TFH Family Favorite Finds

Family-Friendly FMX Show: Nuclear Cowboyz - East Rutherford, NJ Tour Dates and Giveaway

My son turned 13 last month (hold me!) which simply means, being raised in a house filled with females, he's grown used to navigating through a raging sea of hormones.

Also, rooting through an endless supply of feminine products, because, well, there has GOT to be a roll of toilet paper, in there, somewhere, DAGNABIT!

Long story, short (you're welcome) my husband and I make it a point to try and remember to do boy-friendly stuff, too.

Like, accepting the opportunity of attending the Nuclear Cowboyz Freestyle Motorcross show on March 2nd at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, NJ.

My son is beyond THRILLED and canNOT wait to meet Jersey boy Ronnie Faisst and experience freestyle motorcross performances, up close and personal, guaranteed to get MY heart pumping while hollering, "I am SO GLAD you are NOT my son!"

I'm looking forward to blogging our experience and sharing some awesome pictures from the show.  Here's a sneak peek of what to expect:

Yes, it's LOUD and FLASHY which means my son and his bestie will, you know, absolutely LOVE IT!!!

Want to come along? 

Meaningful Moments: Raising Up Your Inner Child & Meaningful Beauty Giveaway

Life is filled with meaningful moments: video taping my youngest at her first band concert; cheering on my son and pretending that wrestling is my favorite thing; hiking through the woods and trading secrets with my middle girl; watching our oldest child negotiate a k-turn and successfully pass her driving test.

Not unlike raising 4 children, it would be very difficult for me to choose just one above all the rest.

Capturing this moment of lightness, however, makes my heart very happy.

My children know they are very lucky to have both sets of grandparents actively visible in their lives, as they each remain a constant source of inspiration on how my husband, Garth [not his real name] and I choose to raise our kids.

You see, there are no clear cut rules in parenting (sorry!) you just sort of make them up as we go along. Laughing at ourselves, every now and again, helps.

Aaaaaand, right now, at this very moment, I seek solace in believing perhaps I too will make a pretty good grandparent one day....just not yet.

Now, it's your turn.

Tell me what your most meaningful moment was in the last year for a chance to win one of 10 complete skin care Anti-Age Systems from Meaningful Beauty.

FIND IT HERE: Keep your skin looking great in every moment with Meaningful Beauty- Cindy Crawford's break through secret for younger looking skin.

GET IT HERE: By replying here you'll be entered for a chance to win this awesome prize pack from Blog Frog(click here for official rules.)

Good luck and here's to our being able to share many, many more meaningful moments...together!

© 2003 - 2012 This Full House

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Meaningful Beauty. The opinions and text are all mine. Contest Rules.

Celtic Woman: Believe CD and Live Concert DVD Giveaway

I was first introduced to Celtic Woman two years ago when I reviewed their then newly released album Songs From the Heart and was blown away by their amazing talent.

Celtic Woman is an all-female singing group featuring vocalists Chloë Agnew, Lisa Kelly, Lisa Lambe and Celtic violinist Máiréad Nesbitt..  They perform classic Irish songs (“Green Grow the Rushes") contemporary favorites (“Bridge Over Troubled Water") and inspirational songs (“Ave Maria”) with their signature Celtic Woman twist.

Their new live concert special "Believe" was filmed for the first time in America at two sold-out nights at The Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA this past September.

My girls and I were very excited to receive a copy of their new CD/DVD and "Believe" is a truly beautiful addition to our ever-growing appreciation of all things Celtic.

Want one?

Hosting a Successful Party for the Big Game (GO GIANTS!)

 

Thanks to Tyson Any'tizers for sponsoring my writing about hosting a successful party for the Big Game (GO GIANTS!) add your comment below to be entered for a chance to win a 42" LG Flat Screen TV from The Blog Frog!

We are ALL SO EXCITED about our New York Giants going to the Big Game (yes, they are OUR GIANTS!) and re-uniting with the New England Patriots.

It's going to be an awesome show, right?

Even my father, who is Hungarian American and never understood why grown men would tackle each other like that on purpose, is excited about this game!

We usually don't throw a big party. It's just the six of us and, to tell you the truth, seeing as it is a school night (dangit!) I never really understood why they just can't make it Superbowl Saturday, or something?

