This Full House Reviews

MaxClarity Foam Acne Medication Review: A Test Drive With the Help of My Teen - Take #2

My oldest daughter was kind enough to accept the challenge of working with me on a month long test drive for a new acne foam medication called Max Clarity.

Holly suffers from the worst acne of all my teens, enough said.

Here's my first post explaining a little more about the challenge and the reason(s) why we've elected to participate in this program:   http://www.thisfullhouse.com/reviews/2012/03/maxclarity-foam-acne-medication-review.html

Holly has been using the product for the last few weeks:  we're ready to share the results, BEFORE and AFTER pictures and a little more information about the product.

Horizon Healthy Families: What is the Appropriate Age to Allow Kids to Shave?

Raising kids is hard.  Watching your children grow up and morph into little men and women can be downright painful -- sort of like biting into a juicy piece of grapefruit, really -- in a bittersweet way.

One minute, you think you've got a handle on this parenting thing and...BAM!...your 10 year-old baby girl barrels through the front door and announces, "So-and-So said I have hairy spider legs!"

Aaaaand, a tiny piece of your heart breaks, slowly floats down to the kitchen floor and melts right into a sticky chocolate milk stain, previously left unnoticed.

What is the Appropriate Age to Allow Kids to Shave?

Join me as we discuss this very sensitive topic with the Horizon Healthy Families Community:

@HorizonDairy Healthy Families: LIVE CHAT! Getting Kids Outdoors - Tuesday, March 27th 8:00 p.m. EST

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© 2003 - 2011 This Full House

Disclosure: I have been engaged by BlogFrog as a Horizon's Community Leader and am being compensated for my services for the length of the program.

Surprise! The Joy of Doing Absolutely Nothing of REAL Importance

My husband Garth (not his real name) surprised me for our 20th Wedding Anniversary last summer by taking off of work to spend more time with the kids and me (yes, ME!) doing absolutely nothing of REAL importance, which truly is a  MONUMENTAL act of love, on his part.

Trust me, I know!!!

Aaaaand, I think it would be prudent to admit to you now:  I have absolutely NO idea how we (okay, mostly he) made it, this far!

Enjoying a gray and cloudy day at the bay.

There are times when we just can't seem to agree with each other (okay, more often than not) on anything. 

Then again, after all these years (not to mention, raising this many kids) we've also learned to choose our battles, arriving to an unspoken compromise instead (i.e. no politics at the dinner table or when sharp objects are nearby!) and most especially, when it comes to raising our teens.

Hiking the red trail (PHEW!) at Bushkill Falls, PA

We BOTH have made A LOT of mistakes and the repercussions of some really bad decisions seem to haunt us, repeatedly (DAMMIT!) as we continue to swim through a torrent of disorganization at the risk of drowning in our own mental atrophy.

Then again, we are from Jersey:  better to swim with the current and parallel to the shore rather than fight against a rip tide...YO!

Surprisingly enough, our kids seem okay and don't  mind being seen out with us in public (yes, on purpose and without being bribed) even.

Twittering while under the influence of teenagers can be...uh...REAL educational.

Parenting teens is hard.  Being "the parent" is even harder and there just aren't enough words to describe how much I cherish every hour we get to share in each other's company.  Enjoying quiet moments like these, so close to home, speaks volumes. 

/Staycation 2010

In fact, the kids often times revisit this particular staycation in conversation (me, too!) referring to it as the best 3 days they've ever spent...together...and that, my friends, is the most pleasant suprise of all.

Aaaand, I didn't even have to pack any clean underwear or anything...go figure...right?!?

Oh, and in case you missed it:  more of our LIASO moments.

© 2003 - 2012 This Full House

Disclosure:  I am honored to partner with Hallmark as a Life is a Special Occasion blogger and will be sharing personal stories, insights and inspirations in enjoying simple, every day moments, with you (yes, YOU!)  I am being compensated for my services for the length of the program.  To receive notices on Hallmark products and special offers, feel free to sign up for the newsletter (when you have time, of course!)

Hanging Out, Upside Down and Sideways With the @NuclearCowboyz at the IZOD Center

Last week, I had the EXTREME pleasure of being asked to attend the Nuclear Cowboyz Freestyle Motorcross Show at the IZOD Center and I invited my 13 year-old son and one of his best buds along for the ride.

