Getting seven children through a regular day is one thing — getting seven children, five of whom are only 2 years old, through a day is something else.Now add in a couple video cameras and a four-person crew from cable network TLC.LDS parents Jayson, 35, and Rachelle, 34, Wilkinson of Cedar Park, Texas, agreed to let TLC follow their family through a "typical" day, with special focus on quintuplets Kassidy, Kaydence, Kyndall, Rustin and Ryder, for a documentary called " Multitude of Multiples" which aired Aug. 30."It was actually fun," Rachelle said. "The videographers came out for a half-day in February and a whole day in May. They just stayed in the background, filming."The documentary presented two other families — the Carpios and the Tabbs — but their stories focused more on the dangers and the emotional drama involved in giving birth to multiples.Rachelle felt this aspect was important to include in any depiction of families with multiples. "People shouldn't have a distorted view. They need to know that there are real risks involved (in giving birth to multiples)," she said.The Wilkinson's story, however, was less drama-ridden. On July 31, 2007, Jayson and Rachelle broke the national record for the collective birth weight of their quintuplets at 21 pounds, 7.2 ounces. Today all five are healthy, happy toddlers.Rachelle described their segment of the documentary as providing the "comic relief." The quintuplets were shown eating, playing and participating in the "Quint Olympics" — which included events like shot put, hurdles and high jump.In another scene, the quintuplets were put into timeout, but weren't upset at all. In fact they were — as Rachelle laughingly described it — "having a party.""We're happy with it," Rachelle said. "We think it's pretty funny. We're just at a different stage of life than the other two families. We are going through the terrible 2 times five — but all (the children) are well, which is a blessing."Rachelle admits that at first they were all uncomfortable with the cameras watching their every move, but eventually they forgot they were there. Each of the quintuplets definitely let their personalities shine through."Ruston's a big ham," Rachelle said. "He would go straight up to the cameramen smiling at them, attacking them. On the other hand, Kaydence is a lot more shy than the rest and stayed close to me."Though the attention was leveled at the quintuplets, the Wilkinson's other children — Riley, 9, and Kaiya, 6 — featured in the production alongside Jayson and Rachelle. "After the kids had gone to bed, TLC interviewed (Jayson and I) for two hours," Rachelle said. "When we got to preview the episode, we realized that they hardly used any of it. My husband only has one line. They didn't take that much more from me. Our part of the documentary was a little shorter anyway since it doesn't tell our whole story — more just a day-in-the-life."Despite that, Rachelle felt that TLC was positive and accurate in their portrayal, doing a "good job" of weaving the three narratives together."I think it's because it was done documentary style as opposed to reality style," she said. "I wouldn't have wanted it to be like (a reality show). It was a nice opportunity to share our experience — I know a lot of people are curious, want to be a fly on the wall. Here's their opportunity!"Those interested in catching a re-airing of "Multitude of Multiples" can keep an eye on the official TLC Web site as well as wilkinsonquints.org.
E-mail: eschmuhl@desnews.com