Back to this family’s Introduction | On to part 2

I loaded in to a huge rainstorm and a very soggy group of sims.

The first thing I do is some re-arranging of the house, adding a flower shed, handiness bench, and laundry facilities (because hello, the kids need clean clothes!) I also extended the fence to enclose the whole backyard (because why fence in only part of it?!) Lastly, I added a chess table to the upstairs hallway.. because.. logic.

Then, I changed Seth’s aspiration from the curator to Renaissance Sim because it made more sense.. and changed Maggie’s from Painter to Freelance Botanist.. because 1, I can work from home as a flower arranger, and 2, I haven’t tried that career yet. So I also had her join her career.

Then, since it was 5:41 AM, I sent everyone to claim their beds and go sleep.

Wait. Pause again. Let’s figure out who all the kids are!

The redhead is Kent, the one with glasses is Chase, the blonde is Bristol, and the one in the red shirt is Ximena.

The last two: the one with the ponytail is Katarina, and the black haired one is Trinity. Whew. this is going to be hectic! I decide to take notes while I’m playing instead of writing everything up when I look at the pictures later.

As the kids are getting into beds, I suddenly realized I forgot anti-monster lights. OOPS!

Instead of sending Maggie and Seth to bed, I have Seth work on handiness, and Maggie plant her flowers.

Maggie then gets to work on her flower arranging skill.

When the kids wake up, I have them start doing homework…

…and they’re hungry, so Seth goes to make breakfast.

Breakfast time! As the kids are all waking up at different times, it’s definitely a staggered affair, but everyone gets their fair share. Too bad the food was poor quality. Seth needs practice!

The homework brigade gets going…

And Seth begins the never-ending chore of laundry in this house.

Umm… Chase.. it’s still raining. What are you doing outside?

After homework, I send Chase and Ximena off to work on their chess games.

I notice that Maggie keeps running around the house to get from one side to the other and I reduce the size of the downstairs stairs. Maybe that’ll help. (Spoiler: it did.)

Kent…?? Sims logic absolutely escapes me. Using an umbrella while sliding on the water slide. Sigh.

Katarina and Bristol play with the tree-house dollhouse. So cute.

I send Kent to do something slightly more weather-appropriate. LOL. Nobody’s watching, but at least he’s having fun.

Seth reading to Ximena and Chase for their 2 hours of adult reading time. Oh yeah, and the curfew is set at 9 pm. Not 100% sure what that does, but it hopefully helps get everyone in bed at the right time?

Breakfast the next morning is a madhouse. Kids everywhere.

While the kids are at school, Maggie works on her gardening by reading a book… in Kent’s room?

…And Seth talks to himself while working on his handiness.

There’s only so many showers in the house, so homework comes before shower for poor Chase.

EVERYONE came home with a school project. So I set them all up outside at various places.. and that’s how most of them spent the evening.

Dinner time.

This is taken just in case woohoo kills either Seth or Maggie. LOL.

The next morning, Seth decides to eat breakfast outside?

..Then tells himself a story while reading a book for his aspiration. Insane (Eccentric) sims are so entertaining.

Maggie’s turn for laundry.

I discover that a maximum of four kids can play on a jungle gym at one time. Too bad. Maggie’s playing the monster.

Ximena and Chase end up playing inside.

Dryer time!

After playtime, I manage to get every kid doing homework at the same time.. in the same place. Never gonna happen again, either. LOL.

Lightning hits painfully close to the house…

..And all that handiness is finally paying off.

Everyone is peacefully asleep. We’ll wake them next time we play. *wink*

Back to this family’s Introduction | On to part 2

Back to this family’s Introduction | Week Two coming soon

This particular house was pretty boring, just a lot of skilling going on, so I apparently didn’t take much in the way of photos. Bear with me .. the next chapter will have MORE than enough photos to make up for it, I assure you!

Here’s the only major change to the house.. a computer and a chess set across the hall that you’ll see in a second.

See?

Working on that charisma. Both are in the business career, so they switch off working on the skills they need.

Taking a break for summerfest. They’re apparently both filthy from work, but the lure of the water balloons in the “park” was too much.

Might as well get clean now, eh?

A couple shots of the fireworks James and Elle shot off. Why I didn’t get a picture of her out here, I don’t know, but she shot hers off too.

No time to cook.. and why should they? It’s a holiday. So I did something I rarely do in sims.. ordered a pizza.

…And they’re back to the grind.

More reports to fill out.

And logic skill to earn.

TV Premiere night. gave them something to do other than skill, for which I was incredibly grateful.

Random picture of them drinking coffee outside. Not sure how this one happened, but they sure look cute!

Elle Burning down a leaf pile in preparation for fall in the neighborhood… although it turns out the pile doesn’t go away after you burn it. Bummer.

And that’s that for these guys. My main goal was to have them make as much money as possible, trying to get them into a more appropriate house for their personalities. We’ll see how that goes in the next rotation. Next: the family I’ve been waiting for… the Orphanage!

Back to this family’s Introduction | Week Two coming soon

Back to this family’s Introduction | Week Two coming soon

Before I start play, I notice one major problem. Summer actually does have a job, unlike what I said in her introduction. She’s in the Chef career, so her roll to join the business career is null and void. Beyond that, the house will eventually need a redecorate, but I’m going to hold off on buying anything because “Rebate Day” is on Monday, which will help cover the cost of a computer for Travis.

