Babygroup, which is run by Donna Holloran is THE mommy and me class on the Westside. I got her info from my boss at work, but I kind of found out too late about it so I couldn’t attend. I currently go to a different mommy and me class at a preschool and I found out most of my little bean’s classmates are Babygroup graduates(?) and most of them still attend. They love this class so much, I actually feel a little left out!

I heard from numerous people that her classes not only are full of useful information but fosters longtime friendship among attendees.

If anyone is trying to become pregnant or recently found out that you are pregnant I would recommend checking babygroup website out.

Babygroup meets in Santa Monica at First Presbyterian Church.

Sunshine Music, which offers music classes and Spanish music class for children up to age 7 has updated winter enrollment information available. Registration closes on January 24th so if you are thinking of enrolling your little one head over to their website available at Sunshinemusic.org.

On their website, you can learn more about their program, view their schedule, and sign up for demo classes! They offer classes in various locations throughout Los Angeles, so you will be able to find a class near you.

habla blah blah classes introduce the sounds and words of Español with fun and whimsy. Addressing multiple learning styles at a child’s critical period of language development, the class invites children and their caregivers to participate in songs, play, and ritualized communication that can be repeated and reinforced easily at home. And it’s fun!

The fall session will focus on the 1st half of habla blah blah’s self-titled CD, habla blah blah: an introduction to the sounds & words of Español, Volume 1 (available for purchase at Play).

• Dates & Details: When: Tuesdays, 11:30-12:15; September 29th – December 8th (no class October 20)
• Ages: Open to children ages 9 months to five years and their caregivers. No previous language skills are necessary.
• Cost: $185 per child Siblings 9 months and over $125. Siblings under 9 months attend FREE Includes 10 weekly classes and unlimited use of Play’s community area on the day of your class.
• Instructor: Valeria Mason (see below)
• Class size: Enrollment is limited to 12 children plus care providers. Register in person at Play or by phone: 323.988.1189
• FREE demo class: Tuesday, September 15th, at 11:30 Reservations are required.
• Please reserve your spot by e-mail.

Valeria Mason, Instructor, habla blah blah Valeria was raised in Mexico City with a passion for music and languages. She is fluent in French and English, and, of course, her native tongue, Spanish. Wonderfully gifted with the violin, Valeria has taught children and adults since 2002 and was last the Dean of the Department of Strings for the Escuela Nacional de Musica, UNAM. Valeria has also been a member of the Suzuki Method Association since 2003.

Andell Family Sundays
12:30–3:30 pm | Free
Join us on Sundays for programs designed especially for families. Make art, explore the museum, or join a bilingual gallery tour. Most of all—have fun!

Power of Color: Abstract Expressionist Art
August 23*, 30, September 6, 2009 | North Piazza
What does red say to you? How about green or purple? Color is one of the most important ways an artist communicates. In LACMA’s permanent collection, check out how abstract expressionists use color. Make your own art or move like a color in workshops with Doran George, May Jong, Daniela Arbizzi, and Quan Yen Trang.

Celebrate Korea!
September 13, 20, 27* | Los Angeles Times Central Court
Join a celebration of the reinstallation of the Korean Art galleries! Special on September 13—Korean dance and music performance with the Korean Classical Music Institute of America. Make your own music with the performers and join in art workshops with Hadley Holliday, Robert Morse, and Quan Yen Trang.

*Family Sundays starts at 11 am just after the Tarfest run! See Tarfest.com for more information.
*Children’s Author & Illustrator: Alex Beard

Brush and Ink: Korean Painting
October 4, 18, 25 | Los Angeles Times Central Court

NexGen offers free general admission to anyone 17 and under as well as one accompanying adult. This includes permanent collection galleries and selected special exhibitions. To join, visit the LACMA box office or print the enrollment form and mail it in.

Form is available at http://www.lacma.org/programs/pdfs/NewEnglishNexGenForm.pdf.

Garden Concerts for Kids 2009
A FREE outdoor music series for families

Dates: Saturdays and Sundays, August 15 & 16, 22 & 23, and 29 & 30, 2009
Time: 4:00–5:30 p.m.
Location: Getty Center, Central Garden
Admission: Free; no reservations required.

Enjoy the best of children’s music in the great outdoors at Garden Concerts for Kids, offering three weekends of kid-tastic, sing-along fun in the Central Garden. Make it an afternoon—come early to browse the galleries, wander the gardens, and enjoy a picnic on the grass.

For more information visit Getty’s website.

Everyone knows that fish can provide valuable nutrition to our kids. I personally love sushi and if I could afford it I probably would eat it everyday.

As a parent when feeding and eating fish, I wonder whether the fish you are purchasing is safe for your whole family. I hear about the dangerous murcury levels in fish, then wonder if I even want to feed the little bean any fish at all.

To find out which types of fish are safe to consume for your little bean and your entire family in your area, head over to Seafood WATCH where you can download pocket guides you can print and carry to the grocery store when purchasing fish so you can make informed choices that are also good for the environment.

When I sit with my little bean for some playtime, I am always searching for some background music for her to listen to. I bought some children’s music on CDs and transferred them over to my itunes, but the library is still very limited. Most of those CDs have twinkle twinkle on it so I am not having much luck exposing her to variety of styles. Also, I have noticed that its very hard to find children’s music at stores such as BestBuy.

Parents with same dilemma, head over to Jitterbug. They have tons of children’s music you can listen for free. Click on the radio and you will have music in the background while you stack blocks so your little one can crawl over and knock it down with the biggest smile.