One of the Coolest Places in the World

Every Monday Kate and I used to go to a Mommy and Me music/movement class. It was run by a 6th grade teacher who recently had a baby and started the class because she wanted to provide an affordable class for other moms. We loved going, but when attendance dropped in the summer, she wasn't able to continue the class. Kate and I have been lookin for a good replacement, and this week, I think we may have found it. There is a place in downtown Sacramento call Art Beast. It's a little more pricey, so I don't think we'll go every week, but it was the most amazing Kid's place I've ever been. It's a 3 and 1/2 story building. One level is covered in art supplies, including a big plexiglass wall that you can paint and wash off. The basement is covered in dress-ups and musical instruments (including a piano and drum set) and has a mini-stage, a puppet theater, and a rocket ship. The courtyard has water play, a sand box and, and a 'sound garden'. There is also a loft where kids can climb around. The top level has a baby area with lots of soft toys to climb on and a room for classes. Monday morning there are two baby classes in a row, a half hour of music and a half hour of art. We were too late for the music class, but we did get to join in on the art class. It was AMAZING. The "paints" were all eatiable, flour, water, oats, cheerios, tumeric powder, and ground beet root. It took Kate a minute to warm up to it. She started by just playing with the wisk and measuring cup, but once she realized what all the other babies were doing, she dove right in, hands, feet, and mouth.

We spent a lot of time in the other areas. Here's Kate playing in the baby zone....

Playing the drums...........

and in the Sound Garden........

We ended up staying almost two hours in total! It was a wondeful day and Kate had a blast!