#109. A Farewell to Kingsley

Wow, it's been awhile since my last post (and even longer since my last non-vacation post)!  The twins wrapped up 4th grade a little over a year ago and embarked on their final year of elementary school at Kingsley.  This post is dedicated to everything happening between the end of school, June 2024, and the twins' recent promotion to Haven Middle School, June 2025!

Their last first day of school photo at Kingsley!

Kingsley friends are the best friends!

Back to school meant the start of football.  Clare and Dad got the opportunity to catch a Northwestern game out on the lake...

...where the views to the lake and downtown were fantastic!!

Clare began her first season of travel softball with the Evanston Express...

...and enjoyed getting to know her team for the 24-25 year!

Luke continued to play water polo (and swim)...

...and had a few fall games.

We don't do one sport at a time (haha) so Clare joined the Evanston Jr. Wildkits girls flag football team.

Here she is with a nice 15-yard gain!!

It will be interesting to see how this emerging sport plays out in the next 5-10 years.

And, let's not forget about Howie...

...whose favorite sport is napping (in the strangest positions)!!

As the leaves started to change colors (and fall way too soon) the twins began to hit their stride.  

We made a quick trip down to Eureka...

...and almost caught the Northern Lights back up in Evanston!!

Halloween was tons of fun...this year we went as 'General Eisenhower'...

...and the lady/girl with no head!!

Papa, of course, was his usual self!

We even made two trips...

...to Urgent Care!  Everyone was thankfully fine!

Soon it was the holidays.  For Thanksgiving, we headed to the Charlotte area and broke out of an escape room!!

Upon our return to Evanston, we made our annual voyage to Poor Bob's Tree Land to secure this year's tree.

The weeks leading up to Christmas were spent with good friends...

...and fun family!

Another cousins weekend in the books!

Howie donned his winter sweater meaning Christmas was finally here!

This year was Christmas with the Knapp's (here's Grandma reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas')...

...which meant a visit from cousin Keira (and G&G Knapp and Uncle Jason)!

Have no fear, these two were spoiled!!

The start of 2025 meant back to the pool for more swim/water polo...

...and hitting the court for the start of the basketball season.  

Luke played in an out of state (Munster, IN) water polo tournament...

...and scored 4 of his teams goals to win a game!

Here's one of 'em!!

It was a good showing from the Wildkit Swim Organization!

We'll see you next time, Luke.

Clare's team had a solid season...

...and Clare's skills improved a lot.  

We didn't get any game shots, but here's a warmup layup!

Here's Clare with her biggest, littlest fan!!

Even with a busy sports schedule, we were still able to get out for a couple long weekend trips, the first to Milwaukee for a Bucks game!

Clare made a sign for her favorite player (Giannis Antetokounmpo)...

...and had to get a Bucks hat as a souvenir!

Luke also found entertainment in Milwaukee...

...visiting the Milwaukee Public Museum with Papa...

...where he 'captured' a butterfly (on his right sleeve).

We made our 3rd annual friends weekend trek to Door County.

It was definitely cold up north...

...which meant a lot of indoor pool time for these two!

In late winter, Clare (in front in blue and white pant suit) participated in her final year of the Kingsley talent show...

...this year performing a game show skit with friends.

Clare's 3rd season of ETHS feeder basketball wrapped up...

...and she also played in the Justin Wynn 3-on-3 tourney...

...with some good friends!

Look at her moves!  (Just needs to work on the finish!)

Meanwhile, Luke wasn't exactly a couch potato...although it's easier said than done when Howie's around!

Luke competed in his first big swim meet ever at ETHS...here is his 50 yard freestyle.

And, a month later he competed in his first pentathlon (50 yards of each stroke and then a 100 IM!) at daddy's high school, GBN.  (Look right in the middle of the photo...goggles and arms ready to go!)

Here are short segments of each his 50 yard events...butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle.

Spring finally arrived... 

...which meant a pose for National Sibling Day...

...and the start of spring house softball.  This year's squad, the Braces (sponsored by Orthodontics by the Lake!)...

...even had the support of the NU women's softball team for one game!!

The season went fast and was a lot of fun.  Gooooooooooooooooo Braces!

Summer break was coming soon.  Even a full body rash,...

...didn't keep the twins from enjoying their final days at Kingsley.  

In the last week, we all gathered one last time in the Kingsley Auditorium to say goodbye.

And, just like that, these two are moving on to Haven Middle School!!  The twins had an amazing six years at Kingsley thanks to the wonderful teachers and staff.  They look forward to the next three years next door at Haven!