Aug
31
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.
Five today. All the fingers of a hand, spread wide.
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God DAMN. My eyes is all prickly. Happy Birthday, Riley. As usual, it’s been a pleasure watching you grow up.
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!
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.
Happy Birthday Riley! How can he be 5 already?!
Beautifully written as always and those photos (specially the baby one) made me sniffle :)
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.
Totally got misty over this, I can totally relate. I have 3 boy’s (5,3,1) and your pictures were awesome!!!!
Happy Birthday Riley! He is such a cutie!
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!
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.
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!
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 ;) ).
Gorgeous writing, Linda, and great photos as always. Happy birthday, Riley! What a privilege it is to get to watch you grow.
NOT GOING TO CRY AT WORK
The last line totally got me. Peace
crying! lovely post, beautiful pics!
Happy belated birthday, Riley. (My maiden name – it rocks!)
Lovely post, Linda. I only see one Highly Suspicious Face, though!
Riley is awesome.
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.
Awesome. Congratulations.
Absolutely beautiful. Happy Birthday to him. Happy Birth Day to you.
Happy Birthday, Riley! Love the pics. : )
Happy birthday, Riley! I love how suspicious he is of that first-birthday cupcake!
Happy Birthday, Riley! And Linda, thanks for sharing this journey with us – we love you!
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!
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!
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.
Happy Birthday Riley!
From suspicious baby/toddler to awesome kiddo. Thanks for sharing with us.
xoxo
I’m PMSing, so, especially, *CRY*
This is lovely, Linda. These are the kinds of posts I hope our children really see some day.
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!)
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.
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.
Happy Birthday DUDE!!