High five!

Our Reni turned five on Saturday. It's hard to put into words how amazing this guy is, our middle child who is so often a lesson in brilliant opposites. Prone to fits of whining and yelling and hitting, he is also the first one to kiss and hug and say 'I love you' and he can identify and talk about his feelings better than many adults I know. A brilliant, curious mind when it comes to all things philosophical and scientific, he is also known to issue stunningly idiotic BS when he's backed into a corner and needs to explain why he absolutely cannot eat any more dinner than the two bites he tried or why his drive-by slap across Roman's face was totally justified. He loves his siblings so much that he cries when they won't play with him, but one time he threw a wooden block so hard at Anika's head that she had a visible dent for days. He will ask question after question after question, leaving you sometimes to question your own view of the world. He has the most beautiful smile you'll ever see. He has no shame in asking for help doing things like falling asleep or wiping after using the bathroom, but heaven forbid you try to help him build that ridiculously complicated Iron Man Lego set. He has an infectious laugh and if you say 'boo boo butt' you'll hear it for days. He touched a hot light bulb with the tip of his finger the other night, and his wails and screams probably had the neighbor contemplating whether or not they should call CPS. Same reaction when his sister so much as pushes him. Yet I've seen him tumble off his bike or leap off the couch smack into the wall with nary a sniffle. He is growing up so fast, and there have been times when I've had to remind him that it's ok to cry. He picks his fingernails and laughs when he farts and blows bubbles into his milk and is always, inexplicably, pulling on his brother's ears. He is already trying to read, and constantly trying to keep up with his older sister. He makes my heart swell with pride and hurt for all the growing up that will happen so fast, this beautiful boy that I'm so proud to call my son. As he would say, I love you, best buddy Reni. Welcome to five. You're gonna love it.