Mike Kilen

mkilen@dmreg.com

The McCaughey septuplets are scheduled to graduate from Carlisle High School on Sunday.  It’s a significant event for the Iowa family that became world-famous more than 18 years ago, when national television networks interrupted programming to announce their births at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. 

But it’s also a milestone for Iowans who have watched them grow up, often approaching the McCaugheys to tell them that they can remember exactly where they were on that Nov. 19, 1997 day. 

The McCaugheys have tired at times of the media spotlight and declined requests through their Nashville agent for interviews in the days prior to a hectic graduation week.  Yet it’s always been a subtle dance of not wanting the fame but holding to it because there were some benefits. 

RELATED: Taking a look back, and looking ahead at the McCaughey septuplets

Parents Bobbi and Kenny told the Register last fall that the children were promised a free college education at Hannibal-LaGrange University in Missouri, and that five of the seven may eventually take them up on the offer, while Kenny Jr. and Alexis are headed for Des Moines Area Community College and Brandon will enlist in the Army. 

But long before that, the yearly progress of Brandon, Joel, Nathan, Kenny Jr., Natalie, Alexis and Kelsey was reported on these pages and in national magazines and television shows.  Their sprawling donated home of nearly 5,000 square feet was often the backdrop, neat as a pin but bursting with constant motion. 

At age 1, mom Bobbi McCaughey reported that the family did 15 loads of laundry a week and went through 40 diapers a day. 

At age 2, dad Kenny talked of his time on a lecture circuit, a new lullaby album and the book that Bobbi co-authored. 

At age 3, Bobbi told of the constant stress of raising the seven and older sibling Mikayla, despite having help from 20 volunteers. “ Literally, there have been times when Kenny and I have been brought to our knees,” she said. 

At age 4, the septuplets were outgrowing their shyness and by age 5, their seven lunchboxes were lined up for the first time in the kitchen on the first day of kindergarten: “As I came downstairs — and seeing all those lunch boxes — I stood there and cried for a while,” Bobbi said. 

By age 7, they were taking violin lessons and by age 8, said they were still drinking the free apple juice and wearing the Kmart shoes, both among corporate gifts to the family that spanned years. 

Bobbi was wistful when they turned age 9.  She thought she had all this time but “in nine years they will be on their own.” 

By age 10, they were relaxed in describing how they got through the scrutiny of the public, from examining their fertility treatment methods to noting their physical changes, even Bobbi's new teeth.  They turned down a free trip to New York City for the “Today" show.  In the following years, media attention dried up. 

But by age 16, the kids had grown into young adults and their story spread more quickly online.  The septuplets had joined the school band, or took jobs to get cellphones.  Some played soccer or wrestled. 

Their personalities, described by Bobbi and Kenny through the years, stayed remarkably consistent.  Natalie was the high-achieving perfectionist.  Brandon the outgoing, athletic type.  Alexis sweet and perceptive and Nathan ​determined.  Kenny Jr. was the go-getter, and Joel the quiet one who liked to spend time in his room.  Kelsey was the tomboy who with age became a sporty “fashionista.” 

Now, at age 18 and headed for their own lives, they told the Register in November they would miss daily contact with their siblings. “ They are my best friends,” Kelsey said. 

As for Dad's advice? “ The idea is to step out,” he said. “ And keep going.” 

Congratulations.