Bay Area Discovery Museum

It's been ages since I've visited the Bay Area Discovery Museum in Fort Baker/Sausalito, at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge.I actually volunteered at the children's museum back in high school. At the time, they were located in a shopping center and maybe took up one or two storefronts. I'd organize crafts in the art room, pick up all the Colorforms (love those!), and gather up all the fishing boat props strewn about by the kids. I remember helping prepare for the move to the new location, and unpacking once things were moved over. Opening day was my last visit, and at that time, I had no idea the museum would become as big as it is now.
The BADM is set up for children up to age 8 (according to the website). It's a beautiful place to visit and the exhibits/play areas are divided into multiple historic buildings with a courtyard in the center. We started our visit in the Bay Hall, a simulation of local ports, and which houses that big old boat I remember from way back when.
Next we moved on to the outdoor exploration area, Lookout Cove. This was my favorite area, with great trails and observation decks built into the hillside and numerous areas to play, build, and explore.
Although the Discovery Cafe was closed, there were numerous tables available for us to feed the kids before we took them to the art studio. Munch loved painting and squeegee-ing the windows while her friend painted-Last stop was Discovery Hall, which currently has a "Living in Space" exhibit. Most interesting display? The kiosk demonstrating using the toilet, and the "video targeting" technique, in space! (no photos of that!)

We Love Gymbo!

When one door closes, another one opens...It's time for us to say goodbye to Gymbo. We started Gymboree Play & Music classes shortly after I returned to work to give Munch and AudioDad a fun activity to do during the week. Munch loved the bubbles, the music, and the climbing structures. She loved the parachute, getting Gymbo stamps at the end of class, and the make-believe play that her teacher introduced. She'd look for ducks and drop pennies into the fountain, and as a special treat when I wasn't working, would sometimes get to share a green tea Jamba smoothie and some Pirate's Booty with me as an after-class snack. She'd come home and proceed to act out everything she'd just learned, with me, AudioDad, and a few stuffed friends as her students. But she's starting to outgrow the classes, and she's ready for something more independent (from us), so in a couple of weeks we'll be starting gymnastics classes. We've already stopped by the center to check things out. Munch loved seeing the older girls do cartwheels and flips and was ready to run onto the gymnastics floor right then and there. So thank you, Gymbo and teacher Nicolette- we'll miss you!