Team Mama Idea: DIY Basketball Gift Bags for Coaches

Sunday was the last game of the season for No. 1 and his AAU team. SO bittersweet! In their first year together, the team finished 30-15, winning 3 tournament Championships, and making it to several more. I couldn't be prouder of each boy on the team as well as their amazing coaches!


I volunteered to coordinate coaches gifts, which we presented to them at our team dinner last Friday. They have been so dedicated, positive, and supportive all season long. Not one of the coaches had a child on the team. In fact, two of the coaches have children in college, and the other coach just finished his senior year in high school!


I began by sending out an email asking for donations to all of the parents on the team. As always, I didn't specify a specific amount. I've found that leaving the amount up to them works best.


I ordered each coach a personalized mini basketball from this Etsy shop.

All of the players signed them, making the balls even more special! I used the leftover money to purchase gift cards.


I couldn't find any gift bags that fit the occasion, so I made my own. A quick trip to my local craft store, and I had everything I needed!

Large sized gift bags, tissue paper, and ribbon... in basketball print and our team colors, of course!

I found the basketball image on Pinterest and simply printed them out.

I then glued one cutout on each bag and wrote the coaches names underneath.

And this was the final result. I love how they came out. And so did the coaches!

Until next season.


GO CAVS!!!






*** Check out this awesome "gift bag" idea shared by Sports Mama, Cristal E. via our Facebook Group. Be sure to join today for more great #sportsmom ideas and tips!

Guest Post: Tough Days Bruise, But People Survive

I know the name of this blog is Confessions of a Sports Mama, BUT this post from NFL Super Bowl XXVI winning linebacker turned #sportsdad Andre Collins, spoke to my heart. Collins currently serves as Executive Director, Professional Athletes Foundation for the National Football League Players Association, where he works to ensure retirees make successful post-football transitions. When he's not in the office, he can be seen (and heard!) cheering his children on, alongside his beautiful wife, Ericka.

What a joy, when my son Chet plays a great game! Ah, that’s my boy!! Then again, there’s probably nothing worse in all of sports than watching my son pitch a tough inning or miss a few easy layups on the basketball court. I know, without a doubt, the sports gods can be cruel. Even with practice and preparation, somehow the ‘sporting god of adversity and humility’ finds his way to the action.


As a parent, nothing pains me more than seeing my kids struggle. It hurts to watch those humbling moments that competing in sports can create. Watching those life lessons unfold right before my eyes is all too familiar because I’ve had my shot blocked, struck out and fumbled the ball many times. I know how that feels. I know how that stuck in my head. I know that embarrassment. Therefore, I know my son’s pain. I want to hug him, demand a do-over or take on some of those other kids myself.


But let me stop. What in the world is driving my need to make his experience perfect? Why should I care so much if he fails?


I tried. I failed. I lived. I know those tough days made me better. Tough days bruise, but people survive. I had to stop myself from managing every second of Chet’s sports life. Which meant I categorically needed to shut up.


I stopped giving tips and advice right before and right after games. I think about my own loving father, who didn’t come to every game like parents do today. That wasn’t a thing back then in the 70’s. When I had a bad game, I walked that mile home alone, no parents, with my friends laughing a little about other stuff. I knew I didn’t play great but I worked those feelings out in my head without my father’s consoling. I survived and somewhere in that process I developed a resiliency and spirit to get better, to do better and to try again.


I have knowledge about competing and preparation. I’ll find appropriate times to share good advice with him.


For now, I give him his space to process. I realize he needs the space to breathe and mourn a poor performance and to feel good about himself when he plays well. He must develop his own coping skills. He’s a boy becoming a man through the competition of sport.


I’m still learning new things about fatherhood and glad I could realize this is my son’s chance to grow.


Action Creates Opportunity. Let your ability to pull back, listen and be still create an opportunity for your kids to experience life and become the people they were meant to be.




You don't have to know Collins personally to understand the love that he has for his family. The love that he has for sports. The joy that watching his children play brings him.


But if you do, as I do, consider yourself lucky. In a world full of amazing Sports Mamas, he is truly one amazing #sportsdad!

Sports Mama Tip: 2 Weeks of Crockpot Dinner Ideas + RECIPES!

As mentioned in my last post, Surviving Dinnertime During Football Season, I absolutely LOVE making crockpot meals. Especially on those crazy busy days, which for us happen to be almost every single day during football season.


Why do I gravitate towards slow cooker meals, you ask? Let me count the ways!

1. They're easy. Usually no more than 5 ingredients and 10 minutes of prep time is all that you need. You simply drop and go. That's it!
2. They're quick. Wake up just 15-20 minutes earlier than you already do and dinner will be ready to serve when you and your athlete get home from practice. Score!
3. They're delicious. Your food will basically melt in your mouth. Seriously. And not to mention the heavenly aromas that permeate your house. Mmmm!

Here are two weeks (I typically do not cook dinner on Fridays and Saturdays- hence 10 meals instead of 14) worth of athlete AND Sports Mama approved crockpot meals plus links to the recipes. ENJOY!

1. Mongolian Beef
2. Shredded Mexican Chicken
3. BBQ Country Style Ribs
4. Chicken and Stuffing
5. Ropa Vieja (Cuban Style Shredded Beef)
6. Chicken Parmesan and Pasta
7. Beef Stew
8. Chicken Broccoli Alfredo
9. Meatball Subs
10. Beef and Broccoli

I've made every single one of these and my family has loved them! Of course, I alter the recipes just a tad to fit my family's taste buds. If your family doesn't eat onions, don't add them. If you all like it hot, add more peppers than the recipe calls for... you get the point!




