While we can still tell each other "I love you" [Diary of raising 5 children]

Yesterday, anticipating the typhoon, I left work early and went to pick up the kids from daycare by car.

As it gets late in the evening, children of all ages gather in the large nursery room on the first floor, waiting impatiently for their pickups to arrive.
When I appeared, the younger twin showed up right away.

It's Mom!!

Recently, it's been so hot that my husband has been doing the pickups by car. The younger twin is excited by this rare sight. He's in such a rush that he tries to bolt out of the nursery room.

Hey now. You need to go with your third brother and your older twin brother, too.

While I was saying that, I caught sight of my third son blending in naturally with a circle of older girls.

He was reading a picture book about trains enthusiastically in the middle of their block-playing circle. Seeing how he always gravitates toward someone, I think, 'That's the youngest child for you.'
And he's always with girls.
How shrewd. This kid is going to be a big deal...

Oh, I found it!💛

Upon finding me, he lets out a cute voice as if to say, Oh, yes, yes, I was waiting for you, of course I meant you⭐. No, you definitely forgot about me just now. Even when he isn't looking for anything, whenever he gets his hands on something, he shouts "Found it! Found it!" in a tone that suggests, "I've seriously been looking for this the whole time," which is how my third son has been lately.

As I watched him go to give his teacher a high-five, my older twin, who was sniffling and crying, quietly slipped out of the nursery room.

Hey, what's wrong?

Seeing me ask, he shed a tear in silence. He probably got into a fight with the boys in his class again.

Encouraging him for the time being, we headed toward the parking lot. When the daycare door was opened for us, I saw the rain falling quietly.

Whoa! It's raining!

It's raining. Just that alone makes the boys inexplicably excited.

We all huddled under my big umbrella to head to the parking lot, which is only a few dozen seconds away on foot. My older twin, still crying, was sucking his left thumb as usual. While keeping that thumb in his mouth, he showed his brotherly kindness by making space next to him for his younger twin, who was complaining, "Oh no, I'm gonna get wet!" by saying,

Over here! Come next to me! Together!

"Wow, I'm not wet. Thank you, Twin Brother, I love you!"

Twin Younger Brother's "Thank you, Twin Brother, I love you!" takes less than two seconds to say from start to finish. It's a set phrase he's used to saying all the time. Though, honestly, he doesn't say it very clearly because his articulation is terrible.
It's more like "Ank-you, I wuv oo!!!"
Huh???? Isn't that just adorable????

Older: "Twin Brother loves you too 💛 I love you 💛"
Younger: "Hey, today was rough, wasn't it."
Older: "Yeah... So-and-so wasn't very nice!!! (huff)"
Younger: "It's a good thing that Twin Younger Brother's house and Twin Older Brother's house are different!"
Older: "Yeah! Everyone, Daddy, Mommy, Eldest Sister, Second Sister, and Third Brother. They're all kind, right? 💛"
Older & Younger: "Yeah, they are 💛"

Oh my goodness!!!!! They are just so cute, I tell you!!!! (Super loud voice)

My left shoulder, which was holding Third Brother and supporting the umbrella. Thanks to that, it was soaking wet, but that's no problem at all, thank you very much, hehehe.

***

Our three-story house.
After getting home, we head straight to the bath on the first floor.
Meanwhile, Eldest Sister has already finished her bath with Daddy.
Second Sister is standing at the entrance, waiting to welcome us.

"I'll wash Twin Older Brother and Twin Younger Brother!"

To become a maid, Second Sister is still continuing to help out.

In reality.
During that time, we can simultaneously prepare dinner, get things ready for daycare, check school handouts, prepare pajamas, and vacuum the bedroom, which is a huge help.
Once I start preparing dinner, my husband gets things ready for daycare. By the time dinner prep is in full swing, my husband is drying the kids off, applying moisturizer, and blow-drying their hair one by one.
Working in silent coordination, we finish the housework as if it were flowing. Even though it's an everyday occurrence, I can't help but admire it.

To myself for getting through this again today.
Andto my husband (My love).Hehehe.

The five children spend their own time after finishing dinner.

Eldest Sister and Second Sister are playing a game.
Twin Older Brother is angry because he invited "Twin Younger Brother! Let's play a game!" but got turned down as usual.

"Nooooooo!!!! I don't want to unless I'm with my twin brother!!!"

My clingy older twin's feelings are always so heavy.
The younger brother says, "Oh, fine..." but in the end, he doesn't play the game his brother wants. He's recently learned that if he makes up some excuse, he can get out of doing it. He probably knows that his older twin's interest will shift quickly anyway.

