This Full House Reviews

Freshly-Brewed at Kmart's Playdate Place: How old were your kids when they first learned how to ride a bike?

I have a confession to make:  my children never learned how to ride a bike.

Not for the lack of our trying to teach them, either.

How’s it working out?

Come by and visit with me at PlaydatePlace.com to read this freshly-brewed blog post and find out.  I'd love to get your take on it.

When you have time, of course!

FIND IT HERE:  http://playdateplace.kmart.com/2012/05/there-are-no-age-limits-in-teaching-kids-to-ride-a-bike

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

© 2003 - 2012 This Full House

Deal Alert: Sears Family & Friends Sale, This Weekend!

If you're still searching for the perfect Mother's Day gift (like me, but shhhh, don't tell my mom, okay?) don't miss Sears' Family & Friends Sale, especially since nearly everything is on sale:

• Extra 15% off on appliances; apparel; intimate apparel; footwear; accessories; fragrances and cosmetics; bed, bath and home; and window fashions 

• Extra 10% off on electronics, including TVs 46 inches and larger; fine jewelry; watches; lawn and garden; patio and grills; tools; fitness and sporting goods; housewares; luggage; mattresses; recliners; Shaw rug gallery; ready-to-assemble furniture; floor care; and home services

• Extra 5% off on automotive and home appliances

ONLINE SALE:  starts on Saturday, May 5, 8 PM CT and ends on Monday, May 7, 4 AM CT.

IN-STORE SALE:  is on Sunday, May 6, 6-9 PM.

If you're shopping in-store, you can also donate to Sears' 5th Annual Heroes at Home Spring Renovation Campaign with Rebuilding Together : 

Heroes at Home aims to improve military families' lives by making necessary repairs, improvements or modifications to their homes. 

For more information visit:  http://www.sears.com/heroesathomeipubx01152012x1234

Why?  Because, nice matters and helping out our military and their families is a real good thing...right there!

© 2003 - 2012 This Full House

Disclosure:  I am a Kmart featured blogger (Kmart is owned by Sears) however, it was my choice whether or not to share stuff like this.  If it means helping families save a little milk money, then I choose YES!

Kmart's Playdate Place: "Hot 8" Toys to Ignite Play for Summer

I am very excited and honored to continue my partnership with Kmart as a featured contributing blogger for their website Playdate Place!

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, a list of this summer's must-have toys:

Kmart's Playdate Place Perk: Just Kidz 2 In 1 Tea Cart Playset Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So glad to be able to share this adorable tea cart play set with you, Sheri (comment #74) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!

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

Click here to read my latest post at on gaming, video games and bridging the generation gap (when you have time, of course!)

Aaaand, as a Playdate Kmart Playdate Parent, I get the chance to share really cool stuff with you, just in time for the holidays, too.

Like, the adorable Just Kidz 2 In 1 Tea Cart Playset which -- although, now that their all in double digits and would NEVER admit it -- brings back fond memories of the many teddy bear tea parties we've hosted over the years.

Want one?  EXCELLENT!!!

Deal Alert: Sears' Big Gift Blowout Family & Friends Sale This Weekend

Wow, can you believe it's December already?!? Me, either. Only 24 more sleeps until we get to sleep, again, maybe, probably not.

Anyhow, the good folks at Sears wanted to give us a heads up about some really great deals, this weekend.

But, wait, there's more!

Our Favorite Thanksgiving Tradition: Thanksgiving Tree

Only one more sleep until Thanksgiving (YAY!) 

One of our favorite holiday traditions started when my youngest brought home a craft she made in 1^st grade out of popsicle sticks.

Come by and visit with me at PlaydatePlace.com where I am sharing our favorite Thanksgiving family tradition:  creating a Thanksgiving Tree.

FIND IT HERE:  http://playdateplace.kmart.com/2011/11/the-thanksgiving-tree-that-almost-wasn%E2%80%99t/?intcmp=PlaydatePlace

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

LOOK! MORE STUFF WE'RE SHARING:

• Check out my latest (as in, last week) bathroom makeover and sharing a $20.00 gift card to Home Depot.

• Also, we would LOVE to share this awesome Xbox 360 4GB Console with Kinect Bundle with one of our online friends, this holiday season!

Because, we roll like that -- Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!!!

Kmart's Playdate Place: My First Kenmore Electronic Vacuum Cleaner Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So happy to be sharing this awesome prize with you, Krystle N (comment #84) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!!!

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

Click here to read my latest posts on Playdate Place (when you have time, of course!)

Aaaand, as a Playdate Kmart Playdate Parent, I get the chance to share really cool stuff with you, just in time for the holidays, too.

Like, the My First Kenmore Electronic Vacuum Cleaner which was my kids favorite toys growing up.

Now that their teens and tweens, not so much, it's a chore just to get them out of bed in the morning :(

Still, who am I to give up a chance to share stuff we like with online friends?  Want one?  EXCELLENT!!!

Deal Alert: Annual Kmart Family & Friends Sale, This Weekend!