“Why are you wearing your outdoor clothes while I look like I’m ready for a heat wave? .. No idea!”

Flirts accepted!

I still think they’re a really cute couple.

Monday’s “Rebate Day” comes in handy and I buy Travis his new spiffy computer.

Trying to make it official, And Travis says “no”. Bummer.

Well, at least their first kid is on the way! We can try to get them hitched again later.

Springfest.. Flower Bunny is happy to see everyone, and going to the holiday ceremony is easy enough to do.

While Travis runs around the house looking for things for Spring Cleaning, Summer works on her Baking skill for the holiday.

Proposal #2… failed again. I’m really not having much luck in the romance department here with this family.

Summer heads out to work on her “friend of the world” aspiration, meeting everyone who walks by.

I send the two of them on a date to try to “set the mood” a little better for the third proposal try. I really like this EA restaurant (Chez LLama)

This time it’s a success! By the time I get them engaged, they’re both practically dead on their feet so I send them home. The wedding can always happen later.. when they’re awake enough to remember it.

…See?

In preparation for the baby coming soon, I redecorate the spare bedroom for a toddler. Looks like I’m hoping for a girl, but I’m really okay with either at this point.

Travis playing with their new console gaming system.

Streamers! Hooray! .. What for?

… Twins. Really? Meet Elena and Zoey Scott-Holiday. Both girls.

Love Day shows up, so I send Travis and Summer for an official wedding.. only to find out that you don’t get wedding goals if you have the Love Day holiday up. (I figured you would, since dates work fine.. but nooo.) Fine. They’re getting hitched anyway.

Both of them love watching the fireworks.

The caterer seems to be stuck on an unending cycle of making Fruit Parfaits, so I have Summer make a cake, and this is the two of them exchanging cake pieces. I love that animation!

Since the wedding didn’t fulfill anything having to do with Love Day, I send them on a “quick” date to the Stargazer Lounge, and both seem to think it’s a great idea.

We try out the bubble machine… but it only makes Travis angry, so I clearly picked the wrong flavor.

…When in doubt, kiss.

Date (And Love day) successful! And I even manage to get both of them home in bed with the babies asleep before either one passed out.

When the babies don’t need attention, and neither one of the adults are at work.. here’s what they’re doing. Travis working on programming, and Summer working on her Charisma for her aspiration.

Travis taking care of Zoey. What a good daddy!

I get the notification the twin’s birthday is here about two hours before it’s time to switch families, so I wake everyone up in the middle of the night to age up the twins. Zoey has the pigtails, Elena the short hair. Elena rolled “Silly” while Zoey got “Inquisitive”. I also take this time to get rid of the cribs, and make room for the second toddler bed. I certainly hadn’t been planning on twins!

Goodnight, girls!

See you for the next family!

Back to this family’s Introduction | Week Two coming soon

Back to this family’s Introduction | Week Two coming soon

Before playing, I set up the living room a little bit, changing up the walls around the kitchen and adding a fireplace for Father Winter.

Half walls for the kitchen. I think it looks better.

The fireplace

Spending some time getting to know each other. They make a cute couple.. good job, EA.

Surprise! (Or not…)

Awww.. this was completely autonomous.

.. C.mon let’s make it official? .. Nope. First try’s a fail.

Let’s go play in the new snow instead. Much more fun than getting denied.

Snow angels by their new snowpal.

Sean working on his public enemy aspiration. Ticking people off left and right. He seems to enjoy it, though.

Amber working on being funny to passing people. This poor pizza delivery chick looks awfully cold.

… The conversation wherein Amber discovers Vampires have no sense of humor. Or … at the very least.. this one doesn’t.

Sean having fun pranking another local vampire.

See? Vampire.

Sean decides to make an enemy. Things don’t look like they’re going well in this picture.

Vampire bats? .. Sean, amazingly, wins the fight, and the vampire leaves in disgrace.

Enjoying the fire inside for a change..

Second try is the charm this time! They’re engaged!

.. I love Sean’s piggie shirt. it’s really cute.

With some promotions, we can afford a computer so Sean can work on his mischief skill.

It’s Winterfest! Time to decorate the tree and put out the presents.

Sean lights the tree while Amber makes a grand Turkey meal for dinner.

After dinner, Father Winter arrives and Amber asks for her gift. (this time I remember!)

Opening presents with Father Winter.. Sean gets seeds, and Amber gets a horse statue.

Another promotion or two and Amber finally has a guitar to work on her skill for more promotions. In her bunny slippers, of course.

A sneak preview of the house I’m most looking forward to (the orphanage).. while Amber continues working on being funny to people.

… And Sean gets into another fight.

…This time, he’s got kids cheering him on. Too funny.

Amber’s practicing again.

The first (and last) thing that breaks all week. Weird that it took so long.

.. Watching the New Year’s show.

Hooray! I caught the streamers and confetti this time! Hehe.

And now.. it’s past time….

.. The last thing for their week is getting officially hitched. New Year’s seemed like a good time to do it.

See you for the next family!