Still, I can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday night than having the 6 of us get together, all cozy on the couch, noshing on some of our favorite football food (nachos, buffallo wings, 7 layer dip, etc...) and watching the Big Game in our pajamas.

Now, it's your turn.

Tell me what tips you have for hosting a successful party for friends and family for the Big Game and be entered to win a 42” LG flat Screen TV!

GET IT HERE: By replying you will be entered to win a 42" LG Flat Screen TV from BlogFrog (click here for Official Sweepstakes Rules!)

Tyson Any’tizers are a great snack that satisfies your kids on game day or any day!

GO GIANTS!!!! So, who you rooting for this Sunday?!?

© 2003 - 2012 This Full House

TellTeTeTell International Delight what your favorite holiday treat is for a chance to win a $200 Walmart Gift Card.

Capture the flavors of the holiday’s in every cup of coffee with International Delight creamers. Available in a variety of flavors, such as Cinnabon, Almond Joy and Pumpkin Spice, International Delight can make everyday feel like a holiday.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Tyson Any'Tizers. The opinions expressed by me do not necessarily reflect the view of the Tyson Any'Tizers Brand. Official Sweepstakes Rules

Welcome to Our 87th OPEN HOUSE BLOG TOUR!

My husband, Garth [not his real name] and I love attending open houses - especially, if it's a home that we've admired from the sidewalk, or wondered...you know...what the heck is going on over there?

Same thing with blogs, right?

Mi feed reader es su feed reader!  So please, clean off a chair, sit down and feel free to share your links (PG-13, please) about any blogging events, fundraisers, giveaways, book tours and contests, or if you have a burning blog post and just need to a little shout out (HEY!) go for it!

Okay, I'll start:

• My friend One Bored Mommy (whose blog name is an oxymoron,  really) published an awesome post detailing her latest organization project - inspired by my new-ish guilty pleasure, Pinterest.

• The Shopping Duck (cool name, she's from Jersey) blogs about Shoprite's Cans For Fans - an awesome program where Shoprite will donate one can of food (up to 50,000 cans) to local food banks.

• I found this homemade Clean/Dirty Dishwasher sign over at Parent Hacks and, yes, it's pure genius.  Unless, you are raising tweens/teens and they quit wanting to read stuff (UGH!)  Still, don't let that stop you from checking it out! 

Right,  NOW it's YOUR turn:

Thanks SO MUCH for stopping by and feel free to come back to see what my blogging friends are up to this week -- we'll leave the porch light on for ya'!

In the meantime, TGIF (ALMOST!)

© 2003 - 2012 This Full House

International Delight Sponsored Post & Giveaway: The Hungarian Santa

Thanks to International Delights for sponsoring my writing about our family's favorite holiday traditions. Add your comment below to be entered for a chance to win a $200 Target Gift Card from BlogFrog.

One of our family's favorite holiday traditions is celebrating Mikulas Day: on the morning of December 6th, when the Hungarian Santa (a.k.a. St. Nicholas) visits children and leaves his gifts.

Just like my twin brother and I did when we were growing up (never mind, just how long ago it was) my kids would clean their shoes on the night of December 5th and leave them near the front door.

Not unlike the American tradition of hanging stockings by the fireplace.

IF YOU WERE GOOD: then Mikulas would fill your shoes with candy treats and chocolate goodies.

IF YOU WERE NAUGHTY: well, I still remember one particular morning when their uncle was surprised to find a bag of coal in his shoes and how my parents seemed very pleased with themselves, that year.

Now that my kids are older, it warms my heart whenever they talk about continuing this tradition when they are parents and, just so you know, the threat of grounding them during the holidays works much better ;)

Now, it's your turn, tell us what your favorite holiday tradition is for a chance to win a $200 Target gift card from BlogFrog.

LEGO Games Giveaway: Reliving My Childhood, One New Year's Eve At a Time!

Thanks to LEGO Games for sponsoring my writing about how playing board games has become a bonding experience for my family. Add your comment below to be entered for a chance to win one of five ultimate LEGO® Games prize packs!!

I still remember how excited my parents would get at Christmas time. We’d all sit in front of my grandmother’s console television, while my twin brother and I made out our individual wish lists, during the endless stream of toy commercials that would play, in between the Christmas specials.

