This Full House Reviews

Kmart Bluelight Special Holiday Sweepstakes on Twitter

Blue Light Specials are back!  Remember, those little Saturday and Sunday specials when you were a kid? 

[blank stare]

Me, either. 

Okay, but here's the really cool part:

• Kmart will be giving shoppers on Twitter a chance to win a $50 gift card everyday!

• In addition to the chance to win daily, everyone following @KmartDealsnNews on Twitter (using the hashtag #KmartBLS) will be automatically entered for a chance to win a $500 Kmart shopping spree!

A little preview for this weekend’s (11/15 – 11/16) Specials:

• Essential Home Complete Bed set $29.99 (reg. $49.99) 

• All Trim-A-Home lights 50% off (reg $8.99-$29.99)

• 9 Piece Luggage Set $49.99 (reg $99.99)

• Juniors Leggings 50% off

The sweepstakes runs from November 12th until December 23rd. 

For more info on sweepstakes details, check out: http://tr.im/kmartBLS

For Official Rules: http://tr.im/kmartBLSrules

Good luck!

DISCLOSURE:  NO PAYMENT, PRODUCT OR CONSIDERATION, BESIDES A CHANCE TO HELP FAMILIES (LIKE MINE) SAVE A LITTLE MONEY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, WAS RECEIVED FOR THIS BLOG POST, COURTESY OF AMERICAN POP AND KMART.COM.

[Please, clean off a chair and stay a while - subscribe to our feed or, if you really, really like me, then feel free to stop by my parenting blog and I'll love you forever!]

© 2009 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

 

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian on DVD

[CONGRATULATIONS:  WE'RE SHARING WITH KRISTIE (#21) JENNETTE (#110) KAREN M (#11) PAT (#32) AND VICKIE COUTURIER (#35) PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!]

I've got a confession to make.  Okay, so, I've been crushing on Ben Stiller since, well, forever.  There's just something about the characters he plays; average, every day guys who get mixed up in some really weird situations. 

No matter the movie, I empathize with his character's dorkiness (being a professional dork, my ownself) as he attempts to create some sense of order, out of total chaos (trust me, I know) that makes me think, you know, the man is NOTacting.

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian is being released onto DVD on December 1st (Holy Hannah Montana, December is NOT that far away, you know?) so, it's time to get your dork on.

[sound of crickets chirping]

Want one?

Free Cookies from Cheryl&Co.

Family and friends have been sending us holiday gifts from Cheryl&Co. for years (I know, I'm keeping ALL of them, friends who send us gifts, I mean) and I can honestly say that we have never been disappointed by their cookies, DARNIT!

Guess what?  They are offering customers a chance to sample their cookies for FREE (you only pay for shipping) so, here's what you get:

• You will receive a gift box of 6 cookies, including their most popular flavors: chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, sugar, snickerdoodle, chocolate chocolate chip, and their FAMOUS buttercream frosted cookie.
• PLUS, you’ll also receive a $10 Reward Card to use on their next purchase!
• The only thing you pay is shipping and handling charges of $6.95. (Total value is $21.99)
• There is a limit of 1 free sample per customer and this offer will only be good through November 20th.

You can go to www.cherylandco.com/free to buy the gift or go to www.cherylandco.com and search for free cookies.

DARNIT!

DISCLOSURE:  NO PAYMENT, PRODUCT OR CONSIDERATION, BESIDES A CHANCE TO HELP FAMILIES (LIKE MINE) SAVE A LITTLE MONEY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, WAS RECEIVED FOR THIS BLOG POST, COURTESY OF CHERYLANDCO.COM.

[Please, clean off a chair and stay a while - subscribe to our feed or, if you really, really like me, then feel free to stop by my parenting blog and I'll love you forever!]

© 2009 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

Coupon Code for School Uniforms from French Toast

I was first introduced to French Toast back when my two oldest girls were in elementary school -- yes, I am surprised to be able to remember THAT FAR back, too -- dressing our kids in school uniforms was followed on a voluntary basis.

Raising 4 children, having 1 set of school clothes -- khaki pants, skirts; white blouses, shirts and maroon polos -- made sense.

Unfortunately, it didn't last very long and, well, now that they're teens and tweens, I feel it safe to say that clothes shopping is NEVER easy...especially, for school!

The good folks at French Toast contacted me about sharing a special coupon code with my blog friends and, well, seeing as there are families with children who go to a school with a dress code (according to their email, that’s about 1 in 4 public schools and the vast majority of all private and charter schools) I said, SURE:

• The coupon code is: QPPR09

• The code will remain live until November 18, 2009.

• The coupon code will provide 25 percent off accessories (backpacks, belts, ties, socks, tights, hair accessories, etc.) and 10% off Polos.

