Aug

31

Five

At five years old, he still loves to be hugged.

He hates balloons, loud noises, and unfamiliar foods. He’s not too sure about dogs.

He loves spaceships, rockets, motorcycles, and guns. He loves the idea of the Blue Angels but not so much the earsplitting scream of their presence. He loves Legos, and he can build anything.

He loves to argue. He loves to dawdle. He loves to push boundaries. He loves to be praised.

He loves his brother. He loves his family. He loves to run and jump and yell. He moves through the world with everything set to eleven. He is a wide-open flower tilted to catch as much sun as possible.

At five years old, he’s outgrown my ability to describe him. I paint a tiny corner of his ever-expanding picture and it’s never enough.

I can only tell you how much I love him. That’s an easy story to tell.

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Five today. All the fingers of a hand, spread wide.

Comments

81 Responses to “Five”

  1. Shawna on August 31st, 2010 12:33 pm

    I have a 6 month old. that brought tears to my eyes. i can’t wait for all of that! Thanks for sharing.

  2. JennB on August 31st, 2010 12:34 pm

    Happy birthday, Riley, and happy birthing day, Linda!!

  3. samantha jo campen on August 31st, 2010 12:35 pm

    He’s heartbreakingly adorable and I can’t believe he’s FIVE already. Have I really been watching him grow up that long?

    Happy Birthday Riley. And happy five year parentaversary Linda and JB.

  4. Kristen on August 31st, 2010 12:36 pm

    I love this post, especially the last line.

  5. Jill on August 31st, 2010 12:42 pm

    Wonderful post…Happy Birthday Riley!

  6. Maureen on August 31st, 2010 12:43 pm

    Happy Birthday Riley! He looks very suspicious of his first birthday cake, I love that expression he has. I cannot believe he is already 5, just like I can’t believe my girl turned 16. I know a trillion parents have said this before, but damn it goes fast!

  7. Anne on August 31st, 2010 12:44 pm

    I love the babyish little pictures! It looks like you pasted a Riley face on a Dylan body. Awwww.

  8. JR on August 31st, 2010 12:51 pm

    WONDERFUL shots – happy birthday boy (& good job mama)!

  9. Annie G. on August 31st, 2010 12:54 pm

    My son will turn 1 the day after tomorrow, and the last line of this post made me tear up in my cube. This was wonderful.

  10. Jessamyn on August 31st, 2010 12:56 pm

    Oh, teary here, too. Happy birthday, Riley! (Happy five years of motherhood, Linda!)

  11. telegirl on August 31st, 2010 12:58 pm

    Oh, Happy birthday, Riley!! This was yet another beautiful post…

  12. Pete on August 31st, 2010 12:59 pm

    Awww, Good post. Happy B’day.

  13. Wendy on August 31st, 2010 1:00 pm

    Happy Birthday Riley! What a joyful little guy.

  14. Pinkie Bling on August 31st, 2010 1:00 pm

    That is one beautiful little boy, and family, and post.

    Happy birthday, Riley!!

  15. 6512 and growing on August 31st, 2010 1:02 pm

    At five years old, he’s outgrown my ability to describe him. I paint a tiny corner of his ever-expanding picture and it’s never enough.

    Sniff. That is beautiful. He is beautiful. Congratulations.

  16. Anonymous on August 31st, 2010 1:07 pm

    Happy 5th Birthday to your boy, such a wonderful post for an adorable boy.

    On that note, my boy turned FIVE on Sunday!

  17. Danell on August 31st, 2010 1:08 pm

    Happy Birthday, Riley…and thanks, Linda, for sharing them all with us.

  18. Dana on August 31st, 2010 1:13 pm

    The baby photo – where he’s wrapped in the yellow towel? Unbearably cute. Congratulations!

  19. ElizabethZ on August 31st, 2010 1:28 pm

    Awwww! Love this post – Happy Birthday Riley!

  20. Eric's Mommy on August 31st, 2010 1:31 pm

    So sweet, Happy Birthday Riley!

  21. nonsoccermom on August 31st, 2010 1:55 pm

    Beautiful post. Adorable kiddo! Happy birthday, Riley!!

  22. H on August 31st, 2010 2:23 pm

    Wow – you two look so much alike in that last picture! Happy Birthday Riley!

  23. mixette on August 31st, 2010 2:34 pm

    Happy Birthday Riley!

  24. Niki P on August 31st, 2010 2:36 pm

    Happy Birthday Riley!

    Mine is 5 times 3. How did that happen?

  25. Christine on August 31st, 2010 2:51 pm

    Once again you give me a glimpse into my future. (Mine is almost 4 and a half.) The amazingness of boys continues to be a revelation to me.

  26. Sonia on August 31st, 2010 2:56 pm

    Happy Birthday Riley!!

  27. Amy on August 31st, 2010 3:05 pm

    Lovely. (Also, totally giggling over the photo of Riley looking suspiciously at his 1st birthday cake.)

