Culpepper Pals: Winter 2: Titan

[beanstalk_sims]

I typed up about a third of this update and then lost it. So it's up a little later than I anticipated - I'm trying not to get too far ahead in game!

Last time, David was seeing Morgan Fyres, only she called it off when he wouldn't commit to her. Oli got his final scouting badge. Marnie grew into a child. There were trips to the pumpkin patch. David helped out around the house, Harvestfest was celebrated, Oli spoke to Cassandra Goth at a party (!!), David failed to score a kiss with Sofia Bjergsen, and Frankie needed several baths. At the end of the season, David and Oli grew into young adults and flew the nest. Both of them are pretty broke.

Index / Boolprop




This is how Marnie was dressed when I arrived.

With the full moon in the background, it was a pretty neat way to rejoin the family. I also immediately got the pop up to say Marnie had completed her aspiration and is now Physically Gifted.




And in true Frankie fashion, he was desperate for a bath when I arrived.

I'm not sure what Frankie's traits are, but he's a total magnet for dirt. If there's a puddle anywhere within a 500 metre radius, he'll find it and roll in it before I've even noticed he's missing.






When morning properly arrives, David and Oli turn up.

"...did you cycle all the way from the city?"

I don't know if I mentioned it, but David's living in Sulani while Oli has taken an apartment in Culpepper House. I don't imagine either of them living super close to Windenburg. Luckily sims logic means it doesn't take more than five minutes to get here, otherwise it would be quite the trip.






Both Norah and Miko are over the moon to see the boys.

So where's Marnie hiding during this family reunion?




She's hanging out with her new dollhouse, of course!

As a child who (attempted) to make several dollhouses out of cardboard, I absolutely love this one. I installed Eco Lifestyle at the beginning of the Titan's rotation, it wasn't until I switched household that it caused me a couple of issues. But more on that later!




Back in the kitchen, Norah hands a key to both David and Oli.

I'd really like them to come and go as they please, and I think Norah would be the kind of mum who would encourage them to enter the house without knocking. I don't have to knock and wait when I visit my parents, afterall.




While Norah and Miko catch up with the boys, Marnie calls up the other Culpepper kids.

Marnie and the other girls are all pretty close, which is really nice <3




I did try and take a group shot of the girls, but I'm not 100% happy with it. I guess this is how I end up downloading tons and tons of pose packs, right?

When I used to play rotations in TS2, I used to take a family portrait every season, and it was really nice seeing how the family progressed over time from these portraits. I've started trying to take a family picture every season with the Culpepper save - unfortunately, I was much better at staging pictures in TS2!




While the other girls hang out on the monkey bars, Tania decides to shovel snow on the other side of the lot??

Funny little kid <3




The house seemed really quiet in the evening, once everyone had gone home. Norah was also pretty quiet, apparently deep in thought.

"It was nice to see everyone, wasn't it?" Miko said, with a smile.

"Yes! Although...it did get me thinking."

"About what?"




"Money," Norah said, simply, "Our boys are struggling to make ends meet, and we can't help them out."

Miko nodded, "And university wasn't really an option for them. We couldn't afford it."

"I feel bad about it..." Norah paused for a moment, "I think we should sell the house after Winterfest. Downsize, and free up some cash for Marnie's future. And for the boys, if they want it."

"You want to downsize? Norah, raising kids here was your dream!"




"A dream that we've fulfilled, Miko," Norah said, softly, "Marnie will be a teenager in the spring, and the boys are already gone. I'll miss the house, I really will, but it's time for us to move on."

Miko put her arm around Norah, and gazed over their living room, "We have a lot of good memories here."

"It's going to be difficult to leave," Norah admitted, sadly, "But we'll find a new home. We'll fill our new place with love and memories."




"I love you, Norah," Miko said, simply, "No matter where we are."

***




The following morning, Miko got up really early, eager to make a start on the day.

First chore on the list? Walking Frankie.




With Miko taking care of the chores, Norah was left to do what she wanted - decorate the winterfest tree!

It's still two days before Winterfest, but I imagine Norah as someone who decorates really early.




She also insisted everyone gathered round for the lighting of the tree, which meant they were all together to watch her hard work go up in flames.




"Screw this, I'm going to school!"

While Marnie headed off to school - and out of harm's way - Norah or Miko were able to call the fire department.




"You expect me to put that out??"




Apparently it's two man woman job!

Thankfully no one was hurt, and the living room didn't suffer too much damage.




And Norah was able to start over!

She probably loved being able to decorate twice!




The rest of the day passed uneventfully.




Despite planning pranks with Tori Holiday, Marnie had an uneventful day at school and came home with a project.




David also turned up unannounced, making the most of his new house key.

He mostly ignored everyone to draw. I was a bit perplexed - "did he get a job in art while I wasn't playing him?" - but it turns out it was due to one of the new Neighbourhood Action Plans.






Tuesday morning, and it's time for breakfast.

I didn't notice it before, but Marnie's matched her coat and hat to the tree ornaments!!




And apparently she was still hungry when Miko got up, because she had second breakfast.

Marnie's going through a Picky Eater phase apparently, hence all the quick meals.