What are your family's favorite crockpot meals? I'm always looking for new ones to try!








*** Click HERE for another two weeks of crockpot dinner ideas and HERE for a full week's worth of KID-APPROVED school lunch ideas!!!

Sports Mama Tip: Surviving Dinnertime During Football Season

A first-time football mama recently reached out to me via email seeking advice and tips for managing dinnertime during the upcoming season; meal planning, eating somewhat healthy, and avoiding constant trips through the drive thru. As I began to respond, I realized that I hadn't yet written a blog post on this. Whaaat?! So here we are!


For those of you who may not know, football practice is daily (Monday through Friday, 2 hours each day) beginning in late July/early August. That's a whole lot of time spent at the field, and not much time left for being in the kitchen!


Here are my tried and tested tips for making the transition from the football field to the dinner table as seamless as possible:

• Decide on when dinner will be. Before practice or after? If you're a SAHM (stay at home mom) or a WFHM (work from home mom), eating before practice may work for your family. I work outside of the home, and even though I get out at 3pm, it just doesn't work for us. I don't like for my boys to have anything more than a light snack (click here for a list of 15 healthy & energizing snack ideas!) within the hour and a half to two hours before practice begins. I've seen the results of eating McDonalds right before practice with my own two eyes. Yeah, not pretty! So for my family, dinner after practice (although late) works best.
• Meal plan. This is different from actual meal prepping. On Sundays, before grocery shopping, I like to plan out our dinners for the week. I sit down with my planner and write down what we will eat each day. This helps cut down on the "what am I going to make tonight" thoughts that begin to take over my mind every single day at about 2:30pm. It also helps me to change up the rotation a bit more.
• Meal prep. Meal prepping for me during football season consists of making large batches of make ahead meals. I will usually make one on Sunday and another one mid-week. If I'm feeling extra ambitious, I'll make two on Sunday. Some of my favorite make ahead meals are lasagna, spaghetti, rice and beans, and breakfast burritos. All of these are great when served as leftovers and can even be frozen.
• Use that Crockpot. My crockpot is my BFF during football season! With just a few minutes of prep the morning of (or even the night before!), you literally just drop it (in) and go. It can't get any easier than that! You'll come home to the heavenly aroma of a home cooked meal just begging to be served. And thanks to Pinterest, the possibilities of what you can make are endless! Click HERE for two weeks worth of athlete AND Sports Mama approved recipes!
• Keep it simple. I'm not perfect. There are times when I don't take the time to meal plan or prep and have to scramble to put dinner on the table after practice. On those days, I stick to easy 15 minute-ish meals such as tacos, sandwiches, and salads. One of my go-to's for evenings like these is a store bought rotisserie chicken with a side of quick, steamable veggies. You know, the ones you just throw in the microwave. And when all else fails, the boys will have cereal. And guess what Mama, they're A-Okay with that!
• Eat as a team. Coach Hubby and I host team tailgates following the last practice before every home game. Not only does it encourage team bonding, but it also gets dinner out of the way- before the players even leave the field! I've written an entire blog post on how we do it, from set up to meal ideas to clean up, so be sure to check it out. It's a win-win situation!
• Drive-thru/take out. There are going to be days that there will just be no other option. On those days, I try and head towards the healthier fast food joints. My favorites are Chick-fil-A, Panera, Chipotle, and our local Peruvian chicken place.

I hope you found these tips helpful and that they come in handy for you!


What are your tips for surviving dinnertime during football (or any!) season? Let me know in the comment section below!

Sports Mama Tip: What To do With Your Athlete's Used Sporting Equipment?

With three boys involved in year around sports, I sometimes feel like I live in a locker room. And not just because of the smells either! I'm constantly chasing loose balls that come crashing out of my trunk, washing jerseys, and tripping over cleats. I'm sure most of you Sports Mamas can relate!


So what can you do with all of the old equipment piling up in your garage and basement (and other places, I'm sure!)? Here are a few ideas:

• Pass it down to younger siblings. Luckily for me I have three boys who just happen to play the same sports. The older they get, the less likely they are to be able to use it (especially cleats and sneakers!) for more than one season. The bad news is that the bigger their feet get, the bigger my bill gets. The good news is that they aren't busting holes in them anymore, which makes perfect for hand-me-downs. No. 1 passes his on to No. 2 and No. 2 passes his on to No. 3. No siblings? No worries! Cousins, neighbors, and friends work just as well!
• Donate it. One of our favorite things to do with our old equipment (i.e. sneakers, cleats, gloves, balls, shin guards, etc.) is donate it. Many charities will come to your front door step to pick it up! You never even have to leave home. It seriously can't get any easier! You can also check with your local youth club to see if they will accept it. Our local club collects gently used cleats and sneakers. The best part is that they do not sell them. Interested youth can try them on and leave out with their favorite pair for absolutely free! Zero. NADA!
• Sell it. I personally have never sold any of the boys' equipment, but I know several people who do. You can have a yard sale, sell it locally via websites like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, or even sell it on Ebay. There are also sporting good stores that sell both new AND used equipment. It's quite easy. You take your equipment in, they pay you for it, and then they resell it. It's a win-win situation!

I hope you find these tips helpful. Be sure to check back frequently and join the Confessions of a Sports Mama, private Facebook Group for more tips!


What do you do with your athlete's used equipment? Let me know in the comment section below!