  28. Gretchen on August 31st, 2010 3:19 pm

    Chills. You gave me chills. And for the first time in my life, I kind of want a boy instead a girl.

  29. Jennifer on August 31st, 2010 3:19 pm

    Love the sequence of birthday party pics. Grandma is there through each year and so’s little blond cousin. Riley looks like he’s catching up (height-wise) with cousin this year!

    Did anyone notice Dog curled up in the background of birthday picture #1? Go Dog Go!

  30. Melissa on August 31st, 2010 3:26 pm

    Happy Birthday Riley! Beautiful post – brought me to tears. Great pics. Good job, Mom and Dad. He’s a beautiful boy!

  31. Angella on August 31st, 2010 3:46 pm

    Happy 5th, little man. And to you and JB too.

  32. YogaMomma on August 31st, 2010 3:48 pm

    Beautiful post and lovely pictures! I can’t recall how I stumbled upon your blog – not too long ago. I love your honesty and your sense of humor……I look forward to getting a peek into your life every morning with my coffee!

  33. Amanda on August 31st, 2010 3:53 pm

    That 12-month picture. THE CHEEKS. They KILL me. Now my ovaries hurt…

  34. Allie on August 31st, 2010 3:58 pm

    Beautiful!! Happy Birthday, Riley!!!

  35. deanna on August 31st, 2010 4:00 pm

    happy birthday riley!

    [btw, you look great. esp love the short blonde and bangs!]

  36. Christine on August 31st, 2010 4:11 pm

    Oh that was lovely and you made me cry. My husband and my nephew turned five just this past weekend. It went so fast.

  37. jonniker on August 31st, 2010 4:57 pm

    I can’t believe I’ve been watching that little boy grow up for five years.

    Happy birthday, Riley. And thanks, Linda, for sharing him with us.

  38. Brenna on August 31st, 2010 5:09 pm

    I feel privileged to have ‘watched’ him grow. I can’t believe he’s 5. Happy birthday, Riley!

  39. Ter on August 31st, 2010 5:11 pm

    Happy 5th Riley! Give him big hugs and snuggles for me, I’m sure that’ll be difficult for you :)

  40. June on August 31st, 2010 5:56 pm

    Happy birthday, little man!

  41. amber on August 31st, 2010 6:29 pm

    Aww! I forgot how brain-numbingly adorable he was when he was smaller! Happy 5th, Riley!

  42. L.E. on August 31st, 2010 6:33 pm

    OMG. That last picture brought tears to my eyes. You look so much alike!

  43. JQ on August 31st, 2010 6:37 pm

    I’m glad I’m not the only one who had to make a snurfling noise to suck back in the tears on that last line.

  44. Crystal on August 31st, 2010 7:17 pm

    Thanks for taking us along for the ride.

  45. Mommy on the Spot on August 31st, 2010 7:23 pm

    I found out about you on Twitter and from Mom-et-al. And I have to say, this is such a sweet post. It got me all mushy thinking about how fast time flies by. . .

  46. Marie Green on August 31st, 2010 7:30 pm

    Aw, happy birthday big guy! I can’t believe he’s five already! I get all sentimental on my kids’ birthdays, so I was happy to see the photo history here… sentimentality all around! He’s so big, Linda. And so little, too.

  47. elz on August 31st, 2010 7:38 pm

    Oh my goodness, the boys look so much alike. I know (we get that all the time too with our girls). But, when you see the age progression pictures, it is really evident. Hope it was a very happy day. My 5 year old has kicked ass this year.

  48. Kimalim on August 31st, 2010 8:49 pm

    Your birthday posts have always made me cry. I still look forward to them every year. Congratulations on making it this far, some of us feel like we’ll NEVER make it to five!

  49. Ashleas on August 31st, 2010 8:51 pm

    Oh god.. I started reading you when I was 18 years old.. and RILEY’S ALREADY FIVE?! HE WAS JUST BORN! I WAS JUST IN COLLEGE..
    I AM NOT 24.
    Oh this is just too much.

  50. Stacy H-W on August 31st, 2010 10:30 pm

    Happy 5th Birthday Riley!! It goes so fast…

  51. agirlandaboy on August 31st, 2010 11:45 pm

    God DAMN. My eyes is all prickly. Happy Birthday, Riley. As usual, it’s been a pleasure watching you grow up.

  52. Kaz on September 1st, 2010 12:15 am

    Happy Birthday from Australia, Riley!

    Wow – it doesn’t seem like that long ago that he was born and now he’s 5. Love the pictures!

  53. Diane on September 1st, 2010 2:27 am

    Just a couple of happy tears, cause grandmas cry pretty easily. One thing that will do it is watching the joyous journey of a growing child. Thank you for letting us all share.

