You'll think you remember Connie Mack.

You won't.

You'll remember that your pitcher got the call just a couple of days before the tournament. You'll remember scrambling to pack, figuring out travel, wondering what this week would be like.
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What you won't remember are all the little things that made it one of the sweetest baseball weeks of your life.

So here's your reminder.

​This isn't just another tournament.

Don't treat it like one.

You've done hundreds of baseball weekends. Pack the chairs. Pack the sunscreen. Pack the snacks.
But this one? This one is different.

This is an event.

This is a town that throws itself a baseball party every summer and somehow convinces complete strangers that they're family by the end of the week.
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Lean into it.

Don't fly in for the games and leave.

Walk downtown.

Sit on the benches.

Eat the local food.

Visit the shops.

Watch kids run around with baseballs tucked under their arms hoping for signatures.

Watch grandparents who have been coming for forty years tell stories to first-timers.
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The town itself is part of the experience.

Say yes to the parade.

Say yes to opening ceremonies.

Say yes to church Sunday morning at Ricketts Park.

Say yes when someone invites you somewhere.

Say yes to the picture.

Say yes to the conversation.

Say yes to staying another fifteen minutes after the game.
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Some of your favorite memories won't happen between first pitch and the final out.

This one surprised me.

People don't just cheer for their hometown team.

They cheer for everyone.

They'll learn your kid's name.

They'll ask where you're from.

They'll text you good luck.

They'll bake brownies.

They'll hand you tickets.

They'll remember what inning he came into yesterday.

You'll leave wondering how people you've known for four days suddenly feel like old friends.
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Let them love on you.

They're part of the story.

Remind them to sit in the living room.

Ask questions.

Hear how many players they've hosted.

Listen to the stories.

Years from now, they won't remember what hotel room looked nicer.

You'll remember laughing around someone's kitchen table.

Yes, pack uniforms.
But also bring:

• Comfortable walking shoes.
• A light jacket for cool evenings.
• An umbrella to shade from the scorching sun.
• A Sharpie. Trust me.
• A portable charger.
• Extra phone storage—you'll take thousands of pictures.
• Cash for little things - and gate fees at a few of the parks.
• Team swag to trade or gift.
• Thank-you cards for your host family.
• Small gifts from home if you have room.
• A cooler for snacks and drinks.
• Tissues. You'll pretend they're for allergies.

..but also put your phone away.

Photograph the parade.

Then watch it.

Capture your player walking into the stadium.

Then lower your camera and watch him look around.

Take the picture.

Then live the moment.
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Your memories deserve both.

The people sitting next to you?

Talk to them.

They're probably from another state.

Or another country.

Or they've been coming for decades.

Everyone has a story.
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You'll leave richer because you heard them.

Watch baseball.

Really watch it.

Watch the little brothers chasing foul balls.

Watch the little girls collecting autographs.

Watch host families cheer for kids they've known for three days.

Watch volunteers.

Watch umpires.

Watch the crowd erupt after an incredible play—even if it isn't your team.
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The magic isn't confined to your dugout.

You don't need to be part of every memory.

Let him laugh with teammates.

Let him disappear to trade stories.

Let him sign baseballs.

Let him become part of something that's his.

​Ask him about his host home - what he might need. But then let him run.

Some memories belong to him.

That's okay.

You'll think you'll remember.

You won't.

Write:

• Who you met.
• What made you laugh.
• Something your player said.
• Something that surprised you.
• The score if you want.

But mostly...
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Write how it felt.

You'll start the week rooting for your player.

By the end, you'll be cheering for kids you've never met before.

And somehow...
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You'll mean it.

Thank the volunteers.

Thank the announcers and the grounds crew.

Thank the host family.

Thank the coaches.

Thank the people selling hamburgers.

Thank the newspaper reporter.

Thank the lady who made brownies.

Thank the stranger who simply said, "We're glad you're here."
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People like that make baseball bigger than baseball.

Don't rush out.

Walk the field one last time.

Take one more picture.

Stand in the empty stands.

Listen.
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Because one day you'll wish you could hear that place one more time.

Remember this:
You thought this week was about baseball.

It wasn't.

It was about watching your son be welcomed by an entire community.

