A "toy swap" is a toy exchange of sorts.  If you have a toy your child has outgrown or no longer  plays with, you may bring it to the Toy Swap and take home a toy that might be of more interest to your child to keep, and someone else may have a child who would really love to have the toy you donated.  My youngest child is just turning four, so I have some toys that are too young for all my boys and I will pick one of those to bring for the Toy Swap.  It is a nice way to get a variety of toys without spending more money.  We can do a toy swap different times int he year.  Another time you might return the toy you took the first time and get still a different one.  I haven't decided what I am bringing yet.  Anyone who breings a toy to swap  may take home a different one.  People who don't bring in a toy may not take a toy.  We just ask that people clean the toy ahead of time and please not bring in broken toys.  Participation is optional but just a fun thing we want to offer to those interested.  We also are developing a library of materials for loan on a monthly basis includign educational activites with suggestions on haow to use the materials, books, and CDs. 

You are more than welcome to bring in everyone!!  You don't need to bring in anything -- we should have plenty for them to do.  We fully planned that in order for many families to participate all children would need to be included.  The PLAYNET Kids group will be doing what I think of as "productive play".  The kids will either through group activites or in activity centers participate in play that will enhance learning and social interaction. 

I noticed that you had checked an interest in helping from time to time with the peer social activity children's group.  I wonder if I might ask your help at the October meeting with that group?  (There's nothing like jumping in with both feet - ha!)  I am seeking to have at least two parent volunteers to assist with the activity centers each month so no one has to do it every month.  In addition, I am trying to establish trained individuals through Respite care services who are knowledgeable in working with children with disabilities to assist with this group. Any parent helper would just need to come about 6:15 to give me time to explain what portion of the activity centers you would be supervising.  You could also keep your daughter with you in the activity centers OR we will also have babysitting for that age children in the nursery.  My four year old will probably go to the nursery if I can tear  him away from the fun activity centers!  A very dear lady from my church has volunteered to help with the babysitting of the little ones.    I will probably ask another parent to asssist there, as well.

 Any siblings that are 6 years and older will have a group of their own that will discuss their unique needs as a brother or sister of a child with special needs, and include some fun games and activites as well as the serious stuff.   My oldest son, age 11, for example has had to address the hurtfulness of  children at school who have made fun of his Autistic brother, and has to be understanding when his brother does things like chewing up his Game Cube AC adapter, or tears up a book, or when he feels Mom and Dad spend more time on David!  Our Sibling group is  modeled after "Sibshops" and will use a book called "Oh Brother Growing up with a Special Needs Siblings" and another book, "Views from our Shoes" as a jumping off point for their discussion.  If they are anything like my 11 year old they will all have stories to tell and things to talk about relating to growing up with a special needs sibling. 

Are you going to stop by Kid's Fair this Saturday?  It is at the  Linton Armory from 10am - 2 pm.  I know taking kids out can sometimes (OK usually) be a challenge, but this is an activity designed with kids in mind and each table has an activity for kids, plus there are all kinds of neat door prizes being given away.    You can stay as long or short a time as you like. 

I hope to see you there, and please let me know if you think you might asssit with the activity centers in October.  This is new to all of us and October will be our first meeting with the kids present so you don't have to worry that you don't know the "way things are supposed to be" because none of us do yet - HA! 

Best,

Ronda

Misty wrote:

    I was looking at the pamplet that J brought home from school and I noticed that the Oct. 19th meeting said something about a Toy Swap.  Can you tell me what this is ?  And also; my husband works second shift and I have no baby sitter at the times of the meetings.  Is it okay that I bring both of my kids with me?  I can bring things with them to help keep them occupied if that is the case.  Is that why it says Parents; Siblings and Playnet kids?  You'll have to bear with me...I've been having a rough week already with J.....

    Also; I am looking forward to meeting you all in person at the Kids Fair.  I hope to get up there anyway...J is on the bowling League on Sat. am's and; I know this sounds weird; but I have a date with the woods seeing it is the opening weekend of deer season.  That is my little get aways every fall.  I love to go archery hunting !!  Its so peaceful out there all alone in the woods !! Just you; the deer (hopefully) and God... its my "Mommy Timeout" :) and a chance to spend time with my husband doing the things we have in common.

    Anyway.......enjoy the week............   Mis