DIY Basketball Themed Valentine's Day Box

Up until a few days ago, I thought my days of helping my boys prepare for their school Valentine's celebrations were over. I was feeling a bit sad about it too. They grow up way too fast! But then I read No. 3's teacher's weekly newsletter, and that fear disappeared!


Just like No. 2 did when he was in the fifth grade, he has been tasked with creating a Valentine's Day Box! Here are the rules:

1. Create a box to hold your valentines- it should be big enough to hold valentines from your classmates.
2. You must be able to transport your box to and from school on your own!
3. You can get help from your family, but you must be the creator and be involved in every part of building your box.
4. All boxes must be at school by February 14th.

Winners will be chosen for each of the following categories; traditional, most creative, "green", sports themed, animal themed, book/movie themed. The winners will each receive $500 in bonus bucks which the students can turn in for things such as extra recess! And because No. 3 is MY boy, I'm sure you can already guess what theme he chose... sports, of course!


He decided on making a basketball box. (Click HERE to see the football themed box No. 2 made a few years back).

Want to make one yourself? Here's what you'll need?

• Box (we used one of Coach Hubby's shoe boxes)
• Construction paper (orange, white, and black)
• Wood grain printed duck tape (tan construction paper will work if you can't find any!)
• Markers
• Scissors
• Glue (a glue stick and hot glue)
• Paper towel roll
• Rings from two Gatorade bottles (they will become the rims)

He began by applying the duck tape to the top of the box.

Once the entire top was covered, he used the orange construction paper to cover the sides.

The next step was to draw the lines on the court (half court, 3-point, etc.) We used a black sharpie for that. Quick tip: tracing a paper plate will help avoid wiggly lines!

Now that you have a court, it's time to make your hoops! Unfortunately, I do not have any pictures of the actual process, but here's the finished product.

We made the backboard out of white cardstock. No. 3 wrote the words "shoot me a valentine" on them and glued on a basketball. The pole was made out of a paper towel roll. We simply cut it, colored it black with a sharpie, and glued them together. We then hot glued the Gatorade ring aka rim to the backboard, let it dry for a few minutes, and then glued the entire hoop to the box. He also made a scoreboard using the black construction paper. That's it!


As far as Valentine's cards, I found this super cool idea on Pinterest! I mean seriously, what can't you find on there?!?

(Click HERE for directions including free printable and 3 ingredient slime recipe!)

Happy Valenslime's Day, Sports Mamas! Wishing you love, health, and happiness today and every other day of the year!




*** Update 2/15/19- HE WON!!!!

*** Have a collegiate athlete? Click here for a care package idea!

Sports Mama Tip: Top FIVE Essentials For ALL Sports Moms

What do football mamas, soccer mamas, swim mamas, and cheer mamas all have in common?


That's easy! The fact that we LOVE our young athletes and that we spend A TON of time watching them do what they love!


Here are my FIVE Sports Mama must-haves, regardless of the sport your child plays:

1. Smart phone. I use my smart phone to email coaches, text my fellow sports mamas, get driving directions, access our team roster, take photos,  and to take videos. Seriously. What can't you do with a smart phone?
2. Planner. An electronic or a good ol' fashioned paper one will do. All that matters is that it is easily portable. Your athlete is going to have practices and games, usually at different times and different places. Somebody has to know what's going on!
3. Portable seating. Nothing is more uncomfortable than soaking wet (or too hot or too cold) bleachers! Folding chairs and stadium seats are your BFF. You can find folding chairs in all different colors, with cup holders, canopies, and even heated stadium seats!
4. Sports mama bag. Your athlete has their bag, but you need one too! What I carry in mine typically depends on the sport as well as the weather. A few things that I never leave home without are hand sanitizer, water, my mini-first aid kit, and snacks for siblings (because they will be hungry- even if you did just leave home 15 minutes ago!).
5. Sports Mama BFF. This is a must! There will be days that you simply can't get your athlete to the field or court on time. Finding a fellow mama who can help you out of this bind will make your life so much less stressful. Not to mention how nice it is to just sit back, chat and spend time with somebody who gets you.

Honorable mentions:

• DSLR camera (to get those Instagram worthy actions shots)
• Sunglasses (to keep the sun out of your eyes and or hide the fact that waking up early isn't your forte!)
• Folding sports wagon (to carry ALL the things)
• Cooler (to keep your athlete's drink cold- bonus points for packing extras, in case they or a teammate run out!)

I hope you found this list helpful! Do you have an essential that wasn't mentioned above? Please feel free to share it with us in the comment section.


Happy Sports Mama-ing!

Sports Mama Tip: My Go-To Sites & Apps

I rely on several websites and iPhone apps to help me make it through the season, especially when I'm Team Mama. Here are a list of the ones that I just cannot live without:

• TEAMSNAP- This has been my go-to website for managing teams for the past several years. There are paid upgrades, as well as a standard free version. Basically, it's your own personal webpage for your team. With this one site only, I am able to add our roster (including contact info for players, coaches, and parents), our practice and game schedules, track a player's availability, upload videos and photos, create a snack sign-up list, send messages (emails, texts, and IMs), track our win/loss record, and much more. There also have an app that you can download onto your smart phone.
• SIGNUPGENIUS- It's name speaks for itself. It's a free website that allows you to "say goodbye to reply-all emails and paper sign-up sheets". I use it to create all different types of sign-ups including for snacks, team tailgates, and end of season celebrations. It's quick, easy, and effective.
• FACEBOOK- You know what it is, I know what it is. We all know what it is! I like to use the "page" feature to set up a team page. It allows me to share info including photos and videos to help extended family and friends stay up to day with our team. Just remember not to post any information you wouldn't want to potentially be shared with strangers.
• MAPQUEST- Because I simply have no sense of direction. Embarrassing, but true. I use this app to get to just about every game...except for home games, of course. Ha!
• PINTEREST- Pinterest is my favorite site/app ever! Not only for sports related ideas, but for any other possible idea you could think of. Tired of the same old boring post-game snacks? Go to Pinterest! No clue what to give your child's coach at the end of the season? Go to Pinterest! Need some team spirit ideas? Go to Pinterest! I promise you will not be disappointed!
• ETSY- I like to think that I'm a DIYer, but let's face it. Sometimes a sports mama needs a little help! Etsy describes itself as a "world of vintage and handmade goods".  One of my favorite things to use it for is to purchase unique items including coaches gifts and spirit wear.

