This Full House Reviews

Hershey's Camp Bondfire: Celebrating Independence with Red White and S'mores

The bonds of friendship, just as tight, 56 years later!

My parents were teenagers when they immigrated to America during the Hungarian Revolution in 1956.  My mother was 14 and my father (pictured above on the far right) was my oldest daughter’s age when he first stepped onto U.S. soil with his two best childhood friends.

Band of Brothers, reunited once again: Martin, My Dad and Joe

With the rest of our family living overseas, it was a natural fit for my kids and I to adopt Joe and Martin as honorary Uncles:  so, as you can imagine, Independence Day is a big deal at our house.

Recently, we gathered together with family and friends to celebrate our oldest daughter Holly’s high school graduation, our youngest daughter Hope's fifth grade promotion and her 11th birthday with a Happy Everything party.

Then, we had our own little after party and, well, now that our kids are ALL grown up (mostly) it's really, really nice to be able to take a self-imposed time out...together!

This week, I am very honored to partner with TheMotherhood.com and Hershey's in helping families celebrate summertime and our favorite fireside treat...S'mores!...as a featured blogger for their Camp Bondfire campaign on Facebook!

I hope you join me for fun tips, great stories and a chance to win a fire pit, every week!  Here's how:

Favorite Find of the Week: Super Last-Minute, On Second Thought-Type Graduation Announcements

Ready for her senior prom...EEEP!

My oldest is graduating high school, like, tomorrow (EEEP!) and I've been planning for this day since she's been in kindergarten, sort of. 

Back then 2012 sounded SO, SO FAR AWAY!

I also knew that, with my youngest graduating 5th grade AND celebrating her 11th birthday, this week would be BEYOND hectic.

So, we're hosting a "Happy Everything Party" with family and friends this weekend (double-EEEP!) for which I made lists (my friend Melisa would be proud) and I've been cleaning the house...for the last 3 days...and I mean, like, Thanksgiving clean.

My 2 youngest have been tag-teaming each other and were home sick from school ALL WEEK, enough said.

Then my middle girl took some awesome pictures of her sister for the senior prom and, well, I thought to myself...SELF!!!...maybe I could somehow include them with the party favors as a special, "Thank you."

However, I don't have ANY time to spare let alone $$ to pay for last-minute, get it here like NOW, shipping!

LIGHT BULB!  Drug stores like CVS and Walgreens have a photo center online, right?:  Yes, yes they do and you can create some really awesome photo cards using your favorite shots and most photo centers will have them available to you within an hour or next day pick-up.

I think these came out really great (bet you can imagine the $$ we saved on ink having them printed at our local drug store instead) and I ordered enough prints to send to extended family members, 'cawse I'm all thoughtful like that and everything, YO!

© 2003 - 2012  This Full House

Disclosure:  No payment, product or any other consideration was received for this blog post.  Just super-surprised when stuff works out right and thought I'd share it with you.

Celebrity Crushes: 6 Degrees of a Vampire Love Story

I am very honored to be working with Hallmark as a Life is a Special Occasion featured blogger and for their sponsoring this blog post, allowing me to share personal stories, insights and inspirations in enjoying simple, every day moments, with you (yes, YOU!)

This new generation of vampires is so much more shiny-er, yes?

I began my obsession with Twilight in the Summer of 2007 when my oldest daughter (she was 13 at the time) insisted that...YES!...it would keep her interest and...OF COURSE!...the genre would make an absolutely perfect fit into her 8th grade summer reading list.

"It's a vampire love story!"

Uh-huh.

So, I read it first to make sure that it was...you know...appropriately shelved in the teen readers section and...YES!...it truly was love at first bite.

[cringe]

Don't worry, Stephenie Meyer writes way good-er than me and had an excellent run with a story line that is not really all that unique.

"You know, I had a thing for vampires, back in the day..."

In fact, some of whom have just now entered their twilight years, these actors continue to remain my top celebrity crushes, have done very well for themselves and ALL have hung out (in one form or another) with vampires:

Guest Post: 13 Must-See Wedding Websites

Our niece Amy is getting married the Summer of 2013:  considering my husband and I met on a blind date, were engaged 2 months later and married by the following summer, I sometimes forget that some people really do plan their wedding for years.

Plus, the internet did not exist 20 years ago and, well, I can only imagine the time suck involved and I hear it's gotten even MORE expensive.

Here are 13 must-see wedding websites to help in your planning, inspiration and execution of the ultimate celebration of love, courtesy of the author of the e-Book "Cheap Ways to Tie the Knot" Cara Davis:

Hosting a Successful Party for the Big Game (GO GIANTS!)

