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 Local Events, Info and Savings for Grown-ups and Their Kids
Springfield Moms E-Update        December 2, 2009            
In This Issue
Winter Classroom Party Ideas
YMCA Holiday Mini-Session Registration
Ask the Speech Pathologist
Holiday Book Nook
Fun Links and News You Can Use
Upcoming Events
Quick Links
Share and Win!
Share Your Tips and Win

Have your kids said something hilarious lately?  Send it to us and be entered to win prizes.  We're giving away a T-shirt every day next week from Flea Market to Fabulous.

Email us and be entered to win our prize drawing!

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Coupons




NEW!  Indigo Restaurant: Maki, nigeri or sashimi.  Buy one, get one free on Monday nights!  Plus gift certificate holiday special.

Flea Market to Fabulous: 15% off.

Bob Evans Restaurant: $2 off.

Roberts Seafood: 10% off.

Piper Glen Party Room: 50% off Holiday Party Rooms.

Midtown Tire & Auto Services: promo $20.95 oil change and FREE tire rotation.

Corkscrew Wine Emporium:  Text Club for special savings.

Dance Creations Dance Studio: Free T-shirt with new registration.

Free Orthodontic Exam at McDaniel, Sternstein & Aleman.

20% off Canvas Art and Photo Stretching at Capitol Blue Print, Inc.

Sprout Fitters: $15 off and more.

L.Chic: $5 off any sale item.

Bella Milano: $5 off coupon.

25% off Eyeglasses at Vision Care Associates.

John M. Piershale, CFP, 2 Hours FREE Retirement Planning.

Cara Mongolian Authentic Stir Fry. Buy one, get one half off.
 
10% off at Food Fantasies.

$20 Off New Patient at Optimal Chiropractic & Wellness.

$3 off at Koke's Kid Zone
or $5 off at The Kid's Closet.



Access all our business sponsors on the Mom's Choice Directory.

shopping cartDon't Miss our Mom's Choice Picks for our favorite online retailers with product picks you'll love. Browse & Buy

Greetings!


snowflakesHappy Holidays!  Rumor has it we might even receive a few snowflakes later today, which thrills my girls with thoughts of snow angels and cancelled school.

Looking for ways for your family to give back this holiday season? Support Toys for Tots and GREEN Toyota as they collect toys for area families.  Details here.  Or if you have older kids, ask them to consider volunteering at the Mini O'Beirne Crisis Nursery Children's Holiday Store. 

HoliDaze
Navigate through this busy season with our HoliDaze Guide.  Thanks to our diligent staff, it's updated regularly with helpful tips, events and delicious recipes! 

Need a laugh? So do we! Send us your funny kid comments (those crazy, zany and hilarious things) and we will draw one winner per day next week!  Winners will receive a cool T-shirt from our new sponsor Flea Market to Fabulous. 

Thank you for your feedback on our 5th Anniversary Annual Reader Survey. We heard back from more than 550 readers, and we appreciate your opinions!  Stay tuned for our December 16th E-Update and a list of the prize winners.

Track down those mittens and gloves, and stay warm!

Kim Leistner Little
Founder and President of Springfield Moms
WINTER CLASSROOM PARTY IDEAS: Crafts, Games and Snacks
candy canesAre you volunteering to help coordinate your child's classroom winter party this year?  Our resident "party guru" Allison Klint has lots of fun ideas for the preschool and elementary set as well as 3rd through 5th graders.  Check it out here.
HOLIDAY MINI-SESSION AND WINTER CLASSES FOR KIDS AT THE YMCA: Registration Starts Soon.  PLUS "LOSE BIG" CONTEST FOR 2010
YMCA Zumba kidsThere's never been a better time to join the YMCA. You are just in time for the holiday mini-session and winter class registration. Enjoy a low $25 joiner fee. Details here.

There are swimming lessons, sports activities, arts, crafts plus Zumba for kids and so much more!  You can even register online.  Find your favorite family activity here. 

