The winner of this giveaway is entry #114, SarBear3490! You have been emailed and you have until 11:59pm Monday night to contact me with mailing info or Random.org will be used to select another winner!
When My Blog Spark contacted me about participating in a Family Pizza Night giveaway sponsored by Pillsbury, the answer was an easy "yes". My husband and I had switched from using tortillas as crusts for home made pizza to Pillsbury Refrigerated Pizza Dough last Fall. The Pillsbury dough makes it easy for the kids to participate in the entire pizza making process. We sneak in a little fine motor and sensory therapy while they get a chance to help make their favorite dinner. Here's how our first sponsored Family Pizza Night went down.
We were asked to review the same prize package that the winner of this giveaway will receive. My Blog Spark and Pillsbury sent us Hasbro's new picture finding game Pictureka!, 4 melamine pizza slice shaped serving plates, and a VIP coupon for a free package of Pillsbury Refrigerated Pizza Crust.
I know this sounds silly, but I was really excited by the pizza plates! When I was a child, my mom had special dishes reserved for special fun foods. We loved eating ice cream sundaes, popcorn, corn on the cob, or drinking root beer floats from fun and different serving dishes. It's the simple things that create family memories, isn't it? The pizza shaped plates make me happy.
I'm Blessed to have a husband who enjoys cooking, so Family Pizza Night for us is truly the entire family together in the kitchen. Here's how we like our home made pizza:
1 24(-ish) ounce jar sausage flavored spaghetti sauce
1 6-8 ounce can tomato paste
Mild Italian sausage
Red Bell Pepper
Mushrooms (preferably baby Portabellas)
Olive Oil
Garlic Salt
Mozzarella Cheese
Mix together spaghetti sauce and tomato paste. We mix the two for a thicker sauce. The pizza is less soggy and the sauce tastes a little different than when we use it on pasta. Return half the mixture to the jar to freeze for the next pizza. We also freeze half the sausage and half the bell pepper for the next pizza.
Crumble and brown sausage. Saute' bell pepper and the mushrooms (sliced however you like) in drippings from the sausage until tender. Add Olive Oil if needed.
My husband does the cooking while the kids and I do the pizza prep. The kids have Curious Chef nylon knives from Timberdoodle, and these cut through mushrooms easily. The 'shrooms than go to DH for re-cutting and cooking. Ignore Clara-Bear's cutting technique in this picture. She's on an independent streak and I'm staying out of her way.
I've added some steps and selected our baking supplies to make it more hands on and easier for the kids from this point on.
They pour Olive Oil into the bottom of a Jelly Roll pan and "paint" it around the bottom of the pan with a basting brush.
This is when the sensory issues start. They have to spread the Pillsbury Refrigerated Pizza Dough around the pan and try to get it into the corners and sides. It's cold, gloopy, and a little sticky, but they both are so into making a favorite food that they are motivated to try.
I've used the Thin Crust the last few times we had Family Pizza Night. Tearing is a problem since we're using a large pan. I'm going to try the Classic Crust next time to see if it tears less. We're not pre-cooking the crust as recommended so we hoped the thinner crust might still be crisp. I think at my kids' ages they get more out of the pizza making process if the steps flow back to back. Dealing with a mildly soggy crust is a temporary trade-off for their involvement.
Pour and paint a little more Olive Oil onto the top of the crust. The next step is an act of trust with a 3 year old and delayed 4 1/2 year old, but the kids love to sprinkle the crust with garlic salt so I give them each a turn. Pour or spoon on the sauce, spread with basting brush. It's getting pretty messy now.
I have the kids reach into the bag and pull out handsfuls of shredded mozzarella, a sensory activity that, for some weird reason, they both love. This night, Clara decided to dump a huge bag of cheese on the pizza!
I think playing with the cheese was Clara-Bear's favorite part of Family Pizza Night. She had a very out of character meltdown when DH took the pizza and cheese away.
After the pizza is cheesed, DH puts on the toppings and hides them under more cheese to prevent toddler 'tudes. I work on clean up while he does the final prep and gets the pizza into the oven.
We usually play a game together as a family while waiting for the pizza to bake. The Family Pizza Night package includes Pictureka so we played an adapted version of that game.
