Back to 2.3 < | > On to 2.5

Welcome back! I’ve taken a short break, but I’m back to simming now… and these guys were top of my list. So here’s where we are on points:

Current Points: 115
-25 Passing out
-10 Fire!
-5 Wetting self
+25 Aspiration milestones completed
+30 Births
+30 Grades
+30 NTH sims reaching the top of a career (Teen and YA/A/E)
+20 Positive Traits Earned by NTHs
+10 Randomizing every trait and aspiration for an entire generation
+10 Not using spares' Satisfaction Reward points for an entire generation

And now we’re ready to get back in game!

And here we are. Feeding the toddlers. And ourself, apparently.

Ashley playing with one toddler while the other one screams about being dirty.. and Alan is busy cleaning up dishes.

One clean toddler coming up!

Aww. Brittney playing with Calico.

… Apparently she got bored.

They love gathering here.

Or here. If I can’t find anyone, I look one of those two places and I’ll find the sim I’m missing.

Becca chatting with Calico while parents take a nap.

… I just cleaned in there!!

At least someone still plays the guitar.

Oh, thanks, Alan. I pushed him too hard. And it wasn’t until he passed out that I remembered it would lose me points.

Well, at least she’s using the right card for the locale?

Funny place to do homework, but Alan helps nonetheless.

Stinky toddler dancing. It’s the newest thing!

Branden’s hot-headed trait raises it’s head, and he ends up beating up poor Calico.

It’s Alan’s adult birthday. Time just flies in this challenge.

Absolutely adorable toddler socializing. The two of them sat there until both were in the red with hunger, and I had to interrupt them to make them go eat.

Branden meets mom when she gets home from work.

The monkey bars actually gets some use for a change.

Becca… what are you doing?

It’s Winterfest, and I get everyone involved decorating. Except the toddlers, of course.

Working on some Mental skill for schoolwork.

Becca’s having a great time, but I’m not sure Alan looks like he’s having just as much fun here.

Father Winter shows up.. and gives us an expensive stove. And that’s a playful alien … still not sure how the kinds didn’t turn out to be funny colors, but it worked out.

Branden gets a surprise hug from Becca.

Hey Dominic.. that’s there for the toddlers! Bad ghost.

Happy Birthday for the toddlers…

Great. Another hot-head in the house.

Next…. (Alan looks like he’s enjoying life a little better with the last toddler aging up.)

Becca gets Geek. Yay! We didn’t get all three hot-heads, which I was starting to worry about.

Here’s their room makeover. I have to say, it’s kind of nice not to have to build a lot in this particular challenge. I’ve been building so much that it’s nice to have a change.

Now that the toddlers are all grown up, Alan gets back to work. This is another house call.

And 2 of three surgeries he needs for his promotion.

Homework party. And Ashley found the lump of clay that they got for Winterfest.

Maeve haunts for a change. and breaks most of our plumbing.

The last night, New Year’s Eve, and Alan wishes for a promotion. Which is definitely going to happen the next week. He’s got the checkmark, just needs that last surgery.

Brittney playing in the rain…

.. then helping out by mopping. I guess I never noticed how big the mop is compared to the kids. It’s kinda funny.

Family time.

Brittney’s been working so hard she forgot to take a shower.

Everyone watching New Year’s TV except Brittney.. who finally found a shower.

But at the end.. nobody’s watching. Too funny.

Dominic helps out by cleaning that mess outside.

Someone ends this episode with a bear costume. I don’t remember who, and it’s impossible to tell. See you next time!

Our points. Lost five for Alan’s faceplant, but we’re still doing okay.

Current Points: 110
-30 Passing out
-10 Fire!
-5 Wetting self
+25 Aspiration milestones completed
+30 Births
+30 Grades
+30 NTH sims reaching the top of a career (Teen and YA/A/E)
+20 Positive Traits Earned by NTHs
+10 Randomizing every trait and aspiration for an entire generation
+10 Not using spares' Satisfaction Reward points for an entire generation

Back to 2.3 < | > On to 2.5

Back to 2.2 < | > On to 2.4

Current Points: 105
-25 Passing out
-10 Fire!
-5 Wetting self
+25 Aspiration milestones completed
+20 Births
+30 Grades
+30 NTH sims reaching the top of a career (Teen and YA/A/E)
+20 Positive Traits Earned by NTHs
+10 Randomizing every trait and aspiration for an entire generation
+10 Not using spares' Satisfaction Reward points for an entire generation

Welcome back! I’ll preface this chapter by saying that I thought I took more pictures than this. I swore I took a million pictures, but apparently I was so overwhelmed that I didn’t. You’ll see why in a minute. LOL.

We start the pictures with another house call. This guy’s gloves cracked me up.

The dreaded treadmill test.. again.

Surgery. With a sandwich? Really, Alan? That doesn’t seem very professional…

Checking the baby’s gender. Alan says it’s a girl. Which makes me all kinds of happy… for a little while.

Another shot of a very unhappy alien. Provided it’s a girl, you don’t need to have any more, so don’t feel too bad, Ashley!

Sigh. It’s a girl all right. Two of them. YIKES! And we still have a toddler in the house! I foresee a lot of fails…. Oh yeah, and their names are Brittney and Becca. I almost forgot. I had a terrible time picking a girl’s “B” name, and then the second one popped up. I was not particularly happy then.. LOL.

Ashley’s such a good mommy.

Teaching Branden some skills so maybe he’ll be easier to take care of.

Oh, yeah, NOW you’re happy. Throwing a big monkey wrench into this sim-week, huh? Just eat your breakfast.

She cleans the sink for me so I’m not mad at her anymore. Hard to be mad at a sim who autonomously cleans.

Fixing the radio. Please don’t get shocked. We really need you around, Alan!

Another house call at work.

Another surgery. This time he leaves the grilled cheese at home.

A moodlet solver. He definitely needed one!

Ashley just watching the bath. You could help out, you know. Now that there’s THREE kids!

The last shot of the high chair. They just get in the way with routing fails. I got rid of them for the twins’ birthday.

Thanks, Dominic. I needed one more thing to do.

Stinky toddler chillin’ in the kitchen.

… And this would be why Branden is stinky.

“Mommy? What’cha doin’?”

Maeve, checking up on her grandkids.

