The chances of a pregnancy resulting in triplets is about one in 8,100. So the chances of having two sets of triplets in the same school is truly rare. But what about three sets? How about three sets in the same grade level?

The statistics may be astronomical, but it has been everyday life for three Kirkland families.

The Carters, Hobbs and Whites all celebrated graduation with the rest of Juanita High School’s class of 2012 on June 19 at the school’s field house.

“They are all like my brothers and sisters,” said Jamie Hobbs.

The triplets are a mix of boys and girls within each family.

“People ask us all the time ‘why aren’t you identical?’ But that would be really creepy,” said Jamie Hobbs.

The odds of having identical triplets are one in 150,000, according to several studies.

The three families have been close from the start. Mother Lynn Hobbs met the Whites during a multiples support group and it gave her some needed confidence. The Whites, who had already had their triplets, Amanda, Chrissie and Paul, several months prior, told Lynn that she would not need a nanny as most were telling her. The Whites had been using a nanny only on weekdays. But the Whites’ words gave Lynn confidence in her abilities to handle the situation. The Carters also made it through without a nanny.

“When they were born it was a life-altering experience,” said Lynn, who has one older child. “My world changed. This is bittersweet. They are my babies.”

But the change with having triplets cannot be understated.

“I couldn’t go to the grocery store,” said Lynn. “I had to find playgrounds that were fenced in and I always knew where the fast food restaurants were.”

For the six kids in the Hobbs and Carter families, their journey together began in the Lake Washington School District. The kids have gone to school together beginning at Carl Sandburg Elementary, then Finn Hill Junior High and through Juanita High School.

They also live on the same street.

“This is very exciting,” said Alex Carter. “It seems like yesterday that we were all in sixth grade. It goes by in a blink. But this is all a part of the end process … It’s been fun. I just think it is a lot better being a triplet because there is a lot more to do and you never get bored. It is pretty special.”

The Carter and Hobbs triplets are even close in age. Alex, Kelly and Nicole Carter are just seven days older than Jamie, Shannon and Jacob Hobbs.

“We all met in first grade,” said mother Christy Carter. “We have been very close ever since. It is fun and there is never a dull moment – and very loud.”

Jacob Hobbs and Kelly Carter are best friends.

All of the Hobbs and Carter graduates will continue on in school together as they move on to Cascadia College. But the togetherness will not last forever. Nicole Carter plans to transfer to a university after a year at Cascadia.

“We all get along and we are all pretty close,” said Nicole, who was voted most likely to become president by her graduating class. “It will be hard to be so far away.”

But they have not always done everything together.

“We went our separate ways for prom,” said Jamie, who was voted best laugh by her graduating class. “We do like separation sometimes.”

And there have been definite advantages academically for the triplets.

“If I leave my textbook at home my brothers always have one,” said Nicole.

But paying for college for three kids isn’t easy for any family – especially when they are all in the same grade.