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!

Sports Mama Tip: 5 Ways to Volunteer That Don't Require a Ton of Time

An interesting topic came up yesterday on my never ending football mama group chat. We got onto the discussion of volunteers, specifically how it seems to always be the same people volunteering for everything; sports, school, etc.


After sending several eye roll gifs back and forth (true story!), our group chat moved in a different direction. One of my favorite mamas said, "I think people want to help but don't know how or are afraid to step on toes. I remember my first season I was worried about stepping on Mindy and Vanessa's toes-but I was being silly.". And you know what? I completely understood her. In fact, I replied telling her that I'm kind of at that place with No. 2's team. Now his team mama is just as sweet as she can be, and has never given me a reason to feel that way, but I still do.


That chat was the inspiration for this post. I know there are probably so many others who feel the same way; so many others who want to volunteer but may not have the time to coach or be team mama; or so many others who want to volunteer, but quite simply just don't know how.


If you fit into those one of those categories, this post is just for you.


Here are 5 great ways to volunteer that do not require too much time:

1. Be the snack patrol. You can volunteer to organize post-game snacks and drinks for the team. Whether you send out an electronic sign-up sheet or do it the good ol' fashion way, your team mama will appreciate you... and so will those hungry and thirsty little (and maybe, not-so-little!) players!
2. Work the concession stand. This is a way to volunteer to help not only your child's team, but the entire club as a whole. Pick a date that works for you, donate a few hours, and flip those burgers mama!
3. Head up coaches gifts. This is a FANTASTIC way to help! Especially when your team mama is the coach's wife. It can feel a little awkward for some to ask for money to spend on their husband. Click HERE for some of my favorite end of season gift ideas!
4. Be the team photographer. This is a great idea for those that already love being behind the camera. Volunteer to take game pictures and then post them to your team's share site. Click HERE for some of my photography tips!
5. Work the chains (or the equivalent in your sport). Our football club requires 3 volunteers (aged 16 and over) to work the chains at all home games. The game cannot and will not begin without them. The best part is that you literally get to stand on the sidelines. There is not a better seat in the house!

Like I've said a million times before, youth sports definitely take a village!


I hope you found this post helpful. Please feel free to share any other volunteer ideas you may have in the comment section below.

Happy volunteering!

Team Mama Idea: Throw a Team Tailgate!

Peanut butter and jelly. Chocolate chip cookies and milk. Banana splits and cherries. FOOTBALL AND FOOD! Some things just belong together!


Coach Hubby and I host team tailgates following the last practice before every home game. We like to do these to encourage team bonding, for both players and parents alike! It also rewards them for a job well done during the week. Not to mention it eliminates the always dreaded question, "what's for dinner?". Ugh. Seriously. Why must they want dinner every single day? *insert overly exaggerated eye roll*


Here are my tips for throwing an awesome tailgate:

• Plan ahead. This is probably my biggest tip. Don't wait until the day before. That's a sure way to end up running around like a chicken with your head cut off! About a week before, begin to plan out the menu for the tailgate, the location, check the weather, etc.

• Have a well rounded (kid friendly!) meal. I always begin planning the menu with the "main course" in mind. Some of my favorites are (crockpot) hot dogs, chili, tacos, pizza, and pulled bbq sandwiches. To accompany the main dish, I make sure we have fruit, chips, dessert, and drinks.

• Ask for volunteers. This is a must! You don't want all of the work (and cost!) to fall on you. I will usually bring the main dish and depend on volunteers to bring the rest. The absolute easiest way I've found to be sure that your volunteers don't all bring the same thing is by using SignUp Genius. Don't forget to add condiments, plates, and napkins to your list of needed items! Your volunteers will be sent a reminder email a couple of days before.

• Allow others to help you. I contemplated grouping this tip with the previous one, but decided that it belongs on it's own. The type of help I'm referring to here is physical help; set up, pick up (i.e. pizzas), food serving, clean up. There is no I in team. It takes a village!

• Get everyone involved. I am always sure that we have enough food for the players, coaches, little siblings, AND their parents. You don't want everyone else sitting around watching them eat.

