Wow, so much has been going on since the last blog entry — namely, my transition into now officially homeschooling all three boys. It has been quite the emotion-laden segue; just ask my ever-patient, always-encouraging hubby, Stephen.

I went from full-on freakout mode the first week to pretty confident mama last week. Getting back in the saddle of homeschooling began with lots twitching, some crying, tons of prayers for help, and then ended with my iPod plummeting into the toilet. Classic.

In contrast, the second week included absolutely no crying, a lot more calm and many prayers of thanks. One day at a time, as the folks in recovery like to say.

Zeke (my only child who LOVES to pose for the camera) soaks in the final visit to the sprayground for the summer.

At least all my mistakes will make good fodder for comic relief way down the road when the boys are older, assuming that I survive this crazy thing called raising and home-educating the 3 Amigos!

But in the meantime, I am constantly learning and adapting, figuring out the best way for me to to just keep it simple and fun. Now, that doesn’t mean we don’t have structure, lessons plans, checklists, and longterm and short-term goals.

But what it does mean is that if life gets in the way of those to-dos, I try to take it in stride. After all, most of those circumstances have valuable learning lessons embedded within them.

Of if we blow off the slated agenda for the day in order to improv, go off on a tangent, take an unscheduled field trip, enjoy each other’s company or just be, I know the world’s not going to come crashing down around us. In fact, it probably means we’re doing pretty darn good.

When he’s not horsing around, Gabriel can be quite the model, too, especially when he’s donning cool head gear.

But what I must come to expect is that every new school year, there is going to be a learning curve, with new subjects, new expectations, newly matured students, new commitments, and a new mama-teacher with another year under her belt. I should embrace this metamorphosis rather than fight it.

So, having said all that, let me express love and gratitude to Stephen for being my cheerleader (and a great teacher in his own right), my extended family for being so supportive, and my homeschool community for their constant encouragement and sharing of knowledge.

Let me also thank my awesome and inquisitive kids for (almost) always being ready for a new challenge, and of course, my incredible God for calling me to and equipping me for this wild ride called homeschooling. As I always say, it’s never a dull moment!

Houston’s just thrilled to add his new little plastic army men to the boys’ Fort Apache set — totally worth the impulse-buy purchase from Target’s dollar section.

So, CC community kicked off on 9/3. Houston is in Apprentice (stage 2 of Foundations) and Gabriel and Zeke are in Abecedarian (stage 1). I requested that the twins have separate tutors to give them a break for one another, as well as let each be his own person in his own class with his own unique experiences.

I think Gabe and Zeke really like the dynamic thus far ’cause they seem to be thriving doing the solo thing. And Houston, of course, loves having three hours away from bros. Plus, his class is led by one of his favorite buddy’s mom and includes a lot of his friends from last year.

We are in Cycle 2 this year; if you recall, CC has three cycles of memory work during the grammar stage of study. Last year’s history was mostly ancient stuff, but this year’s focus is one the Middle Ages. Obviously, the boys are quite enthusiastic about studying medieval history, knights, feudalism and the like.

The Fine Foursome: Piper, Zeke, Gabriel & Jackson enjoy the last days of summer.

I am making my first attempt at lapbooking this year. For those of you who are not in the know, the gist is that these are hands-on learning tools that are put together by student and mom on a weekly basis, and are supposed to augment the child’s CC memory-work experience.

Sweet Christie gave me a primer on the ins and outs of making a lap book, which entails lots of printing, cutting, folding, gluing and organizing, and even more so when you’re making separate lapbooks for three students. It was pretty overwhelming at first, but I think I finally have a fluid system for getting these things assembled.

The boys first night of Awana was 9/4. I’m excited to get the 3 Amigos involved for the full nine months of the program. Houston is in Sparks, which “ignites the curiosity of … kids to learn about the people and events of the Bible, building a foundation of wisdom for knowing Christ.”

“The Americans are losing, but they’re trying to get freedom,” Asher said to Houston during this battle. But Big Hashy often plays another war game called “Get off my property.” Little libertarians in the making makes for a happy mama!

The twins are Cubbies, which “celebrates the spiritual potential of preschoolers … by helping them develop respect for God, His Son and His Word.” Basically, the difference is a more intense curriculum for the older kids, but still a hefty bit of verse memorization even for the Cubbies.

So far, the dudes are really into it, and are extremely pumped about earning patches for their cool vests. They also get to see Asher and Jackson, and a few other CC and old Westover buds at Awana. Whatever motivates my kids to delve into the Bible and become a mature follower of Christ works for me!

Then on 9/5, Houston resumed piano. His teacher, Miss Julie, was surprised how well he played, considering it was his first lesson since breaking his elbow back in early July. Way to go, Music Man!