Birthdays! I figure now is a good time to officially introduce them…

I almost changed her hairstyle, because it’s the same one Branden has, but I figure I can tell them apart via the dress instead.

I managed to get a picture of her with her eyes closed. And Angelic?! Whew. That’s a big help!

I re-did Alan and Andrew’s teen room for the girls.

Becca immediately finds the dollhouse.

Becca getting potty trained…

While the other two are actually behaving.

…Well, they WERE. Apparently Branden and Brittney don’t get along. This is the aftermath of one of them pushing the other one. Not sure who started it.

So Branden wanders off to take care of himself.

.. Literally. Good thing he’s potty trained!

This is the only Harvestfest shot I got. A lonely gnome and his seed packet.

Toddler meltdown. Branden gets tired of being by himself.

… It’s like herding cats. What a mess.

Everyone eating. I just stuck a plate for them on the floor in the upstairs hallway and presto! Toddler meal-time.

Not sure how I got everyone asleep at once. But this is when heaven is in an ISBI.

Pardon the select box around the potty. I was so surprised she was helping out that I forgot to move my mouse.

Brittney getting into trouble while Dad is otherwise occupied. Of course.

Another argument. Still don’t know who’s starting them.

Dance party! (With no music??)

Brittney behaving for a change, and being cute with Calico.

Still very much toddler mayhem.

But they’re so cute! Just look at Brittney!

Turns out Becca and Branden get along just fine.

A thirty second coffee break.

.. We’re being invaded! (in other words.. the coffee break is officially OVER!)

The girls run out to meet Mommy coming home from work.

Stinky alien. Don’t make that pouty face at me. You can take care of yourself!

Maeve and Alan hugging.. while the kids follow pretty much wherever he goes.

A stinky Alan making dinner. On a dirty counter. This house is falling apart! LOL.

A sleep replacer… because he desperately needed one.

Branden and Brittney eyeing each other.

Birthday time!

Ohh… boy. A hot head. Just what we need. There goes the dollhouse. LOL.

Branden as a child.

First things first. Homework.

Poor Alan looks like he’s so over this parenting thing.

… And this is the proof that I made it through the week. And nobody failed! I have NO idea how I managed that!

Added points for twins +10.

Current Points: 115
-25 Passing out
-10 Fire!
-5 Wetting self
+25 Aspiration milestones completed
+30 Births
+30 Grades
+30 NTH sims reaching the top of a career (Teen and YA/A/E)
+20 Positive Traits Earned by NTHs
+10 Randomizing every trait and aspiration for an entire generation
+10 Not using spares' Satisfaction Reward points for an entire generation

Back to 2.2 < | > On to 2.4

Back to 2.1 < | > On to 2.3

Current Points: 110
-20 Passing out
-10 Fire!
-5 Wetting self
+25 Aspiration milestones completed
+20 Births
+30 Grades
+30 NTH sims reaching the top of a career (Teen and YA/A/E)
+20 Positive Traits Earned by NTHs
+10 Randomizing every trait and aspiration for an entire generation
+10 Not using spares' Satisfaction Reward points for an entire generation

We’re back! I have been so bust with my drifters I completely forgot that I 1, had an alien in the house, and 2, had a baby that was going to be a toddler soon. … And then there’s the little fact that I promised my MacRae’s there would always be a girl and a boy for each generation, so we need to make more babies. Well, on to the game play.

Mom Ashley with Branden. A very stinky mom, that is. Take care of yourself, girl!

Grim is still here, and.. appropriately, listening to the dead sim playing guitar.

“Dad, why must you follow me around the house?”

Work. I’m still not sure what to think about the doctor career. I don’t particularly like having to look up the diseases to get them right.

Alan’s first surgery attempt – he’s still only an R.N. so I’m not sure why they’d allow him into the tools. My diagnoses was wrong, though, so the surgery failed.

Work is never over, even when he’s home.

Ashley! I thought I said to take care of yourself. And there went my points. -5

There. Much better. Sleeping in the bed is so much more comfortable, right?

Gratuitous picture of Branden being exiled to the hallway. Not because of the next picture, but because he’s so fussy he won’t let his mommy sleep! I put some thought into converting Maeve’s old single bedroom to a nursery.. but I didn’t do it this update. Maybe next one.

Woohoo?

Nope. Try for Baby. Congrats, Ashley. Poor thing. Just what she needed.

Branden grows up into an utterly adorable toddler. Then again, what toddler in sims isn’t adorable.

He rolled Angelic. Which might help poor Ashley out. Or not. We’ll see.

Obligatory Potty Training shot.

Branden, you’re not supposed to eat the blocks…

Alan makes dinner for everyone and puts it in the fridge.

… And a few minutes later, Ashley risks her life just to cook the SAME THING he made. #SimsLogic

Apparently Potty training is interesting?

Either that or she was just waiting her turn with the toddler.

He’s back! Again.

I’m not sure whether to be mad at him, or happy. He broke the sink, then proceeds to clean the filthy bathtub.

Then he goes to watch over his sleeping grandson.

Cured!

I make Alan take a sleep replacer, because he wasn’t going to make it through the day.

And.. drumroll.. he’s officially a doctor now!

Yup.. there’s the high chair. And they’re actually eating together. Amazing.

Poor Ashley is just exhausted ALL the time. I feel kinda bad for getting her pregnant again, and kinda hope the next one’s a girl so I don’t have to do it again.

Playtime!

Finally, we see Maeve again.

Nightmare. Poor Ashley is up half the night again.

This time, she’s watching human weather TV. She seems fascinated with Earth weather. Then again, being from Sixam, you would think she would be.

And.. on that note.. the week is over. Not that anyone is actually sleeping at my usual quit for the week time. You know, thanks to that nightmare Branden had…  Oh well. See you next time! Oh yeah, and here’s counting my lost 5 points. Thanks, Ashley.

Current Points: 105
-25 Passing out
-10 Fire!
-5 Wetting self
+25 Aspiration milestones completed
+20 Births
+30 Grades
+30 NTH sims reaching the top of a career (Teen and YA/A/E)
+20 Positive Traits Earned by NTHs
+10 Randomizing every trait and aspiration for an entire generation
+10 Not using spares' Satisfaction Reward points for an entire generation

Back to 2.1 < | > On to 2.3

Back to 1.6 < | > On to 2.2

Current Points: 70
-20 Passing out
-10 Fire!
-5 Wetting self
+15 Aspiration milestones completed
+15 Births
+25 Grades
+20 NTH sims reaching the top of a career (Teen and YA/A/E)
+10 Positive Traits Earned by NTHs
+10 Randomizing every trait and aspiration for an entire generation
+10 Not using spares' Satisfaction Reward points for an entire generation

Well here we are .. the beginning of a new generation! This is always my favorite part.. that and when they start having potential heirs… and when the heirs age up.. sigh. ok. So I just like Sims 4.. a lot. *grin* Into the game play!

