Riley is 6, Started school, Labor Day weekend, and is doing better then we expected!!

We've had a lot going on, thank goodness they have been good things!! Well, for the most part!

Riley is now 6! On his birthday, he had just had his last treatment and wasn't feeling like doing anything, so we stayed home and had a few visitors! He got to choose anywhere to eat for lunch and his choice was.....

A Chocolate Shake at Burger King!!! Such a funny kid!!
He got a fun gift in the mail that day, from Grandma Smith, and a few cards as well.......

And now, everyday he asks me if he has mail!!

Riley has been doing so well, of course after we got through the throw ups!! His bum sores are gone and his mouth sores went away, until this last treatment of course! But they are gone again!!

I never imagined for my baby's 6th birthday, or any birthday for that matter, that we would be here. It's hard to believe that at the age of 5 1/2 my son started fighting for his life and now at 6 we are on the hardest ride of our lives, and he doesn't even know it.
It's a time that I treasure more then ever but wish away at the same time. I want to remember everyday and every moment yet forget all about it. I guess that's why I write, so I can forget it, for now, but always have it.

I feel like I'm cheating Chris and Hunter with my heart. Riley has it right now. I feel so much love for him that my heart could burst. I don't ever want to leave his side. I LOVE the time we spend together and I feel like I miss him, even from the other room. I have an attachment to him right now like a new mom and newborn have. I breath him in everyday and I don't want to miss a moment. For almost 6 months I have been by his side, except for 1 full day, and a few halves here and there. My heart literally aches when I go to long without him near me. And I know he feels the same way.......... Which is why........ Starting Kindergarten has been soooooo hard.

I would love to put a picture of the first day of Kindergarten, but, there isn't one.
By the time 12:15 rolled around, Riley was so anxious and nervous, he DID NOT WANT TO GO, and was a mess. He WOULD NOT get his picture taken.
I took him to school and knew I would have to stay for a bit, but a bit turned into an hour and a half. He was so scared and sad that he would not let me leave. I started to help the teacher with some things and went out into the hall to hang stuff without telling Riley and when I looked back into the classroom, Riley was looking around for me with tears and pure panic in his eyes mouthing, mom, mom. I got his attention and said "I'm right here", then he finally settled down for a minute.
I NEVER want to see that look from him again. It ripped my heart out.
When it was time for recess, I though he would run out and play with the kids, instead he came up to me and burst into tears and said "mom, I just want to go home. I'm so tired." I looked at the teacher and she said, "go, he has had enough." So we did. 
He's been through so much, not only with the medical side, but he didn't finish preschool last spring, he hasn't been able to play with friends, he hasn't been "out" in the world for the last 5 months, and he has been attached to me. Not to mention, he gets so tired so easily. Poor thing.
So, we have decided that we will take baby steps. I will go with him and gradually work my way out, (even if it takes weeks), and we will gradually increase the time that he stays in class. But for now, 2:00 is a good time to go home!
Thank you Mrs. Nelson for being such a great teacher to Riley. Thank you for understanding and helping us through this hard time.

For the Labor Day weekend, we decided to get away as a family. We were able to go to Chris' work condo again and enjoy the pool!!
And we did!!!

Ready, set, jump!!!

We LOVE to night swim!!!!

Riley kept on saying, "I'm having the best time ever!!!"

We did a lot of fun stuff, we went to the animal museum......

And we also got to see a lot of LIVE animals right in the comfort of the condo......

YES, those are TARANTULA'S and Cock Roaches! We also saw a bat just hanging out by our door, a centipede, a snake, 2 frogs but the best and cutest thing of all......
This little guy.......

 He was so dang cute!!!

If we didn't already have 2 horny toads at home already, we would have kept him!!

We also made forts.....

And Riley got to go to a restaurant!!! The last time we all went out as a family to dinner was on Valentines Day, 7 months ago. We definitely enjoyed that!!!

Of course Riley was so sad to come back home. But when we got home and he remembered he had Lego's....

and his tramp.....

and of course his pantry full of cereal....

It was all good!!!!

I'm blessed to have this boy! I love him dearly, as well as the rest of my family!!
Keep fighting Ri, I can't live without you.
Love, Mom.