Because, we roll like that.

DISCLOSURE:  NO PAYMENT, PRODUCT OR CONSIDERATION, BESIDES A CHANCE TO HELP FAMILIES (LIKE MINE) SAVE A LITTLE MONEY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, WAS RECEIVED FOR THIS BLOG POST, COURTESY OF MONARCH COMMUNICATIONS AND FRENCHTOAST.COM.

[Please, clean off a chair and stay a while - subscribe to our feed or, if you really, really like me, then feel free to stop by my parenting blog and I'll love you forever!]

© 2009 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

Holiday Survival Guide 2009: SNEAK PREVIEW

CONGRATULATIONS: WE'RE SHARING WITH KERRI (#150) PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS :)

HOLIDAY SURVIVAL GUIDE IS LIVE:  DAY 1, DAY 2, DAY 3, DAY 4, DAY 5, DAY 6, DAY 7

Welcome to a preview of our Holiday Survival Guide 2009 -- yep, in 2 weeks, I'm having a virtual open house (sort of) and invite each and everyone one of you to join me on Thanksgiving Week, November 23rd and...heck...stay the WHOLE week...until November 29th...if you'd like, I don't mind!

Why?

Well, some of my favorite and awesomely generous brands have graciously agreed to provide some really cool stuff for you (yes, YOU!) I mean, yours...um...okay, isn't it time we ALL put the WIN back into the winter holidays and made re-gifting a rule?!? 

Seriously. 

Raising 2 teens and 2 tweens (yikes, is right!) my husband, Garth (not his real name) and I try really hard to remember these 4 simple rules to surviving the holidays: 

1. Take care of yourself - seriously, the rest will follow. 
2. Keep expectations reasonably low - it can only get better, from here, right? 
3. Take back your calendar - limiting commitments only encourages downtime and that's a good thing. 
4. Celebrate with family and friends - oh, and there's no shame in including them in preparations, or asking for help, either. 

It doesn't always work. Sometimes, we score...BIG TIME. 

Just so you know -- my picks, product features and blog posts (as always) are advertorial free. No one is paying me, to talk about their product. It's just some really nice stuff that I thought you guys would like, too. 

Here's a preview of some of our favorite brands joining us:

• Build-a-Bear
• Campbell's Soup
• Disney Digital Books
• HABA Toys
• Jonas Brothers
• Pampered Chef
• Quiet-Time
• SKYPE Holiday Look Book
• Xbox

So, stay tuned as we continue to collect a few of our favorite things on the internet and share ways in which (hopefully) can help folks (like me) keep from going A LITTLE NUTS this holiday season.

In fact, let's start...RIGHT NOW!

Paperspring Friends and Family Discount: 25% Discount Plus Free Shipping

Note from our good friends at Paperspring.com:

• We have a special VIP Paperspring Friends and Family discount that we would like to share with you. For a very limited time, we are inviting Friends and Family to a special 25% discount (with free shipping included – as always).
• This special offer will NOT be posted on our Paperspring website, blog, Facebook, or Twitter accounts.

Because, we roll like that!

USE PROMO CODE:  psfriend (Offer Expires 11/15/09)

READ OUR REVIEW OF PAPERSPRING.COM:   (http://www.thisfullhouse.com/reviews/2009/09/paperspring-fresh-new-personalized-photo-greeting-cards.html)

Let the holiday crazy...uh...I mean, let the picture-taking begin!

DISCLOSURE:  NO PAYMENT, PRODUCT OR CONSIDERATION, BESIDES A CHANCE TO HELP FAMILIES (LIKE MINE) SAVE A LITTLE MONEY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, WAS RECEIVED FOR THIS BLOG POST, COURTESY OF PAPERSPRING.COM.

[Please, clean off a chair and stay a while - subscribe to our feed or, if you really, really like me, then feel free to stop by my parenting blog and I'll love you forever!]

© 2009 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

Printable Pillsbury Simply Peanut Butter Cookie Coupon

November is National Peanut Butter Lovers Month (who comes up with this stuff, anyways?) and, seeing as my youngest (she's 8) takes a PB&J sandwich to lunch, every day (except when they're serving Macho Nachos, I mean) I'm excited to tell you that Pillsbury is offering a printable coupon for one of our new favorite finds!

 

Why?  Well, they contain zero grams of trans fat; no high-fructose corn syrup; and no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.

Aaaand, they STILL taste good.

Seriously, I can't a chance to sample these puppies at the General Mills Eat & Greet event this passed summer and they ARE simply delicious!

FIND IT HERE:  Print your $1.50 off Simply Cookies here!