Today, I'm EXCITED and recovered enough to be able to share more about this awesome family-friendly experience:  although, there are lots of pyrotechnics involved which may be less enjoyable for families attending with children who are easily frightened by loud noise or fireworks.

FAMILY FAVORITE FIND OF THE WEEK: NEW! Suave Scalp Solutions Review (Vlog)

So, the good folks representing Suave sent me a sample from their NEW! Scalp Solutions Anti-Dandruff line with a note saying: 

Love is in the air, and Suave wants YOU to fall in love…with your hair.  This month, Suave is introducing Scalp Solutions.

Not only do the salon-quality shampoos and conditioners relieve symptoms of dandruff, but it has great fragrances and moisturizing ingredients that will make women fall in love with their hair, leaving it soft, shiny and beautifully fragrant.

Aaaand, I was all, like...AWESOME...but, what if I don't need to use an anti-dandruff shampoo:  however, my youngest (she's 10) has a terrible case of dandruff (it's okay, she said I could blog about it) and agreed to road test it for a week.

New Discusson @HorizonDairy Healthy Families Community: Holistic Vs. Traditional Medicine

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© 2003 - 2011 This Full House

Disclosure: I have been engaged by BlogFrog as a Horizon's Community Leader and am being compensated for my services for the length of the program.

Family-Friendly FMX Show: Nuclear Cowboyz - East Rutherford, NJ Tour Dates and Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So happy to be sharing tickets to this awesome show with you, A. Abduramani (comment #4) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!!!

My son turned 13 last month (hold me!) which simply means, being raised in a house filled with females, he's grown used to navigating through a raging sea of hormones.

Also, rooting through an endless supply of feminine products, because, well, there has GOT to be a roll of toilet paper, in there, somewhere, DAGNABIT!

Long story, short (you're welcome) my husband and I make it a point to try and remember to do boy-friendly stuff, too.

Like, accepting the opportunity of attending the Nuclear Cowboyz Freestyle Motorcross show on March 2nd at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, NJ.

My son is beyond THRILLED and canNOT wait to meet Jersey boy Ronnie Faisst and experience freestyle motorcross performances, up close and personal, guaranteed to get MY heart pumping while hollering, "I am SO GLAD you are NOT my son!"

I'm looking forward to blogging our experience and sharing some awesome pictures from the show.  Here's a sneak peek of what to expect:

Yes, it's LOUD and FLASHY which means my son and his bestie will, you know, absolutely LOVE IT!!!

Want to come along? 

Memorable Moments: Learning to Celebrate Life, One Kid at a Time!

4 years ago, I watched my oldest daughter leave the house as a freshman in high school and I still remember thinking to myself...PHEW!...1 down and 3 to go!

Jenkinson's Boardwalk in Pt. Pleasant, NJ

I also remember being told (by other parents) that when my children hit kindergarten (i.e. started school full-time, not like in a smack it with a hammer sort of way) or reached the maximum 48 inches to ride alone (or whichever came first) that my job (as a parent) was DONE!

To date, I don't believe I have heard a less true statement.

Holly and Heather - Christmas 2012

In fact, now that my oldest turned 18 (that's a whole other adult, people!) and then the middle girl went and turned 16 (SOB!) I still can't help but wonder, "How in the heck DID we get here?"

Glen's 1st trip to the boardwalk!

I was once able to remember special occasions by referring to each of my pregnancies as a timeline:  "Yes, I remember Grandma sold her house in 1998 - because, I was pregnant with Glen at the time."

Celebrating Glen's 13th Birthday, this past weekend (fyi: he's as tall as I am. I'm 5' 9". Enough said.)

Now that my kids are older (and heavier) I'm learning to focus on celebrating each moment...of every day...as if it were a special occasion.

The Voodoo Tree on Higbees Beach in Cape May, NJ on New Year's Eve 2011

Of course, it most likely will not be the one that my kids remember (like, that one year I "almost" forgot my son's birthday) but, let's NOT go there...just yet...m'kay?!?

How about you?  How do you remember your family's special moments?  Ever forget your kid's birthday?  It's okay, I won't tell them.

