Cristina sat in her minivan, fingers tapping rhythmically on the steering wheel. The school bell had just rung, and soon the street would be alive with the chatter and laughter of children spilling out from their classrooms. Her eyes scanned the school entrance, waiting for the familiar sight of her five kids. "Here we go," she whispered to herself, a smile tugging at her lips.

As Cristina watched, Theo, with his karate uniform peeking out of his backpack, was the first to emerge. Right behind him were the twins, Persea and Noah, their art smocks stained with vibrant colors. Bringing up the rear were Xelia and Milo, still giggling over a joke they had shared. "In you go, team," Cristina called, opening the side door of the van.

"Are we going to karate first?" Xelia asked, her eyes wide with anticipation. "Yes, and then we’ll drop Persea and Noah at art class before heading to the pool," Cristina replied, her voice calm despite the whirlwind of activity around her. Theo was already pulling out his karate belt, and Milo was digging through his bag for his swim goggles.

Cristina watched as Theo joined his class, bowing respectfully before taking his place in line. The instructor, a stern but kind man, nodded at Cristina, acknowledging her presence. "Kick some air, Theo!" she cheered, pumping her fist playfully.

Persea and Noah dashed into the art class, quickly grabbing their favorite spots. The art teacher, an eccentric woman with paint-streaked hair, waved at Cristina, who waved back with a grin. "Look, Mom, we're starting a new mural today!" Persea exclaimed, eyes sparkling with excitement.

Milo and Xelia were already in their swimsuits, eagerly awaiting their turn in the pool. Cristina watched from the bleachers, her heart swelling with pride as Milo executed a perfect dive. "Did you see that, Mom?" Xelia called out, beaming. "Spectacular!" Cristina responded, her voice full of warmth and encouragement.