This Full House Reviews

Celebrate Snapfish's 10th Birthday With Special Anniversary Discounts and the Launch of Snapfish Publisher!

One of my favorite finds, over the years of finding really cool stuff online, other families (like mine) might like, are the good folks at Snapfish.com. 

Not only is it a great place to store, print and share photos online, I had the pleasure of partnering with them for Breast Cancer Awareness Month and share gifts that give back to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Snapfish is celebrating its 10th Anniversary on Thursday, April 1st and will be announcing an exciting new offering!

Snapfish Publisher, which will allow designers and developers to create, share and sell their own creative card designs, photo book layouts and apps to market and merchandise throughout the worldwide Snapfish network.

FIND IT HERE:  http://publisher.snapfish.com

Also to celebrate, at www.snapfish.com/birthdaybash, Snapfish is hosting a virtual birthday party with special anniversary discounts and promotions to thank customers. Facebook fans can also access these at www.facebook.com/snapfish.

Happy Birthday and thanks for the memories, Snapfish!

© 2009 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

FWIW:  NO PAYMENT OR CONSIDERATION, BESIDES A CHANCE TO HELP FAMILIES (LIKE MINE) FIND REALLY COOL STUFF ONLINE, WAS RECEIVED FOR THIS BLOG POST, COURTESY OF SNAPFISH.COM.

Frigidaire Test Drive: Week 6 - Working Out the Kinks

I am very excited (okay, so, this is where my kids would interrupt and suggest, "SHOCKED," as a more accurate describe of my reaction) to have partnered with Mom Central as one of their Fridgidaire Test Drive Moms - Team Everything!

Why?

Well, as I mentioned in my inaugural post, 'cawse nobody breaks stuff, like I do! 

We survived THE BIG INSTALL and my attempts at burning down the house, not to mention, nearly snapping the wheels off the dishwasher, using the over-the-range-microwave as a, well, on-the-counter-for-now-microwave and playing the game, Fridge or Dare.

Seriously, if there was an Olympic event, specifically for "breaking and/or making appliances smoke," well, our walls would be covered with gold, instead of fingerprints and dog snot.

You're welcome!

Today, I've got a few suggestions to the Frigidaire folks (having abused their appliances, since February) FWIW:

Doofus-Dawg Reviews: A New Grain-free Canned Food from Taste of the Wild

[CONGRATULATIONS:  IDAHO JILL -- COMMENT #39 -- PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!]

This is Doofus-Dawg (also, see blog header) and, no matter what Cesar Milan says, I don't think he realizes, or cares, you know, that he's a dog. 

"Get-awf the couch, Doofus!"

Aaaaand, now that his human counterparts are getting older, I just enjoy writing about his antics, more than my kids like to admit, really.

"Do you mind if I blog about this, Doofus-Dawg?"

[wags tail]

Yes, Doofus-Dawg is an important part of this family, too.  Still.  My first thought, when receiving the very kind email from the pet-friendly folks at Taste of the Wild, addressed to Doofus-Dawg, was how does one review a pet food, objectively and does anyone speak dog?

Easter Breakfast Kit Giveaway Got Bacon?

[CONGRATULATIONS, KELLIE - COMMENT #110 - PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!]

Mmmmm....it's what's for breakfast, dinner, heck, bacon is pretty much the one thing ALL four of my kids like and, you know, I'll cook, anytime!

It's the week before Easter and all through the house, not a creature is stirring, seriously, everyone's STILL in bed (shhhhhhh!) except, for my husband, Garth [not his real name] who's actually at the store, picking up stuff for dinner, this afternoon.

Yes, my folks and in-laws are coming over and, I know, it's NOT even Easter (yet) but, you know, killing two bouts of guilt (why haven't you called?) with one visit (I've been busy) it's how we roll!

Next week, who knows?  The kids are off for spring break, but I'm working and, well, my family has grown accustomed to last minute dinner plans -- a big fancy Easter breakfast would be nice.

Want some?

Pure and Little: 40% OFF Organic Crib Sets

I know, I know, you don't have to remind me -- my kids are waaaaay past the baby stage -- still, this is a pretty good deal for those of you who are, you know, still enjoying that new baby smell!

DETAILS:  40% off crib sets & fitted sheets; use code CRIB40; offer expires April 1, 2010

FIND IT HERE:  PurandLittle.com (http://www.pureandlittle.com/organic-baby-bedding/organic-crib-sets-fitted-sheets.html)

[sniff-sniff]

Enjoy it while you can!

© 2010 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

FWIW:  NO PAYMENT OR CONSIDERATION, BESIDES A CHANCE TO HELP FAMILIES (LIKE MINE) SAVE A LITTLE MONEY, BY SHARING COOL STUFF I FIND IN MY EMAIL, WAS RECEIVED FOR THIS BLOG POST.

