Gymboree Play and Learn

Today we decided to go and check out a free sample class that is offered by Gymboree. These classes are called "Play and Learn." The offer music, art and imaginative play. It was really fun. I am seriously considering doing the art and music classes when we finish with Summer Camp. They are doing a "bonus class" right now where you get two for the price of one...I think.

This was Laura their teacher. She had a really pretty singing voice and knew a lot about music.

At the beginning of the class the kids each introduced themselves while hitting a drum and singing a song.

The had a section on rhythm. They hit two sticks together to a song. They were pretty good.

Lincoln with his scarf.

We did a "dance" with scarves to the song "I Could Have Danced All Night," from "My Fair Lady." It was funny to watch the boys with the scarves. Most of the other kids in the class were girls so they were trying to do what the girls were doing. Way funny.

The symbols...need I say more?

This was an interesting instrument. You swirled the stick around the outer wood and it made a really neat sound.

This was a rainmaker.

At the end of each class the kids get a stamp.

When we were done with the music class the director asked us if we would like to try the play and learn class. We decided to try it out. This class is structured around imaginative play. They picked apples (beanbags) off a tree and made applesauce, played with a huge parachute, planted flowers and watered them and a lot of other things that were oh so fun and I have already forgotten them. It was so great.

The boys diving into the "leaves." This seriously looks like he is going to do a belly flop on the floor. Don't worry, he didn't

Quite the dive!

Here they are planting flowers in the garden.

Hunter watering the "flower garden."

After they watered the flowers there was a huge jar of bug finger puppets they got to choose from.

The boys flew the bee puppets to all of the flowers.

This bouncy tube was a favorite. They all bounced on it together-the best part was flying off.

Bubble time! The teacher brought out a little thingy that made these tiny bubbles. Much better than the big ones, because they absolutely couldn't catch them and it kept them pretty busy. In this picture one landed on Lincoln's nose.

At the end of the class each of the kids got a hug from this Gymboree clown. Hunter was all about it. He did end up clocking the clown in the face later, but that is beside the point.

Lincoln got a hug too. Palmer wasn't so in to hugging a stuffed clown...but he liked the rest of the class.