Author: Liz@ThisFullHouse

  • Do you know what video games your kids are playing?

    As most parents (like me) may have already suspected, the computer and video game industry is growing and, according to PC Magazine, the number of U.S. households with game consoles rose notably, up from 33% in 2007 to 38% in 2008.

    Heck, not all video games are bad — we love our Wii and it’s even helped my kids get their grandparents off the couch, too!

    The Internet has the potential of becoming one of, if not, the best
    resource for marketers and corporations looking to "get in touch" with
    their customers.  Some companies get it, most are still trying to.

    Some companies have even partnered with bloggers (like me) and never once asked, you know, what’s up with all these kids?

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  • The Responsibility Project: Because, parents (like me) need a real good kick in the head, sometimes!

    Ever have one of those days?  When things just don’t go right and you can’t seem to find the strength to even, you know, get out of the shower.

    Yeah, me too.

    Then, you come across something that makes you really think (dammit) and, not only that, it inspires you to believe in the magic and healing powers of the human spirit.

    No?

    Then, you have GOT to check out "Tony," written and directed by Academy Award-nominee Grant Heslov (co-owner with George Clooney of Smoke House Pictures) for Liberty Mutual’s Responsibility Project.

     

    See what I mean?

    What, don’t have the time to watch it?  No worries.  Come back, when you do.  Trust me, you’ll be real glad that you did and perhaps even see it as the best 13 minutes you’ve spent, all day!

    Oh, and I really would like Grant and my fake boyfriend George hear what you guys think.  Why?  Well, taking the personal time to share something truly wonderful, with one another, is what bloggers do best, right?

    No worries, take your time, I’ll wait.

    © 2008 This Full House – All Rights Reserved.

  • Love Thursday: That Cat Who Lived

    Buck Beak (named after one of Hagrid’s many pets in the Harry Potter series) is 3 years old.  We nearly lost him, 6 months ago, due to a genetic disorder and (after spending 1 week in critical care) we couldn’t pay for the surgery that would, ultimately, save his life.

    Until, the most awesome vet in the world stepped in and, taking stock in the pleas of his equally wonderful staff, offered to treat Bucky, pro bono!

    Cats.  Some people simply can’t live without them and others don’t
    understand the attraction.  Either way, pets can bring out the best (and
    worst) in their human counterparts.

    A very special cat, indeed!

    Happy Love Thursday, everyone!

    © 2008 This Full House – All Rights Reserved.

  • Wordless Wednesday: Dreamweaver

    Dreamweaver

    Thing One (almost 15) and Thing Two (nearly 13, now) are more than willing to prove, once again, that kids are never too old, to take a nap – especially, at Grandma’s house.

    Check out the Official Wordless Wednesday HQ
    Tag, you’re it:

    © 2008 This Full House – All Rights Reserved.

  • Flip-Worthy Moments: If Kids Could Vote

    In this month’s issue of Growing Pains – bet you didn’t know that I have a monthly column at the Imperfect Parent, huh? – I’m proudly acknowledging the fact that my parents are taking a ginormous leap of faith, by voting in their first presidential election, for the first time, in over 50 years!

    But, if even that doesn’t move you to go and vote (seriously, my father swore he never would) my kids are more than willing to share a few reasons why they think, you know, you should.

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  • Rocks may cover paper, but words can hurt more than sticks and stones!

    Gotoyourroom

    Aaaand, t-shirt says:  "Yeah, I know, go to my room."

    Living in a houseful of girls, who insist that shoving stuff into corners and hiding dirty clothes under the bed is, you know, cleaning, I sometimes forget that we have a son and I don’t mean, like, I forget to pick him up from school (which is a good thing, seeing as my kids go to four different schools) or, that he’s not listed on our tax forms, or anything.

    It’s just that, you know, boys are different.

    Although, I really DO have trouble remembering which is which (all three of my daughters’ names begin with the same letter) there isn’t a day that goes by when my husband, Garth (not his real name) and I don’t find ourselves praying for patience to NOT have to ring their little necks.

    The Boy?  Well, I just send him to his room.  After all, he IS the only one who doesn’t have to share one!

    "Psssst…"

    My oldest daughter is turning 15 in November (I know, but that’s a whole OTHER blog post) and has this way of getting my attention, by making me believe that something in the house has sprung a leak, AGAIN.

    "Can we talk?"

    I had a feeling, it was NOT going to be good news.