Miko was the only one home, so what did she do with her free time? Took Frankie on the world's longest walk!

I swear I only clicked on the "medium" walk, but Miko was literally out with him all day. Marnie was home from school by the time Miko made it back!




...why do you guys even own a dining table?




It's Winterfest morning!

I am going to miss the outdoor decorations when they move, it's probably my least favourite part of having sims live in apartments.




Naturally, Winterfest morning is spent having breakfast in the bathroom.

As you do.








And then it was time to open gifts!

No one got an empty box, thankfully. Probably because David's not coming by until later.




Frankie is apparently getting love for winterfest.

I did give him a little red neckerchief for the occasion, goodness knows why he's not wearing it.




Look how happy she is, I swear Norah lives for these occasions.




Jo also turned up just as dinner was served - probably because Norah is the best cook out of the Culpeppers, Jo's probably hoping to score some free food.




The boys came over in the afternoon.

They were children playing void critters last winterfest, it feels so long ago!




David actually spent most of his visit playing with Frankie, I think they miss not living together.






All in all, a very happy, wholesome family winterfest!




Things were a lot different the following morning, though.

The family found themselves in the Fashion District.




The new (tiny) apartment of the Titan family!

It really was for the best, it did free up quite a bit of cash. Even if they do now have to put up with Lively Neighbours from the apartment's lot trait.

The Titan family now live at 1310 21 Chic Street.




Norah heads to work and Marnie to school, leaving Miko to get used to the new apartment with Frankie - who is suddenly terrified of the TV.

He tried to run around the apartment, which is when I noticed how small it really is.




David dropped by to see where his family have moved to, and I imagine it was a bit of a surprise.




"Mum, this apartment is far too small for a dog. Even one as small as Frankie. It's not fair on him."

"I know, David, but we haven't really got any other options. This is where we live now."




"Unless...you wanted to take him?"

"Really? I suppose I do have a lot of space for him to run around in..."

"Plus, I think he really misses you when you're not around."




So it's agreed, and Frankie goes to live with David.

To celebrate, David whacks out a violin and plays perfectly. Which startled me, because he shouldn't have any violin skill points at all.




And then he switched it up a little and pulled out a guitar. Again, he could play it perfectly.

I now know that it's a Neighbourhood Action Plan, but at the time I couldn't work out what the heck was going on.




Despite it being really cramped, and the fact they had to give Frankie to David, the family do seem to have settled in here quite quickly.






Who knows? Maybe Marnie will be my first sim to master chopsticks.

I have several Spice Hounds now, but no one is Chopstick Savvy yet!




It is neat people watching in a different part of the city, though. This is the first time I've had anyone live in the Fashion District.

Do you think this tourist is cold??




It's really nice having a different view <3




It's really late, Marnie really should be asleep, but the Lively Neighbours lot trait kicks in, and Penny Pizzazz is having some pretty loud woohoo apparently.

I did have Miko go and knock on the door.




And Penny came out dressed as a maid, which cracked me up!

Whatever floats your boat, Penny! No judgement from me.




A new day arrives, but it's a quiet one as everyone is at work or school.




And there wasn't much going on in the neighbourhood, so I just had to wait for someone to get home.




Marnie got home first, and even though it's Friday, it's straight to work with the homework. Marnie is a B student at the moment.

Still, she's got a nice spot to study in. Look at that view!!




It's not all work and no play, though. Norah and Marnie head to the Spice Market that evening for the Spice Festival. Might as well now they're back in the city, right?




I'm not really sure why I sent them to the Spice Festival. I'm pretty sure Miko is the only Spice Hound in the family, and I can't remember why she didn't go too.

Norah failed the curry challenge, unsurprisingly.




Marnie got a sparkler, and then they went home again.

Looking back, I'm not sure why they bothered to go at all.






The fun doesn't stop there for Norah. She had a busy evening in the Fashion District, making snow angels and drinking OJ next to snoozing strangers.




Saturday morning, and the girls are over.

There isn't really room for them to play together now, but they did seem to enjoy just chatting for a bit. They'll all be teens soon, and the weather will be nicer, so they'll be able to head out together rather than hang out in the tiny apartment.




As if four children isn't enough, everyone decides Saturday is the day to drop by unannounced.

And then hang out in the hallway because there isn't enough room inside.




Not that anyone really minds.

David provides entertainment despite his lack of skills, and Oli is apparently already toasting the new year even though midnight is hours away.




When the girls go home and there is room to come inside, David and Penny decide that Marnie's bedroom is the best place to get to know one another.

They seemed to really hit it off, which is neat.




Jo and Oli had already left before the countdown began, seeing as Norah and Miko hadn't thrown an actual party, but David and Penny stayed.

Also Penny is on the TV??




And just like that, it's "Year" three!






Kisses and hugs are shared, David and Penny leave and everyone heads to bed, ready to see what Spring brings them!

It's going to be a little while before the Spring rotation, though!




So here is how we're leaving the family at the end of winter. Marnie is becoming a teenager on the first day of spring, I'm looking forward to that.

In the meantime, we'll be joining David next, and seeing what he gets up to during his first rotation living alone! See you soon!