June 27-29 for girls grades 3 to 9. For more information, call 912-713-7391. To see the schedule of a typical camp day and register, click here.  Cost is $115. Mention SouthernMamas.com on the phone or on your registration form for a discount prices of $95.

AASU Girls Basketball Camp 2011 is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Join Georgia State Railroad Museum (Roundhouse Railroad Museum) for Summer Toddler Art!

Is your child 3 years old or younger and enjoys being creative? What toddler doesn’t? Enjoy this eight-week-long adventure for your young artist! Led by Miss Rebecca, Coastal Heritage Society’s Director of Young Children’s Programming, toddler art class at the Georgia State Railroad Museum is a fun time for socialization between parents and their little ones. It’s incredible to see the creative juices flowing as toddlers work on early writing skills.

The next toddler art 8-week session begins July 15, and is held in the Georgia State Railroad Museum kids’ car on Friday mornings at 10am (with the exception of July 29, which will be held at 2pm).

Join Georgia State Railroad with your wee one in this creative discovery time.
Call or email to register now for summer classes—space is limited!
$100 for all eight classes or $12.50 per class.

Advanced registration required:
Call 912-651-6823 x3 or email info@chsgeorgia.org

Schools Out! Get your child a series of private drawing sessions this summer with Torrey Kist, MFA located on Washington Ave (Daffin Park).

Private drawing classes for ages 8-18!

Sign up for a week-long intensive session (1 or 2 hours daily) or a once/week series through July!

Email tskart@yahoo.com  for further details.

Rip Current

Rip currents (or rip tides as they are often called) are a top worry now that my two preschoolers are “swimming” regularly at Tybee Island beaches.

Which is why I’m thrilled that Tybee  Island marine scientist/biologist Dr. Joe Richardson, who leads Tybee Island Beach Ecology Trips , agreed to offer some info for SouthernMamas.com on rip current awareness.

This week June 5-11 is Rip Current Awareness Week. Rip currents are strong narrow currents moving away from shore. The strongest rip currents can attain speeds reaching 8 feet per second; this is faster than an Olympic swimmer can sprint! On average, more people die every year from rip currents than from shark attacks. According to the United States Lifesaving Association, 80 percent of surf beach rescues are attributed to rip currents, and more than 100 people die annually from drowning in rip currents.

Dr. Joe Richardson recommends checking out the information, graphics, video and other resources on the NOAA Web site by clicking here so you can try to recognize a rip current and teach your kids what to do if caught in one. Click here to go to the Kids Korner Rip Current Safety page.  

Another concern, according to Dr. Joe Richardson, are strong tidal currents, especially at the north and south ends of Tybee Island (ie. North Beach near the jetty, and South Beach from about 17th St. to the south end of the island). 

“These currents can be surprisingly strong, and they don’t move at a constant speed.  At irregular times and places they move faster, so someone noticing that they are gradually drifting along the beach might find that they are suddenly drifting much faster,” said Dr. Joe Richardson. “This can be extremely dangerous because it might take only a few seconds to suddenly realize that you are too close to the jetty/rocks or the pier to get back to shore or shallow enough water to stand.  I’m afraid that I see this happen too often. And this keeps our lifeguards and ocean rescue people especially busy at the north and south end.”

Read more of Dr. Joe Richardson’s Guest Posts here, including which jellyfish in our local waters sting and which don’t.

Tybee  Island marine scientist/biologist Dr. Joe Richardson, who leads Tybee Island Beach Ecology Trips . These beach walks are an excellent way to educate your kids and entertain your visitors.  Read a list of activities and topics the beach ecology walk covers by clicking here.  To book a family, scout, school and tour group beach walk call (912) 596-5362 or email  joe@ceasurf.com . For updates regarding what Dr. Joe is finding and doing on his ecology beach walks, check out (and “like”) the “Tybee Beach Ecology Trips” FACEBOOK page by clicking here.

Putumayo Kids gets the summer celebration started with Kids World Party CD to be released June 28 2011.

To hear tracks from Kids World Party, visit www.putumayopress.com

On Monday, June 13, 2011, enjoy the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens for only $2.00 per person for General Admission.
The Zoo is open from 9:00 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tickets are sold until 4:00 p.m. The Zoo encourages those who are coming to use sun screen, bring refillable water bottles and dress appropriately for the hot weather. Those bringing young children to play in the Splash Ground should bring water proof diaper covers.

Please note: $2 price is good for General Admission only, and is not valid with any other discount or offer, including Zoo Value Tickets. Train, carousel, and DinoAlive admissions are not included in this price. More info here.

For more free or discounted children’s summer 2011 activities in the Savannah/Hilton Head Is. area, click here.

