Spreading Down syndrome awarenessA group of 18 Physical Therapistsand Occupational Therapists fromdistrict 54 came to the Playhouse tolearn more about our facility andDown syndrome!! They came withgreat questions and such a caringinterest in our children. We reallyenjoyed meeting with them anddiscussing many topics. It wasamazing for us to see how many ofour kids they work with in school andto see how proud they were to seepictures of their students on ourwalls. It was a great exchange forboth groups!We have groups coming in to the Playhouse for tours on a weekly basis!Therapy centers, schools, children’s organizations etc…We also go out into the community to do presentations. This month wepresented to the medical board and the therapists at Easter Seals inDupage County and to the St. Charles Mother’s Club in St. Charles. Wehave more presentations scheduled throughout the year.We would love to meet with more interested groups at any time. Ifyour group is interested, give the playhouse a call and we'll set up adate. You can not give us a better compliment than to ask to learn moreabout our children with Down syndrome!

Loving a child with Downsyndrome is contagious…Help us spread the love!!!

GiGi’s PlayhouseApril 2006

Down Syndrome Awareness Centerswww.gigisplayhouse.com

Now with two locations!

Our Thursday openPlay group isgetting younger!!Actually, besidesthese 4 new comers,we had 7 other kidswith Down syndromefrom the ages 1-5!!Not to mention sib-lings, grandparents,and other extendedfamily that stopped

by!! We had some great networking going on that day!! All of these newbabies received “The GiGi’s Playhouse Celebration Packet”, which has bibs(that they are all wearing), a Down syndrome awareness bracelet, our 2006calendar, note cards, bookmarks and other Down syndrome resource info.

One...two...three...No...Four new friends!!

“We wanted to thank you and Kathy so muchfor our wonderful visit to GiGi’s Playhouse!Many of the therapists have emailed me to sayhow much they enjoyed it and how enlightenedthey were to learn more from the parentsperspective. It was all good!”

HEAR YE! HEAR YE!We will be hosting a

Town Hall MeetingSunday, April 30th

at 4:00 p.m.Pizza and

refreshments will beserved. We are

looking for anyonewanting to get involvedwith GiGi's Playhouse!

Bring all your friendsand family that said

they want to help. Weare going to haveopportunities for

everyone:from working with the

kidsto decorating the

playhouseto volunteering for

the 5Kto planning a gala for

GiGi's Playhouseand everything in

between.Bring your own ideas

as well!

We want to hearfrom you and we

want to help makeGiGi's Playhouseyour playhouse

too!!

Come to hear moreabout it. We would

love to see you there.

We need your RSVP’s in order to getthese programs ready!!The 3rd Annual GiGi’s Playhouse

Down Syndrome Awareness 5k Fun Run/1 Mile Walk

Sunday June 11, 2006 @ 9 AMBusse Woods, Elk Grove Village

The Friday Friends (ages 18 & up)partied hard at the February Sock

Hop!! One Mom wrote in:

“Richard really had a great time atthe 'sock hop' last week and is stillexcited about his 'new dance steps'he learned. (Great exercise!) Thankyou for everything”

Cool! Fun and fitness too!!

Give me a “G”!!!The Carmel High

School Cheerleaderswill be hosting a

4 session clinic inApril and May atGiGi’s Playhouse.

They will stretch thegirls, teach them

some fundamentals& techniques, acouple of side

chants, & a dance.At the last session

they will perform forthe parents. Thedates are SundayApril 9, SundayApril 30, Sunday

May 7, Sunday May21. From 1:30-2:30.

Hippty Hop it's time to Hop onover to GiGi's Playhouse for our

3rd Annual Easter EggHunt!!! The Hunt will take

place onSaturday April 8, from 1-3

There will be lots of eggs to befound and a SURPRISE VISIT

from a VERYSPECIAL GUEST!

RSVP, ASAP to reserveyour basket.

Friends and family welcome!

The kids from the Polishplay group loved the new

caterpillar!

A big thank you to TheKotel Family Foundation fordonating this AWESOME

tunnel! It is not only fun butgood physical therapy too!

Heather Andresscelebrated her 6th

birthday at thePlayhouse with allof her friends from

school! Great fun andgreat awareness too!!

To book a Downsyndrome related eventjust call the Playhouseand reserve the date!