The 3 Amigos show off their completed passports from their “Around the World” summer studies.

Speaking of the ol’ elbow, Houston has healed incredibly well. The x-ray at his orthopedist appointment on 8/30 showed this, but his physical therapy sessions prove it.

We had been meeting with his PT, Mr. Scott, biweekly and then weekly. And now Houston has only one more therapy session ’cause he has gained back all movement and mobility of both flexion and extension. Thank you, Lord, for the amazing progress!

8/30 also happened to be my 42nd birthday. Stephen took me out for a fancy dinner, while Miss Jessie watched the boys. Sure, I have my fair share of aches and pains and other age-related woes, but overall, I’m feeling alright and again thank God for good health.

Another proud accomplishment: The dudes completing their Shark Unit. What a nice way to wrap up our summer learning adventures!

We went to Virginia from 9/6-9/8 to celebrate Dina’s, Papa’s and my birthday, as well as Gramsey and Papa’s 50th anniversary! It was lovely family outing, that included hardshell crabs, a riveting cigar smoke with Papa, bonding with Meredith and Gramsey, and Stephen’s and my late-night political rap with Rick and Jacob. Thanks, y’all!

Granny also visited Labor Day weekend. I was able to organize the office (which was still in shambles after the house painting) while Granny took the kids to Chuck E. Cheese. We appreciate all that you do for us, Granny!

Some other fun things …  the boys and I made our last trek to the sprayground on 8/23; went to Dixie’s birthday party on 8/24; gave Houston a faux hawk on 8/26; went to Barnes & Noble to get his Houston’s free summer-reading book and then to Chuck E. Cheese before meeting up with Daddy and the J-Crew for dinner.

Shirtless, shoeless and ready to kick butt, Houston spearheads the backyard wrestling matches with formidable foes, “Double Trouble!”

This weekend was utterly gorgeous, so we spent a lot of time outdoors. On Friday night, we went to a high school football game (it was the twins’ first). And Saturday, Stephen coached the boys in target shooting with the BB gun, as well as with Houston’s bow and arrow.

Today, there was more archery practice with neighbors Dixie and Maddie, as well as a basketball game refereed by Stephen. Thanks for being such a cool, hands-on daddy, Daddy!

We did it … we all survived our first family camping trip! The grand adventure took place from 5/17-5/19 at Myrtle Beach State Park. And to make things even more exciting, we went with our good pals, the J-Crew: Christie, Logan, Asher, Jackson and Piper.

The campground was packed with a diverse array of outdoor enthusiasts and a few family-friendly motorcyclists visiting the Grand Strand for Bike Weekend. In fact, our first night there, we fell asleep to the constant hum of popping, revving and roaring of bikers cruising the beach streets.

Stinky, tired, bug-bitten & sunburned, the J-Crew &  Clan Dillingham manage to get a group shot on the day of our departure.

The second night was filled more with the sounds of nature and many native critters welcomed us to their subtropical forest home. Mosquitoes buzzed about in the surprisingly windless air. Copperheads were spotted at a nearby picnic table. And once the sun set, raccoons brazenly trolled the campsites in search of human food.

Admittedly, our six kids together made for some wildlife of their own, offering up quite the comedy show for our mellow neighbors from Quebec. But the Canadian couple was cool, and it was only expected that our brood was just a tad overstimulated with their introduction to the wonderful world of camping.

Of course, our exhilarating trip also entailed treks to the ocean, and unlike last summer, the 3 Amigos were confident at the beach! The were comfortable in the water and sand, and just relaxed, frolicked and had fun in the sun. We’re looking forward to going back to Myrtle for our family vacation (in a hotel) in July!

A gleeful Gabriel uses two light sabers to battle the surf @ Myrtle Beach.

Overall, the camping experience was a positive one, with some mistakes made, many lessons learned, and lots of good times and memories made. Can’t wait to put our new 10-person tent to use again for the next excursion to some place mountainous and a bit closer to home.

We kicked off our post-camping recuperation early morning on 5/20 with Houston’s adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy. It was an outpatient-procedure that went smoothly, thank God, and rather quickly to boot.

The recovery, on the other hand, has been rough and prolonged. In fact, at Houston’s ENT check-up just last week, the doc said he’s only 80% healed. Each day seems a bit better than the previous and Houston’s sleep apnea has all but vanished, but my brave boy still complains of some lingering throat pain on occasion.

An intent Zeke braces himself in anticipation of the next big wave.

And then if recovering from surgery weren’t enough, the entire family (sans Stephen) has been battling a nasty illness the last couple weeks. It started with Gabriel, whose fever and cough caused him to miss AWANA closing ceremonies on 5/29.

