#simsdecadeschallenge

[halelegacy]

The Princess and Her Jesters

March 30, 1899

Darling Anabelle is now over a year old. One would never have thought that she was born so early as she’s finally catching up in size to other one year olds (though she is still small for her age!). Her four older brothers absolutely adore her in their own little ways. Abel is almost two, and he loves hugging and kissing “Na.” She seems to appreciate the attention. Edward has been looking at picture books with his sister, but more often he tells her his own story creations. Whether they make sense is not my place to judge. Daniel often helps his mother chase after the little girl. For someone so small and young, she is certainly agile! She’ll be running before I know it. And Oswald? Heaven bless him. He’s already trying to rope the poor babe in some of his tricks and pranks, with varying results. That boy will turn Theo, Hannah, and myself grey well before the age of 35 (William is starting to turn grey himself, though whether age, work, or his family are the cause, we may never know).

-Cassie

[halelegacy]

October 5, 1897

I love autumn out here in the bay. The leaves turn beautiful colors and the town becomes quieter. I’m holding Jonny at my desk by the window as I watch Aria play in the leaves Theo is attempting to rake.

Theo has been extremely busy these past two years, hence my record keeping. The Hales have been undergoing some massive renovations as their family continues to grow, and Theo has been overseeing it all. He comes home to work on projects for our own family before playing with the children and collapsing into bed next to me. I’m hoping that next year sees a break in his busyness.

-Cassie

[halelegacy]

November 29, 1894

Hannah invited Theo, Aria, and me to spend Thanksgiving at the Hale manor this year. Esther would certainly be rolling over in her grave if she knew “the help” was allowed to celebrate a holiday with the Hales. It was a lovely day. William and Theo were busy entertaining the boys outside and jumping in leaf piles while Hannah and I worked together in the kitchen. We were often able to hear the booming laughs of our husbands and the squeals of the boys.

As dinner was cooking and I was tending to Aria, Hannah admitted to me that she missed having an infant in the house. If she and William have another child, I hope for her sake that it’s a little girl.

Theo and I enjoyed our supper at the smaller kitchen table that was moved out into the dining room. Though we were physically separated from the Hales, we were wholly included in all aspects of the dinner.

I must go now, as it’s nearing time to put Aria to bed. She’s a calm, sweet child, though Lord knows she’s a terror when overtired. 

-Cassie

[halelegacy]

March 30, 1892

Esther Hale passed away rather suddenly early this morning. I’ve heard whispers of it being from heart failure. Poor Hannah was there to witness the death all by herself and now has to be there to comfort her husband as he grieves his mother. I wish the entire family my condolences, though I can’t say I’m overly upset to see Esther go. She was a wicked old woman at best, downright evil at worst. Ask Theo sometime and he’ll share many stories of her.

-Cassie

[halelegacy]

Another One??

March 8, 1892

After finally settling into a new routine with the babe, we have discovered that Hannah is in the family way again. Will seems to be thrilled, though his mother certainly does not share the sentiments. Esther has been spending nearly all of her time at her piano, pounding the keys loudly, yet somehow still just as poorly as the past two years. It’s only a matter of time before we all lose our minds.

-Cassie

[halelegacy]

We are writing you now in 1891, the family has just birthed the next heir to the Hale fortune, Daniel II. With this, we fear Esther’s, the matriarch’s, next breakdown. . . more later.

-Theo

December 20, 1891

[halelegacy]

William: Model Father

Found in Hannah’s Journal

“December 3, 1899

Last night we had our first snowfall of the year. William took that as on opportunity to teach our two youngest children about the seasons. I sat with Edward at the piano, teaching him fingerings as William read aloud. My heart is always so full when he spends as much effort with the children.

As I stepped away to check on dinner, I heard him moving onto talking about the Hale family history, much like Esther did when Daniel was a babe before she passed away. I fought the urge to run in and cover Abel and Anabelle’s ears. Subjecting the “heir” to the Hale fortune to these lessons is bad enough, leave my children out of it.”

