This Full House Reviews

Camping Indoors with S'mores

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED:So excited to be able to share this awesome prize package with you, Julie L (comment #28) please check your email for further instructions, thanks !!!

Remember when I blogged about our celebrating S'mores season with Hershey's and The Motherhood, back in June?!?

[glances at calendar]

Okay, so, like where DID the summer go?!? 

It seems like only yesterday, we were celebrating the last day of school, right?!?

Did I mention that my second favorite holiday is the first day of school?!?

Just kidding (sort of!)

The kids and I really did have a GREAT time, this summer.  We were able to visit with family AND hang out at the beach with friends at two of our favorite vacation destinations: Cape Cod, MA and Cape May, NJ.

Now that summer is winding down and ALL four kids are going back-to-school, after Labor Day (bittersweet, I know!) we're sticking closer to home and enjoying late night camp outs by the fire pit, in our backyard.

Unless, a late summer thunderstorm shows up, pretty much out of nowhere (like it did, yesterday) and chases the kids back into the house...in less than 5 Mississippi's...me, too!

So, my daughters and I thought it would be fun to show you exactly how easy it is to go camping indoors with S'mores...anytime:

  

Camping indoors really is SO MUCH fun and the best thing about S'mores is that you can make them anywhere, anytime, no matter the weather, indoors AND out!

Want some?  EXCELLENT!!!

Bic Back-to-School Review & Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So excited to be able to share this awesome prize pack with you, Stacey M. Signor (comment #66) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!!!

CONFESSION:  I have this thing for office supplies.  It started when I was in grade school and has manifested into a lifelong fascination.

Don't even get me started on my ever-growing collection of pens.

Speaking of which (sorry, just can't seem to help myself) the good folks representing BIC products sent a lovely package of back-to-school supplies and just in time!

You see, it seems that my kids have this thing for pens, too.

Aaaaand, we are almost all out of pencils:  my youngest daughter (she's 10) swears mechanical pencils are easier to hold (especially, for small hands, like hers) and I'd much rather she concentrate on her math, comfortably.

Of course, it doesn't hurt that BIC Impressions Mechanical Pencils are available in fun designs, or that Bic offers a line of sustainable products AND their website (BicWorld.com)  is also very, very pretty.

Want some?

Share Your Back-to-School Money Saving Advice for a Chance to Win a $500 Shopping Spree from BlogFrog!

It's the same thing, every summer (right about this time, actually) the kids shake down our mail carrier, desperately awaiting news of their teachers and classes for the new school year.

However, NOT until I've had a chance to review each of their back-to-school packets....first!

Personally, I would love it if teachers included ALL of their classroom supply needs...ahead of time!

My husband and I have been gathering school supplies, here and there, throughout the summer. However, the middle school and high school teachers all have separate supply lists, which we don't see, until the first week of school, when the aisles have pretty much been picked clean of back-to-school supply deals.

So, our best advice for shopping for back-to-school supplies would be:

1. Pick up extra standard back-to-school supplies (like, composition notebooks, binders, 3-subject notebooks, book covers, etc...) you find on sale before school starts.

2. Save those receipts (I'm really, really trying to get better at this!) then, return any unused/unopened items.

3. Or, you could always put any leftover supplies aside for next year -- we keep ours in a plastic tote in the garage.

How about you?

Share your back to school money saving advice below for a chance to win a $500 Back to School Shopping Spree from BlogFrog!

Want to exchange more tips and ideas with other moms about back to school topics such as healthy snacks, school supplies and saving money? Visit the Horizon® Healthily Families Back to School Community!

© 2003 - 2011 This Full House

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Horizon. The opinions expressed by me do not necessarily reflect the view of the Horizon Organic brand.

Getting Back To Back-To-School Bedtime Routines

With 42 days left until the First Day of School (here in Jersey, anyway) my kids are tearing through their summer math and reading packets.

Okay, not really.

.Honestly, it takes all of July for us to get into the summer groove and most of August to, you know, start thinking about re-entry into the school daze.

Join me over at BlogFrog where we’re discussing getting back to a back-to-school bedtime routine at the Horizon Milk Community:

MY OTHER BLOGFROG COMMUNITY POSTS:

• Horizon Back-to-School Community
• Giving Kids Allowance for Chores
• Do You Make a Date With Your Kids?
• Smoothing Our Way Into Chillaxing Summertime Snacks
• Family Dinner Fun LIVE CHAT! (notes available, in case you missed it!)

