This Full House Reviews

Family Game and Movie Night: PokePark 2 Wonders Beyond for Wii Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So happy to be sharing this awesome game with you Diane Allstadt (comment #2) please check your Facebook page for further details, thanks!

You know, my kids never really got into the whole Pokemon craze and not for the lack of trying -- considering trading cards were included in nearly every goodie bag they've ever come home with.

Did I mention, I have 4 children attending 4 different schools?

Aaaaaanyway, the good folks at Nintendo sent us copy of the soon-to-be released (2/27/12 available for Wii only) PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond and I'd love to be able to share it with one of our online friends (yes, maybe even YOU!)

Here's the PokePark2 Wonders Beyond teaser trailer for a closer look:

 

Holiday AT&T Phone Fairy - Week 2: Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY 4G

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED:  I am so happy to be sharing this awesome phone with you, Leslie S (comment #78) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!

Thanks to my friends at AT&T, I am raiding the Halloween bucket, donning a pair of wings and get to play the AT&T Phone Fairy for the Holidays.

I will be giving away a new and different AT&T 4G smartphone, every week, for 3 weeks, in December.

Why?  Well, who am I to deny an online friend the chance to get their hands on an awesome new cell phone?

Congratulations to Katherine for snagging the awesome Impulse 4G by Huawei, last week!

TODAY:  I'm giving away a Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY 4G  (perfect for gaming teens) to gift forward OR keep for yourself this holiday season. 

Want one?  Excellent! 

Key features are:

Kinect for Xbox 360 Interactive Storybooks, Games & Holiday Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: Looking forward to sharing this awesome prize package with one of you, real soon!

It's no secret, we love our Xbox:  it was our #1 Holiday Pick for 2010 (still is!) 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!

This holiday season, Kinect for Xbox 360 has a bunch of great titles, including our newest favorites: Dance Central 2, Kinect Sports Season Two and Kinect Disneyland Adventures.

We love finding new family-friendly video games and sharing fun ways to spend more time, together.

This year, there is a new Public Service Announcement from Xbox 360 and Sesame Street about parental controls that helps families learn more about the safety features built into the Xbox 360 game system, such as game ratings, setting limits on time and the ability to restrict online access.

Actually, the PSA is very entertaining.  Then again, I am a long-time fan of Cookie Monster.

Sesame Street fans (like me) may also be excited to learn that Kinect for Xbox 360 has released an awesome new holiday product.

It's an interactive storybook called Once Upon A Monster:  a guided exploration of a living storybook where players help their monster friends with problems, all while interacting with the environment around them.

Players can also engage in physical activities such as monkey-see-monkey-do, playing instruments, flying, and running obstacle courses.

So, yeah, there's lots of fun and exciting new stuff available for Kinect from Xbox 360 this holiday season.  Want one?!?

Nintendo Family Game Night: Purchase a Nintendo DS Lite at a New Reduced Price!

UPDATED 8/10/11: So happy to be able to share this awesome prize package with you, Angela Maa s (comment #9) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!!!

I can't believe July is almost over and, for some of you, the countdown to back-to-school has already begun.  

[shiver]

We've been hiding indoors and, well, it's just been too HOT, for words, this week (what, you too?!?) however, as you can see, the kids are pretty comfortable, as is our Doofus-Dawg, too!

Aaaaand, yes, our new Nintendo DS Lite happens to match our couch, real nice, too.

I love this little gadget (I'm totally into playing Professor Layton and the Diaabolical Box) and now, you can purchase a DS Lite at a reduced price of $99.99 (from $129.99) how cool is that?

Do you have a DS Lite?  EXCELLENT!!!  I have Mario vs Donkey Kong (Mini-Land Mayhem) and Mario & Luigi Bowser's Inside Story for Nintendo DS burning a hole in my pocket and I would love the chance to share them with one (1) of you.

Because, we roll like that!

Nintendo Family Game Night: Mystery Case Files - The Malgrove Incident Review & Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So happy to be able to share this with you, Stephanie (comment #12) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!!!

It's no secret, we've loved Nintendo products for a long time (i.e. since 2008, in gaming years!) and we also enjoy finding new video games and sharing fun ways in which to spend more time together, as a family (yes, on purpose!)

Llike, the new Mystery Case Files: The Malgrove Incident for Wii.

This week, thanks to the generosity of our friends at Golin Harris (who, my children lovingly refer to as, "The Nintendo People,") we had our own little Mystery Case Party!