• Remember the little things. Trash bag(s), plastic gloves for serving, hand sanitizer, folding table, serving spoons. You know, the things that are easily forgotten.

• Have fun! Kick back, relax, and enjoy the moment. Listen to the team tell funny stories, watch the little siblings chase one another around the field, share a mama drink with one of your football besties.

This is football. Football is family!

I hope you find these tips helpful and even use some of them when throwing your next tailgate. GO TEAM!

Our 2017 Summer Bucket List

SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER!!! It just dawned on me that I hadn't yet made our bucket list.


50 proved a bit too ambitious for us last year (especially once football season began!), so I'm bringing it down to just 25 this year.


Ready? Here we go!

1. Go camping
2. Have a water balloon fight
3. Light our own fireworks
4. Make s'mores
5. Go fishing
6. Build a sand castle
7. Go berry picking
8. Have a picnic
9. Take a road trip
10. Go bike riding
11. Make homemade popsicles
12. Go sightseeing in DC
13. Eat funnel cake
14. Go to the waterpark
15. Rent paddleboats
16. Tie-dye shirts
17. Go go-cart racing
18. Draw with sidewalk chalk
19. Make a lemonade stand
20. Fly a kite
21. Go hiking
22. Go swimming
23. Take a trip to the library
24. Attend an outdoor movie
25. Watch the sun rise

Happy Summer!!!

What's In My Sports Mama Bag? Basketball Edition!

As a sports mom, being prepared is key. It doesn't matter the sport, you want to be prepared for whatever the day may bring (especially when there is travel involved).


In this first edition of "What's In My Sports Mama Bag?", I will tell you what I pack for a day of basketball.

Let's begin with the type of bag I use. Of course you can use whatever type of bag you'd like, however, my bag of choice is a tote bag. Nothing wrong with backpacks, they just aren't my style. I ordered mine from Etsy. It is 100% cotton canvas, has two front pockets, and tons of room inside. Best of all, it was totally customizable! I was able to choose the quote and color scheme. Click HERE if you'd like to order your own.

With all three boys playing basketball now, two in rec and the other in travel, we can easily have three games in a single day. Sometimes even more if No. 1 has a tournament.


Here's what I am always sure to have with me:

• My planner. Let's face it. If mama doesn't know what is going on, no one knows what is going on. My planner keeps track of all practices, games, times, and locations. I've started color coding it all (No. 1 is blue, No. 2 is green, and No. 3 is purple) which is making it so much easier to keep up with.
• Stadium seat. Ain't nobody got time for bleacher butt!
• Hand sanitizer. Because boys... self explanatory.
• My phone. For all the usual reasons. Iphones also take some pretty good pictures and videos!
• Pens. In case I need to jot something down in my planner. Or if hubby is asked to keep stats.
• Water bottle. Although whoever is playing takes their own, I always bring an extra. I get thirsty. And the minute I take a sip, whichever of my kid(s) is not playing gets thirsty as well... of course!
• Snacks! This is a must. Kids are always hungry...especially when they see a concession stand or vending machines. Bringing your own stash will help save you money.
• Cash. In case I have to pay to get into the game(s) or my kids win the battle of the concession stand.
• Chapstick/Lipstick. For mama touch-ups.
• First-aid kid.  Just in case. Click here to see what goes inside. 

What do you carry in your basketball mama bag that I don't? I'd love to hear about it!

***Have a soccer player? Click HERE to read what I carry in my soccer mama bag and HERE to read what I carry in my football mama bag!  !***

2016 Advent Calendar

We don't have a true advent calendar, per say. However, I do like to make a calendar of daily activities beginning on the First of December and leading up until Christmas Day. I write the activity of the day on a piece of cardstock, and hide it somewhere on our 7.5 foot tree. The boys enjoy looking for the day's activity almost as much as they enjoy the activity itself. I like to mix in things to do, along with things to give. Here's what I have planned this year:

