Team Mama Idea: Basketball Post-Game Snacks

None of the previous basketball teams my boys have played on did post-game snacks, but both No. 2 AND No. 3's teams are doing them this season. Yay! This makes the sports mama in me VERY happy.


Here's what I came up with. Super simple, yet they look like I put some extra time and thought into them with the orange bags and labels.

I purchased the bags from Party City for about $3.50 and made the labels myself (click HERE for the printable template). They say "Way to Play!" with a picture of a basketball underneath. You can fill the bags with whatever you'd like, I went with orange (see the theme, here?) Gatorades and Oreos.

They're sure to make wins even sweeter and losses hurt a little less. I also threw a few extra Gatorades and packs of Oreos in my bag for siblings.

Go Warriors! Go Hoyas!








*** Have an early morning game? Click HERE for my basketball breakfast kabob recipe! Or click HERE for my newest post-game snack idea!

10 Truths No One Ever Told Me About Raising Boys

There are some things baby books or people will never tell you. You're just left to learn them on your on. The hard way, sometimes...

1. They will wear the same pair of socks, day after day, if you let them. And then I got smart. No more white socks in our house. You don't own enough pairs of Batman socks to last you a full week. Don't even try it!
2. They think they're WWE superstars. And that their brothers are their opponents. And that couches and beds are their wrestling ring. I think we've been to Home Depot twice in the last year to buy new wood planks to fix No. 3's bed.
3. They will pee everywhere in the bathroom except IN the toilet. On the floor, the shower curtain, the sides of the toilet, the back of the toilet seat...it's all fair game. I was in Heaven when we moved and I no longer had to share a bathroom with them.  I can't even begin to count how many times I've sat in "sprinkles". I will admit though. It does get a tad better with every year that passes (and them being responsible for cleaning up their own messes!). You may just want to take up stock in Clorox...like yesterday.
4. You will become an Uber driver. With no days off. Who works for free. How else will they get to and from football, basketball, and soccer practices?!
5. They make all kinds of weird noises. Noises that come from both their upper and lower body parts. All the time. Especially first thing in the morning. Being married, I'm pretty positive that they will never outgrow this. Sigh. *insert eye roll*
6. They're known to not always tell the truth when it comes to taking showers and/or brushing their teeth. I finally resorted to the "sniff test". Yep, it's exactly what it sounds like. No. 1 is out of this stage now, sigh. Not sure if it's a good or a bad thing.
7. Their feet will smell. Their socks will smell (refer back to number 1 if you forgot why). Their shoes will smell. I'm yet to meet a sneaker ball that actually does what it claims to do. I don't have any tips for you on this one. Sorry! If you do, please let me know. I beg you!
8. A gallon of milk sure doesn't go along way. Remember when you use to actually throw away expired milk? Ha! Not with growing boys. I consider only having to buy two gallons a week a success!
9. The ceilings in your home will feel like they're caving in 99.9% of the time. Why did we even bother buying an outdoor basketball hoop? Dribbling and slam dunking in their bedroom (right above the living room where your parents are watching tv) is so much more fun! It'll eventually become white noise. Pick your battles, mama. Pick your battles.
10. It's not easy. There are days that I am hit hard with mommy guilt. Like the days that I don't feel like cooking and cereal becomes dinner. Or the days that I'd rather take a nap than walk them to the park. Or the days that I yell over something only to realize a few minutes later that it was totally not worth yelling about. But you know what? They still love me. And there is NOTHING in the world more amazing than that!

Basketball Mama Survival Tips

All three of my boys play basketball. In other words, I basically live at the court during basketball season. So, I'd like to think that I've learned a little something over the years.


Here are some of my true,  tried and tested tips for surviving those long days at the gym:

• Get yourself a stadium seat. You know those ones that fasten onto the bleachers and allow you to lean back. They provide much needed back (and butt!) support. If the gym your child is playing in doesn't have bleachers, take a chair. Basketball games can get long, especially if we're talking tournaments.
• Pack snacks. ALL the snacks! Your player will get hungry, siblings will get hungry, and you will get hungry. Why spend $2 for a single bag of chips from the concession stand when you can spend $10 at Costco for a big box of 30?
• Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. You never know when a game will be running behind, go into OT, or result in another game. My go-to basketball mama outfit is usually comfortable pants (yoga pants, leggings, sweats), a tee, a zip-up (in case you get too cool or too warm), and sneakers.
• Research your location BEFORE the game. This is geared more toward travel basketball. Figure out where you're going and how long it will take to arrive. It's always better to be early than late. Also, look into what restaurants are close by should you need to eat in between games.
• Take time to get to know the team. Don't be that parent that only cheers when their "little Joey" makes a bucket because you don't know anyone else on the team's name. Basketball is a team sport. Cheer them all on!
• Febreze! This my #1 survival tip for ALL sports. Their sneakers will stink, your car will stink, their uniform will stink, it will all stink. Do your nose a favor and spray everything! Now!
• Encourage and ENJOY. They're just children after all. YOUR children. Cheer them on after a big win and build them up after a tough loss. Take pictures, record videos, invite family and friends to watch them, buy some spirit wear. They won't play forever.