On Sunday June 19th, 2011, the Zoo has a special “Buy One – Get One Free” coupon, so for Dads who want to take a child to the Zoo, or vice versa – Father’s Day could be the day to visit the zoo. Please note, for the special price on admission you need to print out the coupon from their website. Click here to get to the coupon now!

Bacon Park Christian Day School is dedicated to providing children K-6th grade a traditional education combining challenging academics and character development in a Christian family atmosphere.

The school’s small classes will afford children more individual instruction time.

As part of character development, children are taught about honesty, integrity, good manners, and respect for God, family, friends, and community.

If you are looking for a nuturing environment where your child is valued as an individual and family involvement is encouraged, Bacon Park Christian Day School welcomes you to visit the school. More info here.

Bacon Park Chrisian Day School, 5411 Skidaway Road, Savannah, 31406, (912) 484-9880, email bpcds@att.net , www.baconparkchristiandayschool.com Bacon Park Christian Day School is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

This summer’s theme at First Presbyterian Church of Savannah’s Vacation Bible School is Pandamania, a wild celebration of God’s unconditional love!
9am-Noon June 20-24
3yrs.-rising 5th
Open to everyone
Sign up by June 10th to ensure your child gets a T-shirt.
Call the church office, 354-7615 or Jenell Griffith, 656-7181 for more information. Come by the church office to register your child.

“THE SEARCH IS ON!!!

Classic Kids and Michelle L Morris Photography are looking for BABY & CHILD MODELS to be published in print and online!

They have partnered with Just for Baby & More and Petite Feet of Savannah to bring all the winners an outstanding package of freebies and discounts!!

If you think your baby or child(ren) have what it takes, click here to find out how to enter!

Classic Kids and Michelle L Morris Photography are SouthernMamas.com advertisers.

Our neighborhood pool kicked off summer right with Dive-In Movie Night — complete with this inflatable movie screen (pictured here) that flickered “Finding Nemo” across the underwater-lit pool to kids bobbing upon floats and noodles.

Savannah Inflatables has the giant 12 x 9 screens available for rent for $200.

Have everyone over for movie night with this giant back yard movie screen or have a dive-in movie night, too.

It comes with a projector and sound system.

Call (912) 856-4091 or email savannahinflatables@yahoo.com. Details here.

Please tell them SouthernMamas.com sent you!

(UPDATE: The .5 millage rate increase and no modification days proposal passed 5-4 at the Tues. June 7 board meeting.)

A big thank you to local public education advocate and mom Michelle Solomon for the following guest post:

The Savannah-Chatham Board of Education is meeting on Tues. June 7 to consider the school budget and there are a lot of cuts on the table: furloughing teachers, closing schools, or eliminating band and athletic programs. They are also considering a proposal to avoid the cuts by raising property taxes a small amount – about $70/family depending on your property value, which is less than what most people are getting back because of the devaluations. It’s a small amount to pay for so much.

It would help tons if everyone who cares about the schools would send an email ASAP to the members of the Savannah-Chatham Public School Board saying:
– you support the .5 mil property tax increase that Savannah-Chatham Public Schools Superintendent Thomas Lockamy asked for:
– where you live
– your profession
– where your kids go to school
– your own thoughts on the proposed cuts (optional)

Even if your kids are in private school, or you don’t have any kids in school, it would help to send something – actually, it would probably help even more.

Here are the Board emails, plus an email set up to get copies of the letters that someone will hopefully bring to the Board meeting – you can just cut and paste this list: joe.buck@sccpss.com ; julie.wade@sccpss.com ; floyd.adams@sccpss.com ; alexander.luten@sccpss.com ; irene.hines@sccpss.com ; gregory.sapp@sccpss.com ; lori.brady@sccpss.com ; julie.gerbsch@sccpss.com ; ruby.jones@sccpss.com ; forsavannahschools@gmail.com

And even better than all that, if you can go to the Board meeting and speak in support of the schools, that would make a big difference. The meeting is 6pm Tuesday at Whitney Administrative Complex, 2 Laura St.

For background info on this issue:

Savannah Morning News on the tax proposal
Savannah Morning News on the proposed cuts
Savannah Morning News on property tax devaluations

UPDATE: Winner is Jordan Holmes! Congratulations Jordan!

In June, a SouthernMamas reader will win her choice of childrens sandals or flip flops that’s in stock at Petite Feet , Savannah’s shoe boutique for children.

To enter to win, just visit the Petite Feet Facebook page by clicking here. “Like” the page. Then write your answer to this question on the Petite Feet Facebook wall: what free or discounted local summer activity are you looking forward to taking part in? (Get some ideas here. )Not into Facebook? You can enter to win by answering below this post! (Click on Comments)

Deadline to enter to win is Midnight June 30. We’ll announce the winner here in July.

