#100. Rising 4th Graders

 Wow, what a milestone!!  100 posts and counting!

Another school year in the books!!

In August '22, the twins started 3rd grade...and in June '23, they finished!

The twins are now on their way to 4^th grade at Kingsley Elementary!  The school year wrapped up at the beginning of June, but a lot happened down the stretch.  Here are some of the fun highlights. 

For spring break, the twins and Papa headed east to the Carolinas to visit family.

It was a great time for hanging with cousins...

...doing a little hiking in the warmer weather...

...and fun times with Grandma Steffie and Grandpa Dan.

Daddy had a fun Easter basket scavenger hunt for the twins when they returned home...

...and, sure enough, they found them!!

As winter changed to spring, Howie continued to grow...

...pretty much every time he stretched out like this!!

We celebrated Howie's 1st birthday in April! (see video below)

Other random things also happened.

Clare attended her first parent-daughter dance with Papa...

...and the twins tried out their Christmas present from Uncle Jason and went fishing at Lovelace Park!

Grandma & Grandpa Knapp came for a visit for Mother's Day, too..and found someone to cuddle with on the couch!

Clare's sports schedule dominated a large part of the spring!!

She played the spring soccer season with the 'Courageous Corgis'...

...and spring softball with the 'Bumblebees'!!

Softball continues to be Clare's biggest passion...

...and this year we made the move to playing closer to home in Evanston.

This year was a big transition to 'player pitch', but Clare continued to show improvement...

...and loved playing with her 'Bees teammates!

One special thing about playing in Evanston is that the Bumblebees had opportunities to hang out with the Northwestern Wildcats softball team.

The 'Bees went to watch the 'Cats play...

...and the 'Cats surprised the 'Bees and showed up for one of the 'Bees games too!

When a 'Cat draws your eye black, it's legit!!

Best little league softball cheering section ever!

We also caught a lot of NU softball games as a family.

We traveled to Michigan with friends for a fun weekend series...

...and we caught a lot of games back home at Evanston too!

And, when the Cats won regionals, Clare and Daddy drove all the way to Tuscaloosa, AL, (a place I never expected to be!!) for super regionals!

It was a great weekend of softball, and even though the Cats came up just short of a second straight world series,...

...we had so much fun with our Cats family.  

Luke was happy to have his sister back in town...

...really happy...awwwww!!

And now, after a great summer (blog posts #101 and #102 coming!!), these two are ready to take on 4th grade!