This Full House Reviews

Disney Classics Giveaway: QUICK! Before These 5 Disney Titles Go Back Into the Vault!

4/30/12 UPDATED TO ADD: This giveaway ends TODAY! Monday (4/30) at 8:00 p.m. (est) rather than the original published end date of Friday (5/4) as per the request of Disney.  So happy to be sharing these awesome movies with you, Patricia Wojnar Crowley (comment #63) please check your email for further instructions, thanks :)

A bunch of my blogging friends are attending 2012 Disney Social Media Moms, this weekend.

I was very kindly invited to register (thank you, Disney!) however, with my oldest daughter graduating high school, the day before my youngest daughter's birthday, a few days before she graduates elementary school (hold me!) and other pressing issues here at home (stupid roof, dumbass Hurricane Irene!) we just couldn't swing it.

You can follow along their adventure(s) with the hashtag #DisneySMMoms on Twitter:  I am purposefully keeping away from Twitter because, well, you know, I am NOT one of them.

Also, we may be the ONLY family on the planet who has NOT been to Disney.

My kids grew up watching Disney movies (me, too!) and each had they're favorites:  lyrics from Cinderella, Little Mermaid, Peter Pan and Sword in the Stone have often times been quoted, randomly, throughout the years.

It was SO FUN to introduce my kids to these Disney classics, as each title would be re-released to theaters and then available as a video.

My favorite Disney movie?  Beauty and the Beast:  I saw it in theaters, with my bff even before my kids were born.

5 DISNEY CLASSICS ARE HEADING BACK INTO THE VAULT ON APRIL 30, 2012 (THAT'S THIS MONDAY!) BUT, WE GET THE CHANCE TO SHARE BEFORE  THE DOOR CLOSES ON THESE TITLES, NEXT WEEK:

Family Game and Movie Night: PokePark 2 Wonders Beyond for Wii Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So happy to be sharing this awesome game with you Diane Allstadt (comment #2) please check your Facebook page for further details, thanks!

You know, my kids never really got into the whole Pokemon craze and not for the lack of trying -- considering trading cards were included in nearly every goodie bag they've ever come home with.

Did I mention, I have 4 children attending 4 different schools?

Aaaaaanyway, the good folks at Nintendo sent us copy of the soon-to-be released (2/27/12 available for Wii only) PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond and I'd love to be able to share it with one of our online friends (yes, maybe even YOU!)

Here's the PokePark2 Wonders Beyond teaser trailer for a closer look:

 

Kinect for Xbox 360 Interactive Storybooks, Games & Holiday Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: Looking forward to sharing this awesome prize package with one of you, real soon!

It's no secret, we love our Xbox:  it was our #1 Holiday Pick for 2010 (still is!) control free playing and full body play got my kids (and me) off the couch and took our Family Game Nights to a whole different level!

This holiday season, Kinect for Xbox 360 has a bunch of great titles, including our newest favorites: Dance Central 2, Kinect Sports Season Two and Kinect Disneyland Adventures.

We love finding new family-friendly video games and sharing fun ways to spend more time, together.

This year, there is a new Public Service Announcement from Xbox 360 and Sesame Street about parental controls that helps families learn more about the safety features built into the Xbox 360 game system, such as game ratings, setting limits on time and the ability to restrict online access.

Actually, the PSA is very entertaining.  Then again, I am a long-time fan of Cookie Monster.

Sesame Street fans (like me) may also be excited to learn that Kinect for Xbox 360 has released an awesome new holiday product.

It's an interactive storybook called Once Upon A Monster:  a guided exploration of a living storybook where players help their monster friends with problems, all while interacting with the environment around them.

Players can also engage in physical activities such as monkey-see-monkey-do, playing instruments, flying, and running obstacle courses.

So, yeah, there's lots of fun and exciting new stuff available for Kinect from Xbox 360 this holiday season.  Want one?!?

Friday Family Game & Movie Night: Power Gig: Rise of the SixString for Xbox

Glen playing the Power Gig: Rise of the SixString for Xbox -- I'm so psyched to be able to edit my pics in Picnik.com, right from my Picasa 3 software, doesn't this look cool?!?

We signed my 11 year-old son up for guitar lessons, through an enrichment program offered in our school system, which means, you know, no sleeping in on Saturdays, either!

Still, it's close to home, the program ran for 10 weeks through December, which worked out to be about $10.00 per lesson.

Not a bad deal, right?

Unfortunately, he missed a couple of lessons (due to his, or the teacher, being sick) and, well, I didn't sign him up for the winter session.