DISCLOSURE:  NO PAYMENT OR CONSIDERATION, BESIDES A CHANCE TO HELP FAMILIES (LIKE MINE) SAVE A LITTLE MONEY AT THE GROCERY STORE, WAS RECEIVED FOR THIS BLOG POST.

[Please, clean off a chair and stay a while - subscribe to our feed or, if you really, really like me, then feel free to stop by my parenting blog and I'll love you forever!]

© 2009 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

Open House Blog Tour - 35th Showing

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 in there? 

Welcome to the Open House Blog Tour where everyone (and anyone) is free to come and leave links (PG-13, please) telling us about your individual blogging events, fundraisers, giveaways, book tours, contests, or if you have a burning blog post and just need to shout out, go for it!

I mean, who couldn't use a little linky love?

Okay, I'll start:

Leave a link, or comment, if you'd like -- trust me, I know how busy you are -- and, don't worry if you forget, it'll be here, linked permanently in my archives.  So, if you happen to stop by, whenever, just go ahead and leave your link; I'm easy.

ALREADY SHOWING: OPEN HOUSE BLOG TOURS

Happy blog hunting!

[Please, clean off a chair and stay a while - subscribe to our feed or, if you really, really like me, then feel free to visit my family blog and I'll love you forever!]

© 2009 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

Featured Momprenuer: Sheila, Founder and CEO at Care.com

This week's featured Momprenuer is Sheila Lirio Marcelo, Founder and CEO at Care.com

"My husband, Ron, and I have two sons (Ryan and Adam) and two dogs (Blake and Sydney). Throughout the years, we've had to deal with many care issues, and in the spring of 2006 we had a crisis when trying to find reliable care for our family. It was a very painful experience. Luckily, through sheer chance and persistence, we found a wonderful nanny, Amanda, who joined our family and brought joy and peace to our lives."

Recently, I've accepted a job (yes, outside the home) and, though my children are in school full-time and I'll be working part-time (4 hours, 3 days per week) childcare STILL remains a big issue.

After 15 years of being a full-time mom raising 2 teens and 2 tweens (SAHM is an oxymoron) I quit seeking balance, a long time ago, and am focusing on perfecting a very successful juggling act, at the moment.

This coming weekend (November 6-8), Sheila is going to open up Care.com for a Free Weekend of access to raise awareness for National Family Caregiver Month while giving families the chance to meet great, local care providers and screen lists of backup caregivers.

How's it work?

Party Planning and Cinnamon Apple Muffins for Thanksgiving Day Breakfast with MyPunchbowl.com

It's that time of year, again.  Yeah, I know.  It's my turn to host Thanksgiving dinner and, truth be told, I don't really mind it, as much as having to sit on a highway, or two, for a couple of hours, or twenty and dipping into the Halloween candy, while trying to convince four very hungry children that, YES, we are ALMOST there!

Besides, there's something, I dunno, cozy about stuffing a turkey, while listening to Jim Carrey's version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas and deciding if anyone cares whether the cranberry sauce is homemade, or not.

No, I haven't quite got it all planned out, yet.  When it comes to family gatherings, we're pretty loosey-goosey at our house. 

If you're looking for helpful party planning ideas, no worries, you might want to check out MyPunchbowl.com -- membership is absolutely free and they have everything you need from online invitations to party supplies, personalized favors, you know, real fancy stuff like that -- and well, unlike me, these guys know what they are doing for the holidays.

However, I believe that this Cinnamon Apple Muffins will fit into our Thanksgiving morning routine, very nicely, thankyouverymuch!

Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs on DVD

[WE HAVE OUR WINNERS: CONGRATULATIONS, SOME LUCKY DOG (#106) CHERYL W. (11/4) JUDY BRITTLE (#49) RONDAH (#93) AND BEBEMIQUI (#33) PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAILS FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!]

My oldest girls (they are 15 and 13) both had steady babysitting gigs over the summer and, well, is it wrong when your kids start earning more money than, you know, you do?

So, my 13 year-old had a couple of bucks burning a hole in her pocket and offered to take my youngest daughter (she's 8) to see Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs and, I have to admit, I was sort of jealous.

SPOILER ALERT!

"It was the best one yet, but the poor squirrel STILL didn't get the acorn!!!"

I love the banter between Ray Romano, Dennis Leary and have a secret little crush of John Leguizamo,  ever since playing Tybalt in Romeo & Juliet.

[heavy sigh]

Sid the sloth is sort of cute, right?

Aaaanyway, now that the movie was released onto DVD on October 27th (Holy Hannah Montana, is it November, already?) especially, for those of us who didn't make it to the theater on time (stupid economy) now we get a chance to see it, too!

Want one?