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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2party

3party

4party

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3yrs

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5yrs

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

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agirlandaboy
13 years ago

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

Kaz
Kaz
13 years ago

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!

Diane
Diane
13 years ago

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.

Jo
Jo
13 years ago

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

Ness at Drovers Run
13 years ago

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.

Kym
Kym
13 years ago

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

Michelle
Michelle
13 years ago

Happy Birthday Riley! He is such a cutie!

Claire
13 years ago

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!

Becca
13 years ago

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.

bessie.viola
13 years ago

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!

Sarah
13 years ago

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 ;) ).

Lawyerish
13 years ago

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

dorrie
dorrie
13 years ago

NOT GOING TO CRY AT WORK

The last line totally got me. Peace

Marci
Marci
13 years ago

crying! lovely post, beautiful pics!

Redbecca
Redbecca
13 years ago

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

Eliza
Eliza
13 years ago

Riley is awesome.

Kristy
13 years ago

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.

wm
wm
13 years ago

Awesome. Congratulations.

Angela
13 years ago

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

amanda
13 years ago

Happy Birthday, Riley! Love the pics. : )

clarabella
13 years ago

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

adequatemom
13 years ago

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

Amy
Amy
13 years ago

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!

Donna
Donna
13 years ago

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!

Stephanie
Stephanie
13 years ago

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.

Souphead
13 years ago

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

Maria
13 years ago

I’m PMSing, so, especially, *CRY*

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

Jenn Perryman
13 years ago

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!)

Leandra
13 years ago

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.

MyFrogs
MyFrogs
13 years ago

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.

Gnometree
13 years ago

Happy Birthday DUDE!!