Judging by all the snow Jersey has been getting (a.k.a. Snowmaggedon 2010) good thing, too.
We received a copy of Power Gig: Rise of the SixString, a music videogame that uses a real guitar as a controller and teaches the fundamental skills of guitar playing in the process and Glen got a chance to practice with it, over winter break.

Our #1 Holiday Pick: Xbox 360 Kinect Xbox Live Family Pack Membership

Get the whole family in on the fun with Family Game Night. It happens every Tuesday on Xbox 360 and on Xbox LIVE.

TFH Holiday Pick 2010

It's no secret, we love our Xbox (read our full review of Xbox 360 LIVE from last year, here) and, seeing as I am also a gamer mom (i.e., try to beat the pants off of my kids, but, you know, end up losing, every gosh-darned time) I was excited to learn about the Family Pack Membership now available for Xbox 360 Live.

Long story, short (you're welcome!) you get four 12-month Xbox LIVE Gold memberships for less than the price of 2 with up to 4 players per family!

Then we received the new Kinect for Xbox 360 (thank you, Microsoft!) and well, this year, control free playing and full body play got my kids (and me) off the couch and took OUR Family Game Nights to a whole different level!

Nanny McPhee Returns Sneak Preview and Nanny Pack Giveaway

Comments are closed:  Sharing with Katrina (comment #2) Melanie (comment #26) and Karen M (comment #6) enjoy!!!

She first introduced herself in 2005 and, quite honestly, I am a sucker for feel-good movies like Nanny McPhee! 

Starting on August 20th, Emma Thompson returns to the role of the magical nanny who appears when she’s needed the most and wanted the least in the next chapter.

This time, she appears at the door of a harried young mother, Mrs. Isabel Green (Maggie Gyllenhaal) who is trying to run the family farm while her husband is away at war.  However, once she’s arrived, Nanny McPhee discovers that Mrs. Green’s children are fighting a war of their own against two spoiled city cousins who have just moved in and refuse to leave.

Maggie Smith (who I absolutely adore) also stars, however, this installment does NOT include Colin Firth (who I've been crushing on since Pride and Prejudice) still, I am looking forward to Nanny McPhee Returns and celebrating with a little back-to-school giveaway, too!

First, the sneak preview:

Netflix Now Available on Nintendo Wii: Complimentary 3 Month Nextflix Membership

[CONGRATULATIONS:  LORI A. (COMMENT #21) PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!]

It's no secret, we love our Wii and I personally have enjoyed working with Nintendo in bringing families (like mine) up to date on the latest and greatest stuff in video gaming.

Why?

In our house, Family Game and Movie Nights are one of the few times we get to spend, doing something we ALL like, together.

Have you heard about the cool new Netflix streaming feature available on the Nintendo Wii system?

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!!!

Family Game & Movie Night: Endless Ocean Blue World - Sequel to Endless Ocean for Nintendo Wii

My oldest girl (she's 16) loves the water -- good thing we live on the Jersey coast, right?  However, I don't think she's quite ready for scuba diving (she hears the water is a bit murky, here in Jersey) so, when Nintendo came out with Endless Ocean, she dipped into her babysitting money and headed to Game Stop -- a modern day Cheers, for teenagers -- where everybody knows our naaaaaaame.

[sound of crickets chirping]

Aaaaanyway, she swam, I watched her play (I'm a cocktails by the pool sort of gal) and it was good.

This time, my friends at Golin Harris were kind enough to send us a copy of Endless Ocean: Blue World, the squeakquel!

SQUEEE!

"Look, I get to scuba dive all over the world!"

What can I tell you -- the girl loves to swim -- wanna see?

Sharing Redbox Top Ten Family Rentals & 10 Free Rental Codes!

[FINISHED: CONGRATULATIONS, SANDRA (COMMENT #50) LOOKING FORWARD TO SHARING WITH YOU, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!]

Last month, I personally professed my undying love for renting movies from Redbox. 

Why?

Their pretty little red kiosks are conveniently located at our local Shoprite, Walgreens and Stop and Shop stores.  There are NO membership fees and, since we only pay $1.00 per movie (per day) vending our Friday Night Game and Movie Night dvds is totally budget-friendly.

TGIF! 

My friends at Redbox have offered to help celebrate family fun night with us, by sharing this week's Top Ten Family Rentals and are ALSO sending me 10 (ten) free rental code cards to share!

[drum roll]

Family Game and Movie Night: Wizard101 Review & Giveaway

We love finding new video games and sharing fun ways in which families (like ours) can spend more time, together.  Especially, on days (like today) when the snow just keeps on coming and, well, with 6 people, living in a 7 room house, it doesn't take long for cabin fever to set in!