Alan’s first day. And he’s gotta go to work.. so we get his needs up.

“What seems to be the problem?”

“How in the world does this thing work?” (The sim behind him is complaining about a puddle.)

Maybe more Logic would help at work.

Aimee doing her homework. Without prompting. What a good girl!

Well, SOMEONE’s gotta take care of the garden! (Not too long after this, I hire a gardener for the weekdays.)

Moira Fyres getting an X-ray scan. For a while, I considered wooing her.. but she’s already an adult.

Pleasedontdiepleasedontdie.. He’s got like NO handiness skill.

Aww…

“Sir, you need to go home. You’re not even a little bit sick.”

“Take these and call me in the morning” (LOL I couldn’t resist.)

The dreaded treadmill test. At least, I would dread it!

This is to commemorate Aimee’s high school “A”. Hooray!

Maeve, why are you watching the kids channel?

Trying to get two hours of focused gaming in for that first milestone in Computer Whiz.

.. Too bad she’s only a teen. She’s pretty.

Deja vu.. didn’t we just do this, Moira?

The ONLY young adult I’ve seen in four days of looking. She’s pretty, too. Alan, make nice with the lady…

The obligatory Cloudgazing picture during the get-to-know-you part.

The first flirts are a success!

First kiss!

Oh, no! The tell-tale glow of an alien. I immediately pause and start wracking my brain for whether I want to bring an alien into this mix. Then go look it up to make sure it’s even allowed. (It is…)

I decide not to decide yet… and have Alan get his first woohoo. He seems pretty happy about it… LOL.

Chatting with Dad later.

Helping Aimee with homework .. need to keep that “A”…

.. Boy I’m really going to miss Maeve… she’s such a sweetie. About now.. I take a break from playing, trying to decide whether or not to go for the alien.

Decision made. Her name is Ashley Forrest.. it starts with an “A”, it must be meant to be. *wink* If she accepts my first proposal, she’s in.

Success!

Congrats, you two! (And that’s a happy glowy alien right there.. 🙂 hehe!)

Later, I remember to take a picture of her traits. All good traits. Maybe I’ll get them a dog …

It occurred to me to make this picture the title photo instead of the “first day at work” photo.. because I see him doing this a LOT. Being a doctor-in-training is hard work!

The next day.. Ashley ages up. Guess she’s a little older than expected. We’ll have to get going on babies soon so she’ll be around to see them grow up.

She doesn’t like Love Day roses. Poor Alan is sad about it.

A rare day off is used fixing everything around the house.

.. and cleaning…

… And gardening. No gardener on the weekends, unfortunately.

Aimee watches while Alan makes something for her…

Happy Birthday, Aimee!

Nice. Strange mix of traits.. but okay.

I move Aimee in with her brother out in the world. We’ll miss you, Aimee!

Speaking of Detectives.. did I mention that’s what Ashley is?

Fixing the fridge.

Aimee comes back to say hello. I mean, I did say we’d miss her…

Why does everything keep breaking?

Might as well get Ashley some fun/Logic skill.

Trying for our first baby!

So much going on in this picture. Baby bump = success! Taking bets on whether it’ll be an alien (not that you can tell for sure until they’re children..)

I saw this one coming…. Dominic manages to break nearly every piece of plumbing in the house.. and certainly everything in the upstairs bath…

Going to work when still hungry is never a good thing.

Even celebrity doesn’t keep you from the treadmill test.

Stinky and sleepy again… you guys are lucky I didn’t take pics of all his naps.

What in the world??

.. Nope, I was wrong. It was out of this world. *wink* I like to think it’s Ashley’s family, checking up on her new hubby.

Ashley decides to pick up the guitar.

Welcome back, Alan. We hope you’re not expecting, too. (And I decide to play for a bit longer, because I just have to know if he is…)

At least he’s not stinky this time.

Why are you taking that upstairs, Ashley?

Oh… No.. Maeve…

Bad news. I quickly go into her panels and take screenies of the relevant panels for posterity.

It’s Monday, so time to pay the bills.

.. Thank goodness she made it. I was worried, there.

Rebate day.. so I decide to upgrade the kitchen with the 18k or so they have saved up.

Socializing with Maeve while she’s still around. *frown*

Upgrading. Maybe it’ll break less?

Our first house call.

All better! (And why was Vanessa Jeong at the Delgato house?)

Ran out of stuff to do at work and the bar’s full. So we have dinner.

Hugs to Maeve.

Maeve’s first.. and last.. song.

Very unhappy alien.

Aww.. he’s adorable!! Welcome Branden!

.. Darn. I was hoping to end the post on a good note. But Maeve beat me to it.

RIP Maeve. We put her in the back garden next to Dominic.

+ 5 points for Aimee’s A, + 10 for her two positive traits, +10 for her top of teen career, and + 10 for two milestones completed for Alan. (The first one was the first Computer Whiz, but he can’t continue there without changing jobs.. and the second was after I changed his aspiration to Fabulously Wealthy.) Also, +5 for the new baby.

Current Points: 110
-20 Passing out
-10 Fire!
-5 Wetting self
+25 Aspiration milestones completed
+20 Births
+30 Grades
+30 NTH sims reaching the top of a career (Teen and YA/A/E)
+20 Positive Traits Earned by NTHs
+10 Randomizing every trait and aspiration for an entire generation
+10 Not using spares' Satisfaction Reward points for an entire generation

Back to 1.6 < | > On to 2.2

Back to the Heir Poll < | > On to 2.1

Current Points: 10
-20 Passing out
-10 Fire!
-5 Wetting self
+15 Aspiration milestones completed
+15 Births
+15 Grades

Welcome back to my ISBI. The heir has been picked, and Alan won. So we have some more play time before our heir ages up, and one to kick out. 🙂 Oh yeah, I also forgot to add 10 to grades for Alan and Andrew’s high school A’s. So my points are currently at 20 total.

