Five M O R E Things That Never Made the Blog

I'm catching up - round two!  Here are five more things that never made the blog!

*Caution: Another photo heavy post!* 

| one |

Fishing with Papa.  My parents came to celebrate Holden's birthday in April and it was nice enough to walk across the street and do a little fishing.  Of course, to me it was just an excuse to take photos; though I know my dad loved every minute!  Brantley may have caught more fish, but Holden caught a turtle! 

 

| two |

There were a couple of rainy, cloudy, dreary weeks in April and May.  As much as I hate not seeing the sun for multiple days in a row, I love these photos that were a result of the rain!

| three |

My parents brought along my Grandma Fritz when they visited in April.  She got to meet Rhett and see where we live!

| four |

We took the boys to our first Royals game this year...and Rhett's first game period!  Things that actually happened at that game: 1) We forgot Rhett's paci (which didn't end up being a big deal--he looked around the entire time, didn't even fall asleep!). 2) We made a lap around the concourse with a helmet full of nachos, seven hot dogs, two beers, and three kids (and didn't lose anything or anyone.) 3) We dropped the same toppings-loaded hot dog on Brantley's seat TWICE (mustard, onions, and sauerkraut all over). 4) We got Rhett's first game certificate and the lady questioned how to spell his middle name - Kauffman 5) High faves with Sluggerrr 6) Lots of stares, smiles, and basically looks of "Whoa they're crazy for bringing three kids ages 4, 3, and 5 months to a baseball game...on a school night nonetheless". 7) The lady ticket taker asked if our third kid was an accident. Who does that?!?!  And 8) Memories made and our annual family photo in the outfield!

| five |

I celebrated my first Mother's Day as a mama of three!  First, I attended Muffins with Mom at Brantley's preschool.  While there, Brantley tripped on the playground while running and hit his head on the edge of the sandbox.  I have no idea how he didn't need stitches (again) and the scariest part was seeing him wobble like a drunk person as he walked towards me crying.  Luckily, he was okay and ten minutes later, ready to go play again.  Never a dull moment.  We celebrated Mother's Day by going out for brunch and Craig and the boys gifted me some Nickel & Suede earrings and a new, rose gold bar necklace that includes the names of all three of my kids.  It was a great day!

If you stuck with me this long, good for you!  Slowly, but surely, I'm getting my blogging mojo back!  I still have a few past things to blog about, but I feel like I can soon switch gears to summer things!  Happy Friday!

Linking Up With:

Momfessionals and A Little Bit of Everything for Friday Favorites 

September F A R M for Oh, Hey Friday

Smidge of This for Five on Friday

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Did It Really Offend You?!

Last week I posted this picture on Instagram.

Holden happened to be naked because he had just gone potty and it was almost time for bed (I don't recall why he was shirt-less).  I didn't see the point of putting his clothes back on only to take them off a few minutes later.  Anyway, next thing I knew, he and Brantley were playing "cars" and Holden was the "tunnel".  I don't think either boy thought anything weird or funny about it, as being naked is no big deal to them, but I thought it was the most hilarious thing ever.  So I did what any mom would do and snapped a photo.

A couple of clicks later and there it was for the world to see {on Instagram}.

The feedback was very positive.  Fellow boy moms chimed in about this being a normal occurrence in their homes, as well, and it seemed many of my IG followers were quite humored by the photo.

The following day, I logged into Instagram only to be greeted with a message that I had violated their privacy policy.  Something about one of my photos being removed due to nudity.  It took me a minute to even remember the photo because, to me, it was no. big. deal.

I did a little research and came across the following "Community Guidelines".

We know that there are times when people might want to share nude images that are artistic or creative in nature, but for a variety of reasons, we don’t allow nudity on Instagram. This includes photos, videos, and some digitally-created content that show sexual intercourse, genitals, and close-ups of fully-nude buttocks. It also includes some photos of female nipples, but photos of post-mastectomy scarring and women actively breastfeeding are allowed. Nudity in photos of paintings and sculptures is OK, too.

People like to share photos or videos of their children. For safety reasons, there are times when we may remove images that show nude or partially-nude children. Even when this content is shared with good intentions, it could be used by others in unanticipated ways.

While I appreciate Instagram's policies and them looking out for my kids, I was  also slightly offended.

One, I hate feeling like I did something wrong.  It's a butt.  Of a two-year old.  I would never purposefully post a picture that would put my children in harm's way.  If I had questioned the appropriateness of the photo...or had thought it may be used in a negative way...or even thought it could offend someone, I never would have posted it.  But, in my #boymom mind, I truly don't see anything wrong with this photo.  I've always been the "good girl" who follows the rules 99% of the time--so to know I had been flagged as a "rule breaker" was a little disheartening.

Two, have you seen some of the things on Instagram??  Boobs, crotches, girls wearing next-to-nothing, curse words and words I've never once muttered in my life!  Searches of hashtags that are nothing but appropriate often yield photos that even my 33-year old eyes are embarrassed to see!

Yet, you're telling me my photo was inappropriate?

Three, and perhaps the most disappointing all...I confided in a few blogger friends, who told me that in order for a photo to be removed by Instagram, someone {a follower} had to have reported the photo.  Perhaps that person was just looking out for the safety of my child, but again, they're buns!!!

So while I appreciate your efforts, I just have to ask, did it really offend you?

T-Ball // Year 1

Take me out to the ballgame,

Take me out to the crowd.

Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks.

I don't care if I ever get back.

For it's root, root, root for the REBELS,

If they don't win it's a shame,

For it's 1, 2, 3 strikes you're out

at the old ball game!

  

PLAY BALL!

 

It's official - we have real t-baller!  Brantley has participated in Mini & Me baseball through Olathe Parks & Rec for the past two summers, but that program required parent-involvement and it taught the kids fundamentals more than anything.  But this fall brings our first official chance to play ball--actual games, on an actual team, with acutal uniforms.  Brantley (and mommy and daddy) couldn't be more excited!

 

These are pictures from his first (of six) games.  He's on a team with quite a few neighbor kids and all of the dads help coach.  It's really the cutest thing ever.

 

And he played his little heart out, that's for sure.  He loved every minute.  (Note: Whatever the sport, somehow he always ends up on the ground.)

 He was concerned only about if The Rebels were winning.  We kept telling him it was tied and he would holler from the field, "Is it still tied?!"

He was also pretty proud of his "homerun".  In actuality, he was the last batter that inning so he got to run all of the bases.  In his mind, it was a homerun.  Duh. 

He also got to play "Salvy".  Salvy is the catcher for the Royals and one of Brantley's favorites.  A 4-year old in catcher's gear??  I can't even...

 Although you'd never know, he was not a fan of my photos.  All he wanted to do was play, watch, and cheer on his teammates.

One of his favorite parts was running the bases with his teammates after the game.  I mean, look at this face. 

I have a feeling this will be the first year of many baseball seasons to come.  I'm not at all sad about that.  I love seeing him so happy--in his element.  He makes me proud to be a boy mom and even prouder to be his mom.

Team Name: The Kansas City Rebels

Team Colors: Gray and Royal Blue

League: Pre-K/T-Ball

Where: Johnson County 3&2 Baseball Club

Head Coach: Coach Wade (with a number of other neighborhood dads)