As a mother of 4 children (ages 18, 15, 12 and 9) and a child of the 70’s (personally, I prefer the term retro) I can certainly understand the excitement of reliving one’s childhood.

Some of my favorite memories involve playing with our new toys on marathon family game nights, together.

I’ve since carried on this tradition with my own kids and playing our favorite board games has become a New Year's Eve tradition, as well.

Now, it's your turn to spill the beans (heh, my kids LOVED that game) how are board games a bonding experience for your family? Reply for a chance to win one of five ultimate LEGO® Games prize packs!!

Holiday AT&T Phone Fairy Week 3: Samsung Focus Flash Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED:  I am SO EXCITED to be able to share this awesome phone with you, Cathy McCaughan (comment #16) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!

Thanks to my friends at AT&T, I am raiding the Halloween bucket, donning a pair of wings and got to play the AT&T Phone Fairy for the Holidays.

It's been very exciting giving away a new and different AT&T 4G smartphone, every week, this month!

Why?  Well, who am I to deny an online friend the chance to get their hands on an awesome new cell phone?

Congratulations to Katherine for snagging the awesome Impulse 4G by Huawei, during week 1  and to Leslie S for snagging the awesome Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY 4G, last week!

TODAY IS MY LAST DAY AS THE AT&T PHONE FAIRY (SOB!)  I'm giving away a Samsung Focus Flash to gift forward OR keep for yourself this holiday season. 

Want one?  Excellent! 

Key features are:

Kmart's Playdate Place Perk: Just Kidz 2 In 1 Tea Cart Playset Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So glad to be able to share this adorable tea cart play set with you, Sheri (comment #74) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!

I am very excited and honored to be a featured contributing blogger for Kmart's Playdate Place website!

It's really a great place for parents (like me) to hang out, spark conversation, share ideas about planning fun playdates, find recommendations for toys and take advantage of exclusive Playdate Place special offers, as well.

Click here to read my latest post at on gaming, video games and bridging the generation gap (when you have time, of course!)

Aaaand, as a Playdate Kmart Playdate Parent, I get the chance to share really cool stuff with you, just in time for the holidays, too.

Like, the adorable Just Kidz 2 In 1 Tea Cart Playset which -- although, now that their all in double digits and would NEVER admit it -- brings back fond memories of the many teddy bear tea parties we've hosted over the years.

Want one?  EXCELLENT!!!

Holiday AT&T Phone Fairy - Week 2: Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY 4G

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED:  I am so happy to be sharing this awesome phone with you, Leslie S (comment #78) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!

Thanks to my friends at AT&T, I am raiding the Halloween bucket, donning a pair of wings and get to play the AT&T Phone Fairy for the Holidays.

I will be giving away a new and different AT&T 4G smartphone, every week, for 3 weeks, in December.

Why?  Well, who am I to deny an online friend the chance to get their hands on an awesome new cell phone?

Congratulations to Katherine for snagging the awesome Impulse 4G by Huawei, last week!

TODAY:  I'm giving away a Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY 4G  (perfect for gaming teens) to gift forward OR keep for yourself this holiday season. 

Want one?  Excellent! 

Key features are:

Good Oral Health for the Holidays Gingerbread Making Kit Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So happy to be sharing this awesome prize pack with you, Joey from SC (comment #44) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!

My youngest daughter (she's 10) hates going to see the dentist (me, too) because, she is the only one of her siblings who's ever had to deal with cavities.

In fact, she's got another appointment to have the 2nd of 4 cavities filled today and we're BOTH looking forward to the end of these visits.

In the meantime, Hope is painfully aware of the importance of cutting back on sweets and maintaining good oral health:  most especially, during the holidays.

The good folks representing the Reach, Rembrandt and Listerine brands have offered to help us out by providing a fun holiday gift pack including a ginger bread making kit.

Want to see?

Holiday AT&T Phone Fairy - Week 1: Impulse 4G by Huawei Giveaway

Comments are closed: so glad to be sharing this awesome phone with you, Katherine (comment #6) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!

I ran into the AT&T Phone Fairy at BlogHer in San Diego, this summer -- literally, she's just a tiny little thing -- and she was passing out phones to people who needed them, including friends of mine with broken, lost and/or stolen cell phones.

How awesome is that, right?!?

Last month, I received one of AT&T's budget-friendly alternative for smartphone shoppers (like me!)

