beanstalk_sims | Culpepper Pals: Autumn 2: Brows

I'm really eager to play but I don't want to get too far ahead of where I am with updates!

Last time, Dusty and Summer fell pregnant! Dusty took up vlogging in order to boost her fame, but is still predominantly an artist. There were a couple of outings - to Geekcon and the beach - so Dusty and Summer could spend time together. Victoria "Tori" Holiday was born in the middle of a rainstorm, and is as cute as a button. Dusty also became a level 4 celebrity.

Index / Boolprop

We rejoin the family to find Dusty in her usual spot!

Gaining fame would be so much slower without the vlogging, but it's still pretty time consuming.

Summer, meanwhile, is off to guard some lives.

She's a Prolific Whistler and at the top of the lifeguard career.

And Tori is still the cutest little thing <3

There was a celebrity hanging out in the hall when Summer got back, so she decided to impress them with her "beach flex".

Well. She attempted to impress. They just look confused.

Given that they're a famous family living in a penthouse, everything here is very cute and ordinary! I love playing this family <3

Time passed pretty quickly when Tori was small - Dusty spent large amounts of time working, while Summer mainly took care of Tori.

They also hired a maid, because it was hard keeping on top of the chores as well.

Norah, please.

It's a bit of a weird message to leave a friend.

"Pay attention to me!"

Dusty then shot a vlog instead of spending time with Summer, but I'm going to pretend that vlog was about Summer's football skills.

"...and then Mummy did 64 keepy-uppys, and the audience was thrilled!"

It honestly looks like Dusty never stops working when I look back on the screenshots.

She does. But there's never any pictures of her eating or sleeping.

Tori was up early, and for a good reason - it's her birthday! Time to squeeze in one last play time before she grows.

"She's growing up so fast, Summer."

"I know. Try to spend a bit more time with her, please."

"I will."

Dusty got a new Stan this rotation, which I didn't expect to be a big deal - until he came in and stole Tori's birthday cake!

Dusty quickly showed him to the exit. I knew he was supposed to steal stuff, I didn't realise he could take a cake with candles on it!

So Tori gets to stay small for another hour while Summer whips up another cake. Not that Dusty really minds, it's a chance for more snuggles.

Unfortunately, Summer burnt the second cake.

But at least Tori got a cake, I suppose!

Little Tori Holiday is adorable!!

She gained the Outgoing trait, as well as the Happy Toddler trait. I decided to give her the Social Butterfly aspiration to go with her new trait, despite the fact I find it more difficult than the others.

And to top it off, I'm going to try and complete it this season, because it seems some relationships disappear while I'm away at other households.

"So it's Spooky Day, right? How about we throw a party? For both Tori, and Spooky Day!"

"You want to throw a party in the daytime?"

"Yeah! That way, Tori can invite some of the local kids over."

"That actually sounds like a really good idea."

Dusty was also a fairy to Jo's costume party. I'm guessing she just really likes that outfit.

Summer dressed as the cutest witch...

...and then the pair of them decided to embarrass their little princess.

"Ew gross! No kissing when my friends get here!"

And then Summer set the kitchen on fire.

It honestly took Dusty so long to put Summer out I thought I was going to lose her. I heard firemen have been added back in, but seeing as no one owns a fire alarm yet it'll probably be a little while before I see one.

So no one was hurt and the kitchen was replaced, but the fire definitely put a damper on things.

Luckily the family had very few guests at this point.

In fact, the only guest was Kirby. And the Culpepper Kids Club, but they weren't actually party guests.

"This party sucks."

I know. I have no idea where the rest of the guests are.

I think Tori had a good time, though, getting to know the other kids in the save.

"Drama's over, it's wine time!"

I ended up started a gathering for the Culpepper Club, otherwise the party was going to be a bit of a dud.

This apparently caused other problems - Summer's mad about Norah being an alien.

She's met Norah before!

Meanwhile, things were going so well between Tori and Marnie Titan-Ojo that they became Partners in Crime, which is no doubt something David taught Marnie about.

Tori needs a BFF to complete her aspiration, so it's great she gets along so well with Marnie.

Dolly also appeared at that moment, desperate not to miss out on anything.

I think these three are going to be pretty close as they grow <3

So despite the fire and total lack of costumes, I think it was a good night.

"Mum, why are you still wearing your fairy costume?"