Before long, the younger brother grabs my husband's smartphone and starts playing "Ao Oni Online."
While he's doing that, the older twin comes over to stick to his brother, saying, "Me too, twin brother!!!"

"What are you guys doing, huh? Looks like fun."
As if to say that, our third son, wearing nothing but a diaper, leans his head forward and marches right into the twins' circle.
Um... could you at least put on some pajamas first?

While waiting for his turn to run away from the Blue Demon, the older twin reports today's events to my husband.

"So-and-so is sooooo mean. Seriously. It's everyone's toy, but he won't let me borrow it! It's awful!"

I see. That's tough, isn't it? My husband just listens, without saying anything in particular.

Younger brother: "Oh, yeah, yeah. Today we were all playing on the first floor. The third son was there, and he found the younger twin, and he gave him a big smile🎵"

Older brother: "Yeah, yeah, I love the third son! Because he's so kind💛 and he always plays with me!"

(Mom's internal monologue while doing chores)
Oh, he thinks the third son "plays with him" rather than him "playing with" the third son. That's nice. He doesn't think he's doing a favor just because he's older.Ah, they're so sweet, I love them...

***

Bedtime comes in a flash.
Before that, everyone brushes their teeth.
The hellish 5-child final brushing tiiiime⭐

The third son doesn't really hate brushing his teeth, but he doesn't like having them finished off by us.
He watches the flow of the four others getting their teeth finished every day, so he comes to our laps obediently, but...
"Let me... let me do it!!!"
If we try to stick the toothbrush in his mouth, he goes into a "Me, me!" state.

However, as expected of my love (my husband), he had figured out a strategy before I knew it.

Husband: "Third son. Ready, set..."

Husband & Third son: ""Ahhhhhh""

Following my husband's cue, our third son opens his mouth wide with a smile.

"No way!!! Oh my goodness! Amazing! Great job! You're the best! Wonderful!"

As I, the mother, shower him with praise, the sisters and brothers gather around, wondering what's going on.

"What is it?" "Whoa, third son is amazing!" "How did you do that?" "Does he do it if you say it together?" "Let's try it!"

4 children: """"Ready, set...""""

5 children: """""Ahhhhhhhh"""""

......

......scrub, scrub......

......

Okay!!!! Ah, it's completely finished now. Thank you for your cooperation. I've seen something wonderful! Wow!!!! (Mother, sobbing) (due to the sheer preciousness)

With all that, things got way too excited, and after that, the futon ship (everyone rides on a futon and takes turns pulling each other across the narrow sea of the living room) began. Last night, it ended up taking about an hour to get everyone to sleep.

I survived putting the kids to bed and opened my PC in the living room.

Even when I'm exhausted, I open Note. I read for a bit. But I've devolved into a person whose only skill is clicking the "Like" button. I hope you'll forgive me, as I shouldn't be commenting in this state and saying anything strange.

Perhaps. I am, indeed, tired.

Today, my husband had to go to work despite the typhoon, and I worked from home while watching our five children. Naturally, I couldn't get any work done, so I took paid leave in the afternoon to focus on solo parenting.

Love always visits in the same way. That is a fact.
But there are days when a mother wants to pretend not to see it.
Because I'm just too tired.

But it's okay.
Because I already know that.
"I can't be gentle today."
Even if a day like that comes again, it's okay.
For the sake of such a day.
While I still have the energy to shout my love, I will record it again today.

That I truly, certainly love my children.
For the exhausted me of the future,
And for you, who are just as tired,
So that it may soak into your heart.

Postscript (recording the scene right in front of me as I write)

My second daughter and one of the twin brothers are going on repeated dates in the game "Animal Crossing: New Horizons."

Second daughter: "Let's go to the aquarium! 💛"
Twin brother: "Oh, your outfit today is nice!"
Second daughter: "You change your clothes too, twin brother!"
Twin brother: "I'll go with this outfit!"

Mom (..."I"?)

Second daughter: "Oh, that was fun! Let's go home for today!"
Twin brother: "Shall we sleep together tonight?"
Second daughter: "Hmm... no, that's okay. There's only... one futon..."
Twin brother: "Aww. But I wanted to sleep together."

Mother (This 'Mr. Big Shot' here... he's really something else... he's so pushy...)

I'm concerned about the future of my twin son who suddenly starts acting like 'Mr. Big Shot' whenever we're on a date, so I need my husband to start giving him some elite training while he's still young.
That is what Mother strongly felt.

#ParentingDiary