Back to this family’s Introduction | Week Two coming soon

Back to this family’s Introduction | Week Two coming soon

This week is Ollie Purdue’s sister, and her girlfriend-to-be, Jade Rosa. The house didn’t need much in the way of changes, and they had enough in saving s I thought I could move them, but it wasn’t to be. Maybe next week.

Jade and Cassidy hit things off right away, which is a good thing, it makes it easier on me in the long run.

Jade and Cassidy spend most of the first day chatting, getting to know one another.

Cassidy makes the first move… which is, luckily, accepted. Then the two split off to work on their respective careers and skills.

Later in the day, Ollie stops by and Cassidy spends a little time chatting with her brother.

… What is mysterious weather? .. Who knows. Looking it up, it said it could be anything from a freak snowstorm to thunderstorm.. but absolutely nothing exciting happened for Jade and Cassidy. Maybe next time.

Cassidy enjoying her new guitar. Around the corner, Jade is spending time filling out her paperwork for her business career.

Welcome home, Jade! Hopefully work didn’t stress you out too much…

.. Because Cassidy has a question for you.

Success!

What on earth could Jade be waiting for?

… The mail, perhaps?

Nope! The family welcomes a new member. This is Ada. The girls thought helping out by adopting a local child would be the best direction for their new family.

Ada Purdue-Rosa

Age: Child (15 days)
Traits: Loner
Aspiration: Rambunctious Scamp
Career: Grade C Student

Jade tucks their little Ada in for the night in her new bed. Tomorrow is Harvest fest, a perfect holiday for the three of them to get to know each other.

“What do you think, Jade? Did we make the right choice?”

“Of course we did! Ada is great!” Jade replies.

The morning starts out with Ada trying to save her mothers from vengeful gnomes.

… However, the gnome has the last laugh. Poor Ada, she tried!

After moving the gnome so Cassidy could get out of bed.. Cassidy tries to placate the gnome who didn’t want the toy Ada gave it…

..Success! One gnome down.. Two to go.

And don’t forget about the decorations!

Jade discovers that the gnomes don’t like her this morning, either.

Maybe Cassidy can plead for forgiveness from this last gnome…

.. I guess her luck with gnomes has run out. Jade spends some time picking up and selling the random plant seeds the gnomes have left.. then sells the gnomes for good measure. No more zaps for this family!

Ada meets Bash from the frights family, and they spend a little time getting to know each other. (Despite the fact that little Ada is tense about meeting new people.)

.. While Jade tries to get rid of a stinky leaf pile by burning it.. and Davey Bones walks by in his normal-wear costume.

Since it’s still morning, but everyone is hungry, Jade whips up a Grand Breakfast and everyone celebrates. It looks good to me.

.. A playful Ada goes to the park to get the first part of her milestone done.. and she is relieved to find the park fairly deserted. Nobody to make her tense again.

Jade cleans everything she can, keeping the small house spic and span.

.. Until I notice that the conversation that got Ada playful.. made Jade hysterical. And she runs to the bathroom to try to calm down. It would be terrible to lose a mom so soon after gaining two!

..This is what most of the week looks like after that. Jade has logic to earn for work, Cassidy has guitar skill to earn.. and little Ada forgoes scouts to spend all her time practicing her typing.

The next morning, while Jade is at work and Ada at school, Cassidy finds a random townie to work on her mischief spirit for the holiday.

.. Then she takes advantage of the pumpkin carving station to work on her spooky spirit.

.. Jade picks a dire costume after her brush with death the day before… while Ada picks the silly-looking sausage.

.. Another pumpkin to sell..

.. And I notice a fishing tournament is apparently underway nearby in the neighborhood. Too funny.

“Happy Spooky day, Ada!”

The next day, Ollie stops over to meet his new niece.

.. Who only spends a short time with him before taking a long nap to get over her cold.

.. Luckily the nap was just the thing… and Jade feels better, too, after some Orange Juice.

Jade has some paperwork for next week’s work.

.. So Ada and Cassidy spend some quality time together.

.. “Goodnight, Ada!”

Then, the week ends on an ominous note as Cassidy nearly electrocutes herself while trying to fix the household’s computer.

… A nasty shock, to be sure, but Cassidy quickly shakes it off and heads to bed. At least the computer got fixed!

Back to this family’s Introduction | Week Two coming soon

Back to this family’s Introduction | Week Two coming soon

Upon getting ready to load up this family, I am not sure why, but I was just not “feelin'” it. In an attempt to make it more “interesting”.. the first thing I did was take one of EA’s officially-made dog households and merge it into this one. So, Welcome Xena and Ginger. Also, I did virtually nothing to the house, since they couldn’t really afford it.. and I have to say, I was dreading playing through a whole week in this tiny house with two big dogs. I expected a bit of a madhouse, and I wasn’t wrong.. but again, I’m getting ahead of myself.

The two dogs, Xena and Ginger (both girls) were waiting at the front doorstep when I loaded up this family. (And for some reason, the entire week, I forgot to take down the Love Day decor that was up when I loaded the house.. I fixed it before I moved to the next family, though.

Ollie.. meet Babs. Babs.. likewise. They seem to hit it off rather easily, and I prepare myself for a simple week.

