We did something like this: Body+18-55mm VR+55-300mm VR+Nikon school DVDs for around $930. The lenses are better than Canon's.
http://www.digitalreview.ca/content/Canon-Rebel-T3i-EOS-600D-Compared-to-Nikon-D5100.shtml
Also, get a Hoya UV 52 mm filter http://www.amazon.com/Hoya-Digital-Multi-Coated-Frame-Filter/dp/B00009R98A/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1321301133&sr=1-1
or 58 mm one: http://www.amazon.com/Hoya-Ultra-Violet-Coated-Filter/dp/B00009R9A1/ref=sr_1_8?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1321301133&sr=1-8