1. Write a letter to Santa.
2. Drink hot cocoa.
3. Zoo Lights.
4. Help pack meals for the hungry.
5. Read about Jesus' birth.
6. Christmas mad libs.
7. Make coffee filter snowflakes.
8. Make/mail Christmas cards to deployed service members.
9. Drive around the neighborhood looking for Christmas lights.
10. Make ornaments.
11. Family movie night: Watch a Christmas movie.
12. Play Christmas bingo.
13. Go Christmas shopping.
14. Make Christmas cards/gifts for teachers.
15. Make edible lumps of coal.
16. Visit a living nativity.
17. Build a gingerbread house.
18. Family movie night: Watch a Christmas movie.
19. Wrap Christmas gifts with mom.
20. Donate coats/outerwear to a charity.
21. Make Christmas cards for family members.
22. Donate canned goods to a local food bank.
23. Make Christmas cookies.
24. Put out cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer.
25. Merry Christmas! Visit family.

Happy (almost) December, y'all!

Team Mama Idea: Football End of Season Party Ideas for CHAMPIONS!

The end of football season is always so bittersweet. I always try and make our end of season parties extra special for the team as the season is long and hard. And when you win the championship, you deserve nothing short of the best.


We sent our boys (and coaches!) out with a BANG! And best of all, it was all completely covered by our touchdown jar. We raised $570.60!!!


I was a co-team mama for No. 1's team, so I had extra hands to help me plan and set-up. So helpful! We reserved a private area at a local sports bar. The boys range in age from 9-13, so this worked out perfectly.


We arrived about an hour before the scheduled start time to decorate.


We ordered each player and coach a personalized t-shirt. The front had their picture on it and the back had the entire roster, including both names and jersey numbers.

We draped them on the back of the chairs. They loved them!


One of the other co-team mamas made each boy a bag of treats. Aren't they cute?

I ordered the trophies from Trophy Depot. They are quick and reliable. Our club actually paid for them since our boys made it as far as they did!

I also printed out a picture of each player with his family and the championship trophy. CVS offered the white border as an option, and I'm so glad I went with it. It definitely made them look extra special!

We all ate while watching the championship victory on the big screen! Coach also made a highlight reel of the entire season. The boys really enjoyed seeing themselves on t.v. They were clapping, and oohing and ahhing after each play!

I think it's pretty safe to say that they enjoyed their food! And then there was cake, because no party is complete without cake (or a cupcake cake!).

It was so funny to hear them talk about who "ate" who.

We allowed the boys to put their shirts on AFTER they finished eating. Ha! And paused to take a bunch of pictures, of course.

Then it was time for gifts. And boy did they get a bunch. In the words of their head coach, "this is more like Christmas than a football party". They deserved it all. Such an amazing group of players, coaches, and parents!

In addition to the shirts and trophies, they also received personalized Gatorade water bottles from one of their assistant coaches.

Such a cool and practical gift! What athlete can't use more water bottles?

And an 11 X 14 high resolution photo from their head coach. We will definitely be getting ours framed!

This photo totally screams, "Look ma, we're famous!" to me.

For coaches gifts, we collected money from the parents and purchased them each personalized footballs from Etsy which the boys autographed.

We also gave them gift cards purchased with the leftover money. So well deserved!

Everyone had a great time.

Including us mamas! Who may or may not have planned to dress alike...

The saying says, "Go big or go home". And that's exactly what we did. We love our boys. Go Admirals!

Now it's time to rest for a couple of weeks before our weekends are filled with basketball.

Until next season!

***Be sure to click on the links below to see some of my previous end of season party ideas:

End of Season Party Ideas

End of Season Party Ideas- II

Team Mama Idea: Football End of Season Party- II

Football season has come and gone. At least for No. 2. Unfortunately, his team did not make the playoffs. They were bumped up into the American division this year (the toughest division of them all). They made a good run, but still fell a little short.


Here's what we did to celebrate a well fought season.


I booked our party at a local bowling alley. Two hours (one hour of bowling, one hour in a private party room) and your choice of pizza, burgers, or hot dogs with drinks for $16 a kid. Of course, I went with pizza. Almost every kid I know loves pizza. The cost was almost completely covered by our touchdown jar. If you don't know what a touchdown jar is, click HERE to find out. Our grand total came to $224.24, so all I had to collect was $3 per player! How awesome is that?

It also happened to be our quarterback's birthday, so his mama volunteered to bring the cake... and ice cream!

I just LOVE photo cakes.


