Culpepper Pals: Winter 1: Vatore

[beanstalk_sims]

I'm pretty excited to finish posting winter, as I've just about finished playing spring!

Last time, Caleb and Kirby threw a (somewhat disappointing) costume party, right before they found out they were expecting. Before baby arrived, Kirby and Caleb managed to fit in a quiet coffee date and one last night at the Bluffs. Their son Maxwell joined the family on Harvestfest, which is the best way to mark the occasion. He grew into an adorable toddler with the Independent trait.

Let's see what the last bit of winter has in store for us!




We rejoin the family to find Caleb already dressed for the holidays.

That is one heck of a look and I love it.




Kirby's determined not to be outdone, however, and has a fierce look of her own. She works in fashion though, so she can at least pass her looks off as a trend.

Or an attempt at a trend.




Maxwell probably isn't old enough to randomise into odd vampire looks when I load the lot yet, so he's just hanging about being adorable in his onesie.

<3




The first day of the rotation was apparently New Skill Day, which is fantastic for teaching toddlers stuff.




Kirby didn't spend too long teaching her son things, she'd rather romance her husband.

They're one of my all-time favourite couples <3




With his parents distracted, Maxwell took the opportunity to sneak out.




The walk-bys look like they're trying very hard not to be concerned about this unattended toddler in the snow.




Caleb rescues his son from outside and distracts him with a tablet so he can get some work done. It's father-son tablet time!

I have plans for these guys later on in the winter that require just a little bit more money, so Caleb's going to have a busy few days with his drawing tablet.




Max is so hungry, why would he chuck his food on the floor??




This is how my vampires spar, apparently. I hope the upstairs neighbours don't mind.

I'm still working on getting Kirby's vampire level up, so she can have some sunlight immunity. I have no idea why it's taking me so long.




So apparently Adora woohooing woke Maxwell up. Given that her relationship with Akira is not super romantic at the moment, I find it hard to believe, but there you go.

She looks super smug about it.




"Adora won't shut up even though Caleb asked nicely, so it's story time!"

Maxwell is super tired and super unimpressed.




Eventually, Adora stopped making so much noise and Kirby tried to read her son to sleep. Unfortunately, it looks like Caleb is desperate to know how the story ends, so it may take a while.




The early hours of the morning arrive, and finally their son is asleep.

"Hey Caleb...I heard about this neat vampire thing we should try..."

"What's that?"




"Bat Woohoo!"

Kirby is too Good to have coffin sex, this is the next best thing I suppose.




Snow falling in the city at night is just so peaceful <3 I was a little bit sick of snow by the time I was playing this, but looking back on it now I'm a tiny bit sad I'm so far away from having snow in my game again.




After Akira's adventures whilst unattended, I decided to check Caleb & Kirby out "just in case", and instead of finding a surprise baby, this time I found an entire collection of My Sims statues in Caleb's inventory.

I guess someone visited the flea market while I was gone??

It's supposed to be dragons that hoard things, not vampires. I kept them, though, because it's kind of neat. I've never had the full collection before.






Unable to go out in the light, Kirby spends the day inside, being cosy and playing with her son. Which sounds like a perfect day, to be honest.








They did step outside for some family fun once it got dark, though.

I love my cute little vampire family <3




Sometimes I forget Kirby is as much of a goofball as Caleb is




The following day was pretty exciting - my first ever toddler play date! Caleb somehow knew Taeko and was able to throw a little playdate for them.




I don't think Taeko really knew what to make of Maxwell.

Maybe they'll be friends later on.




In other news, Kirby got promoted again.

I can't actually remember what career level she's at, but it's pretty high up. She's paid quite well.




Nothing like coming home from a long day at work to tidy up the house.

"Are all toddlers this messy, or just ours?"

If you think this is bad, you should ask Adora about her day. I guarantee she had to clean a lot more.




The toddler tree costume is out again...can you guess what day it is?

...I love that dumb tree outfit.




"Put the bauble exactly where I'm pointing!"




Maxwell was a lot happier about being a tree than Shari was.

And I grinned like an idiot every time I saw him toddling around.




Poor Caleb <3

Caleb is generally well-liked, who would do such a thing?




Kirby cheered him up with her Winterfest gift - a single rose.

Nevermind the fact it was probably one he gave her a few seasons back.




Being vampires, the family didn't do the Grand Meal part of the day, but they were all thrilled when Father Winter showed up.

Look at Caleb's little face, it's like all of his childhood dreams came true.




He's just so cute and ridiculously dressed, I took so many shots of Maxwell on Winterfest.




That's the last tiny tree shot we'll have for awhile, because the following day was Max's birthday.

Where did the time go?




Maxwell Vatore grew up with the Happy Toddler trait, and took on the Artistic Prodigy aspiration. His childhood trait randomised as "Perfectionist".






Well I said I was going to wait until the next rotation to start a kids club, but in the end I started one towards the end of winter.

Which is probably the worst time to go out and play, but whatever. It'll be good for the kids to get to know one another.






Even Caleb joined in with the fun, which surprises no one.

Caleb and Maxwell couldn't stay too long that evening, as there was something big going on at home...




The family were finally able to move house!

I have been planning to move the Vatores here for so long, but they've always been just shy of affording the place. Finally, the Vatores have their dream home <3







Okay, who gave Max a whole cake??




Imagine having that view from your window. :)




This little guy has been a kid for like a day and he's already a B student! Maxwell is a good egg.

And maybe destined to go to university one day...




Meanwhile, in the living room...

"Kirby, why do you study vampires so much?"

"I want to find the cure for vampirism. Not for us, but for Maxwell. So he has a choice when he grows up."

"That's a wonderful idea *hiss* you're such a thoughtful mother *hiss*"




The following day, the kids club was invited over. David included, although I have no idea where he has disappeared to.

Oli looks thrilled to be there, Shari looks somewhat skeptical.




Shari please. Do that at home.






The Spice Festival happened that evening, and I had Caleb take on the challenge - he somehow gained the Spice Hound trait while I wasn't playing him.

If anyone's going to wear that shirt unironically, it's Caleb. It promptly became part of his pyjamas, although he never sleeps.






Later that night, Kirby was hard at work on her vampire skills.

At this point, she was so close to being the right level, so the vampire club was invited over.




I like how Max completely ignored the vampire nonsense happening behind him.




Anyway, the gathering worked, and Kirby was finally able to see dawn for the first time.

She looks so happy to be outside in the light <3




The last day of the rotation, New Year's Eve, started off with a quiet arts and crafts morning.

"There's no such a thing as too much glitter, son."




When the evening rolled around, a small selection of friends, both vampire and human, were invited over - although not Vlad, because I didn't want him drinking all of the guests.

Max decided to ignore the party for a bit, which is fine. We've all been there.




And that's the last time we'll have to ring in the new year for a while.




Naturally, being vampires, Caleb and Kirby don't sleep, and instead stay up researching and dancing.

"Are my moves doing it for you, Kirbs?"

She's smiling. She's into it. :D




And that's where winter ended, once and for all.

One last thing before we go...




Look how responsible their son is! <3

Max is a great kid.


So that's all for winter! Next time I post an update, it'll be Jo McMullen and it'll be spring!! See you soon!