Oh, and in case you missed it:  more of our LIASO moments.

Disclosure:    I am partnering with Hallmark as a Life is a Special Occasion blogger and will be sharing personal stories, insights and inspirations in enjoying simple, every day moments, with you (yes, YOU!)  I am being compensated for my services for the length of the program.  As always, all stories and opinions shared are always my own.

© 2003 - 2012 This Full House

Creative Money Gifting Ideas for Teens: Money Origami

Have you heard of Pinterest? Got a couple of hours to spare? No, really, it's one of my new favorite places to visit whenever I need an idea for...well...anything, really. 

My son is turning 13, next week (ACK!) and is at that age when money becomes a very practical gift -- seeing as he grows out of EVERYTHING within a few months anyway.

Here are some really cool folding techniques I've pinned today:

We can't afford to get him a camera at the moment, however...

Source: joannagoddard.blogspot.com via Liz on Pinterest

 

His sisters would probably appreciate giving/receiving puffy little money hearts more than he, still...

Source: homemade-gifts-made-easy.com via Liz on Pinterest

 

This adorable shirt & tie has awesome step-by-step instructions including lots of visual aides, too (YAY!)

Source: homemade-gifts-made-easy.com via Liz on Pinterest

 

So fun, right?  I should probably preface any future Pinterest posts with "Warning:  major time suck ahead!"

Find me on Pinterest:  http://pinterest.com/thisfullhouse/

© 2003 - 2012 This Full House

Disclosure:  No payment, product or any other consideration besides sharing stuff we like with online friends was received for this blog post.

Horizon Healthy Families Community

I am very happy to once again partner with the good folks at Horizon Organics as one of eleven community leaders in the Healthy Families Community hosted on The Blog Frog.

Our mission is to kick-off discussions with online friends, like you (yes, YOU!) by sharing some healthy recipes, exchange parenting advice and ultimately save money and time.

One of my favorite discussions, this week:  Healthy Families members are sharing their favorite home-cooked meals and looking for some great crock pot recipes.

Here are a few more snippets of other popular discussions, including an awesome chance to win a $200 Target Gift Card, going on right now in my community:

There's Still Time to Apply for the Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Program!

My oldest daughter is a senior in high school (SOB!) which means she gets way more mail than her father and I do.

Until, those tuition notices kick in and then, well, hello FAFSA!

Got a scholar athelete in your family?!? EXCELLENT!!!  Foot Locker and DoSomething.org have partnered to offer 20 college scholarships:

The Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Program honors students who demonstrate academic excellence and show their strength of character and devotion to their sports, as well as their communities.  Students will be rewarded not because they scored the most touchdowns or ran the fastest mile, but because they have become strong leaders in the community, exemplifying sportsmanship both on and off the field.

Students can apply online or be nominated by teachers, coaches, friends and family by visiting www.dosomething.org/footlocker.  Application closes on January 9, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. (EST). 

Good luck and happy college shopping...YO!

© 2003 - 2012 This Full House

Disclosure:  No payment, product or any other consideration, besides a chance to share ways in which families (like mine) can perhaps save a little extra milk money was received for this blog post.

 

Wrapping Up the Season: Help Raise Funds for Educational Charities and Save on Last-Minute Gifts With Upromise

 

Last month, I got the chance to tell you about a terrific program to help folks (like us) save for college while getting your holiday shopping done.

With only 6 more shopping days left until Christmas (I know, how in the heck did THAT happen?!?) today, I'm excited to share some great last-minute savings tips from the good folks at Upromise:

Saving for College While Getting Your Holiday Shopping Done With Upromise

We took our 18 year-old to an open house at one of the local colleges here in Jersey, earlier this month.

Key words, rocking my world at the moment, in that last sentence being:  18 year-old and college.

However, with 3 more children following close behind, I feel it safe to say it's NEVER too late to save for college.

Looking for additional college funding or, perhaps you're like me and don't know of anyone who isn't sweating their kid's education, let alone, trying to figure out a way to pay for college, seriously?

Today, I am very excited to tell you about an awesome service that helps families (like ours) earn extra money for education while shopping for the holidays!

What is Upromise?  How Much Does It Cost Do Join?

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.