Good luck to your baller(s)!




Do you have any additional tips that you'd like to share? If so, leave them in the comment section below!




*** Click HERE to read my Football Mama Survival Tips and HERE to read my Soccer Mama Survival Tips***

They Said What?? - January 17, 2017

• No. 1: As he was doing his English project and I was organizing my planner, "Dang mom! You plan dinner the night before?". No, kid. I work 8 hours a day, help you all with homework, transport you to and from practices, and then snap my fingers and dinner magically appears on the table. Ha. I wish!

• No. 2: No. 1 asked him if he could bring his sweater downstairs so he could walk Ginger. No. 2 simply responded, "Sure!". Say what? I thought I was dreaming. Santa doesn't even come for another 11 months!

• No. 3: "Wearing glasses at school isn't actually that bad". Hallelujah! I've been trying to get this boy to wear his glasses since he was in the first grade. It only took what...two years? And other students in his class needing them too, of course. Now, if I could only convince No. 1 to do the same...

What will my boys say next? Check back soon to find out!

1 Steal, 2 Points, & 3 Shoe Ties

No. 3 had his first basketball game of the season today! It should have technically been his second game, but last Saturday's was canceled due to the snow.


Third grade is when things start to get a little more competitive. Up until now, it's pretty much all been clinic style-just practices/scrimmages, no real games. He now has a weeknight practice along with a Saturday game. Baby boy is growing on up!


Coach has him running the point (just like his big bros!). He started the game and played three out of the four quarters. He had 1 steal, 2 points, and stopped to tie his shoes 3 times. Ha!

I'd say that made for a pretty good game! They don't keep score at this level yet. One of No. 3's teammates asked Coach who won the game. Coach responded by asking the team if they had fun and learned anything new to which they all shouted, "YES!!!". Coach then answered, "well, we won then!". Awesome!

No. 3 is already looking forward to next week...and so am I. Go Hoyas!!!

25 Random Facts About Me

I thought this would be a fun way for my readers to get to know me a little more. Ready? Here we go!

1. Honest brand iced peach tea is my current addiction.
2. I'm only 5'2.
3. Ricky Martin has been my man crush since I was a teenager.
4. I simply can't resist smelling candles when I pass them in a store.
5. I hate wearing high heels.
6. Brownies are my weakness.
7. I have a rather large makeup collection.
8. Cleaning tutorials on YouTube are my new obsession.
9. I suck at parallel parking.
10. I spend way too much time in HomeGoods. (At least according to my hubby!)
11. I love the color pink.
12. I have 6 half-siblings (5 brothers and 1 sister) to which I'm the oldest.
13. I have a phobia of snakes.
14. Hairspray (the original) is probably my favorite movie of all times.
15. I'm a bit of a text message hoarder.
16. Monogrammed home décor is my favorite.
17. I speak fluent Spanish.
18. I've never used a lawn mower.
19. My first job after high school was in a gastroenterologist's office. Ever seen colonoscopies performed before? I have!
20. I've lived in Virginia for the majority of my life.
21. Caramel macchiato (with whipped cream!) is my Starbucks drink of choice.
22. My car radio is on the Spanish station 99.9% of the time.
23. I've never drank a beer. Like ever.
24. I was a cheerleader back in my day.
25. My boys were all born via C-section.

They Said What?? - January 10, 2017

Life with three boys (and a husband!) never makes for a dull moment. Most of my Facebook posts almost always revolve around something funny, sweet, surprising, or disgusting that one of them says. I always get a kick out of them, as do my friends. So, I thought I'd begin sharing them with you all as well. Enjoy!

• No. 1: Me- "Put your hat on, it's cold outside." Him- "I don't like wearing hats. It messes up my hair."

• No. 2: I can't remember exactly what I said to him, but there's no way that I could forget his "yes, sugar lips" response. Ha!