It was about seeing kindness from strangers.

It was about discovering that some places still exist where people cheer just because it's the right thing to do.

It was about remembering that sports, at their very best, aren't about championships.
They're about belonging.

Years from now, you won't remember every inning.

You won't remember every pitch.

You probably won't remember every score.

But you'll remember Farmington.

You'll remember the people.

You'll remember that for one incredible week, your family was folded into a community that treated you like you'd always belonged.
​
And that's the kind of win that lasts a whole lot longer than a baseball season.

I recently came across an idea from Your Mom Goes to College called the Rule of 27, and I immediately thought, I want to TRY to do this. You know how it goes...

The idea is beautifully simple: on the 27th of each month between now and graduation, intentionally create one meaningful moment with your senior. Not a grand gesture. Not an expensive gift. Just a small reminder that says, I'm here. I'm cheering for you. I'm in this with you.

Maybe it's a surprise smoothie before school. A gift card for dinner with friends. Filling up the gas tank. A handwritten note tucked into a baseball bag. A late-night Whataburger run after practice. A sunset drive. A letter from someone who believes in them.

The moments don't have to be elaborate. They just have to be intentional.

As excited as I was about the idea, I also know myself.

Senior year gets busy...really busy.
​
There will be baseball, recruiting, school events, college visits, deadlines, holidays, emotions, and all of the unexpected moments that somehow show up every single week. If I wait until the 27th rolls around to think of something, there's a good chance life will get in the way.

So here's my plan...

I'm gathering everything now.

I'm made little Rule of 27 cards, old-school coupons, gift cards, handwritten notes, and a few surprises - like the gift cards I grabbed yesterday while I was at the grocery store. Then I'm putting each month's envelope into my planner. When the 27th comes, I won't have to think about it. I'll just open the envelope and go.

One less thing to plan.

One more memory waiting to happen.

What I love most about this isn't really the cards or the coupons.

It's the consistency.

I want Trent to look back on this year and know that while life was moving fast, we were moving through it together. That in the middle of practices, tournaments, homework, recruiting calls, and all the "lasts" that come with senior year, we intentionally slowed down long enough to make memories.

Because that's what he'll remember. Not every score.  Not every assignment.  Not every stressful week.

He'll remember the people who showed up.

I've included all of the printable files I've made so far—Rule of 27 cards, old-school coupons, and blank note cards for family, coaches, teachers, mentors, and friends to write words of encouragement. Feel free to download them, personalize them, or create your own version.
If you have a senior this year, I'd love for you to join me. Let me know what you've decided to do in the comments. 

Let's fill this year with little moments that become lifelong memories.

It's going to be a wild ride.
​
Let's buckle up. ❤️⚾

⚾ Rule of 27 Printable Cards
Step up to the plate and make this senior year one to remember! Download the Rule of 27 cards, old-school coupons, and blank encouragement cards to create simple moments your senior will never forget. Small gestures. Big memories.

📋 Rule of 27 Idea List
Need a game plan? I've rounded up 27 easy, meaningful ideas that work for any senior—plus a few bonus ideas to keep in your back pocket. Pick your favorites, fill your lineup, and make every month count.

I wrote a few journals as gifts for graduates and added them to Amazon by request.
​Follow My Author Page

You blink... and somehow you're buying cap and gown pictures instead of crayons.
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Senior year is exciting, emotional, expensive, and over before you're ready. Whether your senior is headed to college, trade school, military service, or straight into the workforce, these are the things I wish every senior family had.

As I'm walking through my fourth and final senior year, these are the products I'm actually using (or wish I'd discovered sooner).

Year in Review: Memory Journal for the High School Senior

This is the book I wish I'd had for my older kids - so I wrote it!

Senior year is a blur of firsts, lasts, celebrations, decisions, and memories you think you'll never forget... until you do.

I created Year in Review to help moms intentionally capture the moments that usually get lost in the chaos—from move-in day and senior night to funny stories, college decisions, favorite memories, and everything in between.

Instead of boxes of random papers and hundreds of forgotten photos on your phone, you'll have one place that tells the story of your child's senior year.

👉 Get Year in Review here.

Fireproof Document Organizer

You'll suddenly need birth certificates, immunization records, Social Security cards, transcripts, passports, financial aid paperwork...

Keep everything in one place.
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Trust me—you don't want to be searching for a birth certificate the night before college orientation.

Portable Photo Printer
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Print the photos that usually stay trapped on your phone.

Perfect for graduation parties, memory journals, dorm décor, and keepsake albums.

See my favorite. and go ahead and grab the extra paper while you're there!

College Document Folder
Create folders for:

• Admissions
• Scholarships
• Housing
• Financial Aid
• Orientation
• Health Records
• Vehicle Information
• Employment

You'll thank yourself later. I grabbed this document folder for easier travel.

Portable Laptop Stand

​Perfect for scholarship applications, essays, virtual orientations, and dorm life. This is my favorite for a desk or the floor - for a laptop or projector.

Journal for the Graduate

Senior year isn't just about memories.

It's about becoming.

I wrote this journal as a gift for graduates—a place to dream, reflect, pray, set goals, and prepare for the next season of life.

Whether they're moving into a dorm, starting a career, or taking a gap year, this journal encourages them to slow down long enough to think about who they want to become—not just what they want to do.

It's one of my favorite graduation gifts because it's personal, meaningful, and something they'll keep long after the party decorations are gone.
​
👉 Shop Journal for the Graduate.

One More Thing...

If there's one thing I've learned after raising four kids, it's this:
You won't remember every game, every ceremony, every late-night conversation, or every ordinary Tuesday that suddenly becomes one of the last.
Take the pictures.
Write down the stories.
Celebrate the little moments.

Senior year doesn't last very long—but the memories can.
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And that's worth holding onto. ❤️

After more than 20 years of back-to-school shopping, packing lunches, chasing kids to practice, attending concerts, games, field trips, and everything in between... these are the products that earned a permanent spot in our home.

This is my last K–12 back-to-school season after raising four kids. If I could sit down with "first-time kindergarten mom" Heather, this is exactly what I'd hand her.
​
These aren't trendy gadgets I bought because TikTok said so. These are the things I reached for over and over again because they actually made life easier.

Some of the links below are Amazon affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my family and the work I love sharing.

Ember Heated Mug
The mornings come fast. Anything that saves five minutes (or saves your sanity) is worth it. No more reheating the same cup of coffee three times. I bought Billy one YEARS ago for Christmas, and it's still a favorite.

Insulated Tumbler
Whether you're headed to the drop-off line or a full day at work, a good tumbler, like my HydroJug keeps my water cold for hours. See my personal silly favorite here

Portable Phone Charger
Because someone always forgets to charge their phone... and somehow it becomes Mom's problem. This is my favorite so everyone can charge their phone - Android or iPhone.

 Label Maker 
If I could recommend only ONE item on this page, this would be it. Label bins, chargers, school supplies, pantry containers, sports equipment—you'll use it constantly. I've had one for a few years now and I just toss it in my purse and take it with me, use the associated phone app, and label everything! This one is the one I have.

Family Wall Calendar
Everyone can see what's happening at a glance. No more asking, "What time is practice?" When the kids were little, I made one out of a whiteboard and washi tape. If I were doing it again now, I'd grab a digital board and sync it with everyone's Google Calendars so that we could all see family events, chores - even a grocery list! This one is my favorite. 

File Box for School Papers
Instead of stacks of papers everywhere, keep report cards, awards, and important documents organized in a file box like this. You could use a Cricut to cut out their names for the boxes. But since it's a clear box, just print their names on an 8.5x11 sheet and slip it in the front of the box. I also took pictures of so many things so I could "recycle" the actual paper. 

AirTags or Tiles
Backpacks. Keys. Luggage. Teenagers. You'll think of a dozen uses. We use the Tile and the associated app. It's been a lifesaver on busy mornings looking for keys or afternoons when the kids can't find their gym bags.

From One Mom to Another...After four kids, hundreds of school events, thousands of packed lunches, countless baseball games, concerts, and road trips, I've learned that the right tools don't make parenting easier—they simply free you up to enjoy it more.

I hope something on this list saves you time, reduces a little stress, or makes your day just a bit smoother.
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You've got this. ❤️