Have any go-to sites that you simply can't live without? Please feel free to share them below!

*** Update 7/6/18- It's been a little over a year since I originally wrote this blog post, and I have a couple of new go-to sites/apps that I just have to share with your all!

• Tourney Machine- The one stop shop site/app for keeping up with all things AAU Basketball. It allows me to view schedules, standings, brackets, AND results. The results are entered almost instantly, which is perfect for those games that I can't make it to because it's impossible for me to be in two places at once. And best of all, it's free!
• Waze- I know, I know. I'm late to the party. Coach Hubby has raved about Waze for sometime now, but I'm just now getting on board. I still use my MapQuest, but I do really enjoy the "non-directions" portion that they offer (i.e. real-time alerts regarding accidents, road hazards, and of course, police!). So helpful! And again, it's free!

In the words of one of my Sports Mama friends, Beth, "Sports Mamas gotta stick together and share the resources." Are you using and loving any apps that I missed? Comment down below or share them in the Confessions of a Sports Mama Facebook Group!

Team Mama Idea: Basketball End of Season Ideas

Basketball season has come and gone! At least non-AAU basketball which is a whole different animal. We'll talk about that sometime soon, I'm sure.


Although I was never officially "crowned" team mama (none of the boys' teams had one), I tried to help out where I could. For No. 3, I ran our TeamSnap and took pictures here and there. I also took up the collection for his Coach's gift. His coach has been nothing short of amazing with the team. Coaching 8 silly and super energetic, third grade boys (who also happen to have some of the shortest attention spans I've ever seen!) is no easy task!


We presented him with an Amazon gift card as well as a framed picture of a basketball, signed by all of the boys on the team. I found the picture on Pinterest as well as these cute, FREE printable gift card holders. Just download, print on cardstock, and attach with the gift card of your choice-that's it!

Coach absolutely loved his gift! He said it would be going up in his office.

No. 3 earned a new medal to add to his collection! (Click HERE to see how I organize them).

And the end of the season just wouldn't have been complete without cupcakes! I bought blue liners and decorated them with orange sprinkles to match our team colors.

I decorated the other half of the cupcakes like basketballs for No. 2's team. Click HERE to read my original post, if you'd like to know exactly what I used.

How awesome is the thank you card the parents gave Coach Hubby?! I absolutely love it! The mama who coordinated the coaches gifts said she had it made at Walgreens. I will definitely be using her idea in the future!

Speaking of awesome, check out my shirt y'all! I'm obsessed.

Not that two basketball games, baking, and cosmic bowling with a bunch of eleven year old boys counts as staying in bed.

Until next season!

Basketball Emoji Valentine's Day Cards

Valentine's Day is less than a week away! I swear Christmas was just yesterday. (Side note: today's expected high is 65 degrees...in FEBRUARY! What the what? I'm not complaining though!).


Leaving things for the last minute stresses me out, so I thought we'd get a jump start on our Valentine's Day cards. No. 3 is the only one handing them out this year. Sigh. Why can't they stay little forever? I asked a friend of mine to design basketball themed ones for me as choices in the stores are pretty limited, especially for boys.


Here's what he came up with:

How awesome are they (and is he!)? Totally perfect for my boy. Basketball AND emojis...winning! He hit the nail on the head with these.


We printed the cards on cardstock and taped a heart shaped lollipop to each one. The lollipops say "Yes", "Be Mine", "Hug Me", "I'm Yours", "Love Ya" and "Kiss Me". However, No. 3 made sure to not include ANY of the kiss me ones because "that's just weird". Ha!


He can't wait to hand them out to his class!

Or to taste the lollipops either, apparently...


If your all-star would like to hand them out as well, click HERE for the free, printable template.

Happy Early Valentine's Day, mamas!




*** Need some inspiration for a sports themed Valentine's box? Click HERE to see the Washington Redskins box No. 2 made a couple of years ago!

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!

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***

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!!!

Basketball Cupcakes

No. 2's basketball team made it to the championship game! They only lost one game during the regular season, so they are the number one seed. In my sports mama mind that calls for none other than...CUPCAKES! Yep, I'm that mama always looking for a reason to bring goodies.


These were pretty easy to make, and I am by no means a baker. I used a boxed cake (Funfetti, to be exact), vanilla frosting, orange icing color, black icing, and a no. 2 piping tip.


I let the cupcakes cool completely prior to icing. While they were cooling, I spooned the vanilla frosting into a bowl and began to add in the orange icing color, little by little with a toothpick. It did take quite a bit of icing color to achieve that perfect basketball orange. Once iced, I drew on the black lines using the no. 2 piping tip. I began by piping the line down the middle (or the "almost" middle-ha!), then added a curved line on each side of the middle line, followed by the line across. Ta-da, basketball cupcakes!


Not too shabby for my first attempt, huh? I can't wait to share them with the team.


GO SPARTANS!

*** Update: THEY WON!!!!!!!!!

*** Click HERE for my soccer cupcakes and HERE for my football cupcakes! ***