Team Mama Idea: Soccer Post-Game Snacks (NEW!)

Soccer season is here! It's opening day for No. 3's soccer league and we seriously could not have asked for more perfect weather. It's suppose to be 76 degrees today! Hello Spring!!!


I volunteered to bring post-game snacks (shocker, I know!). I always try and get my turn out of the way early. Here's what I came up with:

I bought Gatorade Zeros (aka sugar free!), Teddy Grahams, and fruit snacks. I had planned to get Cuties, but the ones at my local Target were looking a tad sad. Fruit snacks have to have a little fruit in them, don't they?!

I also made these fun labels.

They say "WAY TO GOAL!!!" with a soccer ball underneath. (Click HERE for the free, printable template.)


I put everything in clear bags. Bagging snacks makes distribution SO much easier! I then stuck the labels on.

That's it! Super simple, yet still special.

Cheers to the weekend, Sports Mamas!

GO PHOENIX!!!






*** Want more soccer snack ideas? I've got you, mama! Click HERE!

15 Things Sports Moms Say- Part II

Last year I wrote a fun post entitled 15 Things Sports Moms Say. I thought it was about time for a part two, SO I enlisted the help of the awesome Sports Mamas in our Facebook Group!


Ready? Here we go!

1. We need instant replay. These referees are missing everything! - Tania C.
2. You're not getting in my car like that! - Kristy O.
3. Work on your homework now, please. You won't have time when you get home from practice. - Kelly V.
4. Quit chasing the butterflies!! - Erica H.
5. I drove all the way here for this?! - Kristy O.
6. OMG. Put your shoes back on! - Debra P.
7. Which dad decided on white pants? - Laura L.
8. Leave those cleats outside! - Alisa K.
9. Did you hear me yelling? - Debbie J.
10. Suck it up buttercup! - Amy R.
11. Put your cleats on or we'll be late.- Kim M.
12. Please don't get hurt, I don't have time to go to the ER today!- Trisha E.
13. You may not be the biggest or fastest, but you can definitely play the smartest! - Erica S.
14. Shake it off! - LaTarah C.
15. I LOVE WATCHING YOU PLAY! - Lisa M.

Ain't no mama like a Sports Mama... am I right?!?


What would you add to the list? Let us know in the comment section below or join myself and hundreds of other real sports moms just like yourself online!

Team Mama Idea: Oreo Cookie Basketballs

Coach Hubby is coaching No. 3's basketball team this Winter. We don't have the tallest or most talented team, but this group of 10 year olds has been playing their hearts out week after week. So much so that Saturday's game was for a spot in next week's championship game!


We got off to a slow start putting us behind by 16 points early on. Our boys continued to push through though and got it within 5 points with just under a minute to go in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, we committed a foul (we were in the bonus) and missed all of our shots. Ugh! Such a heartbreaker.


To brighten sweeten up the rest of their day, I made these fun Oreo cookie basketballs.

Seriously, how fun are they?! They were easy, quick, and yummy. Right up my alley! They'd be perfect for birthdays, end of season parties, March Madness, or even post-game snacks.


Want to make them yourself? Then just keep on reading!


All you need:

• Oreos (I used double stuffed but regular would work too. As would golden Oreos!)
• Orange candy melts
• Black cookie icing (it will set, making the cookies stackable)

That's it. Literally only three ingredients!


All you do:

• Melt candies according to directions on packaging (you should end up with a smooth, lump free consistency).

• Dip your Oreos, one by one, in the candy melts and place them on a wax paper lined cookie sheet. Be sure to completely cover both sides.

• Place the cookie sheet in the fridge for about 10-15 minutes, until the candy melts set/harden.
• Once the cookies are completely set, begin drawing on the lines using the black icing. Start with a straight line down the center, followed by two curved lines on each side, and finally a horizontal one across the middle.

• Place the cookies back in the fridge for about 25 minutes to allow the lines to set.
• Remove the cookies. ENJOY! (Store cookies in a Ziploc bag. They should last for a couple of weeks. But let's be honest, when do cookies ever last that long?!)

That's it! Easy, peasy, huh?

For more fun, basketball themed treat ideas be sure to click HERE!

Sports Mama Tip: How to Take The Perfect Team Photo!

Maybe your kid was sick on Picture Day. Maybe he or she closed their eyes. Maybe your Coach thought Picture Day was on Saturday instead of on Sunday. Or maybe your league doesn't even do team pictures to begin with. Things happen. And because they do, I am here writing this blog post!


Here are my tried and tested tips to help you take the perfect team photo:

• Plan ahead. Pick a date and time, and notify your team. I usually schedule ours for practice days, but pre-game can work as well. Just avoid scheduling it post-game... think sweaty faces, dirty uniforms, and possible frowns if they didn't win. It's also a good idea to have a couple of extra jerseys on hand in case someone forgets theirs.

• Location, location, location. Location is everything! It will help to tell your team's story. If you're photographing a football team, take it outside on the field. For basketball teams, take it right on the court. You can even incorporate props such as a ball, helmet, a goal, or bleachers if photographing a high school team.

• Uniformity. There's no I in team! Be sure that everyone is uniformed. And I'm not just talking jerseys. Will the team smile or not? What about hands? Whether you go with hands behind their backs or in their pockets, you'll want to make sure that they are all doing the same thing.

• Strike a pose. Will they sit, stand, kneel? Whatever you decide you want to be sure that the entire team will fit in the shot. You also want to be able to see each individual player's face. If you're going for that traditional pose, you'll want to line the shorter players up in the front, and the taller ones in the back. Want a more modern pose? Check out Pinterest or your favorite pro team for some inspo!

• Keep clickin'. Chances are that at least one player will have their eyes closed or be looking in the opposite direction. I suggest shooting in continuous mode and taking several photos, just in case. The more you take, the greater your chance of getting that perfect shot!

• Have fun! I always like to finish the photo shoot with a "funny face" pic. And so do the players. These honestly always end up being my favorite!

I hope you find these tips helpful! Don't forget to share your photo(s) with the entire team. Your fellow Sports Mamas will be grateful that you did!

*** Click HERE for my youth sports photography basics!