The 2 and under group had a great turn out! We even had visitors fromNew York and Wisconsin! We are adding a 3-5 year old group

immediately following this group on the SecondSaturday of the month from 11-12:30. (more info on back of newsletter)

Attention FutureOlympians!!

The Special Olympicsgymnastics coach is looking

for some early recruits!!Tumbling classes for kids

ages 3-8 are coming toGiGi’s Playhouse!!!

A doctor’s note and releaseform will be required for

your child to participate inthis program.

To reserve a spot (only 10tumblers per session) please

call the Playhouse.This class will be held

onSaturdays

from4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Future Friday Friends is a new facilitated playgroupfor ages 6-8 year olds. This group promotes inter-action and has one hour of facilitated play and onehour of “dinner time” where good manners areencouraged!

Gather your friends and familyand show your support by

running, walking,volunteering and or

sponsoringthis awesome event!

Food, fun and entertainment!

Registration begins April 1st atwww.gigisplayhouse.com.Registration forms will also bemailed in the May newsletter

All proceeds benefitthe GiGi’s PlayhouseFree “Learn to Read”

Literacy Program.

Everyone is welcome at GiGi’s Playhouse! Due to the need for scheduling volunteers and acquiring supplies, reservationsare greatly appreciated. (847) 885-PLAY, or you can e-mail

gianni4567@aol.com or sloenneke@gigisplayhouse.com. Feel free to leave a message!Check the website for constant updates and to see pictures of the activities www.gigisplayhouse.com!

APRIL

Open Play-Everyone is welcome! Stop by for pizza, pop and fun! We have volunteers to assist with the kids so the parents can hang out! It is awesome!!!!Open Birthday party-If you were born in April or just love a good birthday party come on by! The birthday child gets a gift and everyone gets a goodie bag!The literacy program- GiGi’s Playhouse provides FREE private tutoring to children with Down syndrome. Customized materials are provided for each individ-ual student. The program also assists teachers and parents on how to tutor their children.“Future” Friday Friends– AGES 6-8 Only. Kids create lasting friendships through facilitated interactive play, while promoting good social skills. Each sessionends with a pizza dinner in which social skills and table manners will be encouraged.Friday Friends- Ages 18 and up only. Party with the gang! Equal numbers of peers with Down syndrome as without. Karaoke, dances, laser tag, bowling,prom, movie nights, friends and fun!2 and under group– Families with kids 2 and under get together to play, and have fun while the parents network with each other!Hispanic Group- Spanish speaking families gather for food, fun, friendship and education.Polish Play Group– Polish speaking families gather for an afternoon of fun and friendship.5k Training– 12 week training program for the 5k! Contact Gaylegio@yahoo.com or call the Playhouse for information.

The Playhouse can be reserved for any Down syndrome related event. When available it may also be used by other groups with special needs.For GiGi’s Playhouse Too (Plainfield location) calendar of events go to www.gigisplayhousetoo.com or call 630-778-PLAY

297am 5k training

Tumbling Class4:00-5:00 RSVP

28FridayFriends

7:00-9:00(ages 18 & up)Karaoke andpizza party!

27Open Play

12:30 – 2:00

26LiteracyProgram

10:00 – 2:00— — — — — — —

5k training 6pm — — — — — — —Reserved 7pmSupport group

25LiteracyProgram

9:00-12:003:30 –6:30

24LiteracyProgram

9:00 – 3:00

— — — — —

5k training 6pm

23Polish Play

Group1:00-3:00

RSVP Greatly Appreciated (847)885-PLAY

*** Friends & Family are always welcome at thePlayhouse and there is No Charge for GiGi’sPlay-house events.

30Cheerleading

1:30-2:30 RSVP!GiGi’s TownHall! 4:00

17am 5k training

— — — — —Open

B-Day Party!10:00 –12:00— — — — — -

Reserved 12— 6

GiGi’s Playhouse is located 3 miles West of WoodfieldShopping Mall next to Schaumburg Toyota in theBrandess Center.1069 W. Golf Road.Hoffman Estates, IL.60194847-885-PLAYwww.gigisplayhouse.com

227am 5k training

Ups for DownsLunch with Kids

11:00 – 1:00Tumbling Class

4:00-5:00 RSVP

21“FUTURE”

FridayFriends

4:30 – 6:30(Ages 6-8)

