This Full House Reviews

Playdate Place Post: Just Another Iconic Superhero Summer

Every year, the kids and I make a list of summer movies we would like to see.

Come by and visit with me at PlaydatePlace.com as we share our picks for this summer and some of our favorite superpowers, too.

When you have time, of course!

FIND IT HERE:  http://playdateplace.kmart.com/2011/06/just-another-iconic-superhero-summer/?intcmp=PlaydatePlace

Thank you for visiting my review blog.  Be sure to visit and/or subscribe to my home blog, ThisFullHouse.com (when you have time, of course!) or stop by and just say, "Hi!"  We'll leave the porch light on for you, just in case.

© 2003 - 2011 This Full House

Nestle Family Best Summer Ever

Check out my summer ideas and enter for a chance to win weekly prizes -->ENTER NOW!

This summer, my family and I will be celebrating our 2nd Annual Staycation and, well, considering the economy doesn't seem to be fixing itself, any time soon, that's not really a bad thing, right?

Unless, it's raining outside and/or we've pretty much run out of ideas on, you know, what to do next.

I'm very, very excited to announce the launch of Best Summer Ever by Nestle Family where I, along with some fellow bloggers, were given the opportunity to contribute to a huge list of summer challenges for your family.

Oh, and there are some awesome summer prizes featured each week -- like, this Independence Giveaway running June 26th to July 2nd:

• Ice cream for 10 people
• Bottle of Nestlé Nesquik syrup
• 22.5 In. 1 touch silver kettle grill, black
• Cooler and BBQ Tools
• Mail order steak Gift Card

Quite frankly, I feel Nestle did a terrific job in creating a very comprehensive, fun AND easy -- not to mention, useful -- website for families (like mine) this summer.

Why?

Well, we're sharing all sorts of fun ways to help celebrate summertime with your family and tossing around some very useful advice, too.

For example one of my contribution in the Stay Home Challenge:

Things to Do on a Rainy Day:  Did  you know that bowling centers offer free or discounted sessions...all...summer...long?!?

So, I hope you consider visiting with me at Nestle Family Best Summer Ever and please don't forget to enter for a chance to win super prizes...every week.

I will be hosting my own giveaway, right here, real soon, so stay tuned!

Until then:  what are you doing to make this summer the best summer ever?

© 2003 - 2011 This Full House

Disclosure: I was compensated for all my Nestle Family posts. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Fabulous Flowers Review & Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So happy to be sharing with Melody J (comment #6) and pmj (comment #28) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!

We are HUGE fans of Klutz.com at our house (not just because of the name, either!)

IMO, their activity books are perfect for those times when you find yourself in need of a break from replacing batteries, or just looking for some creative quiet time.

It's been raining for 3 days and my vegetable beds need weeding, badly.

Soooo...YES...this IS definitely one of those times!

This month, we received Fabulous Flowers by Anne Akers Johnson and learned how to create pretty paper flowers, too (no weeding, required!)

Playdate Place Post: Day at the Beach With Older Kids

Spending a day at the beach with your teens and tweens is a perfect way for families to celebrate all the fun things summertime has to offer.

Come by and visit with me at PlaydatePlace.com as we share some tips and ideas on spending a day at the beach with older kids.

When you have time, of course!

FIND IT HERE:  http://playdateplace.kmart.com/2011/06/a-day-at-the-beach-with-older-kids/?intcmp=PlaydatePlace 

I'll leave the porch light on for you, thanks!

LOOK! MORE STUFF WE'RE SHARING:

Skype Group Video Calling:  Trial 3 month membership & BuddyCam

Get Organized with Manilla.com:  $1,000 Cash to Help Pay Your Bills!

Gatorade Sports Moms:  $100 Dick's Sporting Goods Giveaway

Thank you for visiting my review blog.  Be sure to visit and/or subscribe to my home blog, ThisFullHouse.com (when you have time, of course!) or stop by and just say, "Hi!"  We'll leave the porch light on for you, just in case.

© 2003 - 2011 This Full House

Disclosure:  I am a featured blogger and Kmart Playdate Parent

Kids Club THIRTEEN: Making Summer Fun AND Educational @PBSKids

One of the really, really cool things I get to do, as a Kids Club THIRTEEN Ambassador, is share behind the scenes stuff with families (like mine) who believe in the benefits of good quality children's television programming.

There's lots of good stuff going on with some of our favorite programs, like SUPER WHY!, Cyberchase and Sid the Science Kid.  Also, PBSKids.org is offering great educational resources to teachers, parents and caregivers, this summer:

Skype Group Video Calling & Summer Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So, so happy to be sharing this with you, tomato (#40) Karen M (#2) and Tina Page (#38) please check your email for further instructions, thanks !!!

I was first introduced to Skype in February of 2008 and now use it regularly to keep in touch with clients and online friends.

Skype is a little piece of software that allows you to talk over the Internet to anyone in the world, for FREE!

Today, I'm excited to tell you about the launch of Skype Group Video Calling, which allows up to 10 people to join in on 1 video call, meaning family and friends can now connect over the lazy, hazy and sometimes crazy days of summer...virtually!

