This Full House Reviews

An Open Invitation to Zula World Beta Testing, Just for You (Yes, YOU!)

Last year, I had an opportunity to participate in a PBN blog blast to help promote The Zula Patrol - a show on PBS promoting science education among 4-8 year olds - and it gave me an opportunity to talk about how my husband, Garth (not his real name) and I were bringing science back for our kids.

We were given the opportunity of screening The Zula Patrol Explore Space DVD and it took me a while to convince my 7 year-old that it was NOT a video game.

I thought that preschoolers would appreciate the vibrant colors and catchy theme song and also recommended The Zula Patrol Space Explore Space to 1st and 2nd graders (still do) because, there's enough drama to satisfy even the PG-rated set and the only thing parents had to fear is the possibility of going into some sort of seizure, from an overload of cuteness.

In a non-threatening sort of way, of course!

Today, I'm excited to tell you that they've launched a new website for kids 6+ years and have the opportunity to pass along an invitation to a private beta testing of Zula World, just for you.

Because, we roll like that!

Maranatha Organic Peanut Butter: How to Make a Perfectly Healthy Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich!

4 out of 6 people in our house love peanut butter.  My oldest daughter (she's 15) and my son (he's 10) are just not that into nuts -- unless, the peanut butter comes mixed with chocolate -- but, my youngest daughter (she's 7) takes a PB&J sandwich to school, for lunch, every day.

We're joining the Parent Bloggers Network in trying out Maranatha nut butters as Hope demonstrates how to make a perfectly healthy peanut butter & jelly sandwich.

Sit back folks, she IS a professional.

Game Review: Boogie SuperStar for Wii

It's no secret -- I am raising a family of gamers, big time -- we love our Wii and, if you don't already have one, I highly recommend it.  In fact, I know a few bloggers who are just itching to give one away:

Magpie Musings:  http://www.magpiemusing.com/2008/12/working-on-your-new-years-resolutions.html

Traded My BMW for a Minivan:  http://tradedmybmwforaminivan.blogspot.com/2008/12/win-nintendo-wii-and-wii-fit.html

Los Angelista's Guide to the Pursuit of Happiness:  http://www.losangelista.com/2008/12/los-angelista-giveaway-wii-fit.html

Okay, now what?

Well, finding a game for your Wii shouldn't be very difficult -- visit Wii at Nintendo and see what's new -- almost too many to choose from, I know.  So, I joined in on the Parent Bloggers Network campaign for Electronic Arts and, I have to tell you, our family has a couple karaoke-type games, already and I was a little, you know, skeptical.

Boogie SuperStar, Woogie WiggleWorld (not real brand, I just made that up) what's the diff?

This Full House Reviews: Littlest Pet Shop for Wii - Beware of Cute Overload!

Got pets?

Okay, so maybe your kids want one and you're thinking about it (sort of) but, perhaps you're NOT quite ready to share your house with something that sheds, poops pellets, or requires more attention than you, or your kids do.

Am I right?

Or, if you're like me, you've already got 2 cats, a sock-eating doofus-dog and there are just way too many kids animals running around in your house, already.

Got a Wii?

Compliments of the Parent Bloggers Network (no, really, thanks you guys) our family received a copy of the Littlest Pet Shop video game for the Wii and, you better watch out, I'm about to go all cute on your hard drive!

World Egg Day Recipe Extravaganza

The Parent Bloggers Network is celebrating World Egg Day (10/10/08) along with 12 of their bloggers (like me) who are participating in the American Egg Board's most expansive ad campaigns ever, since introducing Americans to the incredible edible egg, I mean.

Of course, being raised by Hungarian parents, eggs play an important part in European tradition and can be found on our holiday table, in some form, or fashion.

My favorite, by far, has to be the Hungarian dessert my mom served at Christmas called Madártej, or birds' milk - although, I've never actually prepared it, you know, without her by my side - but, it's usually translated as Floating Islands; a thick vanilla cream soup with puffy meranges (birds) floating on top.

So, I decided to give it a try - just for PBN!

[one beat, two beats]

Aaaand, my husband, Garth (not his real name) is taking care of the kids (while I'm away in L.A., next week) so, I sorta need to be nice to him, too!

Maybe Baby: From blog, to book and tales of an infertile love story.

An Infertile Love Story

One of the benefits to be reaped in the blogging community is the sense of belonging and validity one feels reading about the experiences and (especially, in my case) mis-adventures of fellow bloggers.

Then, I find a blog that has me physically rooting for the writer (and his wife) and then watch as he gets lucky, one more time.

Maybe Baby - I hope so:

Sleep Is for the Weak: A quick peek into the Momosphere.

Speedy Synopsis:  The best of the mommybloggers including Amalah, Finslippy, Fussy, Woulda Coulda Shoulda, Mom-101 and more!

One of the reasons I enjoy blogging, so much -- besides, the flexible hours and the fringe benefits of hanging out in my pajamas and having unlimited access to the delete button -- is the extreme sense of community and respect we share, for each other.