PBS KIDS GO!: Design Squad's Trash to Treasure Competition Launches Nationwide April 5, 2010

It's no secret, I am a HUGE fan of PBS (figuratively speaking, of course!) my family and I watch A LOT of public television.

Calling all creative kids and young inventors!

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day this April, PBS KIDS GO!'s Design Squad is launching the nationwide 2010 Trash to Treasure competition on April 5th at PBSKIDSGO.org/designsquad/contest.

Kids across the country ages 5-19 are challenged by the award-winning series to recycle, reuse and re-engineer everyday materials into new inventions.

Three young innovators will win a trip to Boston to see their designs built and have the process chronicled for an upcoming episode of the engineering TV series.

Here's last year's winner, Max Wallack, 13, inventor of the "Home Dome," a temporary shelter for homeless people and disaster victims:

Max gives some sound advice to this year's entrants:

"Identify a problem and then try to come up with a solution to it. Be prepared to make several attempts at designing before one design jumps out as the right one."

Why?

Because, nice matters and indifference sucks wet poodle -- way to go, kids -- good luck!

© 2010 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

DISCLOSURE:  NO PAYMENT WAS RECEIVED, OR CONSIDERATIONS, OTHER THAN A CHANCE TO SHARE SOMETHING NICE WITH OTHER FAMILIES (LIKE MINE) WAS RECEIVED FOR THIS BLOG POST, COURTESY OF PBS KIDS GO!

Friday Family Game & Movie Night: Nintendo DSi XL Featuring, Flipnote Studio

My kids fight the UPS dude, for his attention, whenever we receive a box from our friends at Golin Harris.

"Me, me, me...give it to ME!"

No, not really.

[knock-knock-knock]

Thank goodness, my UPS dude delivers long before ALL my kids get home from school; otherwise, I'd NEVER get to play with anything!

"Thank, dude!"

This time, however, I'm pretty sure even my middle-schooler heard me, from all the way across town.

"SQUEEEEEE!"

Then, my oldest got home (she's 16) and, well, I was already late for work (l make it a general rule NOT to make the women who workout, at my club, angry) so, she was kind enough to put off starting her homework, and test out the new DSi XL, until I got home.

Wait until you see what IT can do!!!

Open House Blog Tour - THE BIG 50!

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 - THE BIG 50! - that's right, with your help, it's been 50 blog posts since we first began sharing the linky love!!  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!

WHAT, IS YOUR LINK TOO LONG?  NO PROBLEM:  Shorten your links with http://bit.ly/ (it's easy AND free!) or, if you need to edit a link -- just let me know -- I can do that, too.

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 on our Open House Page (24/7) so, if you happen to stop by, whenever, just go ahead and leave your link; I'm easy.

ALREADY SHOWING: OPEN HOUSE BLOG TOURS

Thanks SO MUCH for sharing and don't hesitate to come back, next week -- we'll leave the porch light on for ya!

[Please, clean off a chair and stay a while AND feel free to visit my personal blog and I'll love your forever!

© 2010 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

Klutz Fashion Origami Review and Giveaway

[CONGRATULATIONS: JAMIE (#26) VICKI WURGLER (#11) TINA (#38) DESIREE (#24) AND PIXIE13 (#7) PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAILS FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!! ]

All three of my girls are very much into fashion.  They're always drawing a new outfit, fighting over whose turn it is to play Style Savvy, or are trying to convince me that, you know, they have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to wear.

[looks into their closet; rolls eyes]

When it comes to fashion, I, on the other hand, am a total klutz -- okay, I'm pretty much an equal-opportunity mishandler of ALL things delicate and/or breakable -- but, I do love it when my kids get crafty.

So, when my friends representing Klutz.com introduced me to a new Klutz How-To Book that combines my girls' love for fashion AND origami, well, I was very excited for the chance to check it out.

"Look, we DON'T even have to share!"

Would you believe, they sent us 3!?!?

Garth's [not his real name] Cape Cod Stone-ground Cornbread Skillet

I fell in love with Sandwich, MA while honeymooning on Cape Cod.  It is just one of those quintessential New England towns that makes me think, hmmmmm.

"I could live here!"

We had lots of fun with the kids, last summer, too.

"Can we get a house, here?"

Okay, maybe we ALL had a little too much fun. Still. We DID bring home plenty of cornmeal from Dexter's Grist Mill.

Look what the hubs baked, while I was at work Saturday morning and...YES!...I'm keeping him!

GoodNites Bedtime Theater: Iggy's Next Adventure Contest & Giveaway #3

[CONGRATULATIONS, SHAWNA - COMMENT #64 - PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!]

I'm very proud to partner with the good folks at GoodNites in presenting to you Bedtime Theater, a free audio series about the magical adventures of Iggy and his Wiggy Bed, that transforms into a magical flying machine, taking Iggy on fantastical (yes, it's a word!) adventures, with themes of overcoming adversity.

Why?