Now that the Halloween stuff is ALL put away (almost) I feel it safe to tell you that:

Only 51 more sleeps until Christmas!

[ducks to avoid flying desk calendars]

Frankly, after experiencing our first snowstorm of the season IN OCTOBER I'm hoping to get my holiday stuff done this year (early!)

Kmart is holding its annual Family & Friends Sale this weekend – it's a great time to get a jump-start on your holiday shopping!

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH - ALL DAY NATIONWIDE:

• Get 20% 0ff all regular and clearance-priced merchandise for Apparel, Infant Hardlines, Accessories, Jewelry, and Footwear.

• Get 10% of all regular and clearance-priced merchandise for Sporting Goods, Toys, Season, Edibles, Consumables, Hardware, Appliances (not major appliances) Hard Home, Soft Home, Stationery, Beauty, Health, Electronics, Entertainment and Auto.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH - ALL DAY IN THESE SELECT AREAS:

Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Utah, Idaho, and New Jersey stores: Westwood, Elmwood Park, Closter, Paramus and Lodi.

Feel free to download the flyer for more information: http://www.kmart.com/social4me

Also, we received our Kmart Toy Book at the house this week (pages have been clipped, already!) but, you can check it out online, too:  http://kmrt.us/ureQda

In the meantime, wishing you ALL happy shopping and may the force be with you!

© 2003 - 2011 This Full House

Disclosure:  I am a Kmart Featured Blogger and Playdate Place Parent.

Kmart Party Crew and Playdate Place Update: Thank Goodness, It's Almost Halloween, Charlie Brown!

Only 3 more sleeps until Halloween and, yes, THANK GOODNESS!  Is anyone else ready to start stressing over another holiday?

Aaaanyway, it's not too late to get your hands on some last minute Halloween stuff:

Kmart Halloween Party Crew has an awesome campaign going on.

Attack of the 50 Ft. Party is helping families (like ours) put the fun back into Halloween.

Done With Trick-or-Treating? Go Ghosting, Instead! (via my post @playdateplace) bit.ly/uhRYxv

Check out these great ideas for fall events, this weekend (via my post @playdateplace) bit.ly/ns5gli 

In the meantime,  thank you for visiting Gone Shopping (sharing family-friendly reviews since 2007!)

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.

5 Simple Steps to Surviving Back-to-School Night

A lot of parents look forward to attending their child’s Back-to-School night.

I am NOT one of those parents.

Come by and visit with me at PlaydatePlace.com where we are sharing tips on how to make your Back-to-School night as successful as possible.

When you have time, of course!

FIND IT HERE:  http://playdateplace.kmart.com/2011/10/5-simple-steps-to-surviving-back-to-school-night/?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:

October 9 to October 15:  30% off featured Halloween Costumes, plus FREE shipping on orders $39.99 and over http://kmrt.us/qHRXMU

October 16 to October 22:  40% Off featured Halloween Costumes http://kmrt.us/qHRXMU

Thank you for visiting Gone Shopping (sharing family-friendly reviews since 2007!)

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.

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.

Our Favorite Back-to-School Project: Recycled Rainsticks

My kids went back-to-school, today.

[pausing to enjoy the sound of silence]

Nearing completion of our 13th First Day of School, I feel it safe to say that this is a very bittersweet time.  Am I right?

Come by and visit with me at PlaydatePlace.com where we are sharing one of my favorite back-to-school projects.

When you have time, of course!

FIND IT HERE:  http://playdateplace.kmart.com/2011/09/our-favorite-back-to-school-project-recycled-rainsticks/?intcmp=PlaydatePlace

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

LOOK! MORE STUFF WE'RE SHARING:

We're giving away a nice assortment of Scotch brand new environmentally-friendly products, including the Scotch Magic Greener Tape, just in time for back-to-school!

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 Place Parent.

Welcome to Our 84th Open House The Rebooting After Irene Edition

My husband, Garth [not his real name] and I are currently rebooting after Hurricane Irene left us without power for 5 days -- our cell phones and Facebook were our only connections to the outside world -- and, well, it's been a long week, you guys!

I want to take this moment to thank ALL my online friends, for the supportive emails and comments received via Facebook and Twitter, who helped keep the lights on in our hearts :)

So please, clean off a chair, sit down and feel free to share your links (PG-13, please) about any blogging events, fundraisers, giveaways, book tours and contests, or if you have a burning blog post and just need to a little shout out (HEY!) go for it!

Okay, I'll start:

I'm enjoying working with Kmart's Playdate Place!  It really is 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.

My last post, before the lights went out, poses the question about Co-ed Slumber Parties (yay, or nay?!?)

Now, it's your turn, link 'em if you got 'em:

Thanks SO MUCH for sharing and feel free to come back, to see what my blogging friends are up to, this week -- we'll leave the porch light on for ya'!

Also, please feel free to clean off a chair, sit down, visit my parenting blog, and say "Hi," when you have time, of course!

In the meantime, our thoughts and prayers are with those families who lost more than just their power due to the devistating effects of Hurricane Irene!

© 2003 - 2011 This Full House