Forcing Andrew to garden. This poor garden is just always hurting for attention.

Trying to get Aimee some skill points for school.

Since she needs gardening for work.. we’ll make her help too.

Aimee’s new room.. since I forgot to upgrade it for her last time.

Well, I suppose that’s as good a reason as any to stop gardening…

More logic training for Aimee.

Then, I decide to use what little funds I have saved to expand the house a little bit. Added a nursery and started adding a bedroom for Maeve for after she passes the torch. As you can see, I ran out of funds partway through. LOL.

Also pulled some career rewards out of the household inventory. The house is still very basic, but it works.

Poor Alan is tense because he’s in a distant phase, and Andrew is following him everywhere. It’s really funny.

Don’t you dare start a fire! (spoiler: he didn’t)

Aimee likes to write in the journal I gave her.

Maeve desperately hacking funds into the bank so I can finish the house…

The boys finally get into a tiff. Probably about Andrew following Alan around. 🙂

Yeah, Andrew.. go bug Aimee.

.. Or that works, too. Too bad his playing is still so bad it makes everyone tense.

Chatting with his sister.

Later that night.. Dominic breaks the shower, then tries to clean it up. Smart.

.. Leaving a mess for Maeve to clean up, of course.

Aimee watching some pre-school TV.

An impromptu family meeting? Apparently Maeve was busy.

Alan is thoroughly tired of Andrew’s poor music skill. Andrew on the other hand, seems to think he’s getting better.

Then, Aimee surprises me by picking up the guitar for a while.

Another meeting?

Aha! There’s Maeve. What’s she cooking?

A birthday cake! Guess who’s all grown up. (And that’s Alan’s homework. I’m forever dragging it back to his inventory. Everyone else keeps theirs.. he.. leaves his everywhere.)

Bro, huh? And botanist? He’ll love that since he hates gardening!

I get him his job before he leaves the house…

And.. bye to Andrew!

Alan comes home with his final promotion for his teen career. (You can see Maeve struggling in the garden in the background.)

.. Maybe he’ll take his homework with him this time.

It’s Winterfest! Their first one as a family. And the main reason I enlarged the living room – to have room for the tree!

Christmas nap time…

Presents! Nobody got anything particularly good or bad.

Ham dinner. No idea where Maeve is.

Father Winter’s here! Only person who gets a chance to talk to him is Maeve, everyone else was already in bed.

Wonder what he’s mad at? … I see broken plumbing in Maeve’s future.

Breakfast. He looks so cute with full cheeks. Looks like a chipmunk. 😀

These two are so very social. I never have to worry about their social need.

The finished upstairs. Now there’s room for toddlers. Remember, I started this before toddlers were out, so there’s never been a toddler in this house! So that’s the first tub/shower combo I’ve needed to add.

Aimee talking to some random stranger on the street.

She just needs one more skill point for an A promotion in school, so we get working on that.

Alan gets so bored, he decides to garden all by himself. I’m ok with this!

There they go, chatting again.

Maeve’s Birthday wish. I debate retiring her, but I’ll save that.. we still need money.

Aimee… don’t you dare burn down the kitchen! (She doesn’t)

Watching a movie with mom.

… and another one by herself.

Maeve toasts the end of a generation. Well, really, it’s New Year’s Eve.. but that, too.

Party! And yes, that’s Alan’s homework. Again.

Happy Birthday Alan. It’s a big one!

Doctor??! *sigh* I don’t think I’ve played that since Get to Work first came out. This could be interesting. And when I played it, I didn’t get very far.

Happy New Year everyone!

Awww.. he shows up to comfort Maeve after she loses her plumbbob.

Post-makeover. Bell bottoms and whatever that shirt was didn’t lend itself to looking like a doctor. Have to look the part for the patients to take you seriously, there, Alan. And he’s officially our torch-holder now.. which means that next time we see the Irish, they’ll be in Gen 2. 😀

Current Points: 70
-20 Passing out
-10 Fire!
-5 Wetting self
+15 Aspiration milestones completed
+15 Births
+25 Grades
+20 NTH sims reaching the top of a career (Teen and YA/A/E)
+10 Positive Traits Earned by NTHs
+10 Randomizing every trait and aspiration for an entire generation
+10 Not using spares' Satisfaction Reward points for an entire generation

Wow! I’m impressed. Keeping fingers cross for continued good luck….

Back to the Heir Poll < | > On to 2.1

Back to 1.5 | On to 1.6

It’s that time in my ISBI…. I’ve got only a few days until the oldest ages up, so it’s time to pick! I prefer Alan, his traits are the least objectionable (LOL), but I think I’ll let you guys decide. I’ve never done this before, so this will be an interesting experience.. and as to whether people will actually vote, I don’t know. But I’m going to try it anyway. Poll will be up for a week. Click on the pics for the full image.

Back to 1.4 < | > On to The Heir Poll

So.. I decided to take this story off of hiatus and add it to my current rotation of stories. I had to go back and read to see where we were, though. As a reminder, I’ll post the points that we’re currently at:

Current Points: 0
-20 Passing out
-10 Fire!
-5 Wetting self
+15 Aspiration milestones completed
+15 Births
+5 Grades

This is a bit longer of a post, but I had trouble finding a good “break” point, so I kept it all together. Annnd.. back to the craziness.

Ohhh yeah. We have a bear of a problem. LOL.

Eating as a group….

… Reminds me that Andrew hates kids.

Maeve cleaning.. again.. but at least this time, Aimee is helping!

So much going on in this picture. Homework, playtime, chores, and cooking lunch.

Since I just found out getting jobs is a free action in ISBIs, I get Andrew a job to keep him out of trouble on the weekends – Manual labor.

Yeah, I know, I didn’t roll it again… But I don’t remember what he rolled so long ago.

The bear dance?

The new garden to help Andrew with his skill for work. (And if you look closely, you can see trouble brewing in the background of this picture…)

… That poor trash can. All because he’s tired of his sister being a kid.

Excuse the outline… I think he’s apologizing.

Another hug?

And now you’re cleaning? … Why couldn’t you have just picked up the trash can?!

Bear (Alan) Sighting.

At least one kid is doing something useful.

… I spoke too soon.

Getting Andrew started on his gardening skill for work.

Aww.. look who’s back!