Well, at our house, bedtime is the best time to talk about the stuff that perhaps is just too scary, or difficult to face, all by ourselves, even in the daylight.

In fact, I had the extreme honor of helping to write Iggy's next adventure (along with 8 other parent bloggers, like me) and now, so can you (yes, YOU!) and perhaps even win some pretty awesome prizes, too!

Just like Anne, our first winner and Shelly, our second winner of the BedTime Theater Prize Pack, because we roll like that!

Wanna see?

Sheepisly Adorable Easter Egg Crafts from FamilyFun.com

After 16 years of raising kids (and killer dust bunnies) I've become quite the expert...in the many practical, not to mention, sometimes very abstract uses of a standard glue gun...trust me, I have the scars to prove it. 

However, whenever I find myself stuck for an original idea (which is, you know, more often than I'd care to admit, at the moment) I simply turn to the creative folks at FamilyFun.com!

Holy Hannah Montana, this has GOT to be the cutest (and easiest) Easter egg craft, evuh, right?

Hard-boiled eggs (color them or just use brown eggs) slap on a cute pipe cleaner stand, add some glued-on details (paper ears, pom-pom nose, and so on) and viola!

Not that into sheep -- no problem -- you can also make a pink pig, purple cow, blue mouse, a pretty Easter dove and any of the other fun (AND EASY!) crafts available on FamilyFun.com!

FIND IT HERE:  Easter Crafts on FamilyFun.com - Sheep Egg  (http://familyfun.go.com/easter/easter-crafts/easter-egg-decorating/easter-eggs-sheep-egg-661501/)

Or, just use those colored plastic eggs, if you're really, really pressed for time or, tend to break things (like I do) a lot.

Go ahead, I won't tell!

 

© 2010 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

DISCLOSURE:  NO PAYMENTS, PRODUCTS, OR OTHER CONSIDERATIONS, OTHER THAN A CHANCE TO SHARE SIMPLE IDEAS AND/OR STUFF WE LIKE, WITH FAMILIES (LIKE OURS) WAS RECEIVED FOR THIS BLOG POST.

GoodNites Bedtime Theater: Iggy's Next Adventure - Giveaway Winner #2

I'm very proud to partner with the good folks at GoodNites in presenting to you Bedtime Theater, a free audio series about the magical adventures of Iggy and his Wiggy Bed, that transforms into a magical flying machine, taking Iggy on fantastical (yes, it's a word!) adventures, with themes of overcoming adversity.

In fact, I had the extreme honor of helping to write Iggy's next adventure (along with 8 other parent bloggers, like me) and now, so can you (yes, YOU!) and perhaps even win some pretty awesome prizes, too!

Today, I am so EXCITED to be able to announce the second (of three) of our readers I'll be sharing this awesome prize pack with:

Guest Post: Lidia's Italy - A Mom's Favorite Pasta With Cheese By Lidia Matticchio Bastianich

 
 

My husband, Garth [not his real name] and I love watching Lidia's Italy.

She reminds me A LOT of my own mom (slight accent, awesome cook) and her book, "Lidia Cooks from the Heart of Italy: A Feast of 175 Regional Recipes," is on my birthday wish list.

"But, you don't like to cook!"

Actually, I love to cook...just, not during the week.

"I'm getting it for Daddy!"

Shhhhh...don't tell him...because, with my working 4 afternoons/evenings out of the week, he gets home a couple of hours before me and is turning into quite the Mr. Mom, thankyouverymuch!

"You're messing with my mojo!"

I called and told the kids to go ahead and make up some hot dogs, the other night, not knowing that my husband was already defrosting the beef stew he made, a few nights before and, well, um, now I only get to test drive my Frigidaire range on weekends.

[heavy sigh]

Tough duty, I know.

[wink-wink]

I am very excited to be able to feature "A Mom's Favorite Pasta With Cheese" by Lidia Matticchino Bastianich.

In this article she offers advice on using the three most common cheeses found in Italian cooking: Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino Romano, and Grana Padano.

This article also includes a great recipe Spaghettini With Olive Oil and Garlic (pictured above) that go with either of the three cheese depending on what you like!

Buon appetito!

AVEENO Baby Essential Daily Care Gift Basket Giveaway

[CONGRATULATIONS, CHERYL - COMMENT #13 - PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!]

Okay, I've got babies on the brain, so what? 

[bites lower lip]

I don't know what it is.  Maybe it's because the sky is blue and weather has warmed up, a bit (here in Jersey, anyway) or, that spring break is fast approaching (hold me!) heaven knows, there isn't much room left in our house and even the dust kitties are fighting for my attention.

Still, I just can't help it -- I miss that new baby smell!

So, in celebration of all things warm and fuzzy, I would love the chance to share a basketful of baby softness with one of you and I will just have to live vicariously through those of you with babies in the house.

[sniff-sniff]

Want one?