My New Chauffeur!

I'm sooooo excited! My son Max got his learner's permit today and he is driving! I let him drive to school today and had him take me to the bank. Oh! Life is good! I may never drive again :)

Where does it go?

Yesterday, Max turned 15. It's hard to believe - where did all that time go? It doesn't seem like I just brought him home from the hospital, but surely he can't be older than 8! And of course, he's not your typical 15 year old. There's no backtalk or sneaking or bad grades or all that teenager stuff. He's responsible, inventive, hilarious, and brilliant. I know, he's my kid I can say that :) But really, he is!

He's very concerned about the upcoming election - he enjoys watching Keith Oberman and Rachel Maddow, and questioning anyone he comes across. He has "upgraded" one of our computers and it looks like Dr. Frankenstein was in the basement. He likes to zip around on his pocket bike (think circus clown) and hang out with his friends doing "parquor". (I think that's how you spell it. It's some new sport known as freerunning.) All the while, planning his future as a chemical physicist researcher. Oh yes, he is almost finished with Physics this semester and he loves it. Next semester is Chemistry 111, PreCalculus, and Psychology. He's planning to transfer to VCU in the Fall of 2009 - so we shall see.

Fall Semester

Max got through his summer classes with a 4.0! We are very proud especially since English isn't his favorite subject. This semester he is taking Physics and Algebra 2 at John Tyler, and he is contemplating his future - Research Chemist or Particle Physicist. Oh my!

Doogie Howser checks in

Well Max, our resident Doogie Howser, has gotten through his first couple of weeks of compressed college summer session. At first, he was nervous, then scared he wouldn't be able to keep up with the work load. His teacher, excuse me "professor", seemed like a tyrannt - so many rules! Ah the plight of the homeschooler. So Professor Rand has turned out not to be such a tyrannt. And the work isn't as awful as previously thought - yes, it requires a lot of effort and discipline on his part, but he is finding his groove.

It must be okay - we're already talking about what to take in the Fall!

Max is going to COLLEGE!

I'm just a little freaked out, but my baby (my 14 year old baby) is going to college! We've been in the process for about a month now, but he took his placement test on Tuesday. He got into First Year English Comp, so he will do the first semester in a 5 week summer session and the second semester in the 2nd 5 week summer session. We are so psyched! His goal is to finish his Algebra II here at home by the end of the summer, go take the Math placement test and hopefully place in Pre-Calculus and Physics for the Fall Semester.

He is going to slowly work his way up to a full credit load - maybe by Spring, maybe not. He's not the best with deadlines, so this will be a whole new way of thinking for him. Keep him in your thoughts!

Chocolate Covered Jalapenos

Just a little plug for Max's shop, Sizzlin' Sweets!

Get your chocolate covered jalapenos for Cinco de Mayo! What a great addition to your celebration! They come coated in your choice of white, milk or dark chocolate. These are REAL jalapenos folks! I finally worked up the nerve to try one yesterday. They were very good, spicy, but good. It was a totally unexpected sensation! First, the bite was sweet, then zippy, then sweet again.

I was a bit of wimp and scooped out the seeds after the initial, but believe me the pepper retained it's sizzle. These are truly SIZZLIN' sweets! Max can take pre-orders for Cinco de Mayo. Your order won't be shipped out until 2 or 3 days prior to your chosen arrival date. (East Coast and MidWest are 2 days; West Coast is 3 days.) Your jalapenos will be chosen fresh and made the day before or the day of shipment. Upon arrival, you can refridgerate them for another 3 days.

So what better to serve with Margaritas at your fiesta than chocolate jalapenos!

Sizzlin' Sweets

Hey All,

Max has recently gotten into candy-making. He can make some incredible peanut butter cups and cream filled chocolates. But today, he came up with Sizzlin' Sweets, his Etsy shop, Home of the Chocolate Covered Jalapeno! That's right! You can buy chocolate covered jalapenos from his online shop and have them shipped anywhere in the US.

They come in Milk Chocolate and Dark Chocolate. You can get them in vanilla flavored colors - green, red, pink, pepper, white, yellow. He is also concocting new recipes involving peanut butter and jelly candy cups, chocolate truffles and other tasties. He has a St. Patty's Day Sale going on for all orders in green.

Check it out!

Sizzlin' Sweets