… It was SO not to be. Xena is a troublemaker.. and I was immediately preoccupied with trying to keep a handle on what she was doing at all times. .. Rolling in the trash…

.. Drinking from the toilet… Making messes in the house.. you name it, she got into it.

Ollie and Babs continued to get along well, and every once in a while, Xena gave me a little time to try to get them together.

Ginger, on the other hand, was loyal and well behaved .. so at least I didn’t have to worry about her misbehaving, too.

One evening, Babs finally decides to make her move.

.. Under the watchful eye of Ollie’s new shadow, Ginger.

Ollie seems to be taking the relationship all in stride, accepting the rose…

… and the first kiss. Things were finally progressing.

.. But then, the dogs needed my attention again, and Babs and Ollie’s new relationship got sidelined.

Xena really seemed to have taken to Babs, however, and Babs was finally able to get a better handle on Xena’s wild ways.

.. Xena seemed to soak up the training.. while Ginger simply moped around the house while Ollie was off at work.

When Ollie wasn’t at work.. he was usually found painting.. or playing with Ginger. When was I ever going to find time out for Babs and Ollie?

Cassidy Purdue (Ollie’s sister) stopped by for a visit, and Babs and her quickly started up a friendship.

.. Until Xena took all my attention again. Bad dog!

All that playing in the trash meant Xena needed baths nearly every day.

… well at least she’s not playing in the puddle. I guess sleeping in it is better?

With my custom holiday I named “Summerfest” incoming (I believe I called it “Memorial Day” last year, but this seemed like a better title), I bought them a computer and desk so they could order fireworks. And grimaced at the chunk it took out of their savings towards a bigger house.

For the BarBQue part of the holiday, the grills at the local “park” worked just fine, and they both made something tasty… Grilled Fruit for Ollie, and Sausage and Peppers (which always sounds so yummy) for Babs.

After lunch, the two got into a rousing game of water balloons.

.. Although Babs’ clumsy nature meant she only hit Ollie just that once.

.. Then.. the fireworks.

.. The dogs didn’t quite know what to think.. but I love the way they look when you zoom out!

..The little family really seemed to be coming together.

.. Even if much of my time was still centered around watching to make sure Xena was behaving.

..Finally, I take some time out for Ollie and Babs.

“Playtime?!” … no, Xena.. they’re busy.

… Maybe it was the dog that caused him to say no? Hm.. no worries, I’ll just try again the next day.

…”Don’t you love us, Ollie?” .. “I’ve got to take out the trash, Xena..”

Ginger decides to chase off the local vampiress. Thankfully. I couldn’t deal with more chaos in this family.

…Xena, however, was finally calming down. Perhaps her nightly jogs with Babs were helping curb her appetite for activity.

Ollie, again, gets lost in his painting.

.. But Babs is determined.

Maybe just chatting in the summer night on the porch will help these two see eye to eye…

“No?!  AGAIN?!” .. What is Babs doing wrong??

And now, the dogs are fighting. Ollie breaks up the argument, then heads exhaustedly to bed.

.. Luckily, neither dog was hurt, but Babs is surely wondering if the strife between Ollie and herself is causing the dogs to act aggressively towards each other.

Babs takes a long jog by herself, since Xena seems to be busy.

.. And we finally figure out what’s wrong with Ginger. She’s terrified of the bathtub. Since it seems like someone is always in the bath, it’s no wonder she’s stressed out constantly.

At least the dogs seem to have made up.. and Ollie and Babs watch them frolic together again with relief.

… Finally!! Third try is the charm!  I don’t remember the last time two sims were harder to get together.

The next day.. I set another custom holiday, because summer is just needing a second holiday. I made one that involved streaking, camp fires, a party spirit, and telling stories. Sounded like a good end of summer holiday to me.

What I didn’t realize.. is that apparently “streaking” is contagious. First I laugh as I notice one of the Caliente sisters doing it…

.. Then I realize .. that the entire neighborhood is doing it.  ?!?!

.. This photo was the best, though. It’s not really streaking, is it, if you have to stop to check your phone. Doesn’t streaking, by definition, mean you’re supposed to be running fast?  *facepalm*  Never again. No more streaking holidays. I learned my lesson!

So.. Fully clothed again, I send Babs and Ollie to the Ancient Ruins in Windenburg for a romantic bonfire. While they’re there, I have them say their vows in a simple ceremony.

… That almost ends with Babs dying. .. A quick change of clothes helps fix that.. but it definitely kills the mood of the evening. (Although I wonder if the mood was officially killed with all the nude sims earlier….)

Ollie decides to finish the night off with another painting. While Babs, wisely… heads to bed.

What a week. Never let it be said that sims can’t surprise you. Plans can ALWAYS go astray!

Back to this family’s Introduction | Week Two coming soon

Back to this family’s Introduction | Week Two coming soon

We start this family just as winter is ending, so the above shot in spring was taken a bit later. I didn’t, again, have too much to do to the house to make it livable – just redecorate the second bedroom/workout area/office into a room for Iggy. And, obviously, move the office desk and chair to the main bedroom. Downstairs I added a bar in a redundant seating area.

Iggy’s room

Bar in the living room

Also: high chair added in the dining room.

The new “office” in the master bedroom.Bob starts the week off right – watching cooking training videos before work.

Iggy finds his dollhouse.