Aimee decides to go to bed early to avoid a scolding about playing in the trash. I also (now) spy an art project I need to move…

Watching the cooking channel, and Andrew decides to join in. I’m ok with that.

Bedtime…

You know, you wouldn’t have to mop if you would STOP breaking things!!

Hey.. aren’t you supposed to be in bed, Alan?!

Cleaning up trash… boring. Asking to woohoo with a ghost… priceless.

Thanks for the achievement and the fun!

The bear finally went to bed. However, in the very background of this screenshot…

… I spy more plumbing breaking. Sigh.

Saturday morning breakfast.

While Andrew waddles off to his first day of work.

Love it. Aimee’s always helping out.

… Until she’s not. Sigh… More bears?!

I have no idea why I took this picture…..  *scratch head*

“Hi Aimee… I wish I was still a bear, too….”

… Maeve trying to talk Aimee out of the bear costume.

… When you can’t beat em… join em?  (At this point, my son walks into the room and goes “The Three Bears?? .. Where’s papa bear?” .. I show him the gravestone in the backyard…  “Oof. Okay then…” To which, I laughed WAY too hard, and replied… “That’s what happens when you marry an adult instead of a Young Adult in an ISBI.”)

Work wasn’t THAT bad, was it Andrew??

“What is going on here?!?” (Also: Wonder when I finally notice the art project to clean up…?)

… At least he’s cleaning up his own mess. (Notice aforementioned gravestone in the background.. LOL)

… A Filthy Andrew, must be missing his dad. He’s the only one who ever uses the guitar anymore.

.. Least he finally found the shower. Thank goodness.

… I’m so glad you don’t lose points for messes and stinky sims. I spy the culprit walking away, too.

A very uncomfortable Andrew with two kids he can’t stand.. and even “better” – they’re in bear form. It must be a nightmare for him!

At least he’s trying to talk it out with Mom. That’s good.

.. Homework.. or torture chamber? You decide.

Maeve fixing things.. again.

Homework for a fuzzy-head?

Where’s the rest of the family…? Everyone’s being useful. Except…

Aimee. What are you doing?!

Excuse the outline again. Apparently I’m having picture issues today. LOL. And that art project is STILL there!!

Maeve hacking for some family funds and job skills.

NOW Aimee decides to be helpful. (Leaving the paint puddles in the back yard, of course.)

… It must be that time.

Happy Birthday, Alan! (Hooray, one less bear!!)

Well… I guess that’s not too bad?

Ummm… nice hair?

His first action as a teen. I approve.

Right after this, I get him his job… but I don’t want to intrude while he’s actually doing homework. LOL. (And Andrew looks immensely relieved that there’s one less kid.. and bear.. in the house.)

… “Mom, I wanna be a ninja when I grow up. How do I do it?”

… Wrong one, Aimee. You made the other one.

Well, at least someone cleaned it up!

Another art project for me to forget.

Andrew seems to have had a better day at work.

And Alan is autonomously Programming. I’m ok with this, really.

Andrew … still missing his dad.

ALAN! Stop making faces at your sister. How rude!

Alan doing something else useful. I really like that kid.

See? Told you I’d forget the art project….

… That’s not an art project.

… Maybe if Maeve helps, we can get his grades up.

.. Maybe a time-out will stop the messes in the backyard?

Shhh… everyone’s sleeping!! *grin* … And I remembered the art project for a change.

… The back end of a grumbly Andrew working on the garden. I always have to “force” him to work on it. “Influence” always gets a “No” answer. Clearly it’s not his favorite chore.

… He’d much rather be doing this. But then.. can you blame him?

Maeve “forces” Alan to work on Charisma for his job.

If you look very closely, Andrew’s doing his homework with Maeve’s help.. so everyone’s behaving for a change.

First snow! (It interrupts everything, but I’m still glad to see it.)

Good job, Aimee… THAT’s what a back yard is for! (And at least she’s wearing her outerwear!)

Alan’s turn for homework help. While Andrew sleeps.

Aimee helping out… but whatever is she looking worried about??….

…. Mom’s going to woohoo a ghost again, of course.

Aimee decides to play violin all by herself. Good girl.

A quiet table. And who didn’t finish cooking?…

At least someone’s doing their homework….

Guess that time out didn’t help?

.. He’s getting better at guitar… slowly.

More toilet fixing. It’s never ending.

Shhh… Aimee’s working on another project for me to forget. *wink*

Maeve doing some last minute stuff before work.

How ?!

… A inforbox popped up at work and she was able to sign a deal for money and fame and yet still keep her job. Not one I’ve seen before.. but interesting all the same.

Everyone’s home from school…

Hooray you guys!!  +10 for me!

The influx of money allows me to remodel the boys’ room finally.

.. And get a new TV.

“OMG Bro! We did it! We got a new TV!”

… Must be Harvestfest.

Yup. The Time-out definitely didn’t work. Notice the ticked off gnome in the yard.

… Yeah. I decide it’s best to just sell the gnomes. Notice how the kids really seem to not care that she’s getting electrocuted? LOL.

Everyone loves that family bulletin board.

Sibling love!

Turkey Dinner’s almost done!

… I spied something cute in the background of the kitchen picture.. the boys showing each other videos. AWW.

Dinner! (Why are they in there? Who knows.)

Least someone found the table!

More guitar practice.

Homework + leftovers. Yum…?

Fixed the shower.. now to clean up the mess left over.

Well, I’m glad to see the new computer getting used…..

… But guys.. you DO realize there’s another one downstairs, right??

… Guess not.

Leftovers again.

Aimee looks so happy to talk to her brother… Alan looks completely disinterested.. and Andrew looks SO annoyed that she’s still a kid. (I know how you feel, Andrew.. by this point, I’m just dragging along, waiting for her birthday so I can close this post…. LOL)

.. Least Alan enjoys a good chat, right, Aimee?

Ooh! Someone figured out how to set a table.

Maeve made the birthday cake.. then I noticed Aimee doing her homework, so I hurried up and had her finish it for responsibility points before her birthday party.

“What?! I got a promotion?! Wow!”

And here we go……

Oh. Oh, dear. What an interesting mess.

… And she looks as interested as I am. Alan keeps looking better and better for the heir. Or should I heir poll it? .. Hmmm.

Well, that’s way more than enough for this post. But at least I’m in positive numbers now!! No penalties again this time. Woo!! See you next time!