I programmed some of the pictures into Clara-Bear's Dynavox, and we turned it into an I-Spy game since the kids are both under the recommended age of 6. It's always a treat to play a game as a family since DH has been working so much lately and we tag-team child care. Playing the game was my favorite part of Family Pizza Night.
Eating pizza is Alan's favorite part of Family Pizza Night!
One lucky able2able reader will win their own Family Pizza Night Prize Package generously provided by My Blog Spark and Pillsbury (ARV $28.00). The package includes one VIP coupon for a free package of Pillsbury Refrigerated Pizza Dough, a Pictureka! game by Hasbro, and a set of 4 melamine pizza plates.
If you don't want to wait for the giveaway to end to try your own Family Pizza Night, visit Pillsbury.com to print out coupons for many of your favorite Pillsbury products, including a coupon for 40 cents off two packages of Pillsbury Refrigerated Pizza Dough.
To enter this giveaway, post a comment following the rules below (scroll to the end of the comments and click on "post a comment". You have the opportunity to enter this giveaway up to 15 times!!:
All entries must have an email address if your profile is not public. Email me for directions on how to post anonymous entries without sharing your email address.
Mandatory 1st entry: Visit the Pillsbury Pizza Crust website and tell me which recipe using Pillsbury Refrigerated Pizza Dough you want to try at your next Family Pizza Night!
The mandatory first entry must be completed before you can complete any of the following additional entries!
For an additional 1 entry: This is an easy one - post a comment about your favorite part of Family Pizza Night! If you've never tried Family Pizza Night before, tell us why you want to win this prize package (be honest, I know you really want those pizza shaped plates!)
For an additional 1 entry:Visit Hasbro Family Game Night for information about creating your own Family Game Night and for age appropriate tips. Post a comment about something you learned there.
For an additional 1 entry: Enter another able2able giveaway. Post the name of the giveaway you enter in a comment here, and while you're there post the name of this giveaway for an additional entry!
For an additional 1 entry: Become a Facebook Fan of able2able... Your Special Needs Resource Directory and post a shout out comment on the fanpage wall. Current Facebook Fans may post an entry.
For an additional 3 entries: Become a public follower of able2able. Post 3 separate comments for your entries as a new follower. Current able2able followers may enter 3 times.
For an additional 2 entries: Post a link to this giveaway on your Facebook status. Post a comment for each entry. Click "Share" at the end of this post to quickly spread the word.
For an additional 2 entries: Tweet the link to this giveaway. Post a comment for each entry. Click on "Share" at the end of this post to quickly spread the word.
For an additional 4 entries: Blog about this giveaway! Your blog post must include links to this giveaway and mention Pillsbury Pizza Crust and My Blog Spark as giveaway sponsors. Include a link to your blog post in your comment. You must post a comment for each entry.
It is very important that you post a comment for each entry. Why? Because a random number generator will be used to select the winner. Each comment will be numbered by Blogger, and I will use those numbers for the drawing. So if you combine entries into one post all your entries will not be counted. There will be no do-overs!
I will verify that the winning entry has met the requirements above, so if your comment for a FB status update is the winning comment then I might ask to see that link, etc. If I cannot verify your entry, then all your entries will be removed from the list and the drawing will be repeated.
This giveaway ends at 11:59 pm (CT) on Thursday, May 20th.
The winner's name will be posted on able2able on Friday, May 21st and I will also email you. The lucky winner will have until 11:59 pm (CT) Wednesday, May 24th to contact me.
I was given the same package described above in exchange for this review and giveaway. My review is based on our experiences as a family, and was not influenced by the products I received.
Love or hate what you just read? Be social! Post a comment and click on the link below to share this post!
I would love to try the Grilled White Chicken Pizza with Caramelized Sweet Onions
on my next family pizza night!
