This Full House Reviews

Kellogg's Champions of Great Starts: Mom's Homeroom - Another Awesome Online Resource & Back-to-School Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So happy to be sharing this awesome back-to-school kit with you Susie (comment #26) and Gerrie (comment #10) please check your email for further details, thanks!!!

I'm having a blast working with the Champions of Great Starts Bloggers in sharing stories on how Kellogg's is the cereal I grew up with and now is the breakfast that starts my family's day off right.

Check us out, we're ALL featured on Kellogg's website at:  http://www.kelloggs.com/en_US/champions-of-great-starts.html or feel free to catch up on ALL my Champions of Great Starts blog posts, here (when you have time, of course)!

Today, it is my pleasure to share with you a wonderful new online resource for parents called Mom's Homeroom, along with an awesome giveaway featuring Kellogg's products and a backpack filled with supplies, just in time for back-to-school.

POLLY-O/KRAFT String Cheese and Crayola B2S Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: Looking forward to sharing some really awesome back-to-school supplies with you, Betsy (comment #36) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!!!

My family and I recently went on a hike at one of our favorite staycation destinations.  However, this year, my body gave out on me on the car ride up (stupid back, dumbass 40's) so, half my crew and I were chatting with an older couple while the other half tackled hiking the red trail.

"So, you kids excited about going back to school?"

[sound of crickets, chirping]

The older couple happened to be waiting for their grandchildren (stupid red trail) and, well, they already knew the answer to THAT question and what is it with grandparents riling up the kids like that?!?

Although my kids would NEVER admit it (out loud, anyways) they ARE looking forward to seeing their friends and getting back on a more normal routine (sort of) me, too!

I am excited to partner with the good folks at Kraft Foods and Crayola (two back-to-school staples at our house) in helping to spread the word about their “feed their hunger and creativity” campaign AND sharing an awesome package of back-to-school supplies.

Elmer's Kids in Need Foundation: Still Time to Help Kids Get Back-to-School Supplies!

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: I am SO EXCITED to be sharing this awesome prize pack with you Jane H. (comment #99)  Yvonne Butler (comment #48) and Veronica Garrett (comment #110) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!!!

We love Elmer's products and have been loyal customers for, um, how old is my oldest kid?!?

Anyway, I know that a lot of your kids are back-to-school (already!?!?) and most kids here in Jersey start up after Labor Day weekend (SOB!)

I recently learned that Elmer’s is partnering with the Kids In Need Foundation to provide essential school supplies to students who need them the most.

Here's two very simple ways in which we can ALL help:

• For every “like” on the Elmer’s Facebook page (through Sept. 1st) the company will donate one Elmer’s product.

• Plus, they will make an additional donation for every unique view the video receives on the Elmer’s Kids In Need tab.

Please like the Elmer’s Facebook page, watch the video, and share it with your friends and family. With just one click, you will help a child in need!

To help you (yes, maybe even YOU!) get back-to-school ready, the good folks at Elmers have offered to send three (3) of our online friends a lovely Back-to-School prize pack, including:

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?

Sharing: Staples Minimate Shredder Also, Top Ten Tax Tips From IRS

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So happy to be sharing with Cynthia C (comment #28) and Crystal F (comment #114) please check your email for further instructions!!!

We're nearing the end of tax season and many households (like ours) are preparing for this year's filing by getting rid of old tax papers.

According to the IRS, identity theft is on the rise each year and a reported one in 20 Americans are at risk for becoming a victim.

My husband, Garth (not is real name) and I both have had issues in the past and I can tell you that identity theft is a real P.I.T.A.

I was contacted by the good folks representing Staples regarding their new line of extremely small shredders, called The Minimate, that can sit right on your desktop and thought it would be a great fit for families (like us) with very little space and/or lots of privacy issues.

First, I thought it prudent to share some very important tips from the Internal Revenue Service to help protect your sensitive tax information:

Deal Alert: Coupon Code for FREE Customized Duffle Bag From Spreadshirt.com

In our house, wrestling season is officially over (phew!) and my son (he's 12) has a few weeks to catch his breath, before starting track and field, in March.

Me, too -- not to mention, cleaning out ye 'ole stinky duffel bag!

Whenever he remembers to bring it home, that is.