Coach Hubby and I awarded the boys with personalized medals. I ordered them from Trophy Depot. They looked way better in person than they did online. I was even able to customize the neck ribbon to match our team colors! We also printed out a picture of each player which added even more of a personalized touch.

For coaches gifts, I began by sending out an email to our team requesting donations. I never specify a numeric amount, in fact I always indicate that no amount is too small (or too big!). I find that more people are willing to give, when the amount is left up to them.


I ordered each coach a 23oz. personalized beer glass. I found them on Etsy. Click HERE if you'd like to purchase one yourself. They have their name, the team name, and year on them in our team colors. I absolutely love how they turned out!

I also gave each coach a gift card which was purchased with the leftover donation money. Who needs a gift card holder when you can put them directly into the beer glass? Cheers!

The team had a blast.

Until next season. Go Admirals!


***Click HERE to read my most recent ideas and HERE to read some of my past ideas.

Football Cake & Cupcakes

No. 1's birthday always falls during football season (usually on a practice night). Well, this year it falls on a game day, so what better way to celebrate than with his teammates and a football cake AND cupcakes!

Here's what you'll need for the cupcakes:

• Boxed cake mix
• White frosting
• Burgundy icing color
• Gold decorating gel
• Gold cupcake liners

I began by baking the cupcakes according to the instructions on the box. While they cooled, I worked on my frosting. I won't even lie, burgundy is a tough color to achieve! I feel like I had to use a ton of icing color, and they still didn't turn out as burgundy as I would have liked. Oh well. Once they were completely cooled, I iced and then added each player's jersey number to them.

On to the cake. Here's what you'll need:

• Boxed cake mix
• Chocolate frosting
• White decorating icing
• Football shaped cake pan

I again followed the instructions on the box, changing nothing except for the type of pan I used. I purchased a football shaped cake pan from Michaels. Don't forget to use a coupon! Oh yeah, the pan also called for a longer baking time than the box did. When the cake was completely cooled, I took a serrated knife and sliced off a tiny bit of the middle so that when I flipped it, it would be leveled. Before removing it from the pan, I took a butter knife and went around the sides to loosen it up a bit. After that, I flipped it over, gave it a bit of a pat, and out it came!


I began decorating the cake by icing it with a very thin layer of the chocolate frosting first, also known as a crumb coat. When the crumb coat was applied, I stuck the cake in the fridge to let it set. Once it was set (no longer sticky to the touch), I added the final, thicker layer of chocolate frosting. I then took the white decorating icing (which already had a piping tip attached-I love that!), and drew on the laces. That's it! It was my first attempt at a football cake, and I must say, I really like the way it came out!

It's also my turn to bring snacks to the game. For halftime fruit, I sliced several navel oranges (click HERE to see how I do it) and placed them in snack sized baggies. For post-game snacks and drinks, they will have Gatorades to help wash down the cupcakes. I also grabbed some goldfish crackers for the little siblings.


I can't wait to share them with the team tomorrow. Go Admirals!






*** Update: We won! Victory never tasted so SWEET!!!

*** Here's my most recent take on football cupcakes! I used blue liners and orange sprinkles to match our new team colors as well as chocolate icing for the "footballs" and white cookie icing for the "laces". Easy peasy and the team loved them! #WINNING

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







Team Mama Idea: Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Sadly, one in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. It is the second leading cause of cancer death among women. On average, every 2 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer and 1 woman will die of breast cancer every 13 minutes.


Two of my very close family members are survivors, my Nana and my Aunt Tia. This is a cause that is very near and dear to my heart. So, I am always sure that our team shows their support all October long. Here are some of the ways that we do it:


Every single player on our team has a pink ribbon on the back of their helmet.

They also wear pink socks. There are a ton to choose from online. My favorite place to order them from is Amazon. So many choices, all in one place. Just be sure to order about a month in advance, as they sell out... quick.

All football players love eye black, right? We were stoked to find some in pink at our local sporting goods store.

You know we just couldn't pass up the chance to sport some as well. HA!

Finally, I ordered these blingy "tattoos" for us mamas to wear. How cute are we, I mean they?!

What does your team do to raise awareness? I'm always looking for new ideas!