Mommybloggers (or, Mom Bloggers, Blogging Moms, Bloggers who happen to be moms, if you like) come from different backgrounds (spiritually, economically and sometimes even a bit frenetically) and that's what makes the blogging world so unique.

Marketers know that the mom blogging community is hot, right now -- both, literally and figuratively speaking -- because, they know, that we know, mom bloggers know how to network.

Unfortunately, what the Internets sometimes forgets is that Mommybloggers are more than just "providing content" - we're sharing our stories and tackling tough issues that perhaps many of us wouldn't know how to approach, in our everyday lives.

Wouldn't it be nice if we could take a piece of the blogosphere and wrap it up in a tidy little book, to take with us, in real life?

The White Trash Mom Handbook: She's less than perfect and she's okay!

A speedy synopsis; based on the popular mommy blog (GASP!) the book has little to do with double-wides and is more about the insane expectations for "normal" modern parenting.
 

I agreed to participate in the White Trash Mom Campaign with the Parent Bloggers Network and, since I had the pleasure of meeting and working alongside authors Michelle Lamar and Molly Wendland with Disney's Family.com, I felt it important to begin my review with a speedy synopsis.

Why? 

Because, living in a world where reality television reigns supreme, most parents would understand "white trash" as a derogatory term.

Including me.

Hanes Kids - Back to School and Wedgie-Free!

Catch these awesomely funny Hanes commercials with the very manly-looking Charlie Sheen, yet?

Having mostly girls (ages 14, 12, 7) my husband Garth (not his real name) and I are accustomed to being surrounded by all things pink and prettiful and - though, I never really got into the frilly, fru-fru stage, or fully recovered from the whole Polly Pocket...um...thing - I can tell you that I consider raising a son a refreshing respite from all the girlie-girl goings on, around here.

Until, the man child bought home his first copy of Captain Underpants, or the ritualistic way in which my 9-year-old son walks around the house, before every soccer practice and/or game, wearing nothing but his underwear and knocking on his jockstrap, chanting:

"I've got the brains, brawn and nuts of steel!"

Still.

There's one thing they DO have in common and I am of the opinion that digging into one's butt crack isn't very attractive, either!

This Full House Reviews: Sesame Place - Hot Fun in the Summertime!

This Full House spends a day at Sesame Place on Media Day (6/1/08) representing the Parent Bloggers Network!

Counting by one and tens with The Count, sharing a snack with the Cookie Monster and singing the, "Rubber Ducky Song" with best friends Bert and Ernie, these are the memories that resonate in the hearts (and minds) of children of all ages and it really doesn't matter how old you are, or where you grew up - everyone knows the way to Sesame Street.

The Parent Bloggers Network offered me and my family the chance to visit this childhood trusted friend, recently, for real?

Well, can you tell me, how could I say no to spending a full day at Sesame Place?

This Full House Reviews: Venus Fly Trap - It eats bugs for lunch, sort of!

Our family loves the Discovery Channel and we very rarely miss an episode of Deadliest Catch (Go Time Bandit!) and Dirty Jobs (with the hunkiest host on television) or, Survivor Man (this guy eats bugs) and Man Vs. Wild (he's just gross) but, our new favorite Discovery show has to be The Alaska Experiment. 

Why?

Because it's about real people (two of them are from Jersey!) who agreed to move to Alaska, during the winter, and all six of us HATE BUGS!

Still.

My kids were a bit skeptical about the Venus Fly Trap we received from the Discovery Store.

This Full House Reviews: Vincent Shoes - Designers for kids, just like mine...too!

Raising four kids -- not to mention, three very persnickety girls -- I find that clothes shopping can be very daunting.  Especially, shopping for shoes.  I try to look for styles that are both appealing and functional, while my children focus their choices more on whatever all the cool kids are wearing...at the moment.

Soooo, who is this Vincent and what's so special about his shoes?

Hip Hop Harry: Got a good beat and it's easy to dance, too!

As children of the 80's - okay, so I was a teenager, allrightalready - my twin brother and went clubbing together and rocked out in our tres trendy baggie pants, sporting bi-level haircuts and blindingly white high top sneakers; the most humorous characteristics of the decade, really.

My children find that, and thought of their mother ever being hip, laughable.

Unlike their momma, they can dance.

No, really, my husband and I don't have any idea where they get their rhythm from and you won't believe what I caught them doing on the couch, yesterday!?!?

Zula Patrol Explore Space: No safety helmet required.

Last month, I participated in the PBN blog blast featuring The Zula Patrol -  a show on PBS promoting science education among 4-8 year olds - and it gave me an opportunity to talk about how my husband, Garth (not his real name) and I were bringing science back for our kids.

I said then, that this was a children's television program that I could see becoming a new house favorite.

But, could my computer savvy six-year-old sit through 57 minutes of uninterrupted space exploration...without having to use her hands...or, a safety helmet?