 

Thanks to Tyson Any'tizers for sponsoring my writing about hosting a successful party for the Big Game (GO GIANTS!) add your comment below to be entered for a chance to win a 42" LG Flat Screen TV from The Blog Frog!

We are ALL SO EXCITED about our New York Giants going to the Big Game (yes, they are OUR GIANTS!) and re-uniting with the New England Patriots.

It's going to be an awesome show, right?

Even my father, who is Hungarian American and never understood why grown men would tackle each other like that on purpose, is excited about this game!

We usually don't throw a big party. It's just the six of us and, to tell you the truth, seeing as it is a school night (dangit!) I never really understood why they just can't make it Superbowl Saturday, or something?

Still, I can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday night than having the 6 of us get together, all cozy on the couch, noshing on some of our favorite football food (nachos, buffallo wings, 7 layer dip, etc...) and watching the Big Game in our pajamas.

Now, it's your turn.

Tell me what tips you have for hosting a successful party for friends and family for the Big Game and be entered to win a 42” LG flat Screen TV!

GET IT HERE: By replying you will be entered to win a 42" LG Flat Screen TV from BlogFrog (click here for Official Sweepstakes Rules!)

Tyson Any’tizers are a great snack that satisfies your kids on game day or any day!

GO GIANTS!!!! So, who you rooting for this Sunday?!?

© 2003 - 2012 This Full House

TellTeTeTell International Delight what your favorite holiday treat is for a chance to win a $200 Walmart Gift Card.

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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Tyson Any'Tizers. The opinions expressed by me do not necessarily reflect the view of the Tyson Any'Tizers Brand. Official Sweepstakes Rules

Our 13 Kid-Friendly Favorite Halloween Party Games & Halloween Prize Package Giveaway

Unlike the Middle School, my 17 and 15 year-old girls were allowed to wear their costumes to school, last year.  I know, I know, but these were the tamest of the bunch available to teens, trust me!

Only 13 more sleeps until Halloween! My youngest (she's 10) has her costume put together (mostly!) while, my middle two (they're 12 and 15) are undecided on whether or not they're done with trick-or-treating.

My oldest? She's preparing for the SATs. Enough said.

Then, mixed in with the holidays, it's birthday time: my 3 oldest will each be adding another candle in November, December AND January (no, I don't know WHAT we were thinking either!)

PHEW! I guess you can say that our family celebrates this time of year in a fevered-pitch, eh?

This year, I will be attending my 13th Halloween Parade, however, it will also be the last time I'll be able to participate in my children's class parties.

They don't like admitting they know me, in middle school.

It's a bittersweet moment, to be sure, thankfully we have lots of great pictures to help us remember their elementary school years (okay, mostly me!)

I'm very proud to partner with The Blog Frogand Fanta in sharing Our 13Kid-Friendly Favorite Halloween Party Games, played at class parties, for the last 13 years (SOB!)

Along with a chance for you (yes, YOU!) to win one of 15 Halloween Prize Packages (each worth $100) from Fanta (WHOOT!)

Okay, ready, here we go:

Kmart Halloween Party Crew Weekly Specials & Giveaway Winner!!!

Last week, I had the pleasure of sharing how the Kmart.com and the Kmart Halloween Party Crew came up with an awesome campaign they're calling Attack of the 50 Ft. Party to help families (like ours) put the fun back into Halloween.

Feel free to read the rest of my post, here (when you have time, of course!)

http://www.thisfullhouse.com/reviews/2011/09/stuck-for-halloween-ideas-me-too-kmart-halloween-party-crew-can-help.html

This week, I have the EXTREME pleasure of announcing the winner of the $75.00 Kmart gift card.

We received 260 entires (WOW) and, gosh, but it feels SO GOOD to pay it forward.

Oh,  and sharing this week's special offers with the rest of our online friends (yes, YOU!) too.

[drum roll]

Stuck for Halloween Ideas? Me, Too! Kmart Halloween Party Crew Can Help!

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: Looking forward to sharing stuff we like with one of you, real soon!

This Full House:  Halloween 2006

3 out of 4 of my kids LOVE Halloween (made the mistake of taking my son on a scary hayride, once, we're both still not quite over it) to the extent that they begin planning for Halloween, the day after Halloween.

Kmart.com and the Kmart Halloween Party Crew have come up with an awesome campaign they're calling Attack of the 50 Ft. Party to help families (like ours) put the fun back into Halloween.

It's sort of one stop shopping destination (love that!) where you can find:

• Some really great weekly Halloween deals (9/25 - 10/1 get 25% off ALL costumes and capes, plus FREE SHIPPING ON ALL HALLOWEEN ORDERS!)
• Blog posts sharing decorating ideas and party tips
• Costume information (plus, lots of costume choices for tweens and teens, too!)
• Weekly sweepstakes
• Information on how you can enter for a chance to win a Halloween Party on their Facebook page and much more!

