Gen 3 Chapter 28: Surprise!

After taking a nice day to just enjoy ourselves, the whole family was feeling great! It was so much fun that we decided to make a weekend out of it... no one had to do anything they didn't want to do for the whole weekend. Ariel enjoyed sugary meals and fishing.



Gywn did her gardening in her pajamas. I used to wonder that they neighbors would think of that, but I don't worry about it anymore. My wife is unique and perfect and I wouldn't have it any other way. We even managed to sneak away for a little quality alone time, if you know what I mean, while Ariel was fishing and Sebastian was off roaming the town.



Gwyn's birthday is in a few days, so I've been working on upgrading all of the appliances for her. She spends most of her time outside and I want to make life as stress-free as possible for her as she gets older.



Even though I told them that they didn't have to worry about homework this weekend (not entirely responsible of me, but everyone has been working so hard!), the kids both took time to do it anyway. Ariel sat outside the book store and Sebastian did his at the local animal park. They make me proud!



Sebastian has been enjoying his telescope quite a bit, too. He doesn't even use it to spy on the neighbors, as far as I know! I realize that I keep waiting for him to turn into a teenager like Jagger with all of the drama that goes with it, but he really is just a good kid.



We topped off our slack-off weekend by attending a party that Bonni was throwing at my old house! Though we ended up being her only guests, it was really nice to catch up with my sister.



The girls stayed home since Gwyn thought that would be too late for Ariel to stay out on a school night. I think they enjoyed the "girl time", though.



When Sebastian and I got home, I discovered that there was no room for me in my own bed! I ended up having to sleep on the couch... and I didn't even do anything wrong!



Monday was supposed to be Gwyn's big birthday party, but I don't think she's feeling up to it. I guess we'll have to reschedule. Is this what they call a "change of life" pregnancy?





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A/N: So Gwyn actually had just one day left before becoming an elder when they finally got around to fulfilling their latest "woo-hoo" wishes and I used "try for baby" since they've both been wishing for another baby for ages. It hadn't worked the last few times and I was starting to be hopeful that I'd get out of this generation with just 2 kids, but... So Gwyn's going to become an elder pretty much as soon as she has this kid! And Zeke won't be far behind her.


Outtakes!


At Bonni's party, Zeke decided to go upstairs and take a nap. It was a pretty sad party since there weren't any guests other than Zeke and Sebastian. Not even Jagger and Lorali showed up, and they live there!


Gwyn wanted to take a bath, but Zeke was repairing the tub. I tried to convince her to take a shower instead, but she insisted on standing here complaining the whole time Zeke worked.

Gen 3 Chapter 27: Rolling along

Gwyn's been having a great time working as an independent gardener. She's started selling her produce at the local market and is even getting a small stipend from city hall! I love how peaceful she seems when she's in the garden.



I'm moving right up the ladder at my job, too. I was promoted to Aquatic Ecosystem Tweaker! I'm still pretty surprised that I'm finally getting the credit that I deserve at work, but I have no complaints! Gwyn tells me that she never doubted my abilities, of course, but I was really starting to wonder if I'd ever reach my potential.



Ariel seems to be more outdoorsy than her brother. We often find her doing her homework out in the yard and she seems to do well in school, but I worry that she's not very serious about it. She doesn't seem to care whether she finishes her work or not!



Sebastian participated in the high school ritual called prom recently. He didn't have a date and I worry that he might be as insecure around girls as I was at that age, but he cut a fine figure in his tux.




Gwyn read Ariel a bedtime story while I was up worrying about how things were going at prom. Gwyn tells me that I worry too much. She's probably right, she usually is.



In the end, though, I fells asleep before Sebastian even made it home! Gwyn was the one who fed him and got all of the details. I guess he had a great time and only made a fool of himself a few times!



The reason I couldn't stay awake long enough to hear about prom probably had something to do with how hard I've been working. I know that's been a constant topic around here for quite some time, but I went without a promotion for so long... I didn't want to be a test subject until the day I died! Anyway, it paid off again when I was promoted to Genetic Resequencer. I'm one step closer to running the classified lab that I've been dreaming of most of my life. I'm sure Sebastian understands that I might miss out on a few of his activities.



Though maybe I should be keeping a slightly closer eye on what's going on at home. Apparently, I'm not the only one who's been pushing themselves too hard!



The next day, I declared it a family holiday. No one was allowed to do anything that they didn't want to do. This lead to Gwyn and me teaching Ariel how to fish. (She's been asking for a few weeks, but things have been busy!)



Meanwhile, Sebastian headed inside to read. He's a smart kid and needs more intellectual than physical stimulation, apparently.



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A/N: I'm running into a period of time where not much is going on and, yet, lots of things are happening. Zeke is moving up the ladder pretty regularly and quickly these days and Gwyn's business is going well, but there are only so many gardening and lab pictures that I can keep interesting. The kids aren't doing anything unusual and are both pretty well behaved... so you get short, fairly boring chapters! I'm still a bit ahead in game play, but I'll put up an informal heir poll once Ariel is a teen. I might do another cross-pollination update, too, but I don't have any good pictures of those updates. Things are getting interesting around town, though!


Outtakes!

I love Kevin and Neli!


Not the most flattering look, Zeke.


Awww, dorky Gwyn!


So a paparazzi (paparazzo?) was hanging out on the porch when he went and died! Right in front of Ariel! Like that won't scar her for life.


