Turning 5

It is so cliche to say, but it seriously feels like yesterday when I was here, with him. He was a brand new, 6lbs 14.9 oz bundle of love.

 

and then I took a breath, and he started walking.

He use to need my help to stack these

I cannot believe it.  This little boy of mine is 5, tomorrow.

He is growing, and changing, and goodness it has me so emotional.

Pictures and a journal help me to remember the past 5 years.  A great guy told P and I to keep journals for our kids, you know of the milestones and such.  As tedious as it seems somedays, putting that pen to paper to write out the details, I LOVE to look back...I'm sure someday he'll love to look back on it too.

To remember his first word (dada), his first trip to the ER, his first soccer game, the first time he said the word crap (my fault), or spelled out s-h-i-t (thanks P)...you know, those things.

because as fast as the last 5 years have gone by, I am sure the next 13 will too.

He won't be my little guy forever, I won't always get Rykles (our word meaning Ryker snuggles), or be able to tuck him in at night, or be able to read to him while he sits in my lap.

He already goes to school, has a favorite color - yellow, writes his name, knows his address, counts to 50, is learning to read...

 

and he is tender, sweet, and makes me so proud of the little person he is becoming.  

Five years old is going to be great, just like one, two, three, and four were...because well, he is great.  

He has plans for trick or treating at the zoo tonight, bringing in cupcakes to school tomorrow and being the teacher's helper for the day, and trick or treating around the neighborhood tomorrow night.  

I asked him what he wanted for his birthday - he said "a surprise, but for sure a balloon and some decorations!"  There is probably nothing greater in the world than celebrating special occasions the way a kid wants to.  Seeing his eyes get so big and excited when he wakes up to see decorations and balloons, and watching his shy smile form as he opens his gifts.

and goodness, the gift that Nana and Papa sent, well we didn't even need to get him anything.  I cannot wait to see his reaction to that gift...pictures to come tomorrow - and probably a video too.