play at Grandrabbit's

And I present to you - the iconic Lynne Milot, the reason this whole wonderful place got started. To life! To laughter! To families! To community! And play. :)

From Lisa and the rest of the staff at play! -

It's time to say goodbye.

As business for us at play! comes to a close we want to thank Grandrabbit’s Toy Shoppe for all its support. We have been so lucky to share a connection with such a long-standing and well-loved business here in Boulder. We wish our Grandrabbit’s family all the best in their continued success.

We know Grandrabbit's is sad to see us go. But here's the exciting part - some new things are on the horizon! Keep watching for announcements of when Grandrabbit's will be doing story time and Play Days. And don't forget their 38th annual Easter Egg Race Saturday, April 4th beginning at 10 am!

And remember - we will be doing a sale of play! toys, supplies and some equipment - Friday 3/27 and Saturday 3/28 from 11 am-3pm. Wait until you see the abundance of toys, craft supplies and games! Really, it's incredible. You can't believe all the beautiful things that are together and for sale in one place.

So, to our play! family and loyal community - We have loved seeing all of you. We are proud to have provided a fun, safe, welcoming place for families to gather, share, and play. What a blast. Cheers! To community gathering places where joyful moments are shared!

And here's a picture of my family because, really, families have always been at the center of our place at play! and I can't think of a more appropriate way to say goodbye.

Until we meet again -
Lisa

Lisa, Jeff and Whitney -

Whitney and Shay

Thank you play! performers, instructors and especially, our play! community of families. What fun we've had. So glad we got to share with all of you.

Whitney. My pal. I wouldn't be here at play! if it wasn't for her.

She pulled it all together, figured it all out, cared about the customers, cared about the instructors, understood the mission. Pals with Lynne too.

She put in so MANY dedicated hours. She totally gets the education piece, the fun piece, the need to serve all kids and families. Super bright. She had the insight to hire Shay which was one of her many piece-of-brilliance moments, I always thought. She streamlined the whole operation. Sharp and witty, cares deeply about the place. Very strong business sense.

On to the next chapter of life, Whitney! Onward and upward! Thanks for it all. We'll see you around. And how it happened that our kiddos are four days apart in age, I have no idea, but happened it did, and I think our meeting was in the stars or something, if you believe in such things. Personally, I think we did some of our best thinking outside my front door in the street underneath the basketball hoop while you pulled up in your car, got out to chat, and I was without shoes and wearing only my socks. Maybe it was some sort of foreshadowing, seeing as how we wore socks SO much at work. :) See you soon. Love you. Thanks for everything.

So, here's the thing - when I first talked to Beth about class, I thought - will I EVER be okay with someone else teaching music and not me? It's going to be weird.

And then she came in. And then she smiled and said hello and we chatted for a bit. And then she went into the room behind me. :) And then she started playing. Wow. Is it a banjo? A mandolin? This is GREAT. LIVE music, here at play. What great energy!

And then her students came in, the families, one after another after another. And the playing continued and she sang - loud and clear and true and with her heart and soul and I thought - YES. I am okay with this. MORE than okay. She's fabulous.

And the families danced and they sang and they listened and played. And we - Beth and me and mostly Whitney actually who made the connection - filled her class at our place, and more people wanted to try it even, right until the last day.

And she and I talked and talked yesterday and her wonderful lively boys ran around and played and - I remember those day, yes I do, because my teen kids are 18 months apart - and...I'm so glad we met. Beth and I are kind of like sisters. Music sisters.

Thank you, Beth, for bringing your music to play!, for sharing music classes with us.

And all of you - Beth not only teaches classes, she plays live music in a few groups too. Look for Beth around town and beyond. And if you haven't already, try one of her classes. You'll be glad you did. https://www.facebook.com/KaleidoscopeKidMusicClass

Jessi B. Onto her next great outdoor adventure gig. Mentoring others. Keeping everything important all together and organized. You remember Jessi, right? I do. So attentive and kind to the kids. A whiz in science. Believes in the mission of educating and helping kids grow in heart, body and mind. I remember the very first day I met her, I saw her getting down on the floor and creating something cool with the kids, and then soon after, carefully helping a quiet toddler put on a shiny cape. :) Jessi had her fan base at play!, no doubt. I know because parents told me, over and over again. And I'm not surprised because I saw for myself that when it comes to kids and education and play, she is the real deal. Cheers! To Jessi!

This morning, I'm feeling mindful of all the people that came before me at play! I know how much the place grew and flourished before I arrived these last few, short months. Such creativity, such hard work. I am so grateful for what they created, for the foundation they set. Thank you.

People that know how to play!

Shay.
There is absolutely no WAY I could have successfully gotten through these last few outrageously busy and complicated weeks without her. Kind to the customers, a natural with marketing and on the computer. I can't even think of the right words to express HOW much I appreciate her commitment, her time, her intelligence and talent. If you ever want something done right, and done with sincerity and a knowing, quiet smile, choose Shay to be on your team. No kidding. Love you, Shay. Thanks for all you've done. Parents - if you see Shay today at work today, thank her, okay? Really. She deserves it.

Lisa Witter, where have you BEEN all our life?
Thank you, thank you, for your Baby Hoots classes these last few months at our place. WholePlay is SUCH a great program and we like the model so very much. We are grateful that our play! parents and their babies found such a supportive, nurturing environment in your group. You are a treasure. And please tell Hope Hewetson, your ukelele player, that I really DO think she is a fine human being too. Time for me to go out and get a tin whistle, per her suggestion! You know, as they say - all the world loves a tin whistle. Same goes for ukes. :) And here's to more and more success as your business continues to grow! There is such a need for parent and child communities around here, and I think your classes are one of THE best ways for parents to connect with the wisdom, warmth and support of you and also one another. Thanks again, Lisa and Hope. To the next chapter -