Current Points: 10
-20 Passing out
-10 Fire!
-5 Wetting self
+15 Aspiration milestones completed
+15 Births
+15 Grades

Back to 1.4 < | > On to The Heir Poll

Chapter 1.3 < | > Chapter 1.5

Now, I realize the last update to this story was before even the toddlers came out.. so there’s lots of change coming down the road for this family. Seasons, Parenthood, and eventually, their own toddlers. The featured picture… is when heaven hits an ISBI… everyone’s asleep!!

We start off with Andrew and Alan, hanging out in the living room.

And Dominick freezing our game by talking to Alan during homework. You’d think they would have fixed that bug by now.

Alan and Andrew again. They seem almost joined at the hip.

Aimee chatting with Maeve. Maeve looks miffed about something, who knows what.

Dominick broke the shower…

..Then the computer…

And then went to sing his sorrows away.

To keep him out of further trouble, I send Maeve and Dominick on a date. They only need one more after this to finish Maeve’s aspiration.

They’re both so tired after the date they take naps. That’s right, little simmies.. no passing out on my watch!

Dominick works on his logic skill.

While Maeve hacks some funds into the bank account.

Really??  Who did this…. Sigh.

Dominick decides to read a book the next morning with everyone gone at school or work.

Then he cleans the toilet.. good boy!

Then back to practicing singing and guitar. Guitar he’s getting pretty good at. Singing… not so much. Note the pile of trash in the bathroom behind him.

… Apparently he took it out side and changed into his summer clothes before playing on the chess table.

All the kids come home from school and immediately gravitate to the music. So cute.

Aimee takes care of the mess upstairs. Thank you!

While Andrew wastes time until Maeve gets home for his birthday cake.

Dominick… that’s the kid’s station, you know…?

Alan eating an after school snack.

Busy little kids.. while Maeve makes the cake.

Andrew grows up, adding the “Hates Children” trait to his “Music Lover” … I sense a grumpy Andrew coming up. I certainly can’t afford to make him his own room at the moment.

Alan: “Mom… why must we watch the cooking channel.. again?!”

Ohhh yeah, work on that video gaming skill.

… Maybe logic will help him a little more at school. The other two kids seem jealous with the time spent with Andrew. Either that or they’re hanging around with the express point of annoying him by being kids.

I do a little remodeling with the funds I have to allow for a slightly bigger dining room and a monkey bars for the kids.

…Then, I have to wait until Dominick gets home from work to pay the bills. But at least they’re paid. That’s the important part.

Who did that…. ?? Sigh.

Andrew wakes up angry because he’s sleeping in the kid’s room.

Maeve gets up early to fix the broken toilet.

Dominick is back in one of his favorite spots..

After school… Aimee’s first reaction is to go buy food on her own in a heat wave. GREAT decision making there. Not too much later, she’s burning to death outside, and I manage to get her back in the house with a “call over” command. Whew. That was close.

Andrew.. if you didn’t stay up all night.. this wouldn’t be an issue…

The quality of these guys’ meals reminds me that Maeve has been slacking on cooking. Better restock the fridge before someone sets the kitchen on fire again.

… Like this guy. He’s watching a movie.

I laughed so hard at this screenshot. It looks like the action figure is cheering him on while he does his homework. Yay!

He then decides to write in the journal I gave each of the kids.. and promptly leaves it on the table for everyone to see when he goes to school. Kids.

Everyone’s gone to school or work… except Dom… and apparently he has an appointment. If I’d been watching closer, I would have made sure they got that last date, but the last two days were so hectic, I completely forgot he was running out of time.

Action shot of Grimmy Reaping. Bye Dominick. I move his urn/gravestone to the back yard. Hopefully he’ll be a friendly ghost.

Grim watching TV while waiting for his next assignment.

The kids are back home. And everyone’s sad.

Once again, Andrew stayed up most the night and comes home after school to sleep.

The family is all together. At least – what’s left of it.

A shot of three things.. Maeve restocking the fridge, the dirty counter, and the update to the kitchen layout.

Figures that right after I add their fifth chair for the dining table they go down to needing only four. HAha.

Poor Maeve. The kitchen is just falling apart.

… The fridge now, too?!

Aimee working on some crafts.

Andrew stuffing his face. Too bad homework isn’t on his list of priorities.. I’m going to need to start influencing him there.

Alan comes home from school with an A without any prodding from Maeve. What a good boy!

Getting some more logic skill for Andrew while the other two eat a snack.

Uh-oh… Andrew is sick. Please don’t give it to the rest of the family!?

Yay! The kids are actually using the monkey bars. That’s always nice to see.. and since it’s summer, it’s a good time to play outside.

Aimee…. not THAT kind of play!!

Hugs and eating together in the hall. It would have been so much easier to just stay at the table, but ok.. whatever, guys.

By this time, I have enough to be able to afford an upgrade to Maeve’s horrible cheap bed. Maybe she’ll have more time to get things done with this one.

Uh oh … Alan’s going thru the spirit bear phase. Too funny.

Maeve is still sad about Dominick… but at least she has a comfy place to hide now.

Aimee comes home from school and decides to play on the sidewalk in a heatwave. She really isn’t the smartest of kids.

Much smarter, Alan goes upstairs where it’s cooler to play.

… And Andrew watches another movie.

…Only THIS movie ticks him off so bad he has to take it out on the poor trashcan.

Maeve to the rescue.

Oh no! Teenage cooking! I was going to stop this file after the cinema sins moment.. but now I have to make sure he doesn’t set the house on fire. Also of note: apparently nobody’s cleaned the mess up outside by the monkey bars if you look through the window. LOL.

Whew. He made it. And now, it’s Friday afternoon in game, Alan grows up to teen tomorrow or the next day (I can’t remember which) and this is a great stopping spot.

Not a single penalty. But I did get to add 5 points for Alan’s A at school! So I’m back at zero points. YAY!

Chapter 1.3 < | > Chapter 1.5

Current Points: 0
-20 Passing out
-10 Fire!
-5 Wetting self
+15 Aspiration milestones completed
+15 Births
+5 Grades

Chapter 1.2 < | > Chapter 1.4

Last time, Andrew grew up, we added a second kid to the mix, and Dominic even tried parenting.

This time, we start with Dominic breaking the toilet yet again and goes to get a drink instead of fixing it. As usual, it’s Maeve’s job to fix everything!

Andrew spends the evening eating in front of the TV and goes to bed on his own at 9. (I certainly don’t miss the “ask for story” nightmares from Sims 3!)

I have Dominic and Maeve woohoo again, hoping Dominic will sleep – no luck, he decides to stay up for a while and watch sports.

Maeve taking care of Alan before heading off to work in the morning.

Andrew talking to his baby brother…

… and then to mom before school.

While everyone else is away, Dominic does all his favorite things.. playing guitar,

… sleeping on a bench outside.. And getting drinks of water. He also cleans house a little.

After school, Andrew is again seen trying to take care of his baby brother as best he can (since Dominic doesn’t seem interested in it!) Poor Alan has to wait for Maeve to get back from work.

Maeve gets a promotion to project manager.. yay! money.. we’re going to need it to expand the house a little more again.

Dominic and Andrew keeping themselves busy.

Dominic in one of his favorite spots.

While Andrew and Maeve play some chess together.

… Hopefully this means a little girl is on the way…

Dominic actually helping out for once.

.. And Andrew, too! (Apparently the kids like taking the trash out, I see them doing it a lot in this update.)

Maeve cleaning up after Dominic’s cooking adventure.

Dominic and his favorite glass of water.

A flirty chat before Maeve goes to work.

Which turned out to be a bad idea because Dominic went out and tried to flirt with every female that walked past. Luckily none stopped walking long enough to get flirted with.

Dominic also played some guitar and ignored the baby while Maeve was at work.

Alan’s birthday was today.. so Maeve aged him up after playing another game of chess with Andrew. Alan ages up to Slob, Music Lover, and Family oriented with Artistic for a child want and Friend of the World for his adult want. (I roll everything when a child ages up, it’s just easier to have it written down.) I just love his pink flip flops and glasses!  LoL!

The kids, safely asleep in their beds.

After failing to be pregnant, I try for baby again before sleepy time and Dominic actually sleeps this time!

In the morning, Alan decides to play blickblock while Alan eats some salad for breakfast. It’s Saturday, so no school for the kiddies.

Someone breaks the sink again. I’ve been noticing a line for the bathroom at odd times, so getting a second bathroom is definitely a priority.

Maeve telling Dominic she’s pregnant again.. hopefully this one is a girl!

Andrew being cute and putting books away all by himself.

Dominic hugging Alan.. aww!

The boys chatting while Maeve makes breakfast. Alan apparently says something embarrassing so the next time we see him..

.. he’s hiding from everyone in Andrew’s bed.

Andrew plays chess while Alan tries chatting with him again. This time the conversation goes okay.

Dominic practicing while Alan watches. Shortly after this, Dominic had to go to work.

Andrew taking out the trash.

Then, chatting the Maeve while she works on upgrading all the family’s plumbing. Everything is now self-cleaning, which will save a lot of time for Maeve.

Lunchtime for the boys…

And then Alan does his homework.. what a good little boy!

Andrew opts out of homework for the TV.

Then more cuteness from the boys.

The next day, Dominic ages up to elder all by himself (oops I guess I forgot his birthday! Apparently I also forgot to take a picture of it…)

.. Because the next shot shows him as an elder while the boys socialize.

Andrew finally does his homework while Maeve has breakfast.

Then, since Maeve is off work I send them on a date to work on her Aspiration. Another gold date!

Alan gets scared of the monster under the bed, and Maeve is the one to spray it away so they can sleep before school the next day.

Unfortunately, Maeve decides to set the stove on fire while cooking breakfast Monday morning, and everyone comes running in time to see her putting it out. After a morning like this, I decide to give Maeve a vacation day!

Both boys go to school just fine, and Dominic works again, so no harm done after replacing the stove and counter.

Maeve spends the day off hacking for extra funds towards a house expansion.

On Tuesday, Aimee is born. She apparently took her coloring from dad’s side of the family, and is quite dark. Maeve also takes her family leave so she can take care of the baby.

Mom snuggling the new baby.

Alan reading a book and listening to music in the tiny living room.

… That isn’t tiny for long. I use the meager funds the family has to expand the house in preparation for the new baby girl growing up soon.

The empty room upstairs is going to be a bathroom.. once I have enough money to buy the plumbing.

The boys taking turns playing with Aimee.. apparently, she’s quite popular with her siblings.

Maeve becomes best friends with both of the boys through a nice long chat.

Wednesday, Dominic actually takes care of his daughter.

Alan reading before school.

Whereas Andrew misses school due to low hygiene, and stays home to watch TV instead.

The way the work schedule happens, Dominic works right after Maeve gets home from work, so on weekdays they don’t see much of each other. Dominic won’t be getting a promotion anytime soon because he needs comedy skill, and sims don’t autonomously work on that. I do try to get him that skill by using his one elder interaction to work on writing jokes, but it only gets him one skill point instead of the two he needs. Guess he’s just going to be stuck at work!

More cuteness spam from the boys…

Breakfast on Thursday.. most of them got there. Alan elected to take a shower instead.

Dominic cleaning while Maeve is at work.

Then taking a nice long nap in his favorite spot.

Maeve has her birthday after work.. I love the look on her face! Adulthood, here we come!

The boys take advantage of the cake before it’s bed time.

Friday, while Maeve is working, Aimee hops out of her bassinet.. I like her! What a cutie!

Her first action is to take out the trash…

Then play Sims Forever on mom’s computer.

Dominic finally finds the chess board and plays for a while.

Then.. not only does Aimee do her homework, but Dominic helps her!

The boys getting books out to read after school.

Then having a nice family chat.

Andrew spends a while dancing.

And I leave you with this cuteness!

No penalties this time! Yay! I may finally get back in the positive numbers! (Edit: I’ve been forgetting some things.. like the aspiration milestones Maeve has finished.. and that fire cost me points.

Chapter 1.2 < | > Chapter 1.4

Current Points: - 5
-20 Passing out
-10 Fire!
-5 Wetting self
+15 Aspiration milestones completed
+15 Births

Chapter 1.1 < | > Chapter 1.3

So, last time, we ended with a wedding and Dominic not being sad anymore from his divorce.

Dominic’s first action upon being a married man is to take a nap on the cheap love-seat. I guess being sad for all that time would make me sleepy, too!