Feel free to read my review of the Impulse 4G by Huawei, here.

Thanks to my friends at AT&T, I am raiding the Halloween bucket, donning a pair of wings and get to play the AT&T Phone Fairy for the Holidays.

Each week, for the next 3 weeks, I will be giving away a new and different AT&T 4G smartphone.

Why?  Well, who am I to deny an online friend the chance to get their hands on an awesome new cell phone?

TODAY:  I'm giving away an Impulse 4G by Huawei (just like the one I got) to keep for yourself or gift it forward this holiday season.  Want one?  Excellent!

Extreme Home Do-Over: Glidden Oil Gloss Paint Review and Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So happy to be able to share this awesome gift card with you Donna B. (comment #44) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!

So, there I was, just sitting, reading the latest issue of Cottage Living and minding my own (ahem) business, when, all of the sudden, RRRRRRRRIIIIIIPPPPP.

Last week, I spontaneously started de-constructing our bathroom and, even though we've used other people's half-bathrooms that were WAY BIGGER (hrmph) when it comes to prepping walls for paint, size does NOT matter.

Having nearly painted myself into a coronary on Friday and then coming under the wire, late Saturday night (stupid #NaBloPoMo) 12 cups of coffee, 6 trips to Home Depot and way too many potty stops I'd care to mention, at the moment (you're welcome!)  my spontaneous bathroom makeover is FINALLY complete!!!

To help mask the imperfections left behind by the stupid wallpaper, I came up with an idea:  I received a sample of Glidden's oil gloss paint eariler in the month and used it to add a cool reflective texture.

Want to see?

Kinect for Xbox 360 Interactive Storybooks, Games & Holiday Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: Looking forward to sharing this awesome prize package with one of you, real soon!

It's no secret, we love our Xbox:  it was our #1 Holiday Pick for 2010 (still is!) control free playing and full body play got my kids (and me) off the couch and took our Family Game Nights to a whole different level!

This holiday season, Kinect for Xbox 360 has a bunch of great titles, including our newest favorites: Dance Central 2, Kinect Sports Season Two and Kinect Disneyland Adventures.

We love finding new family-friendly video games and sharing fun ways to spend more time, together.

This year, there is a new Public Service Announcement from Xbox 360 and Sesame Street about parental controls that helps families learn more about the safety features built into the Xbox 360 game system, such as game ratings, setting limits on time and the ability to restrict online access.

Actually, the PSA is very entertaining.  Then again, I am a long-time fan of Cookie Monster.

Sesame Street fans (like me) may also be excited to learn that Kinect for Xbox 360 has released an awesome new holiday product.

It's an interactive storybook called Once Upon A Monster:  a guided exploration of a living storybook where players help their monster friends with problems, all while interacting with the environment around them.

Players can also engage in physical activities such as monkey-see-monkey-do, playing instruments, flying, and running obstacle courses.

So, yeah, there's lots of fun and exciting new stuff available for Kinect from Xbox 360 this holiday season.  Want one?!?

Less Cancer, More Birthdays with TinyPrints.com

Growing up, my friend Barbara and I had a lot in common.  She spoke Polish, I spoke Hungarian (close enough!) along with my twin brother, we graduated high school together and, sadly, have lost touch since then.

Until, Facebook.

"Did you hear one of our schoolmates died?"

No, but I was pretty sure that another classmate of ours WAS mistaken.  Had to be.  Because, in my mind, I'm still that same awkward 18 year-old and, well, we're not THAT old, are we?

Then again, we aren't born with any "guarantees" or "date of expiration" stamps and cancer does not seem to care to discriminate, either way:  a few years ago, my twin brother lost a kidney to cancer. 

Sadly, I haven't spoken with anyone whose life hasn't been touched, in some way, by cancer.

As for my friend, Barbara?  Her passing made me realize that the time we have together is indeed precious and perhaps waaaaaay shorter than we think.

That's why I am honored to partner with the American Cancer Society and Tiny Prints to share with you their beautiful and exclusive collection of birthday cards inspired by the way the American Cancer Society saves lives.

Why?  The American Cancer Society believes that every birthday is a victory -- another year that cancer has NOT won-- and I, for one, take every opportunity to give cancer the good old fashioned virtual bitch-slap it deserves!!!

Here’s some background on the collection: