My baby is almost N I N E. I’m still feeling like I’m in denial. Not because I want more children, or that I feel that our family is incomplete, it’s just hard to believe our youngest is almost 9 years old. It’s like time has sped by and I’m still here, trying desperately to hold onto each moment. Before I know it, he’ll be heading off to college.
Each year, it’s so important to me to find a way to incorporate our children’s passions into their birthday celebrations. With one born in June as the school year ends and the other right before Thanksgiving, I always feel this pressure to find time to make their day special.
Brayden has really grown to love soccer. He’s always been athletic and energetic, but it’s been so fun to watch him enjoy a new sport alongside baseball. That’s why I was so excited to find out about TOCA Football from a friend of mine. Located in Orange County, CA, TOCA Football is an indoor soccer training facility. They offer private and small group lessons to all ages to help improve soccer skills. Working on drills, footwork and shooting with both the left and right foot, their trainers have a strong background in soccer, some having played semi professionally.
Parties at TOCA can be groups of 15 or 25. They include trainers, drills, scrimmages, pizza and Gatorade. They will even decorate the event room for you. I only had to bring a cake!
We had 15 boys at the party and three trainers who divided the boys into groups, running drills that resulted in the losing teams doing burpees or push ups. They use games and competitions during drills to keep the kids entertained, all while teaching them new soccer tricks. Even the boys who don’t normally play soccer with Brayden at school were enjoying themselves.
After running drills for 35 minutes, the trainers put the kids into four teams and they scrimmaged against each other with a championship game at the end. Since these are the boys that Brayden plays soccer with at school, there was some good, fun competition happening.
After the scrimmage was over, the boys enjoyed pizza, provided by TOCA as part of their party package and cake! If you’ve been reading my blog for a while you know that I’ve gotten Brayden’s age wrong on his cake the passed two years. I’m thrilled to report that I remember he was turning 9 and there was a candle to prove it on his cake.
If you’re looking for a great cake idea, I recommend Costco. I ordered a plain “Sports themed” cake so it had the white and blue border, then I used green edible spray paint and two different colored green sugar crystals to make grass. These are the soccer men I snagged on Amazon for the toppers.
Happy Birthday sweet boy! We can’t believe you’re turning 9!
Thank you so much to TOCA Football for an incredible party. From the facility to the staff, it’s the perfect spot to host a birthday party, or even take your kids to train and learn new soccer skills. We will be back!
xo, Alissa
PS: TOCA is starting a program that launches the week of November 18 for kids under 6. It’s a morning program where your little ones can come and learn new soccer skills, but more just get their wiggles out in a fun and safe environment. Be sure to contact your local TOCA for more details.
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shiza says
Great to hear! I don’t have one yet, but am expecting one to be under the Christmas tree. I need something keep me motivated, and I think this will work well. I am (overly) competitive, so something like earning badges appeals to me, even if they are meaningless!.Basketball
lisa says
I always say I wish I’d discovered yoga when I was still competing in sports. It has taught me more about breathing and body control than all the gymnastics and high jumping ever did. There are great strength and injury-prevention benefits, but I think the breathing and mindset benefits are even more powerful for an athlete. And the awareness is starting to grow….I see articles every couple of weeks about high school and college teams, as well as pro athletes, who are incorporating yoga into their training. When I lived in Denver, I worked with three different college teams, and that was about 7 years ago. It’s happening! Athletes see the potential.Bubble Soccer Party
lisa says
We’re staying at Sports next week. While it isn’t my favorite value resort, Pop Century is but wasn’t a host hotel for the 1/2 Marathon next weekend. My son likes baseball, and I knew that the resorts would probably be sharing buses so we chose Sports over movies. It’s not a horrible resort, but I agree if you don’t like Sports it’s really not the resort for you. Hopefully they will have done some updating to it since your last visit.Bubble Soccer Party
lisa says
I got to the Disney Sports Resorts on June 26-30,2013 this was a non-smoking hotel their were people smoking the whole time I was there outside their room. You will not get any rest people were in the swimming pool all night. I contacted the front desk their response was we will sent someone to check it out. My son has Asthma and we had to deal with smoking outside on the patio I was in room 8304 in the baseball side.The hotel was over crowd my children had never been to Disney World I will never stay here again. Their were a lot of bugs in the room.
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lisa says
I’m also reading Boys in the Boat! I had seen crew races before, but I didn’t realize all of the minute but oh-so-important details that go into a race. The strategy behind stroke rate during a race is so interesting to me. This was fascinating, Amanda. The idea of assertiveness training as part of your position was really interesting. Thank you for sharing your story.Match Predictions
lisa says
I missed the cerimony too (it was from 1am to 5am here in Italy), but luckily I cought the second part re-aired in the morning. Really liked Thomas Boch’s opening speech, all about the values the Olympics uphold and why they matter in today’s world.roblox codes list
lisa says
I’m also reading Boys in the Boat! I had seen crew races before, but I didn’t realize all of the minute but oh-so-important details that go into a race. The strategy behind stroke rate during a race is so interesting to me. This was fascinating, Amanda. The idea of assertiveness training as part of your position was really interesting. Thank you for sharing your story!captain cook snorkeling tour
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jack says
I agree with all of the above and had a lovely time at my kids sports day today. But sack off the egg and spoon race lol. I saw tears from those that couldn’t keep it on and winners who kept it on with a thumb haha. Way to hard to police.Thecodedfitness
carry says
Football season is not as big a thing here in Canada, I think. I could be wrong. It sounds like it’s a *thing* in the US though…it has it’s own foods and fashion that go along with it.mobil ödeme bahis siteleri
carry says
That’s awesome, I loved this one! I especially appreciate hearing that everyone has been so welcoming and respectful.best ping pong paddle
carry says
I think its a great idea to keep her in the more community style classes until it is clear she needs/wants to be in some bigger/more expensive. Hooray for trying new things and enjoying itbest ping pong paddle
lisa says
Sport is a lifestyle. I work as a golf coach and have been practicing sports all my life. I adapt my life for sports and it is very difficult. You must constantly look for new things that will help you grow professionally. I found a very good store for golf loversNo Smoke
lisa says
Great post. I agree that sport and soccer particularly has the power to bring peace to areas of conflict. While the research is relatively limited I, and I’m sure many out there, have seen plenty of evidence that soccer works. I have founded an Australia-based charity called The Kick Project which is seeking to build local/global football for peace networks and programs globally. I would love to engage with like minds – whether with the view to assist with seed funding or as local groups looking to reach out and possibly work together. Pls contact me thro the above website if interested. Thanks and peace….gym near me
lisa says
oh that’s what i’ve heard. that the south is really serious about sports. hmmm…not sure where i’ll fit in that spectrum. i think it’s so different for girls than it is for boys. i just want my girlies to get some exercise and have fun. i don’t take anything to an extreme. but i do love passion so i get what you are saying about giving it your all. i don’t think that’s ever a bad thing.gym near me