Today was Ella’s leavers party at nursery. Saying goodbye to all the children leaving to go to school or pre school. They had a great day, with bouncy castle, games and party food.
There was still very much a party atmosphere when I arrived to collect her and there were lots of parents as well as children in the toddler room. I was struggling to see where Ella was in all the chaos… One of the nursery girls saw me looking and pointed me in the direction of their outside area.
And there, away from the crowd was Ella having her face painted. Something she has never been keen to have done before. Apparently she had said no all afternoon then changed her mind at the last minute. She was sitting beautifully still, having a pink, glittery butterfly painted on her face. She smiled when she saw me but didn’t move, just signed and said ‘butterfly’.
I got a little bit teary, she looked so grown up sitting there – my independent, chatty and beautiful little girl. So proud of how far she has come from the little 9 month old baby I first dropped off at the nursery, with a bagful of spare clothes and medical equipment (and a suitcase full of worries and uncertainties). I’ll always remember the staff and the nursery fondly – the place where my girl learned to fly…
Unfortunately I’d had to wash her face before we managed to skype daddy tonight (tiredness and rubbing the eyes not such a great look when you’ve got your face painted!), I did get a few pictures of my little butterfly though…
Amy Dunn
Our first baby, Ella Mary, was born at the end of November 2010. We were shocked to find out soon after her birth that she has Down's Syndrome. I was determined from the start that Down's Syndrome will never define Ella or what she is able to do. We will provide for her everything she needs to become the child and the person she deserves to be. There will be hard times ahead.... there are already many hard times behind us. But I already know that the good times will always outweigh the hard times. She has taught me so much in such a short time and seeing life from a new perspective is a privilege that not many of us get the chance to experience.
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