June 13, 2008

It's been a long week. Summer vacation is right around the corner. I'm still in the process of trying to fill up Olivia's days before and after EYS (Extended Year Services). Olivia does best with a well scheduled routine with other kids.

She's been unable to concentrate at home lately. She's sad that she's leaving the second grade. Times of transition are always rocky in this house. I guess there is stress when any one's schedule change so traumatically.

Our town has a Summer Rec program Mon-Thurs 8-2 & Fri 8-11. So the first half of summer is going to be pretty busy. Although Olivia will not be able to attend all week at Rec. because her hours for Sec. 24 are only 25 which will leave off Fridays in order for her to have 4 full days at Rec. She can not be left alone there because it's not a structured enough of a program for the counselors to focus exclusively on Olivia. She can be very impulsive and has serious "stranger danger" issues.( I would go but for Abigail. I have nobody to watch her. She's to young to go and I have nobody to watch her. I can't afford a babysitter.)

I'm hoping in July we can arrange for her to go to EYS and have Fridays at Rec. until the Rec. program is over. Having sec. 24 come in about 4 hours a day. Which isn't much help for Olivia.

Then comes August....ugh, I have yet been able to find something she could do until school starts again which I hear is the last full week of August. 2 or 3 weeks with nothing to do will drive everyone crazy.

I have workbooks and papers from the teachers to help keep her busy, but It won't be enough to keep her occupied for long. Also It helps to keep her on track before the school year starts again where it takes her longer to catch up then average kids. I highly advocate for school all year long.

Our area youth sport programs don't have anything she's interested in until until Sept. I'm not very religious but I am hoping to locate a summer school program for August. I think she would benefit from learning the stories: The good Samaritan and the like.

I am also trying to find something for Abigail. She would like to participate in activities like her sister but our funds have depleted miserably. We are lucky to government funding for Olivia so she can go to Rec. and possibly anything else I can find for her to do up to a certain amount which we apply for yearly.

So, wish me luck finding something for her to do so I won't need services from the government. :)