    "The Boy called me a name, today."

    [heavy sigh]

     

    "I’ll talk to him about it."

    I had a feeling, judging by the look on her face (yeah, I’m good at that) it was NOT going to be enough.

     

    "Aaaand, have him apologize."

    Silence.

     

    "I’m guessing, a crucifixion is in order."

    After explaining to her what exactly that meant (um, we are in between churches, at the moment) I excused her sisters from the kitchen table (The Boy was playing a video
    game in the living room) and asked her to whisper it in my ear, anyway.

    [eyes go wide]

    Holy crap (yeah, I said it out loud) but, this one was going to hurt!

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  • Holy Hannah Montana, Batman – You’ve Been Ghosted!

    Okay, so I was JUST able to get the Halloween decorations up, like, yesterday (I’ve been sorta, you know, busy) and today, well, there’s a film crew coming over (I kid you NOT!) in, like, an hour and I still need to take a shower.
    What?  At least, my kids are clean!

    Thisfullhouseghosted

    Let’s play!

    I created this blogging meme a couple of years ago and had a lot of
    fun with it. It’s time time we all tapped into our inner-child and go
    and ghost someone!

    The rules are easy:

    (1)  It’s your turn to "ghost" three other bloggers.

    (2)  Stop by their blogs and leave a comment on their latest post
    saying, "You’ve Just Been Ghosted — Come Over and Grab A Puking
    Pumpkin!"

    (3)  Copy and paste the puking pumpkin somewhere on your blog
    (either in a post or on your sidebar, perhaps) so that everyone can see
    that you have been "ghosted" and will NOT "ghost" you again.  This will
    also let you know who you can "ghost."

    (4)  Feel free to link to this post (or a post of your own) for
    directions, grab the puking pumpkin and go "ghost" 3 bloggers on your
    sidebar (preferably, somewhere you haven’t commented in a while, or a
    blog you’ve NEVER commented on before and/or new to the blogosphere)
    and dont’ be afraid to share some linky love.

    It will be fun to see how many "puking pumpkins" appear in the blogosphere by Halloween!

    Okay?

    I’ll start – my mother, punched your mother right in the nose, what
    color blood…no, wait…that’s not right – I’m going over to ghost 3
    bloggers:

    Scribbit – Because, she’s busy and probably needs a break, too!

    FireMom – Because, Jenna has a cold and needs a warm fuzzy!

    JayMonster – Because, he’s sooooooo serious (all the time) and could probably use a puking pumpkin!

    Don’t have the time – no worries – at least, I’ve got a pumpkin up, somewhere, since, we never DID get the time to go and, you know, get one!

    [hangs head low]

    So, do you know anyone who could use a puking pumpkin?

    © 2008 This Full House – All Rights Reserved.

  • Wordless Wednesday: Hairapy

    Hairapy

    A warm (and fuzzy) hair loss treatment, for Dads!

    Check out the Official Wordless Wednesday HQ
    Tag, you’re it:

    © 2008 This Full House – All Rights Reserved.

  • Flip-Worthy Moments: Why DO you blog?

    Click on the arrow thingy, prominently placed right under my nose and makes it look like I’ve got a ‘stache (ugh) and watch, as a professional dork answers your questions, live, sort of.

    Any questions?  Feel free to share your own Flip-Worthy Moments and answer me this…HEY…why do YOU blog?

    © 2008 This Full House – All Rights Reserved.

  • Baby Blues: Interview with comic strip creators, Rick Kirkman and Jerry Scott

    Babybluelogo2008_2_2

    (c) 2008 Baby Blues Partnership

    My husband Garth (not his real name) and I are big Baby Blues fans – especially, after our oldest daughter was born – and the comic strip very well may be the original ‘parenting blog,’ chronicling the misadventures of parenthood.

    Guess that’s why we love it so much, huh Hon?

    For those of you who aren’t familiar with the strip – although, I can’t imagine anyone, you know, who isn’t – Baby Blues follows the adventures of a mid-30s career couple, Wanda and Darryl MacPherson and their 3 zany kids, Zoe, Hamish and Wren.

    Recently, I had the extreme pleasure of interviewing the awesome creators of Baby Blues, Jerry Scott (he writes the strip) and Rick Kirkman (the gifted artists that animates the ideas) and am I the only one who thinks it’s funny, you know, how they don’t look anything like Darryl, or Wanda?

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