Bring Your Grandparents to LMNOP

It is such a heartwarming day when our participants bring their grandparents to LMNOP, Language Music ‘N Our Peeps, at GiGi’s Playhouse Lancaster for Grandparents Day each year! LMNOP is an interactive and engaging program designed to guide parents and young children through learning basic sign language and other forms of communication using music and language-based activities; recommended for ages newborn to age 3. At GiGi’s, we believe that grandparents are such an important part of their grandchild’s life and story. It seems that such a unique bond forms between children with Down syndrome and their grandparents. We have heard that becoming a grandparent to a baby with Down syndrome can be overwhelming, with a mix of emotions and varied feelings. We are here to let you know that it is okay to feel that way, and we want to be here to encourage and support you.  Here are some photos and statements from Grandparents Day this year. We invite all grandparents to join us at GiGi’s Playhouse Lancaster at any time. We look forward to connecting you with other grandparents and families, as we experience this journey together!  

Meet Lucia and her Grandparents… 

“GiGi’s is a huge blessing to the community! Grandparents Day was so beautiful. God bless you all for giving such wonderful opportunities to our beautiful and very special granddaughter.” 

-Lucia’s grandmom 

“I thought it was a terrific program and the future plans for the new building are well planned. We are looking forward to coming up again! Keep up the great work and all the best with the renovations and new programs.” 

-Lucia’s grandfather 

“God has blessed us with our beautiful granddaughter Lucia, who reminds and teaches us how special we all are in God’s eyes.  She and all will have a very loving place to always remind them how special they are.  The tour of the expanded new center will be a wonderful place full of love and learning for all ages. Looking forward to growing with you and the center for years to come.” 

-Lucia’s Opa 

Meet Addy and her Grandparents… 

“I wanted to take a minute and thank you and GiGi’s for having the Grandparents Day event. My wife and I were impressed with the program and all you do for these children. It was abundantly clear that these kids benefit immensely from the programs you provide. They were so happy and unassuming. It was a pleasure being around them. We have learned a lot about Down syndrome since having Addy in our lives. She is truly special to us, and we are blessed to have her. We were not aware of the adult programs you do and in general, all the different programs provided in such a small space. Thank you for the tour and we would love to see the new facility once it is up and running. It will be a huge improvement and be able to serve these kids and programs so much better.”   

-Addy’s Nan & Pap 

Meet Lily and her Grandparents… 

“We most recently enjoyed Grandparents Day at GiGi’s Playhouse Lancaster. As with every program we have been to, it was very well planned and run. And just plain fun!! What I enjoyed the most was the interaction between the children and the families throughout the program. GiGi’s has been huge for my granddaughter, Lily. She has a second home there. There are many programs and activities there that she enjoys. And the social aspect for all of the families is huge. Sharing time with the other families, we’ve met some of the nicest people! We are very thankful that GiGi’s is there. As far as being a grandparent to a child with Down syndrome, to me, it’s the same as being a grandparent to my other granddaughter… Wonderful!” 

-Lily’s Grandma 

Meet Benson and his Grandparents… 

Benson was honored to have family come to our Grandparents Day program two years in a row. 

“Being the grandparent to a grandchild with Down syndrome, I constantly feel amazed at the amount of love we receive from Benson. To us, GiGi’s is a safe judgment free zone. 

When we go to GiGi’s or watch videos of Benson, he is always so happy doing his own thing, and that is always okay! A Best of All moment that sticks in my mind and heart are when Benson, Ben and Michele cross the home plate together as a family! We are so proud of the family they are becoming and a lot of that has to do with the love and support of their GiGi’s family. Thank you for being there for all of us.” 

-Benson’s Papa & Nana 

“I feel honored to be his Benson’s YiaYia. He has taught me so much already about love and acceptance. GiGi’s is such an awesome place where he can be himself and always be accepted. GiGi’s has provided a safe space for Benson and his parents and been such a blessing for all of us. I feel that Benson’s Best of All is that he has developed such a confidence while at GiGi’s and you can tell he knows he’s 100% accepted and loved.  

The volunteers at GiGi’s are amazing and I am so thankful for all they do not just for my grandson but all of the participants and their families.” 

-Benson’s YiaYia 

Happy Grandparents Day to all of our Grandparents!