• No. 3: I drove to pick him and No. 2 up from school yesterday as it was freezing! As he gets in the car, he says: "I didn't know that was you. From far you look old, but from close you look like a teenager."

What will my boys say next? Stay tuned to find out!

Easy, Make Ahead Breakfast Burritos

We have 6 basketball games in 2 days. Woosah! This obviously doesn't leave a whole lot of time for cooking. SO, I'm going to be proactive and make a whole weekend's worth of breakfast burritos...yum!


I got the recipe from one of my all-time favorite football mamas. She made a whopping 30+ for an early morning game last season. How amazing is she? Everyone absolutely loved them. There was just no way I wasn't going to ask her how she made them.

Here's what you'll need:

• Eggs (about 1-2 eggs per burrito)
• Breakfast sausage (you can use hot sausage if you want a little heat)
• Small onion, chopped
• Green pepper, chopped (or a jalapeño if you like spicy)
• Cheddar cheese, shredded
• Tater tots, thawed (or simply microwaved a couple of minutes to soften)
• Flour tortillas, burrito size
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:


Brown sausage in skillet. Once browned, add the chopped onions and peppers. Mix well. Then add the tater tots to the skillet, smashing them with your spoon. Let cook over low-medium heat for about 5 minutes. Add in whisked eggs (I like to add in some milk, salt, and pepper while whisking). Cook thoroughly until eggs are scrambled. Before turning off the heat, throw in some shredded cheese.


Once the filling is made, it's time to make the burritos. If you plan on serving immediately, simply place the rolled burritos in a casserole dish. If you are cooking them for make ahead breakfast like I am, wrap each burrito individually in aluminum foil. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes, and voila! Breakfast burritos!

They can be served immediately, stored in the fridge for 2-3 days, or frozen. That's it. Easy peasy, and oh-so delicious!


Nobody better dare wake me up this weekend to tell me they're hungry!

8 Goals for 2017

Resolution: a firm decision to do or not to do something.


Goal: the object of a person's ambition or effort; an aim or desired result.


See the difference? This year I have goals, not resolutions.

1. Less social media. In particular, less Facebook and Instagram. I love them both. They're one of the main ways I stay current on what's happening in the world, in contact with family and friends, and let's face it, social. I'm not saying I'm doing away with them both, just that I'm going to check them less frequently. Instead I want to watch more news, pick up the phone more, get out more.
2. Wake up earlier. Gasp. I love my sleep. I'm not even going to lie. However, sleeping in past 9am on the weekends takes hours out of my day. Hours that I'd rather spend making memories with my family instead of dreaming about them. I will probably have to begin by setting my alarm (and drinking lots of coffee!), but I'm hoping that my body will get use to it after about a month or so.
3. Pray more. This is a big one. I pray before I go to bed every night, but I'd like to pray more. Like when I wake up, when I feel happy, when I feel sad. I'd also like to pray with my children and my husband.
4. Read more. Dr. Seuss said " The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more things that you learn, the more places you will go." I want to go more places. Even if I don't have the means to go right now. I won a Kindle Fire from my company Holiday party a few years back, but I haven't used it much. I plan on dusting it off and reading as much as I can. If you have any book suggestions, I'd love for you to share them with me.
5. Keep our home clean(er). This is more of a family goal. Five of us share the home, so all five of us need to be responsible for keeping it clean. It's never a disaster zone, it's just not company ready 100% of the time. This is what I'm aiming for. Not to have to run around like chickens with our heads cut off when we get that call out of nowhere that Grandma is on her way. I'm working on a cleaning schedule, which I plan on sharing with you all soon.
6. Cook more, eat out less. Drive-thrus easily become a sports mama's best friend...especially during football season. I want to meal plan more, crockpot more, eat healthy more, and spend less money. Eating out adds up quick. I can think of 101 things I'd rather spend that money on.
7. Exercise. I'm terrible at this. I use to faithfully attend Zumba classes, and then life got busy. Like crazy busy. This year I'm hoping to be more active. I don't have to join a gym to get busy. I can walk Ginger further, run with the hubby, walk the track at the boys' practices. I'm hoping to drop the excuses...and the muffin top!
8. Continue to blog. I love blogging. In 2016 I started this blog and wrote a whopping 92 posts! I plan on writing just as many this year, if not more. Blogging serves as not only my creative outlet but as a scrapbook of sorts, as well. It's quickly become one of my absolute favorite hobbies.

Happy New Year, friends! Let's make 2017 amazing!