© 2003 - 2011 This Full House  

Disclosure: I have been engaged by BlogFrog as a Horizon's Community Leader and am being compensated for my services for the length of the program.

Family Dinner Fun LIVE CHAT! TONIGHT!

I am so excited to be teaming up with Sara from Saving for Someday to bring you a lively discussion about Family Dinner Fun. Join us on Monday, July 25th at 8pm Eastern/5pm Pacific to talk about ways to make eating together as a family not only a priority but something the kids will want to continue well into their teens.

Join us in The Horizon Dairy community on The BlogFrog to meet other parents to talk about food (of course) and chat about how to get the kids to engage and share, ways to make dinner time fun and so much more.

So, I hope you considering joining Sara and me at 8:00 p.m. for the Family Dinner Fun live chat -- it will be, you know, fun!!!

© 2003 - 2011 This Full House

Disclosure: As a Community Leader I am compensated for my time. My views are not edited. All opinions are my own.

Blue Sky Home Series Organizers Giveaway: Because, I'm Old School when it comes to using paper calendars, too!

UPDATED 8/1/11: So excited to be able to share this awesome prize with you, Heather B (comment #52) please check your email for further instructions!!!

I launched TFH Gone Shopping 4 years ago, B.F., B.T. (before Facebook and Twitter) as an extension of my main blog, which I started 8 years ago (the Jurassic period, in blogging terms) and a way to connect with families (like mine) online and share information on products and services that perhaps help make life a little easier.

My 2010 academic calendar ends in July and it is unraveling (literally) as we speak.

So, when the good folks at Blue Sky contacted me about their new organizational product line designed by Susy Jack, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it.

Because, I'm old school like that.

Do You Make a Date With Your Kid(s)?

With 6 people, living in a 7 room house, trust me when I tell you that privacy is not an issue...because, there isn't any...privacy, I mean.

So, once a week, my husband and I make it a point to go food shopping together and, well, it's our date night and we have a silent agreement NOT to put anything in the cart...that isn't already on he list...I mean.

Except, this one time, when we let our 10 year-old come along and, well, do you make a date with your kids, too?

Join me over at BlogFrog where we’re discussing this at the Horizon Milk Community:

Horizon Organics Back-to-School Community

Yes, I know, it's like summertime only started, right? Still, I am super-excited to partner with the good folks at Horizon Organics as a community leader and announce the launch of Horizon's  Healthy Family Back-to-School Community hosted on The Blog Frog.

My mission is to kick-off discussions with online friends, like you (yes, YOU!) and, hopefully, share some useful tips in helping to make back-to-school as healthy (i.e. painless) as possible.

First, it is my pleasure to introduce you to the rest of the community leaders:

• Ewa from Delishh
• Wendy from Wendolonia
• Tonya from Tonya Staab
• Dagmar from Dagmar's Momsense
• Sommer from Green and Clean Mom
• Crystal from The Thrifty Mama
• Rachel from Surviving the Stores
• Sara from Saving for Someday
• Catherine from 3 Kids and Us
• Cheryl from Tidy Mom

Horizon Healthy Families officially launched, today (YAY!) we will be giving away a $500 Back to School Shopping Spree, Horizon swag, and Target Gift Cards in the community during July.

Look for sponsored conversations, guest chats and more great Back to School promotions is August and September, as well.

OTHER HELPFUL LINKS: 

Horizon on Facebook

@horizondairy on Twitter

Back to School Launch Party 7/14 9-10pm EST

$500 Shopping Spree - Grand Prize Discussion

If you're not doing anything on July 14th, I hope you'll consider joining me for the Back to School Launch Party.

Even if you are (honestly, who's not busy, right?) it's from 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (EST) so, put those kids to bed, grab yourself a cool beverage and let's chat on ways we can ALL save money, stress less and, for heaven's sake, have some fun this summer!

© 2003 - 2011 This Full House

Disclosure:  I have been engaged by BlogFrog as a Horizon's Community Leader and am being compensated for my services for the length of the program.

Foodie Tuesday: Happy New School Year Party With Many Thanks to Reading is Fundamental (RIF)

I remember entering the first grade (back when dinosaurs roamed the earth) we didn't have a library, however, my friends and I would visit the Book Mobile and I can STILL remember how it smelled.