Looking to change to a healthier lifestyle?  Enter the YMCA's "Lose Big" Contest starting in January.  Details here.
KIDS AND SECOND LANGUAGES: Books and Resources for Holiday Gifts
kids learning"Ask the Speech Pathologist" Jennifer Pollock recommends resources for parents who want to encourage their kids to learn a second or third language.  It can be fun for the whole family.  Check out her ideas here.
HOLIDAY BOOK NOOK: We Have Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa Picks
bookThere's no better time to read with your family than this time of year.  Order these titles from your area library or stop by the bookstore and browse there.  Enjoy!

Hanukkah Titles
Christmas Picks
Kwanzaa Books
Fun Links and News You Can Use! Check It Out.
What's Happening!  Upcoming Events 
 

HoliDaze


Be sure to check our HoliDaze Guide for all the fun activities, tips and recipes for the season. You'll find Holiday Cookie Walks and so much more!


Holiday Walk bannerOld Capitol Holiday Walks and Santa House sponsored by Downtown Springfield and St. John's Children's Hospital. Head to downtown Springfield every Wednesday in December and enjoy this Springfield Area tradition!


Gepetto & SonGepetto & Son debuts this Friday as part of the Springfield Theatre Center's White Rabbit Series.  Don't miss our Springfield Moms coupon for free popcorn! Details here.






Children's Holiday StoreChildren's Holiday Store.  Open now!  Volunteer elves help your children shop for $1 - $10 gifts for friends and family while parents and guardians wait in the lobby. Items are bagged and tagged for children before they leave the store. All proceeds benefit the Mini O'Beirne Crisis Nursery.  Located at Fairhills Mall.  Schedule here.



Santa StorytimeCalling all kids!  Santa will read his favorite stories at Barnes & Noble on December 5th from noon until 4:00 at the Holiday Bookfair to support First Book-Greater Springfield. Plan to do your holiday shopping while children listen to stories and create gifts in the "Elf Workshop."  Details here. Can't make the event? Donate books now through December 11th at Marine Bank or WTAX!


Children's Discovery MuseumSanta Pajama Party at Children's Discovery Museum in Normal.  Saturday, December 5th at 6:00 p.m.  Details here.



Wine and Wellness eventDecember 10th: A Night of Wine and Wellness with Dr. Martha Nessler at It's All About Wine.  Learn about women's health issues including Nutrition, Fertility, Osteoporosis, Thyroid, Pre-and Post-Natal and more!  $20 a ticket.  Details here. 


The Nutcracker

Purchase your tickets to the 35th Annual Springfield Ballet Company's production of The Nutcracker, December 12 and 13th at Sangamon Auditorium.  Details here.




ConnectED PairsConnectED Pairs has their 2010 schedule online including their new 10 Great Dates in Decatur program.  Invest in your relationship!  Check out upcoming seminars here.



sale_icon


St John's Upcoming FundraisersTONIGHT!  Private Quarter and Swarovski Sale to benefit St. John's Children's Hospital.  Details here.




LuersLuers Family Shoes & Kidz' Kloz 20% off through December 5th.




IL State Fair 2009
Holiday MegaPass Sale for Illinois State Fair: $50 Includes 10-day pass plus FREE lanyard.



Zuke'sOrder online before December 31st and your favorite canine will enjoy Zuke's all-natural Dog Treats for 20% off.






Whats_Happening_IconWhat's Happening is updated every week with the latest fun for you and your family!  Bookmark this page.  

Thank you to all of our Premium Sponsors.
 

FEATURED PREMIUM SPONSOR:  Marine Bank
Marine Bank

From now until December 11th, drop off new children's books at the six Springfield Marine Bank branches or the WTAX studios.  Monetary donations to First Book- Greater Springfield will also be accepted at all Marine Bank locations.
 
The books collected will be distributed to children in need through the Springfield School District on December 17th. We hope you will help us give the "gift of reading" this holiday season!  More info here.



PLATINUM SPONSOR

 
SJCH-1SJCH-2

Kids Health Check courtesy of

BRONZE SPONSORS 

Best,
Kim

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Kim Leistner Little
Founder and President
Springfield Moms
[email protected]