If it wasn't for birthday cake, these people might never eat. They hardly ever cook, they just live on cake between parties.

Gen 3 Chapter 26: Down time

With both kids in school, Gwyn was suddenly free during the day. She's been complaining that she doesn't get out of the house enough, so she took the opportunity to visit the park. She enjoyed the sun, the fresh air, and of course being near the water.



While she was out, she decided to do some seed hunting. She's always on the look out for new and unusual seeds to plant in the garden. I wonder what they'll grow!



After she got home from the park, she went for a dip in the hot tub. I think she's a little giddy about getting some time to herself after so many years of raising kids.



I debated leaving her to enjoy her soak alone.



But in the end, I couldn't resist! Relaxing in the hot tub is one of my favorite ways to de-stress from my day at work. And spending the time with my wife?



It's a beautiful thing.



There are times that I kind of love that the kids are growing up and able to take care of themselves!




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A/N: I figured that it was about time to let Gwyn have a little adventure. She was getting stir-crazy due to all of the staying home she's been doing lately. Since she gets a break from babies and birthday parties for now, she finally gets a chance to do something for herself! Of course, she and Zeke are still both wishing for another baby. Unfortunately, I can't get them to spend enough time together for that to happen these days (and someone usually needs a shower before the other will even consider being romantic). I'd planned to work on that during Zeke's days off, but the recent birthdays took those up.


Outtakes!

Trixi has decided to take up fitness in her afterlife. Weird ghost exercise!


Zeke wants Gwyn to know that he is starving! Too bad there's nothing for him to eat, sitting right in front of him, that he's actively eating while he's complaining.

Gen 3 Chapter 25: Cranky girls must run in my family

The strangest thing happened the other night. Gwyn and I were asleep while Sebastian watched over Ariel. Sebastian was in the kitchen making them a snack before bed when he heard a Ariel talking to herself in the front room... only she wasn't talking to herself! My Mom and Dad actually dropped by to put their granddaughter to bed. How weird is that?



I didn't see any problem with it, but Gwyn is concerned that Ariel might not be completely safe being carried around by transparent, floating, dead people. Not to mention the fact that it might make Ariel a little weird, hanging out with ghosts. I can see her point. I had no idea that it was even possible for ghosts to put toddlers to bed!



I decided to make it up to Gwyn by upgrading the dishwasher. Gwyn likes things to be tidy and unbreakable.



Before long, it was party time again. I'm not sure why we have our parties outside when everyone prefers to gather in Gwyn and my bedroom.



Ariel was pretty cranky about having  a birthday, of course. That girl is cranky about everything. She wouldn't even let Gwyn change her into her birthday outfit! Gwyn finally gave up and brought her out in her PJs.



I still don't know why we have people over if they won't even come sing Happy Birthday. And by "we", I mean "me". I'm always the one who wants to have a party.



Ariel is much more high maintenance than her brother. I'm not sure if that's a "girl thing" or a "Hodgins girl" thing. I know my sisters were often kind of cranky, though.



I'm glad Ariel will be going to school with her brother for awhile, maybe he can help her find her way without offending too many people. I do hope that her moods don't start rubbing off on him, though.




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A/N: Another short, birthday chapter. Ariel is Eccentric, Athletic, and Inappropriate. She's also usually pretty cranky. And she's not even a teen yet!


Outtakes!

Ariel was super excited to hang out with Neli.


Seriously, Gwyn? Did you really pee on your daughter? On her birthday? I told you to use the toilet before taking Ariel to her cake! Why do you ignore me?


Poor Sebastian passed out in the yard after Ariel's birthday party.

Gen 3 Chapter 24: Best Teenager Ever!

We didn't waste any time in testing out our new buffet table (yay promotion!). It was Sebastian's birthday again. I swear, time seems to be flying by now that we have kids!



We invited all of the usual guests but, also as usual, they were too busy visiting with each other to watch my boy blow out his candles. That's ok, though, he doesn't seem to mind at all.



I was a little worried about having a teen in the house, considering all of the trouble that I went through with Jagger. Sebastian seems to be a good kid, though, and Gwyn tells me that I have nothing to worry about.



I believe her, too. She's always right when it comes to the kids!



Sebastian has been proving her right, too. He is an amazing big brother to Ariel. And she obviously adores him. I can't tell you how much it warms my heart to see my kids getting along so well!



I mean, I got on fine with my sisters for the most part, but it was nothing like this!



Sebastian has even been taking the time to help Ariel learn how to talk! He has so many interests and activities, but he still takes the time to spend time with his sister. Best teenager ever.



Not only that... he's learning how to cook! I know I'm bragging on Sebastian quite a lot, but he is amazing to me. I can honestly say that my siblings and I were nowhere near as helpful when we were that age. Sorry, Mom!



All of this means bonus alone time with my wife. What's not to love?




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A/N: Short chapter without a lot going on, but I wanted to focus on Sebastian. He is such a great kid and has been the easiest Sim I've ever had at all of his ages so far. In other news, I think I have the story progression problem worked out (deleted, re-downloaded, re-installed), so that will be nice for everyone else in town. It will be a few chapters before that kicks in, though, since I'm a bit ahead in my game play.

 
Outtakes!

VJ is haunting the chair, which Gwyn apparently finds hilarious!


For some reason, Gwyn always changes into her formal attire after having a bath. She's a little odd sometimes.


Kevin is sneaking up on Sebastian in the kitchen. Sebastian didn't seem to mind, though.


Neli and Kevin visiting.