WIN IT HERE:  My friends at Kmart sent us a $75.00 gift card (as a thank you for working with them) but, we've decided to pay it forward, share it with one (1) of our online friends, instead and maybe even help make your Halloween a little less, you know, scary.

Because, we roll like that!

Homework Tip for Parents: Teens and Tweens Just Wanna Have Fun, Too!

Only 120 more sleeps and I am officially a parent with 3 teenagers in the house. 

[shiver]

I still can't wrap my head around the fact that my youngest is 10, already.

[heavy sigh]

However, homework time hasn't gotten any easier at our house --  what, yours either!?!?

Come by and visit with me at PlaydatePlace.com where we are sharing homework tips for teens and tweens.

When you have time, of course!

FIND IT HERE:  http://playdateplace.kmart.com/2011/09/homework-tip-for-parents-teens-tweens-just-wanna-have-fun-too/?intcmp=PlaydatePlace

NEW! THIS HALLOWEEN:  My friends at Kmart.com have launched Attack of the 50ft Party, an online social hub to help families (like mine) find some great deals, blog posts, costume information, sweepstakes and much more!

This week's AND next week's special deals are:

September 18 - September 24 Offer: 20% Off All Children's and Teen Costumes http://kmrt.us/qHRXMU

September 25 - October 1 Offer: 20% Off All Costumes and Capes, plus FREE SHIPPING on orders 39.99 and over http://kmrt.us/qHRXMU

Thank you for visiting Gone Shopping.  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 Place Parent.

Last Minute Valentine's Day eCards from Isle of View

I love surprises.  Really, I do!  So, when the nice folks at Isle of View sent me personalized eCards with my family's name’s hidden meaning and original art, well, see for yourself:

Deal Alert: FREE Nick Jr.'s Olivia Dress-Up Party Printables

It's been snowing (A LOT!) here in Jersey (what, YOU too?) and, well, cabin fever can cause severe bouts of crankiness, don't you know?

"What ARE you wearing?"

Picture this:  green t-shirt, orange shorts, purple leggings (embellished with gold and silver peace signs) and a red tutu.

"Don't worry, we're playing dress-ups!"

Taking into consideration my youngest is 9 years-old, this, for me, was a very refreshing fact, indeed!

Got a daughter who enjoys playing dress-ups?  Does she watch Nick Jr.'s Olivia?  EXCELLENT!!!

You can score some really cute FREE dress-up party printables by going to NickJr.com and printing out the following:

• Olivia’s Designer Dress-Up Party Invitations
• Olivia’s Straw Toppers
• Olivia’s Designer Dress-Up Pack
• Olivia’s Dress-Up Party Certificate
• Olivia Dress-Up Party Goody Bag
• Olivia Photo Frame Party Favor

Or, visit the Kids Printables Page on NickJr.com to find coloring pages, puzzles, games, crafts and more cool stuff for your favorite Nick Jr. show(s) to help, you know, keep the cabin fever monster at bay.

Good luck and pray GroundhogDay,org reports Punxsutawney Phil does NOT see his shadow, tomorrow!  Or, is it the other way around?  Either way, NO MORE SNOW, or the stupid groundhog gets it!

OTHER COOL STUFF WE'RE SHARING:

New Year, New Space Blogger Challenge - Sharing $100 American Express Gift Card

Football Party Recipes Big Game Giveaway - Sharing awesome mixing bowls, plates and serving pieces

© 2003 - 2011 This Full House

No payment, product or any other consideration, other than a chance to help families (like mine) save a little milk money was received for this blog post.

Guest Post: Football Party Recipes - Big Game Giveaway

CONGRATULATIONS: GREEN BAY PACKERS (sort of) the PITTSBURGH STEELERS gave good game, too!  So happy to be able to share these awesome prizes with wcc (comment #135) please see your email for further instructions!!!

5-Layer Mexican Dip (courtesy of KraftFoods.com)

Guest post from Kraft Foods (I am a member of their Delicious Bytes blogger community)

With Game Day right around the corner, many football fans around the country are trying to get creative with their party planning to host a fun kickoff event. How about a football-inspired recipe for the Big Game?

5-Layer Mexican Dip Recipe

WHAT YOU NEED

• 1 can (15-1/2 oz.) refried black beans
• 1 Tbsp. chili powder
• 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 cup BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream
• 1 cup KRAFT Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• 3 green onions, sliced
• 1/3 cup sliced black olives
• 1 tomato, chopped

MAKE IT

• MIX beans, chili powder and cumin; spread onto bottom of 9-inch pie plate.
• TOP with layers of remaining ingredients.
• REFRIGERATE several hours or until chilled. Serve with tortilla chips.