Gardenstatemom@aol.com
I learned playing yahtzee teaches simple addition and mutliplication skills!
gardenstatemom@aol.com
Why do I want to win this? We have Family pizza night every other Friday, my sister comes over with her kids and we eat and then play games. Our favorite is scattergories! I would love to add Pictureka to our gamenight play and I think the kids would get a hoot out of the plates :)
Gardenstatemom@aol.com
I follow on GFC :)
entry 3
gardenstatemom@aol.com
I follow on GFC :)
entry 2
gardenstatemom@aol.com
I follow on GFC :)
entry 1
gardenstatemom@aol.com
I shared on twitter :)
http://twitter.com/Tammylyne/status/13765501507
gardenstatemom@aol.com
I shared on twitter :)
http://twitter.com/Tammylyne/status/13765501507
gardenstatemom@aol.com
I would like to try the Easy Stromboli recipe. I think the family would love it. Thanks!
sphinxcw at aol dot com
My favorite part of family pizza night is that they kick me out of the kitchen! They make the pizza and I put a movie in and then we watch the movie while we eat.
sphinxcw at aol dot com
I learned that games such as Cranium or Pictionary allow the kids to learn from you and from each other.
sphinxcw at aol dot com
I would like to try the mediterranian pizza with cheese stuffed crust.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
My favorite part of the family pizza night, is making the pizza together. We decide what kind we want, and have fun making it. It always comes out good.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
follower-3
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
follower-2
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
I am a gfc follower.
debbie
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
I want to make Wild West Pizza
I would try the easy strombolie recipe
bwalleshauser at yahoo dot com
we've never really had pizza family night. I would like to win this prize pack because we never really get to spend time with my hubby and now that he has just graduated. this would be a great opp.
bwalleshauser at yahoo dot com
I want to try the wild west pizza. My family would LOVE it.
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net
Would love to try the Double Crust Pizza at our next pizza night.
I would like to make the Sloppy Joe Pizza.
mintstatesportswear(at)juno(dot)com
The Mediterranean Pizza with cheese stuffed crust.
Elizabeth
mrsgerbil@hotmail.com
I'd like to try the Wild West Pizza.
dolniaks[at]consolidated[dot]net
I want to try the Cheeseburger Pizza
rachel_demille@yahoo.com
My favorite part of Family Pizza Night is the pizza and family...I love pizza and I love spending time with my family! Plus we always have root beer floats with it...so that's pretty yummy too!
rachel_demille@yahoo.com
#3 I'm a public follower
rachel_demille@yahoo.com
#2 I'm a public follower
rachel_demille@yahoo.com
I'm a public follower
rachel_demille@yahoo.com
I am a facebook fan of able2able :)
Gardenstatemom@aol.com
I posted this to facebook here :)
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1589624053&ref=profile#!/profile.php?id=1589624053&v=wall&story_fbid=122860071072516&ref=mf
Gardenstatemom@aol.com
entry 2
I posted this to facebook here :)
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1589624053&ref=profile#!/profile.php?id=1589624053&v=wall&story_fbid=122860071072516&ref=mf
Gardenstatemom@aol.com
entry 1
I'd like to make Wild West Pizza!
I'd like to try the pizza calzone.
I follow via GFC 3
I follow via GFC 2
I follow via GFC 1
My favorite part about pizza night is no dishes to wash!
One tip I learned on Hasbro is to mark it on the calendar and count down the days to Family Game Night.
Lots of neat recipes,hard to choose! I'll say the Mini Pizzas,everyone could have them just as they want!No fussing about who does what,which goes where,each can make their own!(Why didn't I think of that?)
maxfrostfate@gmail.com
I love all the family time! Pitching in together to make and share the meal.That we set aside that time,make it one of our routines.We always have lots of laughter and fun!
maxfrostfate@gmail.com
I like Hasbro's tips on reinforcing the tradition of Family Game Night with giving the kids the same privilege or treat each time.Their printable extras are a nice addition too!
maxfrostfate@gmail.com
I'm following publicly with Google Connect/Google Reader. #3
maxfrostfate@gmail.com
I'm following publicly with Google Connect/Google Reader. #2
maxfrostfate@gmail.com
I'm following publicly with Google Connect/Google Reader. #1
maxfrostfate@gmail.com
I Tweeted #2
http://twitter.com/maxfate/status/14207465675
maxfrostfate@gmail.com
I Tweeted #1
http://twitter.com/maxfate/status/14207465675
maxfrostfate@gmail.com
My fave thing about pizza night is that having the family together
I want to try the Easy Mexican Chicken Pizza
gfc follower 3
gfc follower 2
gfc follower 1
I'd love to try the Grilled White Chicken Pizza with Caramelized Sweet Onions.
erma6323@sbcglobal.net
Sloppy Joe Pizza; what a great idea!
theyyyguy@yahoo.com
Easy strombolie
Best part is being with family and the food.