  54. Jo on September 1st, 2010 2:47 am

    Happy Birthday Riley! How can he be 5 already?!
    Beautifully written as always and those photos (specially the baby one) made me sniffle :)

  55. Ness at Drovers Run on September 1st, 2010 3:49 am

    Oh my word, what a stunning child, and I gotta tell you, the photo of him as a newborn made me *seriously* reconsider my *I’m done at two* rule with regards to kids. Maybe just one more. Maybe. I can hear the sound of my eggs clamoring at the door trying to get out as I’m typing this. I wonder if I can find a soundclip of a crying baby to get them to go back to knitting and talking about their younger days.

  56. Kym on September 1st, 2010 4:10 am

    Totally got misty over this, I can totally relate. I have 3 boy’s (5,3,1) and your pictures were awesome!!!!

  57. Michelle on September 1st, 2010 4:47 am

    Happy Birthday Riley! He is such a cutie!

  58. Claire on September 1st, 2010 5:19 am

    I know that whenever my son has a birthday (the 29th) that Riley’s is right after and I love reading your blogs about it. Happy birthday, kid!

  59. Becca on September 1st, 2010 5:24 am

    This post made me teary! The pictures are gorgeous; the love bursting at the seams. My little guy turns 5 in October. I’ve already got the Klennexes stocked up.

  60. bessie.viola on September 1st, 2010 5:42 am

    Oh, Linda… I’m in tears now. I remember when he was born and being in tears then. Thanks for sharing this amazing boy of yours with the world. Happy birthday, Riley!

  61. Sarah on September 1st, 2010 6:13 am

    Happy birthday!!! Five is a big deal! What a great post, I love seeing his growth!!

    Five is big…but he’ll always be your baby (despite his protests ;) ).

  62. Lawyerish on September 1st, 2010 7:18 am

    Gorgeous writing, Linda, and great photos as always. Happy birthday, Riley! What a privilege it is to get to watch you grow.

  63. dorrie on September 1st, 2010 7:37 am

    NOT GOING TO CRY AT WORK

    The last line totally got me. Peace

  64. Marci on September 1st, 2010 7:45 am

    crying! lovely post, beautiful pics!

  65. Redbecca on September 1st, 2010 8:05 am

    Happy belated birthday, Riley. (My maiden name – it rocks!)
    Lovely post, Linda. I only see one Highly Suspicious Face, though!

  66. Eliza on September 1st, 2010 8:58 am

    Riley is awesome.

  67. Kristy on September 1st, 2010 10:05 am

    I’ve been reading along since pre-Riley days…but I just got a lump in my throat because I remember Riley the baby….I’ve watched him get to five…thanks for sharing. I feel blessed to have watched.

  68. wm on September 1st, 2010 10:39 am

    Awesome. Congratulations.

  69. Angela on September 1st, 2010 11:17 am

    Absolutely beautiful. Happy Birthday to him. Happy Birth Day to you.

  70. amanda on September 1st, 2010 12:21 pm

    Happy Birthday, Riley! Love the pics. : )

  71. clarabella on September 1st, 2010 12:40 pm

    Happy birthday, Riley! I love how suspicious he is of that first-birthday cupcake!

  72. adequatemom on September 1st, 2010 12:48 pm

    Happy Birthday, Riley! And Linda, thanks for sharing this journey with us – we love you!

  73. Amy on September 1st, 2010 1:00 pm

    tears, joy, understanding. with my 5yo off to kindergarten and my 8yo beginning 3rd grade, I totally get it. Thanks for sharing the wonderful memories!

  74. Donna on September 1st, 2010 1:53 pm

    Happy Birthday Riley, and may you have a hundred more!!!

    I can’t believe I’ve been reading your blog since before you were even pregnant with him….wow!

  75. Stephanie on September 1st, 2010 2:17 pm

    Happy Birthday to the R-Man! Looks the same as he did as a baby!

    P.S. Your hair is super cute in the last party picture.

  76. Souphead on September 1st, 2010 5:19 pm

    Happy Birthday Riley!
    From suspicious baby/toddler to awesome kiddo. Thanks for sharing with us.
    xoxo

  77. Maria on September 1st, 2010 6:07 pm

    I’m PMSing, so, especially, *CRY*

    This is lovely, Linda. These are the kinds of posts I hope our children really see some day.

  78. Jenn Perryman on September 1st, 2010 9:18 pm

    Aww, Happy Birthday Riley! Wow, how time flies. I still remember bawling my eyes out watching the one-year birthday video you posted. (Kinda got misty reading this post too, to be honest!)

  79. Leandra on September 2nd, 2010 9:02 am

    Happy Birthday (a little late!) Love the pictures at the end.

    My little Punkin turned 5 on the 30th and I feel so guilty I haven’t done her 5 year post yet.

  80. MyFrogs on September 2nd, 2010 9:33 am

    My 10 year old still wants to hold my hand in public and will still on occasion tell me I’m her best friend. This will fade soon I’m sure, so every time she is holding my hand I make sure I realize it.

  81. Gnometree on September 2nd, 2010 9:51 pm

    Happy Birthday DUDE!!

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