Multiple Multiples
With a set of four-year-old triplets, one-year-old twins and six other kids, Adam and Nikkia Anders of Birdseye, Indiana have their hands full.
Nikkole, 3, left, Jaimi and Charity bathe in the evening on Feb. 13. With five kids under age 5, going through daily routines together is the only way to keep up.
The multiples’ supper plates sit on the kitchen table while Nikkia serves spaghetti and garlic bread.
After returning home from work at AutoZone, Adam, left, holds Kristoffer, 1, as Nikkia responds to Nikkole, 4, while she asks for the green cup instead of blue, at dinnertime on Sept. 24. “You don’t have time to sit and eat,” Nikkia said. “Somebody’s always asking for something.”
Triplets Jaimi, 3, left, Charity, and Nikkole put coins into the washing machines at the Circle A Food Mart laundromat.
Nikkia has a smoke after serving the kids supper while Nikkole, left, comes to the door on Sept. 24, 2020. Her rare moments alone end when the kids need her attention. “Unless it’s the weekend, I don’t even try to get ‘me time.’”
Nikkia loves being a mother of a big family and that the multiples bring more life and joy. “It gets pretty trying around here but we wouldn’t change it,” Nikkia said.
Nikkia shows the triplets how to look for ripe tomatoes in the garden. Having grown up on the same property, Nikkia knows the land well, including the fruit trees, flowers, animals and insects. She loves living out in the country and having room for herself and her children to explore and connect with nature.
Nikkole, 4, left, Jaimi and Charity line up their toes so that Nikkia can inspect the dirt after playing outside.
Nikkia gathers shoes to get the triplets ready to go shopping.
Play time before bed.
The triplets' fourth birthday party.
Nikkole runs through the yard with a sparkler.
Before going to work on Oct. 24, 2019, Adam gives Nikkia a kiss as she sits with the twins.
Nikkia takes a smoke break.
Before bed, Nikkia sits on the porch with Nikkole while they take in the sounds of the night; airplanes, cicadas, frogs and insects.