Today Dylan and I and his Dad met with a few fellow ESA members to discuss homeschooling options, and find out how others were building curriculum, and using the ESA funds.  It was wonderful to meet others that were beginning this process.  We left today feeling a little less alone, and in fact in good company.  I am looking forward to connecting again and hope to meet others as well.  When we got home Dylan thanked me for including him, and I realize that from now on he is included in everything.  This is his journey, I’m just a part.  Though, I see this adventure of homeschooling as my journey right now, I realize that really it is his.  It will be a blip in his memory one day, I hope a good one.

We talked about purchasing curriculum and there is still some question about the details.  It appears that we may be able to purchase materials that are required by the curriculum, however I’m not totally clear if this is so.  I will post more as it is clarified.

We also talked about some concerns regarding the expansion to the ESA program, that will go into effect this next year.  I found an article that addresses some of the concerns and have posted it below.

Dawn from the Civitan center shared the services that Civitan has to offer (especially a very nice music studio with drum set and instruments) and her willingness to create programs that would be of service to us.  She spoke a little bit about the away camp in Williams, in the pines which one parent who had been to visit talked about how beautiful it was.  Their programs would all take ESA funds. http://www.campcivitan.org

Mostly I left our gathering with  a deep appreciation for the resolve and commitment that was evident in the room and an awareness that I had much to learn.

At home Dylan is back to work aimed at finishing his daily work.  Right now he earns TV time when work is completed and chores are done.  He chose to toss the ball a bit before hand to get going.  This really helps him organize himself to read.  I hope we will be able to start therapy at the Midwestern University Eye Clinic again, as well as Speech and OT.  Almost made it to our 1st speech lesson, but instead ended in the ER with DH.  Remember if you ever get a piece of meat stuck in your esophagus, try the grocery store for the remedy first.  I fear the cost of the 3 cans of Coke and 2 Saltines that provided the long awaited relief at the nearby hospital.  I wish I had hit the vending machines before he recieved the pretty bracelet with his name on it.  Grateful, it wasn’t anything else but did wonder for a moment if I could give him a better reason to stay for treatment.

School choice program expands – USATODAY.com.