lighthousee27(at)gmail.com
3 Following your blog
2 Following your blog
1 Following your blog
facebook fan. id- Lighthouse twentyseven
bill110@optonline.net
Pizza Squares Continental is what I would like to try
aunteegem@yahoo.com
# 3 follow blog
aunteegem@yahoo.com
# 2 follow blog
aunteegem@yahoo.com
# 1 follow blog as jelaws5
aunteegem@yahoo.com
My favorite part of Pizza Family night is enjoying each other's company. And yes it would cool to win the pizza shaped plates ;)
aunteegem@yahoo.com
Wow great giveaway!! This would make for a great family day for us which is what I love most!! Thanks for chance to win this!
Would LOVE to try the Pizza Squares Continental :)
ktgonyea at gmail.com
They are too cute making that pizza! I'd love to try to make the Stuffed-Crust Pizza.
I would like to try the Easy Stromboli,we love them!
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
easy stromboli!
janel_marie at yahoo dot com
I want to win so I can start a fun tradition like pizza night!! we already do game nights!
janel_marie at yahoo dot com
I'd love to make the cheeseburger pizza!
clarkmurdock@yahoo.com
Our next pizza night I want peperoni flat bread.. mmmm
blogged #1
http://notimemommy.com/2010/05/14/contests-5-14-10/
blogged #2
http://notimemommy.com/2010/05/14/contests-5-14-10/
blogged #4
http://notimemommy.com/2010/05/14/contests-5-14-10/
blogged #3
http://notimemommy.com/2010/05/14/contests-5-14-10/
I'd love to start a family pizza night; it's fun and you can spend time together!
xbeautifulcoma at yahoo dot com
I would like to make the stuffed crust pizza snacks!
xbeautifulcoma at yahoo dot com
I'm a follower via GFC #3
xbeautifulcoma at yahoo dot com
I'm a follower via GFC 2
xbeautifulcoma at yahoo dot com
Im a follower through GFC #1
xbeautifulcoma at yahoo dot com
mediterranian pizza with cheese stuffed crust
I learned that scrabble won the CLASSIC award from the parent's choice awards.
xbeautifulcoma at yahoo dot com
I want to try the Four-Cheese Pizza.
My favorite part about family pizza night is being with my family & talking and having fun together. We all have busy lifestyles & once a week we have family night, it usually involves pizza & lots of laughter.
On the Hasbro Family Game Night I learned that the Game of the Month is U-Build Games.
Follower on GFC #3
Follower on GFC #2
Follower on GFC #1
I want to try to make the mini pizzas
gfc follower #3
gfc follower #2
gfc follower #1
We haven't tried family pizza night yet, but as my son is geting older he wants to help cook more & is currently in love with pizza and this is something we can all do together
I learned Hasbro has 95 games available for purchase on the site
I like the Sloppy Joe Pizza!
I want to try the Easy Stromboli recipe. garrettsambo@aol.com
I'd love to try the Thin Pizza Crust.
i follow 3/3
i follow 2/3
i follow 1/3
I would really like wild west pizza thanks for the chance to win eaglesforjack@gmail.com
I would love to try the Easy Stromboli recipe
CharlieGurl57@aol.com
I learned that The Ellen DeGeneres Show recently played their version of a Hasbro board game
CharlieGurl57@aol.com
I become a Facebook Fan of able2able
and left a message (Charlene Kuser)
CharlieGurl57@aol.com
Aww, they look like they are having so much fun helping!
I'd like to try the stuffed crust pizza.
I would like to try the Easy Stromboli recipe.
I am following you on google
friend connect (Charlene)
CharlieGurl57@aol.com
#1
my favorite part about pizza night is trying new to create unique types of pizza!
I am following you on google
friend connect (Charlene)
CharlieGurl57@aol.com
#2
on hasbro, i learned the game of the month is u-build games.
GFC follower (sarbear3490) #3
GFC follower (sarbear3490) #2
GFC follower (sarbear3490) #1
I am following you on google
friend connect (Charlene)
CharlieGurl57@aol.com
#3
I love the Buffalo Chicken Pizzas recipe!
I became your Facebook fan and posted a shout out comment on your wall.
I want to win this prize package because it looks very nice!
I learned that Hasbro recommends making a scoreboard for keeping track of everyone's scores.