Opportunity Group

This morning we had to be up bright and early as its our first week back at the Opportunity Group for 5 weeks. I managed early- bright, i wasn't so successful with ;)

Nina had such a lovely time.. and everyone was really happy to see us which was nice.. i took it upon myself to chat to people which is nothing out of the ordinary but i do always seem to end up sat on my own ...still, i didn't feel out of sorts and i really enjoyed it too.. even if i did want to throw up before we left =/ ..the taxi that took us was one we'd had before and so it was great that that was familiar too.. plus, he was asking questions about the group we go to with real interest as his sister, who's now 49, has Downs Syndrome.. it was great to be able to chat about the change in facilities and attitudes etc.. that was cool!

We were a little early today but Nina coped with not being able to open the doors.. she could see all the toys set out nice and tidy- they weren't to stay like that for very long *LOL ..when the doors did open Nina was the first eager beaver thro the door altho i held the door open for a lady with a pushchair- by the time i got thro the door Ninas cardigan had been discarded and she was already climbing the steps of the slide =)

Everything went so smoothly, she waited patiently in the queue for Rick to swing her around and she collected the balls when a little boy who wasn't mobile had pushed them out of reach ..infact, there was only one episode in the middle where she nearly kicked off- that was a little awkward but i sailed thro and managed to get her to sit with the other kids whilst she had a drink and a biscuit and she even responded to another adults offer of a piece of banana.. it seems that she's okay when everyone is in a circle and it all fun and games but anything that comes across as official and she HAS to do it then she objects.. i should possily mention that to Aileen tomorrow i.. so, she sat for all of 5 minutes with 6 other kids around a table and then wasn't the first, or the last to leave.. thats kinda cool.

There was even one point that i'll never forget.. there were quite a few new faces today and so the tea break was broken into 2 sittings.. i was on the first sitting and Nina was happily playing.. only i was watching her and after a few minutes she got up and was stood in the middle of the room shouting "mummy, where've you gone mummy?" .. might seem sad but it was wonderful to see that she cared and was a little fretful and wanted me.. i could have cried at that point- so i went to her, told her i was having a brew and that i would be 'over there' and pointed to the seating area and told her if she wanted me, then thats where i would be.. and she was happy with that and went back to doing what she was going- how awesome is that?? ..talk about progress =))

Before we left everyone help to tidy away and we all sat in a circle to have a bit of a sing-song- Nina LOVES the singing and was up in the middle dancing and singing at full pelt.. she even sat with Jill, the lady who supervises the Group, to do 'Row Row Row your Boat' and 'Round and Round the Garden'.. she was absolutely brilliant and was making everyone laugh... not at her you understand.. but she truly was the star at the end.. =)

So, we're home now [unscathed] and we're just having a drink of coke- it was so warm there today- i felt like i was red as a beetroot and extremely conscious of it too =( ...but once we've cooled down a little i'm going to make cheese butties ...yum!