Brandi's Place

WHAT IS IT? So, you've probably heard of Amazon. And may have heard about reading books on Kindle, but have you heard about the all-new Kindle Vella? From the Kindle Vella website: Introducing  Kindle Vella Kindle Vella brings you stories released one short episode at a time, available in the Kindle for iOS app and on Amazon.com. Things to look out for if you're new here: Follow the stories you like  to keep up with the latest from your favorite characters. When you like an episode, give it a Thumbs Up  to let the author and other readers know you liked it. The first few episodes of every story are always free--after that, purchase Tokens   and redeem them to unlock episodes.  Tokens may only be used to unlock Kindle Vella story episodes in the Kindle for iOS app and on Amazon.com. When you unlock episodes, you will receive one Fave   a week  that you can award to the story you're enjoying most that week. We'll feature Top Faved stories so ot...

Kids see the world as their playground. An adult may look at the falling snow and groan about how difficult it may be to traverse the slippery roads to get where we need to go. But to a kid, it transforms their own backyard into a magical place of new possibilities! I hope you enjoy reading this poem together and go outside and enjoy the day no matter what kind of weather it is! (Text) SNOW DAY by Brandi Peterson   The snow is falling! Winter is here! I’ve been waiting for this all year. Up the hillside we can run. And sled back down. Oh! What fun! We could build a snowman or a fort. Or make up a snowy sport. Today is going to be a perfect day! Come on! Let’s go out and play! ©Peterson2019

I honestly didn’t know what I wanted to write about today, so I asked my kids. They wanted me to talk about fuzzy socks.  “Fuzzy socks?” I said. “How interesting! What do you like about fuzzy socks?” And my oldest daughter said “They keep my feet all toasty!” “Mine too!” said my youngest.  But one problem I tend to have with fuzzy socks is that they tend to make your feet very slippery on our tile floors. “No problem,” my oldest says “the better for dancing in!” So I asked her to demonstrate what dancing in fuzzy socks looked like. She was absolutely right. The fact that fuzzy socks make your feet slippery is a positive instead of a negative because they are excellent for dancing. My youngest also displayed her best moves in her slippery socks. It’s been a long time since I’ve been a child. Maybe I will have to put on my fuzzy socks and slip slide around the floor with my kiddos today. What about you? What do you like best about fuzzy socks?

As mothers, one of the challenges we often face is protecting our children from unwanted attention from strangers. Even people who mean well can sometimes overstep the boundaries of your comfort zone when it comes to interacting with your children. But let me share with you a story of one young mother of twins who dared to let her guard down in a moment of compassion for a fellow human being and shared her children with a complete stranger. The following story was posted on a friend's social media account and I have obtained special permission from her to share it with you today. ====================================================================== I took the twins to Walmart today for our weekly grocery shopping. An older woman approached me in the cereal aisle, and I instantly sighed in annoyance because I knew the "typical twin questions" were about to start pouring out of her mouth.  When I go out in public, I always plan for an additional 20 minutes just for a...

I was recently given the opportunity to read and review a new YA sci-fi novel called The Blue Barricade by Kesten Harris. I wanted to post my review here because I felt like this book would be appropriate for teens as well as young adults. I found no foul or suggestive language in the book and for my family that is a huge plus! The following came from the book’s info on Amazon: Wander Locke never thought the AI War would affect the small, lunar town he called home. The Aggressive Intellectuals would never come to the Moon! He wouldn't have to deal with the war that his grandfather died in. The smoldering remains of his house proved him wrong, taking his parents with it.  He comes to realize that his little sister's body wasn't found in the wreckage. This leads him to believe that she was captured by the AI themselves. The only way to find and rescue her is to become an explorer through less than honorable means....