Celebrating S'mores Season With Hershey's and The Motherhood

My kids love eating outdoors and swear food tastes MUCH better, in the summertime...me, too!

Sleeping, outside, in a tent, not so much.

2 of my kids want to go camping, the other half don't like bugs and thanks to having given birth to all 4, my sciatica doesn't allow me to, you know, do tents, anymore.

Still.  It warms my heart whenever the kids and I get a chance to do something (ANYTHING!) together. 

Even if it simply means kicking back in our back yard and roasting up a couple of marshmallows for another yummy batch of S'mores. 

Want some?

This summer, the Hershey Company is encouraging families to create their own S’mores memories with the Say S’mores Campaign:

Apartment Guide Home Decor Sweepstakes & Our Extreme Home Do-Over Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So, so happy to be able to share this awesome prize with you, Sarah Hirch (comment #73) please check your email for further instructions !!

As a homeowner, for the last 18 years, raising 4 kids, while living in a 7 room house, that is currently under renovation, for the last 18 years (stupid economy!) I feel it safe to say that a total home-do-over would probably sound REALLY great, for most of you, too, right about now, right? In my mind, I have a shabby chic meets arts and crafts sort of design style, which, really, is code for Early American Garage Sale.

Don't believe me?  Check out our virtual tour -- go ahead, I'll wait!

[heavy sigh]

It would be nice to actually re-decorate with new stuff that, you know, sort of matches.

I had the pleasure of working with Apartment Guide earlier this year -- I accepted their challenge to create a new space in my home -- and, hopefully, my little design project of creating my very own Mom Cave helped to inspire other families (like mine) who have very little extra and literally, no room, or time to spare.

Well, they're at it again.

Congress Hall in Cape May, NJ: Rich in History and Family-Friendly, Too!

My family and I love vacationing with friends in Cape May (yes, here in Jersey!) and have done so, almost every year, since my oldest daughter was a year old and, 3 kids later, we've made some very happy memories, together.

Most recently, during a particularily chilly (and wet) spring break and, well, YES...we love Cape May...THAT MUCH!!!

I was very excited when my friends Emily and Cooper of TheMotherhood.com invited me to visit Congress Hall for a Cape May Bloggers Retreat, featuring my absolutely favorite year-round vacation destination, right here, on the Jersey shore.

This trip, however, would prove to be quite a learning experience...most especially, for this Jersey Mom...indeed!

Get Organized with Manilla.com & Chance to Win $1,000 Cash!

CONFESSION: I am NOT the most organized person. Seriously, you could lose a small child in the paperwork piling up on my desk.

What? You, too? PHEW!!!

So, I often find myself registering for online payments, or receive digital copies of my favorite magazines, update notices on my favorite blogs, via email, as well as several other organizational type tools, such as Google calendars and such.

Then, I effectively stare at my laptop, in the most inefficient way and what the heck is my password, anyway?!?

[heavy sigh]

Last month, thanks to the good folks at http://theblogfrog.com, I got a sneak peek into Manilla, a new household account organization site.

Plus, in June they are doing an amazing Giveaway: one lucky new user will win $1,000 cash to pay their bills!

Quite frankly, I had my doubts.

Carolina Pad Giveaway: Stand Up for Mission: Humane Collection

CONGRATULATIONS: So happy to be able to share this with you, Nancy (comment #36) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!!!

Believe it or not, we haven't managed to break office supplies we've received from Carolina Pad from 2 years ago (okay, mostly me!) 

For example:  take a look at my project binder, from the Kendall Collection, still intact!

This month, my friends at Carolina Pad announced their partnership with the Humane Society in creating a new line of notebooks just for them! 

My family and I have a soft, squishy spot for our four-legged family members, too.

Doofus-Dawg is a rescue!  Poor thing was found tied to a dumpster, suffering from malnutrition and who knows what else, can you imagine?

Considering what he's been through and, although, he goes by many, many names (a.k.a. Pinhead, Dingleberry, Rudeness, to list a few) I swear, Rudolph is the sweetest, kindest and the most gentle dog on the planet.

Unless, you're coming in for a visit. 

Then I suggest you hide your purse and mind his tongue, he likes to lick people...HARD!

Once again, I am very happy to be able to partner with Carolina Pad in helping to promote their partnership with the Humane Society of the United States by featuring their Commerce with a Conscience collection and Stand Up! by Liz Diller:

Kmart's Playdate Place: Super Soaker Giveaway

CONGRATULATIONS: I am so happy to be able to share this with you, Kim (comment #52) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!!!

I am very excited and honored to be a featured contributing blogger for Kmart's NEW 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.

Aaaand, as a Playdate Kmart Playdate Parent, I get the chance to share really cool stuff with you, too, like the Super Soaker Tornado Strike and Super Soaker Thunderstorm to help jump start some summertime fun!  Want one?

New Kids Club THIRTEEN Ambassador: PBS Goodies Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: SO HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO SHARE THIS WITH YOU DEBRA (COMMENT #19) PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS, THANKS!!!

