This Full House Reviews

This Full House Giveaway #10 - TAG Reading System

[Edited to Add:  Comments on this giveaway are now closed  - WE HAVE A WINNER announced, via PRIZEY!]

School's out for summer, but my kids wish that school was out...FOREVER!  Oh sure, with 4 school-aged children living in the house, it's nice to be able to disconnect from the crazy timetable.  Still.  They ALL brought home their summer reading packets -- my 7-year-old's reading list is about a mile long -- this is to help parents (like me) stave off the negative effects of "summer loss."

Apparently, most kids lose one to three months of learning over the summer.

But, what if your child is like mine (The Boy had a really hard time with reading at the end of 1st grade) and he, or she is just not all that into reading?

This Full House Favorite Find: Help your child learn to swim with Konfidence.

Playing at the beach, wading at a water park, paddling by a lake, or splashing in a pool on a hot day is a real summer treat for families, like ours.  It is also a very weary time for parents, as drowning is reported to be the second most common cause of death from injuries among kids under the age of 14.

Our youngest turned 7, last week (Happy Birthday, Baby!) and it recently occurred to me that all 3 of her siblings had learned to swim, by now.

Even with her water wings, Mini-me felt awkward and uncomfortable like, well, a fish out of water - so, we happily agreed to submit our review for a good quality swim jacket and found confidence, with a capital "K!"

Blog Carnival: Review Bloggers 22nd Edition

Welcome to the June 23, 2008 Edition of the Review Bloggers Carnival!

It's no secret. I like getting stuff. I like writing about the stuff that we like and perhaps make my family's life a little easier. Especially, if it works!

Or, I haven't managed to break it...YET!

Do you have a review blog - or, perhaps found a product (or, service) that you really, really like and you're aching to share with the rest of the blogosphere - then, you may be interested to learn that the Review Bloggers Carnival has come to This Full House!

Thank you to the good people at Blog Carnival for making Review Bloggers the featured carnival, today!

Clean off a chair and come on in - mi casa, y su casa - as we canvas the blogosphere and share together in the ultimate consumer experience....window shopping!

Meanwhile, Back at Kamp Kegel - Part IV

Happy Summer...FINALLY!

My friends from Kamp Kegel (generously hosted by Johnson & Johnson for the makers of babies, everywhere) are holding reunions in the form of a weekly post roundup.

Here's what my fellow hair-braiding badge awardees were up to this week - oh AND there are some pretty cool giveaways, too:

This Full House Reviews: Kit Kittredge - An American Girl Movie

This is the first feature film based on the hugely popular American Girl book series and (since, yesterday was Mini-me's 7th birthday) my youngest daughter and I were very excited to have been invited to the New York City screening of Kit Kittredge - An American Girl Movie!

Don't worry, you won't find any spoilers here!

Meanwhile, Back at Kamp Kegel - Part III

My friends from Kamp Kegel (generously hosted by Johnson & Johnson for the makers of babies, everywhere) are holding reunions in the form of a weekly post roundup.

Here's what my fellow hair-braiding badge awardees were up to this week - oh AND there are some pretty cool Father's Day giveaways, too:

This Full House Giveaway #9: It's A Fancy Nancy Sleepover

[Edited 6/18/08:  This giveaway has ended (thank you for participating) a winner has been drawn and announced on PRIZEYWinners!]

   
Meet Fancy Nancy by New York Times bestselling author Jane O'Connor and beautifully illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser from HarperCollins

When our oldest daughter was born, my husband and I thought we were ready for anything and everything there was to know about raising girls and - though, I still don't understand how it can be 14 years, already - today, I can say that I am truly certain of only one thing.

[cracks knuckles and striking a defensive pose]

That if her father ever does decide to allow her to date, before her 21st birthday, Thing One is lucky!

Still.

My youngest daughter is turning 7 next week and you won't believe what is on the top of her birthday list!

This Full House Giveaway #8: We Have a WINNER!

With only 7 more sleeps until my kids start their summer vacation, my youngest daughter (she's 6) and I were very excited to announce that Tropical Hello Kitty just hit stores this month (available for a limited time ONLY at buildabear.com) and the wonderful people at the Build-A-Bear Workshop are also sponsoring This Full House Giveaway #8!

They've sent Hello Kitty, all the way to Jersey, to witness one of our lucky readers win $25.00 Bear Bucks!!

[drum roll]

Aaaaaand the name picked by random draw is:

This Full House Reviews: Sesame Place - Hot Fun in the Summertime!

This Full House spends a day at Sesame Place on Media Day (6/1/08) representing the Parent Bloggers Network!

Counting by one and tens with The Count, sharing a snack with the Cookie Monster and singing the, "Rubber Ducky Song" with best friends Bert and Ernie, these are the memories that resonate in the hearts (and minds) of children of all ages and it really doesn't matter how old you are, or where you grew up - everyone knows the way to Sesame Street.

The Parent Bloggers Network offered me and my family the chance to visit this childhood trusted friend, recently, for real?

Well, can you tell me, how could I say no to spending a full day at Sesame Place?

Meanwhile, Back at Kamp Kegel - Part II

My friends from Kamp Kegel (generously hosted by Johnson & Johnson for the makers of babies, everywhere) are holding reunions in the form of a weekly post roundup.

Here's what my fellow hair-braiding badge awardees were up to this week - oh AND there are some pretty cool Father's Day giveaways, too:

This Full House Giveaway #8: Tropical Hello Kitty is in the house!

Edited to Add:  We have a WINNER - announced here and available on PRIZEYWinners, soon!

Have you ever heard of Build-A-Bear -- if you've got kids, then you know -- it IS the quintessential hot spot for birthday parties and meeting place of girl scout troops everywhere, yes?

Well, there's a new bear in town.

[squeeee]

Aaaaand she is only available for a limited time.

[gasp]

So, a tropical heat wave of excitement HAS left my youngest daughter squeeing with delight and barely breathing!

This Full House Favorite Find: Parking Pal - A Hands On Partner for Your Child's Safety

As you may have already guessed, raising 4 kids and taking care of parents with all sorts of health issues and physical disabilities, our family spends a whole LOT of time together - especially, in our car - unfortunately, I know what's it like having to drive around a parking lot and feeling a bit overwhelmed, or slight distracted.

There were times when getting in and out of the car was a feat and - especially, when dealing with strollers - I even considered duct taping the kids to the side of my car, because parking lots are dangerous and they just don't listen!

But, perhaps now, you'll be glad to learn that you don't have to - consider using duct tape on YOUR kids, I mean.