Friday, November 21, 2014

Snow is falling hard in my hometown...

YES, snow is falling hard in my hometown of Buffalo, New York. Our oldest child has the distinction of being a Blizzard of '77 baby. Where we lived in Buffalo we would have been largely unaffected by this mass of snow as are most of our family and friends.



The folks of Buffalo come from sturdy stock.  They have become use to snow before Thanksgiving.  The last year that my family lived in Buffalo the rain turned into snow on Mother's Day - in MAY!!! My husband and I relocated first to New Jersey for 26 years and now have settled into an even warmer climate - Florida!

In tribute to the people of Buffalo and their perseverance amidst adversity,KIDZ BOOKS is offering this beautiful hardcover copy of An Otis Christmas for just $6! Just like in Buffalo, there is a terrible snowstorm but in this case it is on Christmas Eve. A heartwarming tale for the holidays - or a snowstorm.


Thursday, November 13, 2014

Making Holiday Memories and Traditions

I am the baby of the family - and I do mean BABY! My sister is 14 years older than I am and my brother is 12 years older than me. You could say that growing up I had two sets of parents. I guess that was a good thing since my dad died when I was only 11.
To welcome the Christmas season we ALWAYS had an  advent calendar. When I married and left home my mom continued the tradition and the end of November we always had an advent calendar to begin opening on December 1st. My mom passed away 20 years ago and my sister has continued this tradition by sending an advent calendar to our home. Our children have all left home and you guessed it, they too, look forward to receiving this familiar family tradition in the mail.
When our youngest, David, was living in a house with a bunch of guys they all looked forward to opening it up each day. Of course David had to first tell them that you didn't open all the numbers at once! So our tradition has spread.
And if you would like to start a new holiday tradition with your family, this years advent calendar (from our collective homes) is available right here  at KIDZ BOOKS for you to purchase.
This is truly an interactive calendar. Once you pop out the number, a tiny present appears that you then place on the tree. What a great way for youngsters to learn number sequencing while seeing how many days are left before Christmas.

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Are you ready for some football???

Football. Friday night lights,  Saturday college face-offs, Sunday NFL, Monday more NFL and NOW we have NFL on Thursday evenings, too!  So lets read about football as well.

What football family doesn't talk about the Mannings? Read what it was like for Eli and Peyton growing up with father Archie in Family Huddle  a beautiful hardcover picture book.

Go Long Go Long by Tiki and Ronde Barber tells a wonderful story of teamwork, perseverance, and what it takes to be a champion.

As a parent, grandparent, caretaker it is so important to be aware of head injuries while children are playing sports.
What is a Concussion?
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury, or TBI, caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that can change the way your brain normally works. Concussions can also occur from a blow to the body that causes the head to move rapidly back and forth. Even a “ding,” “getting your bell rung,” or what seems to be mild bump or blow to the head can be serious.

 Rose Under Fire, the unforgettable story of Rose Justice is forged from heartrending courage, resolve, and the slim but bright chance of survival. 
Everyone knew that football was violent and dangerous. But what the players who built the NFL into a $10 billion industry didn't know—and what the league sought to shield from them—is that no amount of padding could protect the human brain from the force generated by modern football.
This is a book to read and share with your high school age young adult. It's an unbelievable read!
League of Denial is the companion piece to Rose Under Fire. Another adult non-fiction narrative, this book examines how the NFL used its power and resources to attack independent scientists and elevate its own flawed research.
If you purchase both books shipping is FREE; enter coupon code NFL at checkout at KIDZ BOOKS