So, if you're like me and like hidden object games that involve a lot of “seek and solve” puzzles...oh, and a little mystery on the side...I've got a video game, for you, right here.

House Favorite Finds: Franklin Speaking Spelling Bee

Let's face it.  Difficult spelling words are the bane of every students existence (adults, too!)

My youngest daughter (she's 9) is discovering the complexities of silent letters and the seemingly endless exceptions to grammatical rules.

Thank goodness for spell check, right?

I was recently approached by representatives of Franklin Publishers (known for their educational language products) regarding a new product geared towards making spelling fun.

Great, another game, just what she needs </sarcasm> I thought.

So, my daughter (her name is Hope) put it to the test -- want to see?

Friday Family Game & Movie Night: Power Gig: Rise of the SixString for Xbox

Glen playing the Power Gig: Rise of the SixString for Xbox -- I'm so psyched to be able to edit my pics in Picnik.com, right from my Picasa 3 software, doesn't this look cool?!?

We signed my 11 year-old son up for guitar lessons, through an enrichment program offered in our school system, which means, you know, no sleeping in on Saturdays, either!

Still, it's close to home, the program ran for 10 weeks through December, which worked out to be about $10.00 per lesson.

Not a bad deal, right?

Unfortunately, he missed a couple of lessons (due to his, or the teacher, being sick) and, well, I didn't sign him up for the winter session.

Judging by all the snow Jersey has been getting (a.k.a. Snowmaggedon 2010) good thing, too.
We received a copy of Power Gig: Rise of the SixString, a music videogame that uses a real guitar as a controller and teaches the fundamental skills of guitar playing in the process and Glen got a chance to practice with it, over winter break.

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!

LeapFrog's New Mobile Learning Device: Can You Guess What It Is?

In 1995, LeapFrog was founded after a dad discovered that the toy market offered nothing to help his 3-year-old learn phonics. It's the year that the company introduced its first product (LeapFrog Phonics Writing Desk) and LeapFrog has consistently been coming up with cool interactive toys to help parents (like me) teach kids basic skills, ever since.

This summer, Leapfrog will be announcing their new mobile learning device - shhhhhh, it's a secret; can you guess the device?

I have absolutely NO IDEA what it is, either.  Still, I'm just itching to give one away - want to be one of the very first people ANYWHERE to own one?

Friday Family Game & Movie Night: Nintendo DSi XL Featuring, Flipnote Studio

My kids fight the UPS dude, for his attention, whenever we receive a box from our friends at Golin Harris.

"Me, me, me...give it to ME!"

No, not really.

[knock-knock-knock]

Thank goodness, my UPS dude delivers long before ALL my kids get home from school; otherwise, I'd NEVER get to play with anything!

"Thank, dude!"

This time, however, I'm pretty sure even my middle-schooler heard me, from all the way across town.

"SQUEEEEEE!"

Then, my oldest got home (she's 16) and, well, I was already late for work (l make it a general rule NOT to make the women who workout, at my club, angry) so, she was kind enough to put off starting her homework, and test out the new DSi XL, until I got home.

Wait until you see what IT can do!!!

Family Game & Movie Night: Endless Ocean Blue World - Sequel to Endless Ocean for Nintendo Wii

My oldest girl (she's 16) loves the water -- good thing we live on the Jersey coast, right?  However, I don't think she's quite ready for scuba diving (she hears the water is a bit murky, here in Jersey) so, when Nintendo came out with Endless Ocean, she dipped into her babysitting money and headed to Game Stop -- a modern day Cheers, for teenagers -- where everybody knows our naaaaaaame.

[sound of crickets chirping]

Aaaaanyway, she swam, I watched her play (I'm a cocktails by the pool sort of gal) and it was good.

This time, my friends at Golin Harris were kind enough to send us a copy of Endless Ocean: Blue World, the squeakquel!

SQUEEE!

"Look, I get to scuba dive all over the world!"

What can I tell you -- the girl loves to swim -- wanna see?

Family Game and Movie Night: Wizard101 Review & Giveaway

We love finding new video games and sharing fun ways in which families (like ours) can spend more time, together.  Especially, on days (like today) when the snow just keeps on coming and, well, with 6 people, living in a 7 room house, it doesn't take long for cabin fever to set in!

There are times, however, when I can't help but wonder, do these kids REALLY need another video game?

Still, playing the same board games, over and over again, can get, you know, sort of boring.

