5 Years

Wow, five, such a big, important sounding age!!! I think for a lot of people when their first born hits five they wonder where the time has gone, I just don't feel that way. I don't know that I want him to get much older but I'm loving this age. He can do so much independently but also still needs Mom and Dad for a lot of things. He understands incentives and can usually be rationed with. Reed genuinely appreciates when we do fun things for him and the thought that he's at an age where he might remember some of our activities is so cool!!! He also loves Kieran so much and is an awesome Big Brother. The two of them will now play independently for big chunks of time (15 minutes to over an hour) and I love overhearing their plotting/planning conversations.

Reed definitely doesn't like change and thrives when he knows the plan for our day. His transition to Transitional Kindergarten wasn't as smooth as I'd hoped. I thought being at the same preschool with familiar teachers would make it a breeze, but he had so much anxiety leading up to the new school year, and there were a couple of days with tears at the beginning. However he is doing great at school, loves his classmates, and the class size is way smaller than normal so he gets lots of personal attention and instruction from his teachers.  Reedman also started playing in our local youth soccer league this year. He is one of the youngest on the team and didn't play last year but we play soccer enough with him at home we thought he could handle it. He genuinely likes playing and hasn't complained once about going to practice or a game but he just doesn't seem that into it. He has a very hard time staying focused and never hustles or seems to try very hard. His coaches are awesome and are so patient with him and he is slowly improving so it will be interesting to watch him over the course of the rest of the season. 

Reed is a kid that is wise beyond his years in a lot of situations and he's also had to deal with a lot of obstacles at a young age. I'm always so proud of him when he advocates for himself or handles situations with food that he's allergic to so well. He is also a sensitive sole and gets upset over things that make other people sad. His empathy for others is so sweet and is something I hope he never loses. I could go on and on but I will stop and say that I'm so greatful for this wonderful kid that made me a Mom, he makes me proud on a regular basis and I'm excited to see what this next year brings him!!!

Interesting Facts


Weight: 38.5 lbs

Height: 43 inches

Clothing Size: 5T tops and pajamas, 4T shorts, and pants that are 4T are way too short, but are still loose around the waist

Shoe Size: Big Kid 11 but is getting ready to size up again

Reed likes: Building things - Legos, train tracks, and hot wheels racetracks. He is really into Paw Patrol, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Superheros. He still loves to help me bake and do craft projects and loves to be read books. Doing anything outside is on the top of his list too. Screen time favorites are Peppa Pig, Tumble Leaf, and Peg and Cat, also any video game or movie we let him watch is always a huge hit.

Reed dislikes: If someone touches or messes with something he's built. He also is a perfectionist and if he isn't great at something he gets easily discouraged.

Nicknames: Reedster, Reedcito, Buddy, Monkey, Reed-man,  Darlin', and Reeder.

Food: Favorites are pizza, hamburgers, french fries, steak, pasta, and Mexican food. His top places to eat are In-N-Out, Chipotle, getting coconut milk from Starbucks, and smoothies from Jamba Juice. Reed loves fruit, hates beans and vegetables, and likes most meats and grains. He devours any dessert put in front of him and is usually willing to try new dishes as long as they aren't vegetables, but will at least try a bite of anything we ask him to. He is allergic to dairy, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, and eggs.

Communication: Reed has an amazing vocabulary and works very hard to say words properly if we correct him. He can write most of his letters and numbers now and is starting to work on site words at school.

Favorite Subject: Math, he can do addition into the teens, simple multiplication, and subtraction with small numbers. He is very proud of his math skills and is constantly asking us to give him math prompts.

Favorite Color(s): Pink followed closely by Purple 

Best Friends: When I asked him he said "Kieran is my best friend. Connor and Clara are my best friends that are at my school but aren't in my class and I have so many best friends that are in my class!!!"

How Reed is sleeping:  He goes to bed around 7:30 pm and sleeps until  around 6:15 am most mornings. He sleeps in a twin bed, with a night light and sound machine as well as 2-3 quilts, girl soft sheep, Pooh, and 2-3 other cuddly guys. He has an hour of quiet time most afternoons but rarely naps.

Milestones over the last six months:

Reed now has a freckle (on his cheek)

He saw his first major sporting event - Arsenal vs The MLS Allstars

The Reedster started playing soccer, his first youth sport

He has two new cousins, one being his first boy cousin

The Monkey now has homework (yes, in Transitional Kindergarten!!!)