KRAFT KITCHEN TIPS:

Size-Wise: Savor every bite of this tasty dip, but watch your portion size.

 

For even more ideas, here are some great Football Party Recipes from Kraft Kitchen!

TIME TO SHARE:

 

5 Edible Holiday GiftsNow, With More NO BAKE Cookie Balls!

That's me (the Amazonian-ish one on the left) making with the Cookie Balls at the Kraft Kitchens (I am a member of their Delicious Bytes blogger community)

The kids and I get so FIRED UP this time of year -- especially, when it comes to homemade treats -- we ALL have such GRAND plans about baking just about every cookie imaginable and gifting them to family and friends.

With only 14 more shopping days left until Christmas -- less than that, if you count FREE SHIPPING -- we're getting down to the wire, now!!!

[ducks to avoid flying tinsel]

My friends at Kraft Kitchens sent along some GREAT ideas on how Once-a-Year bakers (like me) can sweeten someone’s day with 5 Edible Holiday Gifts and, of course, my family's new favorite, No Bake Cookie Balls!

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!

Readers Talk Back: Top Ten Family "Go To" Crock Pot Meals

[photo credit via Crocktober Recipes]

I had the pleasure of hosting a Virtual Halloween Party last week and got to share some really great Halloween party ideas with online friends.

Congratulations, Margaret Smith (comment #7) for winning the door prize for Day 4 -- check your email for further instructions :)

I loved hearing about all the fast and easy meals that give comfort to your family when, you know, stuff gets cuh-razy.  Thanks SO MUCH for sharing them!

Today, I thought it would be REALLY fun to find quick and easy crockpot and/or slow cooker recipes for some of your favorite family meals, so, here are my Top Ten Favorite Go To Crockpot Meals inspired by very smart and creative readers, like you (yes, YOU!):

Creamy Chicken Fettuccine: this yummy recipe uses condensed cream of chicken and cream of celery soup (most brands offer lower fat and/or sodium versions of this) and serves a family of 6 (like mine!) via CDKitchen.com.

Barbecued Meatballs:  spaghetti and meatballs is our family's "go to meal" of choice (I keep meatballs and homemade spaghetti sauce in the freezer, add them to the crockpot and let it rip) however, I thought these barbecued meatballs would be great for the holidays, parties or any time you could use an extra finger food, or something via Jessie In the Kitchen.

Chicken Fajitas:  yes, in a crockpot!  Add chicken breasts with a jar of salsa and a packet of fajita or taco mix into the crockpot and cook. Shread cooked chicken and then serve in taco shells or tortillas with fixings...NOMNOM!!!

Crockpot Meatloaf:  aaaand, oh, yes, I will most definitely try this AWESOME recipe I found at Dining with the Rissers!

Shepherd's Pie:  I made this...once...years ago (before even the kids were born) and, although my husband claimed he liked it (so did I) well, it was a P.I.T.A.  So, I was excited to find a crockpot version that seems simple enough (crosses fingers) at Our Seven Sisters!

Crockpot Pizza:  but, not in the way that you think.  This recipe calls for wide egg noodles, which happens to be my family's FAVORITE and, well, a hearty casserole that just SCREAMS feed me; see more at TasteofHome.com!

Old-Fashioned Pot Roast:  A Year of Slow Cooking is my "go to website" for all things slow-cooked and yummy, and author Stephanie O'Dea knocks it outta the ball park with this recipe! (For something completely different, check out Babble's The Family Kitchen for an interesting version using olives and raisins!)

"Kitchen Sink" Spicy Vegetable Soup:  Fun and Fearless in Beantown uses "a few straggler ingredients" she found in her fridge (love that!) to create a spicy version of a personal childhood favorite (mine!)

Root Beer Pulled Pork Sandwiches:  Health for the Whole Self posted this slow-cooker recipe for pulled pork.  I know what you're thinking.  You don't actually have to drink the soda, after.  You're welcome!!!

Cranberry Apple Turkey Breast:  102.1 WDOK is a radio station in Ohio and they're running a series of Crocktober Recipes this month.  This one calls for turkey cutlets, cranberry sauce and stuffing, so, I'm thinking Thanksgiving anytime, yeah baby!!!

Sounds really yummy and downright comforting, right?  Feel free to share your family's crockpotting secrets right here (you're among friends) we've still got some door prizes available, check 'em out!

Tomorrow I'm having my weekly Open House, so feel free to stop by and share your last minute Halloween ideas with us.

Because, you guys are REAL smart like that!

[Note:  Click here for voluntary recall information of Nestle Raisinets Fun Size Bags sold at Target, Shop Rite and Don Quixote retail stores - lot numbers are listed!]

© 2010 TFH Shopping / This Full House Blog