Then, he goes into the hall where the guitar is and decides to practice for work. Good boy!

Maeve fixes the toilet, learning handiness – a skill I can tell she’ll be using a lot.

Dominic takes another nap.

Then decides to clean the recently fixed toilet. I approve. He takes a shower afterwards and breaks it…

So Maeve fixes her second object.

Dominic cleans up some more (I can tell I won’t be having to do much cleaning up after this generation. Good thing – they can’t afford a maid anyway!)

Maeve is pregnant! She runs to tell Dominic, and he’s as excited as she is!

Dominic seems to be breaking everything today…

But he also doesn’t seem to care about it.

Oh, NOW he cares! (He wanted a drink of water.) After this, I send them to the bedroom to woohoo so Dominic will get some sleep tonight.

In the morning, Maeve heads to work, and Dominic is once again seen cleaning the house – this time picking up the trash left from the fixed sink last night.

Then, he wanders around the neighborhood, but doesn’t seem to talk to anyone.. he just keeps checking his phone. Who knows what he’s doing!

Luckily, he makes it to work alright.. Maeve comes home and does some hacking for more family funds.. the house is going to need working on, after all, with the new addition on the way.

After several successful hacks, and Dominic getting home, I take the chance to expand the house with an upstairs. I move their bedroom upstairs and add a nursery.

They quickly make use of the bed so Dominic both of them will sleep tonight.

First thing in the morning, Maeve is off to work.. and Dominic is once again cleaning.

.. And getting drinks of water. He seems to be addicted to them. He also practices his guitar a bit.. but seems to stop as soon as he’s inspired. (Because that makes sense.. not.)

Oh darn.. I did it again. So sorry, Maeve! Too much computer hacking after work.

Dominic at his favorite pastime.. cleaning.

Oh no! The baby’s on the way! I send both of them to the hospital to have the baby…

Maeve checks in..

While Dominic busies himself on the doctor’s computer. The doctor doesn’t seem to pleased with this turn of events..

.. In the operating room (Dominic is still on the computer, of course).

.. And meet Andrew! (Just covering my bases, I’m thinking of making this an Alphabetcy as well, so I make sure this generation starts with “A” babies.)

Maeve back at home (still in her hospital gown), cuddling the new baby.

I have her change, then work on chatting up Dominic for a while.

.. So she can complete her milestone of being married to her BFF.

Maeve salvages some parts, then picks up the trash..

.. while Dominic practices his guitar.

Maeve is getting better at this cooking thing, and makes some pan fried tilapia for dinner.

Since neither of them had to work, I send them off on a date, leaving the baby with the babysitter. (Maeve’s want requires two dates at silver or better.)

As dates go, it was pretty legendary. (At least that’s what the date-o-meter said!) If you’re looking closely, you can see that Maeve is, yes, once again, pregnant.

Once they got home, I sent them to woohoo, expecting both to fall asleep afterwards….

But apparently Dominic isn’t tired, so he gets back up (you can just see him leaving the bedroom in this shot.) Wonder what he’s up to?

… putting away a book…

…taking out the trash…

… getting a drink…

… and watching sports on TV.

Finally, he gets to sleep. (Wonder who’s going to be sleeping in tomorrow?!)

In the morning, Maeve pays the bills, then takes care of the baby and spends some time hacking on the computer. (Hey there’s a new mouth to feed!)

But of course, she breaks it and has to spend the time fixing it before she can finish her “righteous” hack.

Dominic gets up just in time to head to work, leaving Maeve with the baby. (That is somehow bugged.. it won’t cry when it needs something, I just get warning about the social worker… ?) So the baby gets cared for between hacks, just to be on the safe side.

Dominic comes home to eat dinner with the wifey.

Fun is low, and it’s bedtime, so I send them off for more woohoo…. and finally, both sleep.

The next day, Dominic is up at the crack of dawn, cleaning house yet again.

Then, he plays some more guitar.. he seems pretty happy with the new place I put it (no more hallway). His singing along, however, leaves an awful lot to be desired.

Maeve is left, again, to take care of Andrew and work on her hacking skill (programming) some more.

She takes an afternoon nap while Dominic works, has dinner by herself, and is in bed by the time he gets home.

…I bet you can’t tell what gender I’m hoping for from the baby (I’ve set myself a mini-challenge of having at least one boy and girl per generation).

In the morning, it’s Andrew’s birthday, so we age him up….

.. and he promptly takes a nap before I can get his makeover in. (I don’t often makeover sims, but I hate it when they wear hats!) Andrew rolled Music Lover, Self Assured, and Jealous.. with a child aspiration of whiz kid, and an adult aspiration of “big happy family”. (I went ahead and rolled everything since I was already rolling.. saves time later.)

He then goes downstairs to chat with his dad while reading a book and dad has breakfast. (I love that they can multitask in Sims 4!)

Then they run outside for an adorable hug and conversation. When they’re done, I sneak in an “action” for Andrew’s makeover..

… he looks SO much better without the hat!

Afterwards, Dominic chatted while Andrew ate, then Andrew watched Dominic play guitar for a while.

Andrew does NOT seem pleased that Dominic only played guitar for a short while before he needed to go clean out the fridge.

They have another conversation …

.. while Maeve upgrades the toilet, sink, and shower to work on her handiness (and perhaps make them break less!)

After the conversation on the couch, Andrew goes to play blickblock for a while.

,, Then I catch him doing his homework.. good boy!

Once again, Maeve eats dinner alone (this time with a plate that Dominic got out for company.)

Oh.. Maeve.. not again. (*face palm* Poor Maeve… I misjudged her tiredness and was trying to get her to go to bed…she didn’t make it.)

In the morning.. another penalty.. she didn’t make it to the bathroom on time.

Aww.. he looks so cute in his bedtime glasses!

.. This time, she has the baby at home (while nobody else seems to care… Dominic slept through the whole thing.. and Andrew kept eating breakfast like nothing was going on.)

Meet Alan!

After taking care of the baby, Maeve has a breakfast time chat with Dominic (while he has his favorite glass of water.)

Then, he went upstairs to shush the crying baby…

But no.. he changed her diaper! (I was so surprised I forgot to move my mouse out of the way.)

That’s enough for this post.. see you next time!

Chapter 1.1 < | > Chapter 1.3

Current Points: - 15
-20 Passing out
-5 Wetting self
+10 Births