I was contacted recently by the really creative folks at KingsIsle Entertainment about a new online, magical 3D world, called Wizard101 and, seeing as we are ALL really HUGE fans of Harry Potter AND it's been, you know, snowing a lot, we agreed to give it a whirl.

GameStop/ESRB Holiday LIVE Chat at 3 pm ET, TODAY Hosted Here on This Full House!

Last year, the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) announced new video game rating summaries -- a FREE internet tool available to help parents (like me) figure out, you know, just what in the heck is in all those video games the cool kids are playing, these days -- and featured This Full House in the official press release.  

They came to my house, we locked the dog out in the yard and they filmed my kids playing their video games and everything.

My friends as the ESRB are at it again (helping parents, like me, I mean) by holding their first joint online press conference with GameStop.

Here is a quick rundown of the event:

• When: Dec. 17, Thursday, at 3 PM ET
• Who: Eliot Mizrachi, ESRB Director of Communications and Chris Olivera, GameStop VP of Corporate Communication
• Topic: Game ratings summaries & holiday gift shopping
• Prizes: Participants will be entered into a chance to win prizes including GameStop gift cards & a video game console!

Aaaaand, we have the pleasure of running the chat LIVE -- once it starts (3:00 p.m. est) you can join in at any time!

Eliot and Chris will be answering all your video game-related questions, so grab yourself a warm beverage and if you have any questions about ESRB's ratings or specific titles on your kids' wish lists, have them handy!

Feel free to add your email (will not be shared) and you'll be sent a reminder (up to 15 minutes before) when the chat goes LIVE!

Aaaaand, if you need me, I'll be upstairs, wrapping presents...YO!

 

© 2009 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.

DISCLOSURE:  NO PAYMENT, OR CONSIDERATION, OTHER THAN THE CHANCE TO PERHAPS HELP OTHER FAMILIES (LIKE MINE) KEEP FROM GOING A LITTLE NUTS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, WAS RECEIVED FOR THIS BLOG POST, COURTESY OF ATTENTION U.S.A. AND ESRB.ORG

Friday Night Family Movie & Game Night: Diner Dash - Flo on the Go for Nintendo DS

I must admit, Diner Dash:  Flo on the Go had me giggling like a 13-year-old.

"Aunt Flo...get it?"

[blank stare]

Apparently, my 13 year-old daughter thought, you know, my "real" age was showing and all she wanted to do was play the new Nintendo DS game that we recently received from our friends representing ZooGames.com.

"I play this game on my phone!"

[eyes go wide]

So, after I made a mental note to check the phone bill, I let her play.

Holiday Survival Guide 2009: Day 7 - MORE FUN TIME with Xbox 360

[CONGRATULATIONS, ELIZABETH TURNER (#130) WE ARE SO HAPPY TO BE SHARING THIS REALLY COOL PRIZE WITH YOU -- PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS!!!]

Welcome to Day 7 of our Holiday Survival Guide 2009 sponsored by some of the most awesomely generous brands we know and have reviewed throughout the year, who have graciously agreed to provide some really cool stuff for Her, Him, the Grandparents...okay, isn't it time we ALL put the WIN back into the winter holidays and made re-gifting a rule?!?

Seriously, I've got some really great stuff to share with you.

Raising 4 kids (did I mention, we've got two teenagers in the house, this year?) my husband, Garth [not his real name] and I are trying (really hard) to remember to take back the holidays and keep it as stress free as...well...you know,.

We've got a little something for everyone and giving away some pretty cool stuff, too:

DAY 1:  HOLIDAY BAKING - Pumpkin Lattice Tart Food Channel Recipe and Holiday Gift Pack from Pampered Chef

DAY 2:  WARM HOLIDAY FUZZIES - Love, Hugs, Peace and All Things Jonas Brothers with Build-A-Bear

DAY 3:  CHILDREN'S BOOKS - Going Digital with Disney

DAY 4:  HOLIDAYS LONG DISTANCE - Keep in Touch with Skype and Buddy Cam

DAY 5:  QUIET HOLIDAY TIME - Grandpa Read's Quiet Time Tales

DAY 6:  FAMILY GAME NIGHT - Playing the "I'm Bored" Games with HABA

DAY 7:  MORE FUN TIME - Xbox 360 for When You're Home for the Holidays

Just so you know -- my picks, product features and blog posts (as always) are advertorial free. No one is paying me, to talk about their product. It's just some really nice stuff that I thought you guys would like, too.

Let's get started, okay -- ready for a little more fun time with Xbox?