"More importantly, why are you eating an old sandwich when I just made fresh ones?"

Can't go to bed without vlogging your ~~halloween~~ Spooky Day costume!

The following morning, Tori got a little bit of playtime in before she had to head to school. Now that she's busy during the day, it frees up some time for Dusty to head off the lot...

...and host a Meet and Greet!

I don't like sending them off lot too much when they have toddlers, I'd rather stay home and work on their skills. I haven't managed to get a single Top Notch Toddler in this save! But now Tori's grown a little, Dusty can head out again.

And cause massive piles of fainting fans!

Kirby must be immune to it!

It's business as usual when Dusty gets home.

Summer's probably providing Dusty with inspiration, or something.

Tori came home from school and brought Marnie with her. Their first school prank together wasn't a success, but it probably won't be their last attempt.

"Seriously, take a key. I want you to come over whenever you feel like it."

"But...why?"

"Because we're really good friends, silly!"

Tori and Marnie became BFFs after that <3

On an unrelated note, I'm obsessed with the view from Tori's room. Beats the heck out of the view I get from my desk!

Kirby was over visiting Dusty, so Tori decided to hijack the visit for her aspiration.

Why she needs two adult friends I don't know, but they may as well be the parents of her child friends.

It gave Dusty the opportunity to go to bed, at least.

She's working really hard, and she's about halfway to that last star. But I don't think we'll manage it this season. Hopefully in the winter - then Dusty can relax a little!

The Stan was back when Dusty woke up, and this time he was in deep trouble - he took some of the toys Tori keeps on the shelf in her room.

Dusty sent him on his way, and Summer replaced the toys with My Sims statues she got from a stall.

At least he didn't nick a cake this time.

I'd forgotten how much younger Summer is than Dusty - she's only now becoming an adult!

Tori brought Taeko Kibo home from school and the grind for the aspiration continues.

Now I really do have to finish it this season, Taeko won't count as a "child friend" if I leave it until next rotation. She'll be a teen next time I play the Bell family.

I did notice Max was out wandering around with another muffin while the girls were cloud gazing.

He never looks cheerful when he's out and about, yet when he's invited over he never seems to stop smiling!

Dolly was invited over after Taeko left. She couldn't stay long, but it helped!

I absolutely love watching all the kids hanging out <3

While Tori was busy making friends, and Dusty busy painting or vlogging, I decided to check in on Summer.

She was busy impressing strangers with her skills. Summer's probably the best at that, I think she has the Vatores beat.

10pm at night and Dusty invites over the Culpepper Club so Tori can befriend one last adult.

Tori picked Norah, and it didn't take long to befriend her. And with that, Tori's aspiration is complete - I've only completed Social Butterfly one other time!

With her aspiration complete, Tori gains the Socially Gifted trait. I did give her a new aspiration - Artistic Prodigy - but I'm probably not going to push super hard for it.

I think Tori has earned a break.

"Mum, why are you painting tins of dog food?"

"Believe it or not, little one, this stuff sells."

For once, Tori came home from school and didn't have anyone over. And it was really nice for her to catch up with her parents.

"So you're an artist now, too, little one? What are you going to draw?"

"Not tins of dog food!"

It's Saturday and the last day of the rotation, which is the perfect time for the Culpepper Kids to come over!

And Marnie immediately starts on the dishes, bless her!

That evening, after everyone is sent home, it was time for the Romance Festival.

I think this is Dusty's third Romance festival? It's definitely the second time she's been with Summer. It almost feels like tradition for them to go now. So it was nice they could take Tori with them this time.

Tori was immediately bought bubbles and sparklers, which kept her entertained while her parents drank the sakura tea.

I was watching Tori blow bubbles and didn't realise Dusty had autonomously decided to pose for photos until she was halfway through.

Norah doesn't seem bothered this time round!

I also think Summer is trying desperately to ignore the fame thing. She's also struggling with the chopsticks!

"Hey," Dusty said, sitting next to Summer, "Are you having a good time?"

"Yeah, I was just busy thinking about how different things are since we last came to the festival."

Dusty considered it for a moment, "You're right."

"You're a lot more famous now," Summer said with a smile, "And we have our little girl..."

"And we were newly weds last time," Dusty pointed out.

Summer smiled, "It's crazy how quickly time passes."

"Is there anything you'd do differently?"

Summer fell quiet, thinking.