There are times, however, when I can't help but wonder, do these kids REALLY need another video game?

Still, playing the same board games, over and over again, can get, you know, sort of boring.

I was contacted recently by the really creative folks at KingsIsle Entertainment about a new online, magical 3D world, called Wizard101 and, seeing as we are ALL really HUGE fans of Harry Potter AND it's been, you know, snowing a lot, we agreed to give it a whirl.

Redbox Top Ten Family Rentals & Free Rental Codes

We love renting movies from Redbox (their kiosks at our local Shoprite, Walgreens and Stop and Shop stores) it's convenient and -- since there are no membership fees and you only pay $1.00 per movie, per day -- it's budget-friendly.

Now, if we can ONLY remember to take it back, the next day, right?

Still, another really great feature to renting movies with Redbox is you can sign up for SMS (your cell phone) or email messaging and get a free rental code each Monday which you can use for one night's free rental.

Here's how you can find one, along with a cool list of family rentals available, this week, if you happen to be planning an at home New Year's Eve party, like us!

ABC Family 25 Days of Christmas Holiday Giveaway

[FINISHED: CONGRATULATIONS CRYSTAL (#22) WE ARE VERY HAPPY TO BE SHARING SOME OF OUR FAVORITE STUFF WITH YOU - PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR INSTRUCTIONS!!]

I know...I know...there's, like, only 9 more days left until Christmas!

[slams forehead on laptop]

WHAT, where was I?  Oh, yeah.  We are HUGE fans of ABC Family and their 25 Days of Christmas (which can be accessed by clicking on the banner above, linking to their programming guide, with sound) featuring a few of our favorite television Christmas classics.

 

The Year Without a Santa Claus [shown here, with permission] is one of my personal favorites -- remember the Heat Miser and his stepbrother, the Snow Miser?

Disney Pixar Short Films are also featured, like the awesomely adorable Gerri's Game.

Not to mention, it's Harry Potter month -- Prisoner of Azkaban is my favorite, because, well, I happen to like bad boys, like Professor Snape!

RAWR!

This Full House is proud to partner with ABC Family in helping to promote family television, by hosting a 25 Days of Christmas Holiday Giveaway.

Friday Night Family Movie & Game Night: Diner Dash - Flo on the Go for Nintendo DS

I must admit, Diner Dash:  Flo on the Go had me giggling like a 13-year-old.

"Aunt Flo...get it?"

[blank stare]

Apparently, my 13 year-old daughter thought, you know, my "real" age was showing and all she wanted to do was play the new Nintendo DS game that we recently received from our friends representing ZooGames.com.

"I play this game on my phone!"

[eyes go wide]

So, after I made a mental note to check the phone bill, I let her play.

Holiday Survival Guide 2009: Day 7 - MORE FUN TIME with Xbox 360

[CONGRATULATIONS, ELIZABETH TURNER (#130) WE ARE SO HAPPY TO BE SHARING THIS REALLY COOL PRIZE WITH YOU -- PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!]

Welcome to Day 7 of our Holiday Survival Guide 2009 sponsored by some of the most awesomely generous brands we know and have reviewed throughout the year, who have graciously agreed to provide some really cool stuff for Her, Him, the Grandparents...okay, isn't it time we ALL put the WIN back into the winter holidays and made re-gifting a rule?!?

Seriously, I've got some really great stuff to share with you.

Raising 4 kids (did I mention, we've got two teenagers in the house, this year?) my husband, Garth [not his real name] and I are trying (really hard) to remember to take back the holidays and keep it as stress free as...well...you know,.

We've got a little something for everyone and giving away some pretty cool stuff, too:

DAY 1:  HOLIDAY BAKING - Pumpkin Lattice Tart Food Channel Recipe and Holiday Gift Pack from Pampered Chef

DAY 2:  WARM HOLIDAY FUZZIES - Love, Hugs, Peace and All Things Jonas Brothers with Build-A-Bear

DAY 3:  CHILDREN'S BOOKS - Going Digital with Disney

DAY 4:  HOLIDAYS LONG DISTANCE - Keep in Touch with Skype and Buddy Cam

DAY 5:  QUIET HOLIDAY TIME - Grandpa Read's Quiet Time Tales

DAY 6:  FAMILY GAME NIGHT - Playing the "I'm Bored" Games with HABA

DAY 7:  MORE FUN TIME - Xbox 360 for When You're Home for the Holidays

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.

Let's get started, okay -- ready for a little more fun time with Xbox?