We are nearing that time of year I love and dread. School will be out in just a few short days. It’s awesome to know my children will all be home. We can sleep in. We can stay up late. We can enjoy some quality family time. Those are all the parts I love.

The not so fun part is keeping Josiah engaged in appropriate activities every day. His routine changes drastically over the summer. With no school, there is alot more unstructured time. Time I need to fill. Time I need to structure. Time I need to be with him one on one, constantly. Not an easy task.

He will go to ESY, extended school year, some this summer. Its 2 weeks on, 3 weeks off for half days. But even that is different from his normal routine. It also involves riding a bus. Josiah is not quite thrilled to be getting on and off the bus still. I had hoped by now his issues, whatever they may be, would be resolved. But, we are still working on it.

So, my task for this summer is to keep him and the rest of the kids, busy and engaged. Last year I bought a book that lists all the places in Houston to visit with children. It’s an amazing compilation of ideas, activities and events all within a 50 miles radius of our home. I thought it would help tremendously. It hasn’t.

Josiah does not do well in new environments. Last night, in a very familiar environment, Josiah did not do well at all. His elementary school had a Variety Show the teachers put on. They all either dance or sing for an end of the year fundraiser. It’s always amazing entertainment. Chandler loves to go every year. Last night, she and I bravely ventured there, with Josiah in hand.

As soon as we arrived, Chandler quickly dashed off to sit with friends. Smart girl! I sat with Josiah in the middle of a row packed with people. Not so smart. Had I needed to get out quickly, it would have been nearly impossible, without making a scene.

Fortunately, Josiah fared rather well during the show. He screamed out a few times, quite loudly actually. But thankfully they were all during loud moments of the performance. Only those right around us heard. I think. I was able to quickly calm him. I’m ashamed to say a couple of times I actually put my hand over his mouth to quiet him. It was a knee jerk reaction, both times. Not a good move.

The end of the show couldn’t have arrived soon enough. We rushed out with the crowds and I was so grateful to only have to walk a few feet to the handicapped space where our van was parked. Josiah was not happy to be walking. He was even less happy to get in the van. He nearly threw himself on the sidewalk beside the van, shrieking.

Chandler jumped in the front seat and shut the door as fast as she could. Lots of people were walking past us and I’m sure it was horrifically embarrassing for her. I couldn’t even get the boy inside the van, let alone in his car seat. I tried and tried but he resisted. He screamed and bellowed and wailed and just laid there on the concrete.

Eventually, I pushed his body up and into the van. I quickly closed his door and climbed in my seat in front of him. It was going to require baby steps to get Josiah strapped in his seat, but at least this way, we wouldn’t be making such a scene. He continued to scream and flail about on the floor of the van.

Once Josiah realized I was in my seat, he quickly jumped into his. Chandler reached back to strap him in but he hurled himself to the ground once again. I tried coaxing him with beads. I tried ignoring him. I tried just sitting and waiting.

The second he climbed back up in his seat, I whirled around like a ninja. I jumped in the back of the van so fast I amazed even myself. As I drew the seatbelt around him, he stiffeend his little body and tried to slide down to the ground. He was fast. I was faster. With one hand I held him in his seat. With the other, I hurriedly buckled his seat belt.

Sweaty and worn out, I climbed back into the driver’s seat. That’s when I started thinking about this summer. Even if Josiah did enjoy going to new places to experience new things, it really wouldn’t be worth it. The battle to get him in and out of his seat belt is exhausting.

I’m really hoping the neighbor pool is a big enough thrill for everyone this summer. It will be a chore to get Josiah there, and into the water, but once there, hopefully it will be fun. It might be easier to just set up camp a few feet away from the water.

I wonder if I can pitch a tent near the pool?