Trying to Pass the Time

I have to admit it: I really look forward to school starting again - just 3 more weeks! The Buddy finished summer school a couple of weeks ago and now we are in this dead zone where the school district doesn't provide any more programs or services for the special ed students, and the new school year hasn't started yet. It is my most challenging time of the year - to try to keep both kids entertained and still get my normal "jobs" done. This is what we've done since summer school ended:
Tilden Park, Elmo Movie, Park Play date, school shopping at the mall, Pump It Up, swimming, soccer, Jelly Belly Factory, and playing at my mom's classroom. I have even managed a trip to Costco & Trader Joe's with both kids in tow (always a challenge for me!)

Tomorrow we have another park play date and next week I think we're going to the Oakland Zoo and back to Tilden Park. Whew!

The Buddy has spent most afternoons last week and this week at day camp, just to give him some structure and predictability. It has gone well, but ends this week. Next week, he doesn't have any day camp and then the week of the 18th, he'll be at a day camp run by an autism support group we belong to. That is 5 days for 4 hrs/day! I think that will get him back in a good routine for school to start the following week.

We also just started working with a social skills therapist this week. This is a huge area that the Buddy needs to work on. Amazingly, a state agency is paying for the therapist to come 10 hours a week (that's A LOT - most therapists for speech & OT are for 1 hour/week) and they'll help the Buddy work on turn taking and sharing and going out on errands. This is so exciting - and I can't believe someone else is footing the bill! We'll keep you posted on how it goes.

I'd love to hear what everyone else does to pass the time in the summer. It's such a challenge for me because the Buddy has a hard time when he's off his normal school schedule. Enjoy the last few weeks of summer!