We live in New Jersey (yes, on purpose!) so, I was very excited to have been invited to the PBS headquarters at WNET.ORG, New York City's flagship public TV station, and get a behind-the-scenes look at one of PBS KIDS most popular shows for preschoolers - SUPER WHY!

Why?

I wanted to learn more about the process that goes into creating children's programming at PBS KIDS and perhaps finally make peace with the fact that...YES!...I allowed my preschoolers to watch television.

Yep, I'm one of those parents who believe in the benefits of good quality television programs (like the ones my brother and I watched growing up with public television) especially, for families who perhaps lack access to educational resources we tend to take for granted.

For example, first generation American kids, who started kindergarten not being able to read, write, or speak a word of English, like my brother...and me.

Today, I am very, very proud to announce my recent partnership with PBS as a new Kids Club THIRTEEN Ambassador!

So, what the heck does that mean and what's in it for you?

Freshly-brewed Playdate Place Post: Family-Friendly Basketball Games

Growing up, my twin brother and I played on the basketball courts across the street from our house, with our friends, all the time. 

We played dozens of games and, if boredom threatened to set in, invented a few of our own, as well.

Today, it seems like parents are constantly being reminded about the importance of physical fitness, as well as numerous experts recommending that our kids get more playtime, outdoors.

How’s it working out for us?

Come by and visit with me at PlaydatePlace.com to read this freshly-brewed blog post and find out.

When you have time, of course!

FIND IT HERE:  http://playdateplace.kmart.com/2011/06/family-friendly-basketball-games/ 

I'll leave the porch light on for you, thanks!

Freshly-Brewed Giveaway:  Gatorade Sports Moms & $100 Dick's Sporting Goods Giveaway 

© 2003 - 2011 This Full House

Gatorade Sports Moms: $100 Dick's Sporting Goods Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: New winner picked 7/14/11 ---> so glad to be able to share with you, Kay Swederski (comment #14) please check your email for further instructions!

I had the extreme pleasure of participating in a talk with Stephanie Hamm, mother of Olympian and American soccer legend Mia Hamm and, surprisingly, found a lot in common with this G Althlete Sports Mom.

Stephanie and her husband raised 6 children (seriously, I can barely keep up with 4) and, well, I also had trouble wrapping my head around the fact that, along with most of her siblings, Mia played...whatever sport was in season.

What struck me most from our conversation with Stephanie is the importance of choosing the right sport for your child.

My 3 youngest children were playing soccer in kindergarten and, once entering middle school, I was very excited to watch my son and middle girl finish out wrestling and field hockey season, with all of their body parts, intact. 

My oldest girl, however, showed little interest in sports.  My husband and I insisted she try something and, although Holly enjoyed playing recreational volleyball in middle school, my 17-year-old is the least competitive of all 4 of my kids.

So, like Stephanie, I felt very little pressure to push my "non-sports kid" beyond rooting for her siblings on the sidelines.

Because, my daughter Holly's best attribute is her calm, easy-going personality, along with a natural gift for nurturing and, truth be told, I think she really enjoyed being the "Sports Sibling" in charge and passing out snacks to the rest of the team, as well.

While the Hamms had the advantage of growing up in smaller communities, Stephanie also acknowledged the the fact that, today, sports families have access to much more support, online, as well.

Like, the great information available for Sports Moms when visiting Gatorade.com/moms.

I also had the opportunity to learn a little more about Gatorade's BECOME campaign, view Gatorade Mom Videos and hear real stories from moms.

Like, the heartwarming video of Yolanda Bunn, a 911 operator, infectiously enthusiastic Sports Mom and breast cancer survivor, who switched to the graveyard shift to be there for her kids' Saturday games.

Personally, I believe Gatorade's using real moms in BECOME advertisements to be very  inspiring and, quite frankly -- watching Yolanda console her son after his fumbling in football -- a refreshingly genuine ad campaign, as well.

I am very pleased to partner with Gatorade in helping to spread the word about their BECOME campaign, sharing inspiring stories from real Sports Moms (like me) and encouraging other families to participate in sports activities, by offering to host a giveaway for a $100 gift card to Dick's Sports, as well.

Because, we roll like that!

WIN IT HERE:  To enter, leave a comment, here along with a valid email address on this post by 10:00 a.m. (EST) on Thursday, June 30th and you're automatically entered to win. 

RULES:  No duplicate comments, please.  You may receive two (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

• a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
• b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post.
• c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post.
• d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
• This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.
• Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.
• You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

Don't forget to visit the Prizes & Promotions section for more chances to win!

Official Sweepstakes Dates are 6/01/11 to 6/30/11 -- Visit the Official Rules!

Thank you for visiting my shopping blog.  Be sure to visit and/or subscribe to my home blog, ThisFullHouse.com (when you have time, of course!) or stop by and just say, "Hi!"  We'll leave the porch light on for you, just in case.

© 2003 - 2011 This Full House

Disclosure:  I wrote this post while participating in the Gatorade/BlogHer program on behalf of Gatorade. I received product information to facilitate my post and monetary compensation for the time to write my post.