Keeping your kid's hoop happiness alive longer

Praise the Lord for indoor sports, especially one that is as fast-moving as basketball. Parents get to stay warm and kids get to stay interested. My son's team's season doesn't last nearly long enough for him or me, so I've been looking for ways to keep his hoops happiness alive with little reminders around the house. While there are lots of choices out there, here are some of my favorites.

He shoots...

Those sport photographers do a better job than most school photographers I've encountered (maybe because the kids are happier at the gym?!), so I always display their work (and hide away the school pics!). I've seen other basketball frames, but this one stands out with cute details (bumps on the basketball, just like the real thing) and for its price, just $9.99 at the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, 206 High Street, Portsmouth. More merchandise available at www.vshfm.com.

Booking down the court

Tweens are so much more sophisticated and enlightened than back in my day: Mike Lupica's Hot Hand ($6.99) has a boy dealing with his parent's divorce and facing the challenges of being a team player and setting priorities. Fred Bowen's Off The Rim ($5.95) features the male Chris seeking help from a girl basketball player - and his mom, a former hoops star. Great to see authors drawing kids into reading - and important life lessons - with sports. Available at Prince's Books, 109 E. Main Street, Norfolk.

The perfect ending

These bookends look as friendly as the coach's in my son's league - and you can bet that they'll catch your child's eye and subtly remind him or her to read. $34.95 at Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, 206 High Street, Portsmouth. (Books compliments of Prince Books, 109 E. Main Street)

Source: Tidewater Parent Magazine