[halelegacy]

Broken Toilets and Puddles

July 8, 1899

Esther does not know what she’s doing. She has been mad about how William and Hannah have been reacting to Oswald. They are very much in the mindset of oh that wonderful kid, he will be who he is. As pranks began we saw toilets broken with the pattern of the letter W and the mess occuring from the break in the shape of an H. The message seems rather clear. We will report as activity continues. Until then I fix the toilets for William and clean up for Hannah.

-Theo

[halelegacy]

Anabelle Beatrice

February 14, 1898

A daughter is born. My dear. My loveliest gift. My world. My daughter. My blessing. I write forlorn in awe struck grief that a daughter was gifted unto me, cursed by boys. [incomprehensible writing blurred by a tear] as I’ve journaled before, my greatest wish is answered in you Anabelle and with the years ahead the breath in my lungs, the energy in my fingers, are all to make you the best life. To marry [second tear] you love. To live your life. You will inherit all this blasted time will let you. You are the spirit of the Hales going forward. God knows Oswald won’t even be the 4th choice for heir. Know that heir is the choice of the time and not the choice of our hearts. In you the hope of all our hearts lay. 

-Hannah

[halelegacy]

The Odd Couple

Undated Swatch of Parchment

I scribble down these words as it is the purest definition of brothers. Edward sits, reading his stories and studies as Oswald, at the highest pitch possible, screams and runs in a tight circle around him. Edward, surprisingly unphased. Theo, growing the largest of headaches.

-Theo

[halelegacy]

Twins Turn 5

November 3, 1897

Cassie gave me 12 minutes to escape the chaos of our living area to write this note. The twins turn 5 today and we are all feeling it. The beauty of youth is not half as wonderful as the beauty I see in Cassie’s smile at the end of the night. That is what is driving me through the harsh wilding of the living area. The Hale parents are shopping for the surprises for the children so we have taken on the charge of all of the children for today (four Hales and two Burnhams!). The last time we take this charge in our space. I promise you that.

-Theo

[halelegacy]

August 24, 1897

Two weeks have passed since our Jonathan had been born. Theo has been wonderful and made sure that I don’t have to lift a finger as I recover. Aria has been excited to hold “Little Jonny” whenever she is able.

I should go before Theo catches me up and about. He’s had me on bedrest except for eating meals with the family and one evening walk every night. 

-Cassie

[halelegacy]

April 4, 1897

Another Hale son has been born! Abel was born in the mid afternoon after a rather quick labor for Hannah. Poor woman is very outnumbered with all the men in her house. Everyone is in great health.

-Cassie

[halelegacy]

March 3, 1897

Hannah is reaching the end of her pregnancy. She’s told me that after the twins, this one was a piece of cake. Especially since William is much more hands on with the boys than he has been in the past. I’ve even caught her finding time to nap during the day!

I wish my own condition has been as kind to me, but I find myself ill and rundown more often than not with no time for naps. Theo said I should see about reducing my working hours if I continue feeling so unwell. I know our new addition will be worth everything in the end, though.

-Cassie

[halelegacy]

December 20, 1896

Happy birthday Daniel! It’s hard to believe you’re five years old already! It feels like just yesterday that you were born. Next time I blink, you will be the head of the house. May you be happy and healthy all the days of your life.

Love,

"Cozzie” (Cassie) and “Thatha” (Theo)

[halelegacy]

July 27, 1896

Theo had mentioned to me today that it has been quite a while since I have last written. Between my work at the Hale house, helping Hannah with her boys, and chasing my little Aria everywhere she goes, I’ve been quite busy!

I have a small Burnham secret to share. Theo and I have begun discussions regarding giving Aria a sibling. After spending so much time watching Hannah blossom into such a wonderful mother to her three children (with whispers that there may be a fourth on the way soon), I’m excited to have another one of my own. I wonder, will my love be divided between the two, or multiply?

As for the Hales, there doesn’t seem to be much of a break in the routine. Though I have noticed William becoming just as likely to play with or bathe his children as Hannah is. Though he still leaves the disciplining and other harder parts of parenthood to her.

The cottage is a bit too quiet, I must go and see what sort of mischief Aria has gotten herself into this time.

-Cassie