By the next morning, Zeke was hacking, too, so I took the twins the doc. Told it was just a gnarly virus working its way through town, the ailment eventually nabbed Houston, me and even Granny. Our regimen of over-the-counter meds has helped, but none of us is feeling ultra-healthy quite yet.

So, the boys and I had two weeks of major unproductivity. There was little schooling and structure, lots of TV watching and napping, and virtually no outdoor play, and our lethargic moods were accentuated by unusually tasteless food (for Houston’s tender throat) and a general feeling of listlessness.

Although Daddy told Houston & Asher tales of mermen smelling of cucumber, Houston wasn’t dissuaded from taking on the Atlantic & its chilly waves.

Luckily, Daddy never got sick, so he was able to tend to us. Plus, Granny came to visit for Memorial Day weekend to help with Houston’s post-op recovery and also made an emergency trek to town the following weekend to care for the virus sufferers. Sorry we got you sick, Granny!

Getting back in the swing of things, Houston and I kicked off June by finally completing his kindergarten phonics curriculum (although the book says he now is proficient at a second-grade reading level). Whatever … we’re just psyched we survived our first year of phonics and that we can spend the summer gobbling up books galore.

And just when I think I’ve hit a milestone as an educator, Houston proclaims that Ms. Frizzle from his current favorite show, The Magic School Bus, “is the coolest teacher ever.” My immediate reply: “Hey now, I think I get that honor, son.”

Munching on quickie snacks while patiently waiting for the fire to get going is par for the course when camping.

I mean, I might not have a bus that can jet through space or explore the depths of the ocean floor, but I did give my child the gift of literacy, for goodness sake! That should count for some level of coolness, right?!

And just when I needed it most, the CC Practicum took place in Burlington from 6/4-6/6. While the twins attended Play Camp and Houston Geo-Art Camp, I participated in discussions and workshops on this year’s theme: The Art of Arithmetic.

“You cannot teach a man anything, you can only help him find it within himself.” — Galileo

After all, Leigh Bortins, the creator of Classical Conversations, got her degree in aerospace engineering. So she wants to demystify arithmetic for home educators, especially those who have told themselves they just aren’t math people (read: me!)

Houston climbs into the kayak for an ocean voyage that didn’t last pass the breaking waves. Oh well, maybe next time, Mr. Logan!

Here’s the gist of what I learned: Human beings shouldn’t be excluded from any realm of knowledge, and that includes the challenging pursuits of mathematics. So, the more we understand math, the more we can understand beauty and the Creator who made it.

“Mathematics is the language with which God has written the universe.” — Galileo

God is expressed through math in its absoluteness. Math, like God, is unchanging, consistent, orderly and logical. God is the “eternal inventor” of arithmetic, and it’s a privilege to be able to stretch our minds through all learning to better understand our magnificent and benevolent Heavenly Father.

This line of thinking is music to my ears, since I have always struggled with math. So, not only will I be teaching my children all subjects and their connected relationships through our awesome Creator, but I will also be redeeming my own education in the process. Good news!

From superheroes & pirates to cowboys, cops & fire fighters, & shows like “Samurai Jack” to Sunday school studies of the Old Testament battles of Jericho and Ai, the boys incorporate all their current likes into an armed mass of powerful weaponry.

The practicum also serves as fellowship between we Christian sisters (and a few brothers) and a way to foster relationships in the greater homeschool community. It aims to encourage and equip us a parents and teachers, so that we know we can achieve our education goals, even on those inevitable rough days.

The practicum reminds us that that we want our students to desire knowledge, and that each child is “a soul to be nurtured, not a product to be measured.” The annual events are part therapy, part instruction and part sermon — just what the doctor ordered for the tired homeschool mama!

On 6/7, we continued the fun with a few of our fellow CC families and hit Backyard Paradise for the June-birthday-boys bash. Of the six kids from Ms. Murphy’s Abecedarian class, four (including Houston on 6/26) have birthdays this month.

Off to church on Mother’s Day: I could ask for no better gift than my beautiful boys & wonderful husband … I’m so blessed!

So, we moms gathered all six boys and their siblings at the outdoor-play-equipment facility and celebrated the special June occasions. And for gifts, we did a book swap, which worked out great for the kids and didn’t break the parents’ banks.

The next day, Daddy took the 3 Amigos on the first boys-only outing in a while. They chose to go swimming at the Y, and had a blast showing off their matured swimming skills and using their new goggles.

This week, the boys are doing Vacation Bible School at Westover. The dudes absolutely love getting to hang with old friends, and enjoy learning about Paul’s journey to Athens, as well this year’s mission focus on India’s rail children. VBS rocks!