Petite Feet’s knowledgeable personal service ensures that each child is fitted correctly. The boutique has hard-to-find sizes. And you don’ t have to fight for parking spot. Petite Feet at 5521 Abercorn next to Fresh Market and across from Publix is in a super convenient location with easy in-and-out parking. The kid-friendly store even has puzzles, TV, children’s book and toys keep the tots busy while you shop.

Visit their website at www.petitefeetsavannah.com for more brands and information.

Petite Feet , 5521 Abercorn St., Savannah, 31405, 912.349.4292, email michael@petitefeetsavannah.com;  Petite Feet is a sponsor of SouthernMamas.com

2 free games of bowling all summer long! For ages 15 and younger.
Program runs May 30-Aug. 21. To register for the program, click here.
912.330-5577
No cash value. Shoe Rental: Standard shoe rental rates apply.

For kids, summer means no school and lazy days at the pool. For a lot of parents, summer means searching for ways to keep the kids busy while you’re at work.

From now until June 30, Southernmamas.com readers can apply for just $59 and welcome an au pair into your home as early as next month. Your live-in au pair can help make your summer less chaotic by:

View some of AuPairCare’s more popular au pairs now, such as German au pairs and Brazilian au pairs, or search all available au pairs by language.

Getting started is easy! Apply online and use the promo code SUMMER$59 to apply for only $59 (over $290 in savings!) You can also speak with a Program Advisor at 1-800-428-7247 and receive a free, no obligation childcare consultation.

Want to shop early?

Michelle L Morris Photography will be having a once annual weekend of petite photography sessions, our version of mini sessions, called CAPTURED on June 24, 25, and 26. Simply click here for all the pertinent info, and to see sample images from the CAPTURED location. There are only 12 available spots!

Details on the CAPTURED SESSIONS:

THERE ARE 12 SPOTS | JUNE 24, 25, 26

$490 | Half to book. Balance upon delivery. [plus applicable sales tax]

::Thirty to forty minutes concentrated shooting time with me.

::Fine art online gallery showcasing twenty five finished image options.

::Ten high resolution images presented on disc, for printing and web sharing/posting.

po::Three of your ten image selections professionally enlarged to 8×10.

::Options to purchase all images, as well as items from our Boutique Product Line.

Michelle L Morris Photography, michellelmorrisphotography.com, facebook.com/michellelmorrisphoto, 912.349.0871, email michelle@michellelmorrisphotography.com  Michelle L Morris Photography is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Friday and Saturday June 17-18 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Family Admission: $26
Featuring Keynote Speaker: Sue Patrick, Creator of the Workbox System!
The Workbox system is an effective teaching system to reduce your organizational time and increase your child’s self-control, independence and learning. Specialized for: Autism, ADD/ ADHD, and Large Home School Families. This system will complement your existing curriculum!
Sue ‘s system is an easy approach to optimize and organize your homeschool from preschool to high school, and will allow you to teach your child more effectively and at the same time help you to better organize your school day! Sue will also share her tips for problem-solving your curriculum , behavioral, comprehension, and answer general homeschooling questions. MORE INFO HERE: http://www.ceheconference.com/index.html
Also Offering Workshops By:
Cara Ellison
Homeschool to High School, College, Military and BeyondCara Ellison homeschooled three sons from Kindergarten through High School. She’ll share her experiences and insight on College and Military Admission and the homeschooled child, the benefits of homeschoolers receiving Hope and other financial aid for college, and State Laws and how they affect homeschoolers. Cara will also share her philosophy of homeschooling and the methods she used and discuss what really counts in homeschooling.
The Matthew Reardon Center for Autism
Educating a Special Needs ChildThe Matthew Reardon Center will address such topics as modifying curriculum to accommodate learning styles, behavior techniques, setting goals, and much more
Homeschool 101
Getting Started
Discuss Homeschool Approaches from Classical Education to Unschooling
Hear how local parents implement home education
Legal Requirements of Homeschooling
Q&A

College Options
Armstrong Atlantic State University
Find out what AASU higher education options are available for your children.
SCAD: The University for Creative Careers
How to Prepare a Dynamic Artistic Portfolio
Learn helpful tips on preparing a dynamic artistic portfolio! This session presents the fundamentals of successful portfolios and what our review committee looks for in portfolio submissions.
Georgia Southern University
Discover what Georgia Southern University has to offer your children.
Georgia Tech Savannah
Discover the differences between careers in science, technology, and engineering as well as summer camps offered by Ga Tech Savannah.