Our Saturdays at Gymboree

There are simply no words for how much I enjoy my hour each Saturday with Shelby at Gymboree. Jack normally comes too, but he had a scheduling conflict this week, so it was just me and my baby girl. It's our special time, our fun, our special treat.

Shelby has been in the Play & Learn class for just over a month and it is now really getting fun to watch her participate, interact with others and motor around the various obstacles. When we started the class she was just learning to crawl, but she has now mastered that skill and is weeks away from walking (and running!) all over the place. Like most babies, Shelby thrives on routine, so this class is perfect - there are quite a few re-occurring elements, but the teachers also do a fantastic job of mixing things up to challenge the kiddos and work on a specific aspect of their physical growth. This week's focus was lower body strength. Once she hits the mats, she takes off - she knows those rainbow plush mats mean freedom!

Today was so fun, for the first time, she was able to go through several of the obstacles "properly" and participated in Gymboree's signature "Air Log Push." Imagine a giant air-filled tube, rolling along the floor, powered by tiny hands and feet. Adorable. Because I was solo, I could not snap a photo, but I was one proud mama, today was the first time Shelby could actually walk along and push the air log. Hooray Shelby Pie!

The class typically concludes with Busy Boxes (for fine motor skills), Bubbles, Parachute Time, an appearance by Gymbo the clown and then finally some closing songs. Again, today was a turning point, she LOVED the bubbles and leaped out of my lap to attack the teacher holding Gymbo....a little clown, stuffed in a cone that pops up and down to the lyrics of the song. Hands down, Shelby's favorite.

Shelby on a mission to attack Gymbo!

Fortunately, they have a cute little retail space in the reception area so I can buy a Gymbo for the house too! My dad said we grew up with a similar clown in our house called "Woofy Goofy," who knew?