20Open Play

12:30 – 2:00

19LiteracyProgram

10:00 – 2:00 — — — — —5k training 6pm

18LiteracyProgram

9:00-12:003:30 –6:30

17LiteracyProgram

9:00 – 3:00— — — — — —

5k training 6pm— — — — — —

Scrapbooking7:00

16HAPPYEASTER

157am 5k training

Tumbling Class4:00-5:00 RSVP

1413Open Play

12:30 – 2:00

12LiteracyProgram

10:00 – 2:00— — — — — — —

5k training 6pm

11LiteracyProgram

9:00-12:003:30 –6:30

10LiteracyProgram

9:00 – 3:00— — — — — —

5k training 6pm

9Hispanic Open

Play 11:00-1:00 Cheerleading

1:30-2:30RSVP only

8 7am 5k training

— — — —& Under

Play Group10:00 – 11:00

— — — — -Easter Egg Hunt

1:00-3:00

7“FUTURE”

FridayFriends

4:30 – 6:30(Ages 6-8)

6Open Play

12:30 – 2:00

5LiteracyProgram

10:00 – 2:00_______________

5k training 6pm_______________

SpecialIntentions 7:00

4LiteracyProgram

9:00-12:00&

3:30 –6:30

3LiteracyProgram

9:00 – 3:00

5k training 6pm

2

SaturdayFridayThursdayWednesdayTuesdayMondaySunday

Loving a child with Down syndrome iscontagious...Help us spread the love!!

Our Hoffman Estates location is 3miles west of Woodfield in theBrandess Center next to SchaumburgToyota

This adorable group were broughttogether to meet at the Playhousethrough their on line chat group!!

3 of them came in from Wisconsin!

GiGi’s Playhouse1069 West Golf Road Hoffman Estates, IL 60194Phone: 847-885-PLAYFax: 847-885-4901

E-mail: Gianni4567@aol.com

www.gigisplayhouse.comGiGi’s Playhouse tooPlainfield, IL 630-778-PLAY

GiGi’s Playhouse1069 West Golf Road

Hoffman Estates, IL 60194www.gigisplayhouse.com

Address label

SAVE THE DATE!!! SUNDAY April 30th for our Town Hall Meeting!!!

NEW PROGRAM!!The hop, skipand jumpers!!For ages 3-5

Well a bunch of thekids have outgrown the

2 and under group.(but the parents don’t

want to let go!)So we will be starting a3-5 year old program

directly after the 2 andunder group on the

second Saturday ofthe month from11:00– 12:30.

Yes, there will besome overlapping sothe parents, (ooops I

mean the kids) can stillsee each other!!

We all have so much tolearn from each other!

This program will helppromote creative play and

interactive activities.

Happy Birthday!The GiGi’s Playhouse

“Learn to Read” literacyprogram is almost

a year old!The Inverness and St. AnnesWomen’s club helped us get

started and the 5k Fun Run/1 milewalk and other amazing sponsorsare keeping this program going

strong today!!Thank you to all who have

donated to this ground breakingprogram.

A special thanks to BethSpenadel and Sara Warman forall there help and dedication.

Also a big thank you goes out toColleen Crilly for purchasing twopartitions!! Colleen is the aunt of

Grace Crilly who is in ourprogram. The partitions have

allowed us to create a "readingspace" at the Playhouse.

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE PAIDSCHAUMBURG, IL

PERMIT NO. 93

Please j

oin us Satu

rday

April 8th for

our annual

Easter Egg Hunt!!

Please R

SVP so we m

ake

sure to have e

nough eggs!!

Saturday April

8th

from 1-3 p.m.

Get your pictu

re taken with

the sweete

st bunny in town!!

As you know, themore people see ourchildren the lessthey appear to bedifferent.We need your helpdistributing the 2006Down syndromeawareness calendarsto local schools,hospitals, businessesetc,... Simply pickup the calendarsat the Playhouseand give us a listof where you willbe distributingthem.We have already hadcomments fromschools that theyuse the calendar asan educational toolto teach the kidsabout Down syn-drome! By providingthese tools for freewe can ensure Downsyndrome awarenesswill be going strong!!Help your child andhelp us spread theword!!(The calendars arestill for sale so ifthey are being usedas a gift we do askthat you pay the$10.00. The FREEones will have adonation sticker)

Begins May 13th!!