Sort of like Barnes and Noble, before Starbucks and whatever gosh-awful perfume the Book Mobile Lady wore, at the time.

Today, my kids are growing up in the digital age; yes, the internet has made our world a much smaller place and yet mobile technology has also allowed families (like mine) to reconnect and find new friends that we otherwise would not have had the opportunity to meet.

Still, I can't help but think how much I would miss the feel of thumbing through elaborately embossed titles, or scanning through slightly used paperbacks carefully lined up on a bookshelf and, of course, that new book smell.

Ready, Set, Happy New School Year!!!

This weekend, with the help of the generous folks at Nestle Family, my family and I had the privilege of working with Reading is Fundamental (RIF) by throwing a Happy New School Year Kick-Off Party!

Sharing: $150.00 JCPenney Gift Card Because, Some of Us Are STILL Shopping for School Clothes!

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: SO HAPPY TO SHARE THIS WITH KIMBERLY (COMMENT #617) ENJOY!!!

Raising 4 kids, I spend A LOT of time back-to-school shopping (i.e. hunting through dozens of clearance racks, comparing price tags and debating the definition of "school clothes" with my husband) did I mention, we have 3 girls?

I've been putting off back-to-school shopping for the boy (he's 11) because, well, he's become even pickier than the girls (darnit!) and here in Jersey, you can actually wear shorts to school...up until mid-October...sometimes.

Until, the very generous folks at JCPenney.com offered to help, by sending us a $150.00 gift card to splurge on some MUCH needed back-to-school clothes for my son.

Did I mention, they are giving us a chance to share the experience with you (yes, maybe even YOU!) wanna see?

Festival of Children: September Snuggle Package from Paul Frank

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: We are sharing with Katie (comment #27) YAY!  Please, check your email for further instructions!

Paul Frank Industries has teamed up with Festival of Children Foundation to help celebrate National Child Awareness Month by promoting positive ideals, the importance of kids giving back and encouraging families to read together.

I love that!

So, when the good folks representing the Paul Frank brand contacted me about introducing our online friends to their September Snuggle Package (we shared their back-to-school gift pack, last month) well, who am I to pass up a chance to share MORE stuff, with you (yes, maybe even YOU!)

Also, the staffers at Paul Frank have chosen their all time favorite Paul Frank book suggestions that parents and their kids can read as they snuggle under the covers.

Wanna see?

Deal Alert: Coupon Code for Free Laptop Sleeve From Spreadshirt.com

So, what's the deal with Spreadshirt.com?  Well, it's a website that allows you to create, buy or sell custom-made t-shirts, shirts & tees (add your own text and everything) but, wait, there's more!

Between September 6th and October 1st, customers can customize a FREE netbook or laptop sleeve with every order that is $40 or more (this is a $16 value for FREE) check out Spreadshirt.com, shop around a little and then, when you're ready to checkout, enter the following:

Promotional code for your FREE laptop sleeve

• US: FREESLEEVEUSA
• CANADA: FREESLEEVECAN 

OFFER EXPIRES OCTOBER 1, 2010

Now, if only I could think of something REALLY clever to say, like, "Is it wine o'clock, yet," I mean, someone should put THAT on a t-shirt, right?

© 2010 This Full House / This Full House Gone Shopping

The Small Gray-ish Print:  No payments, product or any other consideration, besides a chance to help families (like mine) save a little extra milk money, was received for this blog post.

August is Back-to-School Safety Month

Because, you are NEVER too old to learn about AND share back-to-school safety tips...right?

© 2010 This Full House Gone Shopping

The Small Gray-ish Print:  This Full House is not affiliated with Safe Kids USA.  Just sharing stuff I find in my inbox, or information that I think may be helpful to other parents (like me!)

Super Cute Back-to-School Gift Pack from Paul Frank

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: We are SO HAPPY to be able to share this with Amy (comment #52!!!)

We've got 2 more weeks before school starts -- seriously, where DID the summer go -- and I find myself NOW scrambling to get as much family time in, as possible, before the alarm clocks begin to ring, again!

Did I mention, I have 4 kids going to 4 different schools...AGAIN...this year!?!?

Speaking of monkeys (heh!) my kids just love them (okay, me too!) and the Paul Frank brand has a very cute line of back-to-school items available at OfficeMax and the Apple store, this year.

Want some?