While I marvel at the lovely transition EA put in from winter to spring.

Where’s Iggy? … Making a mess. Joy.

Both parents have work, so Iggy is left with the nanny.

The next day is a holiday. Easter, to be specific. Here’s Bob searching the grass for easter eggs.

Iggy searches in his bed, and finds nothing, so he heads outside to look for more.

Eliza working on the “Baking” part of the holiday.. she’s making sugar cookies.

Iggy.. on the hunt for the elusive eggys.

(I have to interject here, I had the flower bunny tradition selected, but he “never” appeared. So I looked it up and it said to check the neighborhood. Sure enough, there She was throwing confetti on wild plants. We invited her over, and went from there. So moral of the story.. look around she’s there.)

Bob meets Bunny. At a safe distance, of course. Wouldn’t want to get bunny fur everywhere.

Eliza’s Cookies are finally done. They even turned out to be edible.

The conversation with Flower Bunny continues (as in the background, Iggy keeps hunting down more eggs.)

Finally! The highlight of the holiday for any toddler.. meeting the big flower bunny!

.. Turns out the flower bunny knows how to play, too!

And play they do. Lucky Iggy!

..While Bob goes and does his baking for the day.  He’s making bread sticks.

Eliza chases down the bunny who wandered away to sprinkle more confetti on wild plants in the area.

.. Iggy, on the other hand… wisely chooses now for a nap.

Bob.. you really don’t need a drink in the middle of the day.. but.. um.. ok.

After nap, it’s bath time.. and I think Bob is getting wetter than Iggy.

Sleepy time, daddy! What a cute picture!

Last minute chores before bed. That potty always needs emptying!

Filling up the new birdfeeder in the morning.

… And watching the birds come for breakfast. (I always forget about this object.. but since they have such a nice backyard and it’s spring, I decided it was appropriate for this house.)

In the mail the next morning, is a lovely stuffed animal for Iggy, since the family managed to complete the Easter Eggs collection during their holiday yesterday. (This is the first time I’ve ever unlocked him, so I clearly had to make him blue and take a photo.)

Iggy, keeping himself occupied while mom and dad get ready for the day.

.. But that doesn’t last long.. there goes the dollhouse!

Aren’t you proud of yourself now, young man??

Mommy to the rescue!

.. Before she heads off in the rain to work.

See Iggy? It’s much more fun if you play with it than when you smash it! I love Bob and Iggy’s matching PJs.

Rindle Rose looks so cute in Love Day decor!!

Since it’s Love Day, Bob runs out to the local rose bush and picks a few.

.. Awww…

… But perhaps he should have removed the thorns before giving them to Eliza. She almost shoves the rose back in his face.

… Time to read to Iggy. Because the player (me) completely forgot to take time off for Bob to have Love Day with his wife. After visions of ticked-off Eliza dance in my head, I finally send Bob home early and invite her out on a date. I decided skipping love day was definitely the worse of two evils.

And they’re off to Chez Llama.

Ordering quickly, they set to talking.

Eliza feels the need to toss some confetti on Bob.. who tries not to mind too much.

(This is a first for me.. I’ve never noticed a Restaurant Critic at a Restaurant before… kinda cool…)

Experimental dinners are out, and they look all smokey and weird, but both seem to enjoy them with a minimum of pulling faces at it by Bob.

… Apparently Eliza really liked the date. Taking off work was definitely worth it. Being in the dog house over forgetting Love Day is not an option when you have Eliza Pancakes for a wife!

(Bonus: I didn’t even realize that was an achievement. Host with the Most, huh? Go me.)

Mommy spends some time with Iggy.

While waiting for the dinner party that Bob had planned for the evening. The couple really needs to get out more, though, since the nanny was the only one who bothered to show up to the party. Somehow, it was still a success.. one more milestone towards Bob’s aspiration.

On a side note, Eliza got another milestone done on her aspiration, to, by buying some more paintings for the house.

It’s a good time to change houses, now… because he comes summer!

Back to this family’s Introduction | Week Two coming soon

Back to this family’s Introduction | Week Two coming soon

Upon loading this family up.. my first thought was “Oh yay! A house I don’t have to do anything to!” I did end up adding a few things as the week went by, namely the computer for Andre and bar for June’s Mixology skill.. and the holiday decorations. .. oh yeah.. and some other stuff, but I’ll get to that later. Nothing major enough to require a decor photo, though, so I went ahead and got them their jobs and started work to get them “together”. Oh yeah, I also made sure they had only one front door (who needs two??) as well.

Andre utilizing his new computer, after having lugged the desk out to the living room from the spare bedroom. The lighting is better out here.

“I know you’re insane, but I like you anyway!” (June doesn’t look too sure about it at all.)

Finally, the conversation seems to start going Andre’s way… although June still looks like she wants to bolt at any second.

Just when things were getting good… the Welcome Wagon shows up. After some careful socializing (to avoid flirts), the event finally ends successfully.

“Now.. where were we?” (Seems a bit redundant, exchanging numbers when they live in the same house.. but whatever!)

“You want me to be your girlfriend? .. Um.. Okay.” (Wide angle on the shot to show the update to the kitchen, since they couldn’t figure out how to walk around the wall to get to the table to eat.)

.. The natural conclusion to the day.

.. Andre spends some more time programming in the morning before work.

.. While June finds out about a surprise bundle they’ll be getting soon!

“Let me make an honest woman of you!”

..Nope! Andre is devastated, while June seems to be just slightly embarrassed, and goes straight to bed.

Overnight, the magic begins. (And I can’t help but take a screenshot of the snow. Can’t tell I love snow, can you?!)

Poor June. Morning sickness is the pits.

“June.. I really do love you!”

“Will you marry me?!”

“Didn’t I just ask that question? Of course I will!”

When the two lovebirds finally look out a window, they’re shocked at the transformation of their world and run outside in their outerwear to take it all in.

Snowpal time!

.. I’m not sure what this Snowpal is.. but June doesn’t seem too sure about it, either.

Snowpal looks on stoically as June and Andre make snow angels before hurrying back inside to get warm…

.. By their brand new fireplace! (Have to have something for Father Winter to come down, right?)

“Hooray!” for the new washer and dryer. (Or in this case, hooray for woohoo, but whatever.)

Another peaceful night.

June spends some time in the kitchen while Andre is at work. Whatever could she be up to?

Why is the new bar in the spare room? .. Who knows, it was just the best option for short term. She seems to enjoy it, though.

Where’s Andre? .. Back on the computer, hacking more funds into the household account. (Have to save up for toddler furniture!)

… More Grilled Cheese?

..Wait, is this some kind of craving during pregnancy?

… or could it be something else. … Congratulations, indeed. (The very first time I’ve ever unlocked this aspiration. She wants to be a chef and is a little on the crazy side.. so I figured, what the heck, let’s give this a go! Sadly enough, I had to look up how to do it. It’s not like I have my sims cook and then stuff three single servings of grilled cheese in a row all the time.)

Now that it’s Winterfest time, the tree is due for some decorating.

… Some more decorations.. and confetti for tree decoration success.

.. Andre seems to think throwing the decorations at the tree is the proper way to put them on. Well, I guess so.. but good thing they’re not fragile or anything.

…AAAHHH!! (And this is where I realize putting the tree right next to the fireplace was a bad idea. Perhaps I should have thought of that sooner.) Luckily, June runs outside, unhurt, and Andre is the hero of the day.

Let’s try this again, guys.

Finally… lighting the tree is a success!

(The outside weather effects really are amazing looking. Well done, EA, well done.)

Time for a grand meal. Why not eat it by the tree? Who needs a dinner table anyway?

.. June tried to stay awake for Father Winter’s arrival, but just couldn’t manage it.

“Please don’t leave! She didn’t mean any offense!”

“..Fine. But only if you give me Turkey dinners.”

“JUNE?! You couldn’t wait until LATER to have the baby??”

..Poor June can barely get to the bathroom at this point, nevermind having enough energy to get to the hospital.

“Sorry, Father Winter. We’ll be back in a jiffy!”

Finally. Time for presents. They got a pig statue and a bunny statue. Umm… thanks?

(.. And about here is where I realized they didn’t get credit for Father Winter arriving because they never “asked him for a gift”.. ARGH. Oh well, the holiday still counted as a success.)

.. A success indeed! Welcome baby Gregory!

.. Or maybe not. June, get into bed already, sweetie.

The above-mentioned piglet statue. And they now have a TV again. This time it’s so they can watch the New Year’s Celebration, but June is apparently more interested in the Cooking channel.

… Then again, if she’s so interested in the cooking channel, why does she keep eating the same old Grilled Cheese?

June is a good mother, and is “johnny-on-the-spot” when it comes to Gregory’s care.

.. But then, every mother needs a break every once in a while, right?

The household must be back to normal.. Andre’s back on the computer hacking away.

.. And June is doing laundry.

Awww.. what a cutie! Gregory grows up and rolls the “Clingy” trait. (Fun.)

And here’s what the spare room looks like now. You can’t see it, but I took out a wall in the kitchen and put the bar there for now. Eventually when June gets past needing Mixology skill for work, I’ll just remove the bar, but it works for now.

Fixing the sink in the kitchen. It’s always something. At least it’s not the dryer this time.

The little family. Totally adorable.

“Escape!” (This doesn’t last for long, mama comes out and rescues Gregory from the snow.)

.. And I missed the confetti from Midnight New Years by just moments.

That’s a successful year for Willow Creek! Next family goes back to spring. And I added an “Easter” holiday with the bunny and egg hunting and baking and stuff, so that’ll be fun. See you next time!

Back to this family’s Introduction | Week Two coming soon

Back to Part 1 | Week Two (coming soon)

(And we’re back. Time to find out what happens to the Goths in the rest of their first week! I still have two Holidays to go through, one made by the game, and Spooky Day by me.)

Now that it officially looks like Fall outside, Mortimer decides to spend his morning off (while everyone else is at work or school) decorating the house.

It takes him hours, but finally he has it looking just as festive as the neighbor’s houses.

… And done with enough time for him to relax with a book before the madness that is raising children arrives back home.

Cassandra comes in, dragging her feet. She’s furious.. at what, she won’t say, and she holes herself up in the downstairs bathroom talking to herself in the mirror. Bella has plans for a dinner party before tomorrow’s Harvestfest, and it looks like Cassandra simply wants to skip it.

The caterer arrives nearly at the same time as the guests – the Fright family from down the road.

Everyone pigs out on food, and generally has a good time.

Bella and Joanna’s unlikely friendship continues, and Cassandra’s absence goes unnoticed by her parents.

Everyone is up bright and early the next morning for Harvestfest. The first thing on everyone’s mind seems to be tracking down the gnomes that have invaded the Goth house and appeasing them.

They’re tricky little buggers, though, and like to continue teleporting around the house.

Bella takes a moment out to watch some kid’s TV (No one knows why she chooses that channel), while the repairman works and Mortimer tries to clean up the disaster that is the kitchen after last night’s party. He finally gives up and calls a maid service. If his wife is going to continue with these parties, he decides he’s not going to be the one to clean up after them.

Again.. no one seems to notice that Cassandra has snuck off again and spends hours on her phone in the upstairs bathroom.

Alexander continues to be a diligent Scout, earning badge after badge, and now he’s convinced he can finish the arts and crafts one, despite the fact that it’s clearly not his aptitude.

… And the gnomes continue long into the night, leaving seed packets everywhere for Bella to pick up and sell. Finally, she decides she’s had enough and simply sells the gnomes to the next person walking down the street.

Overnight.. the first hints of winter start to become visible. (And I squeal so loudly in joy that my husband thought something bad had happened and called to me worriedly from the kitchen.)

Everyone loves Spooky Day. Pumpkins to carve and put outside…

…Costumes, and Trick or Treaters and Spirits of both Mischief and Spookiness… and..

.. wait. That’s not a trick-or-treater!

Cassandra finally manages to get her Dad’s attention again – and not in a good way. Malcolm and Mortimer quickly square off, neither one wanting to give an inch in this feud.

“I said I wouldn’t have any of it! My daughter is not for you!” yells Mortimer.

“She won’t be your little girl forever! She can make her own decisions!” Malcolm yells back, just as angrily as Mortimer had.

For a moment, it looked like Mortimer might even back down.

“NO! Just.. no! I’ll call the authorities if I ever see you on my property again, young man!” Mortimer makes sure he gets the last word again, and Malcolm hurries out the front door, hiding his eyes. A tearful Cassandra watches from the upstairs bathroom window, before storming off to her room.

Alexander, on the other hand, tries to make like he hasn’t heard the whole argument and munches on leftover ham dinner from Harvestfest yesterday. He was pretty sure a fresh dinner wasn’t going to be had tonight, so he’d better scrounge for whatever he could find.

Out of nowhere, Cassandra runs downstairs and hugs her Dad. “I’m so sorry, Dad. I promise I’ll be good from now on!” she cried. (Seriously, I have no idea where she came from.. this was completely her own action.)

Alexander finishes his evening out with some more crafts while Mrotimer grudgingly helps Cassandra with her homework.

Riding on a feeling of satisfaction and contentment, Bella and Mortimer snap a picture and congratulate themselves on two wonderful children.

Before bed, Alexander checks his scouting board.. he’s officially a Pegasus Scout now! Hooray!

He celebrates by playing most of the night with his best friend, the monster under his bed.

It’s Saturday morning, and everyone has the day off, so Bella and Alexander run a marathon of chess matches. Alexander even manages to win a couple of them.

Bella has a House Party planned for the evening, though, and she’s “hired” Cassandra to entertain. A caterer and mixologist arrive, just moments before the guests. Everyone is so busy socializing that nobody notices when the “Entertainer” slips out the front door to make a phone call.

“I missed you so much!” Cassandra cries, embracing Malcolm as he runs up the front steps. “Hurry, up to my room!” she finishes, pointing out that it’s FREEZING outside.

Changing quickly into something more comfortable, Malcolm and Cassandra talk seriously, not a dry eye in the room.

One thing, of course, leads to another… and…

.. Once again, nobody notices. The party rages on downstairs, involving much flirting, drinking and eating, and, for some unknown reason.. a cake with candles?

After a short nap, Cassandra wakes up in a panic. “Hurry, you have to leave before they see you!”

… And Malcolm expertly makes his getaway without being spotted.

.. Unless you count the Zombie movie playing to itself in the living room.

Cassandra pulls back on her fancy dress, and plays concertos and requests well into the night. The party seems to have gone off without a hitch, and Mortimer and Bella are ecstatic.

…Perhaps a little too much so. Bella has to spend an hour or two calming herself down in front of the mirror. The party was hysterical, but maybe only to her?…

After the night ends, Cassandra quietly slips into bed with a smile. Nobody noticed. Again. Perhaps it was better that they hadn’t… but something was going to have to change. The only question was.. what..?

… I wonder what the Landgraabs will think of all this?

(See you in Week 2 whenever I get back around to the Goths. I know I’ll be waiting on the edge of my seat!)

Back to Part 1 | Week Two (coming soon)

Back to this family’s Introduction | Part Two

Again, before starting I had some redecorating to do. Not much.. but I end up doing a bit more as the week goes by. Bella got her babysitting job, and Alexander joined the scouts, but other than that things were fine in the career department. Again, photos seem very dark in this house, so I’ll apologize ahead of time. It’s that dark wallpaper again and poor lighting.

Added a bar into the dining room, moving some of the other furnishings around to make room for it.

Added a TV and moved a painting to allow for it.

Alexander’s room got the biggest update of all of them. Somehow, I forgot something, though. More on that later…

Oh… And I’m proud to say.. I got so caught up in the story this week that I plumb forgot to make Mortimer write books. He wrote ONE in that entire week… so this expansion getting me into the game is a resounding success. Usually I get so caught up in making perfect sims I completely ignore any social possibilities and drama. Completely out of character for me, I ended up getting swept along in my sim’s little stories, and I’m afraid I took far too many screenshots.. necessitating a two part week. But.. you’ll see why as we go. Enough talking from me.. let’s get to the story!

The week begins on a happy little family all helping in a homework party. Cassandra and Alexander seem to be racing to see who can get done first.

But then a chance meeting happens.. and a forbidden friendship begins. Maybe that’s the lure.. maybe it’s a tiny rebellion from Cassandra and the “perfect family”.. maybe Malcolm Landgraab was just in the right place at the right time.

Shortly after the sidewalk meeting, the “Welcome Wagon” shows up, and Bella finally gets to meet the strange family from across the street.

Everyone finds something to do. Alexander and Davey Bones bond over some chess while Cassandra and Gourdan watch .. of all things.. a zombie movie. Aghostus, being the loner sort, elects to stay home.. and babysit the twins. Joanna and Bella are soon the best of friends, though, and the event ends with a resounding success.

Cassandra heads off for her first night of babysitting.. in the strangest outfits the agency could apparently come up with.

While Cassandra is gone, Bella takes some time out to read to Alexander. He may be growing up, but he still likes that sort of story time he had as a little tyke.

Later that night.. way up in his third floor apartment.. I notice Alexander’s not sleeping. Zooming in to see what’s going on… I find Alexander chatting with something that should terrify any child without a care in the world. Instead of going running to his parents from the scary monster under his attic bed.. he decides to try to befriend it. After much careful cajoling, yet another strange friendship begins in this house.

It may be a school night.. but what his parents don’t know can’t hurt them, right? .. Alexander is understandably too excited to sleep and pulls out a doll to play with his new monster friend.

The next morning, Mortimer is up bright and early.. and apparently cheerful enough to dance at the new stereo in his PJs and robe. Good thing neither of the kids caught him, or much mocking might very well have taken place.

After school, Malcolm rides the bus home with Cassandra, and they spend the entire ride talking.

By the time they get to the Goth home, Cassandra has convinced herself that her parents won’t mind her friendship with their arch-enemies’ son.

So.. with a devious look, she invites Malcolm out on a date. A friend-date, perhaps? Of course, her father has to come along as a chaperone.. but Malcolm doesn’t seem to mind.

They spend the rest of the afternoon and evening chatting at the Cafe in Windenburg, complely oblivious to Mortimer, who finally ends up dozing off with a newspaper. Spotting her opportunity, Cassandra quickly moves in “for the kill”.

While surprised, Malcolm doesn’t seem opposed to the idea, and he even flirts back.

Noticing her dad waking up, Cassandra quickly buys a snack, and plays at being just-friends with Malcolm, while Mortimer obliviously chats to a neighbor.

(Bonus: Malcolm and Cassandra’s illicit love affair isn’t the only strange thing happening at this cafe tonight. Who is the guy in the suit… and why is the barista a Prime Vampire?  …)

Mortimer is, again, lost in his own thoughts as Cassandra coyly tells Malcolm goodnight.

Dad didn’t spot anything.. right??

… “Cassandra, we have to talk.” The five words she’d been dreading.

“Dad, I can explain everything. I didn’t mean for it to happen! But he’s way more than a friend to me now, I can’t let him go!”

“WHAT?!”

Mortimer looks on blandly as his daughter proceeds to put on hysterics about how she loves Malcolm and he’s the only one she’ll ever want.

“No.” he reiterates, frustrated at her inability to see reason.

“Fine.” says Cassandra and storms off.

Sighing deeply, Mortimer follows her inside.

Life goes on for the rest of the night. Alexander has homework that he needs help for…

… And Mortimer wisely let’s Bella take on the “problem” of Cassandra’s school Robotry project.

After the kids are in bed, Bella stays up long into the night, working on her logic skill… ostensibly for work. But what could she possibly be doing at her office job that needs so much logic skill?

The next morning, the family gathers for breakfast. Bella has already left for work, so Mortimer has no idea when she found time for sleep. Cassandra is understandably subdued.. so Alexander and Mortimer carry the breakfast conversation.

Bella has yet to chime in on the argument between Cassandra and Mortimer – in fact, Cassandra thinks she doesn’t even know about it. But Bella knows far more than she lets on.. and wonders how this whole feud will end.

There’s more homework to do …

… and school projects to work on… so things seem almost peaceful again.

Cassandra whiles away her time mostly on her own.. or pouring her heart out to the piano.

Mortimer, wisely, chooses this time to make himself scarce, and he sits down to write a Playful book.

(And here, my friends, is where I leave you. The next post is written and ready for publishing tomorrow. Will Cassandra listen to her dad? Or do young hearts rule the day?)

Back to this family’s Introduction | Part Two