Aaaaanyway, I recently learned that Spreadshirt.com -- a website where you can personalize and/or design t-shirts, gym shorts, athletic tees, hoodies and accessories -- is giving away a FREE customized duffle bag.

From today until March 6th, anyone who buys 2 sports or athletic wear products, will receive a sports bag that they can design themselves.  Use promotional code:

UNITES STATES: FITFORSPRING

CANADA: CADFITFORSPRING

Visit http://www.spreadshirt.com for more details.

Not a bad deal, right?  Happy Spring (almost!)

© 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.

Shop Once, Give Twice

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So happy to be sharing this with you, Rebecca L. (comment #45) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!

Thanks to ShopRite and General Mills for sponsoring my writing about giving back to schools and those in need in my community. Add your comment below to be entered for a chance to win a $25.00 gift card to help you give back to your community, too.

If you were to ask me, a few years ago, with 4 kids home under the age of 10, to name my least favorite household chore, I would have answered, without the least bit of hesitation, "FOOD SHOPPING!"

If you've ever shopped with kids, then you know.

These days, I look forward to food shopping -- it's date night!  Nearly every Sunday night, after dinner, my husband Garth (not his real name) and I head over to Shoprite and food shop to our hearts content.

It's one of the few times that we can actually catch up with each other and, you know,  talk...uninterrupted.

I was happy to have recently learned of ShopRite’s “Shop Once, Give Twice” program to help customers (like me!) give back to local participating schools through Box Tops for Education and ShopRite’s Partners in Caring, a community-based, hunger fighting initiative that works to provide $2 million annually to charities that aid those in need.

Why?

Because, nice matters and hunger sucks a big, wet, terribly overcooked noodle!

How does Shop Once, Give Twice work?

Adirondack Fleece Helps Kids Get in the Game CampaignTeam Embroidered Blanket Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED:  SO GLAD TO BE SHARING WITH IRISHBILL (COMMENT #62) PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!

TFH Holiday Pick 2010

Adirondack Fleece has launched an awesome campaign called Get in the Game to help raise awareness for the funding crisis that youth sports teams and athletic associations are currently experiencing.

Raising 4 kids, attending 4 different schools (yes, in the SAME school district) I am very proud to be able to participate in the campaign, by hosting a very special giveaway, while helping to spread a little fleecy warmth towards your favorite charitable cause or organization!

How's it work?

Carolina Pad's 17 Essential College Planner Review and Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED:  So happy to be sharing with Amira (comment #11) Enjoy!!!

1st round of SAT's tomorrow morning (FYI: getting up before 8:00 a.m., on a Saturday, when you're a teen, is a sin, really) and my oldest girl (she's a junior) is stressing, BIG TIME. 

Surviving high school is tough enough, right?  In my opinion, the pressure for kids to achieve their life goal, by the age of 30, is a lot tougher today.

Frankly, it's not easy on us parents...either...practice tests, applications, essays, referrals, references and the promise to hand over her first born (no, not really) oh, my, but the college application process is VERY STRESSFUL!

I was contacted by Carolina Pad (diclosure: we've worked together before and I'm still using their awesome accordian file) about their newest product and I thought it would be a really great fit to share with families, like mine!

Carolina Pad's 17 Essential College Planner is designed in conjunction with the experts at Seventeen Magazine, is an all-in-one filing system to help keep the application process in order and on track.

Check it out!

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?

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.

DYMO LabelManager 260P Review & Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So happy to be sharing with Ames (comment #45) please check your email for further instructions!!!

Tomorrow is the first day of school (for 3 out of 4 of my kids, anyway) and I am looking forward to getting back to a normal, school day, schedule.

Keeping track of ALL the paperwork coming home, from 4 different schools, not so much!!!

So, when the good folks representing DYMO contacted me about trying out their LabelManager 260P hand held label maker (pictured above) I was all, like, yes, please!

Powered by a lithium-ion battery (the same technology used to power cell phones and laptop computers) the DYMO LabelManager 260P label maker helps eliminate the added need for keeping any more AA batteries in the house (YAY!) 

Why?

I can charge the unit (just like a laptop) and start labeling well, anything and everything that I can, you know, stick a label on, really.

Want to see?

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?