just---keep---simming

[just---keep---simming]

The Pancakes - Summer 3

We join Eliza and Bob back in Willow Creek for the third summer of Townies, and find them happily ensconsed in the new house. Eliza hasn't quite achieved her Maron Bansion aspiration, but as she puts some finishing (more expensive) touches on the place, she should get there.

The first order of the day is Adrienne's university acceptance letter! She has been admitted to a Distinguished Degree in Arts and Literature, in preparation for her future career as a private attorney.

This calls for a birthday cake!

Adrienne happily blows out her candles and then receives her young adult makeover.

Here's a little glimpse of the new look as she invites Axel over to help her move, and farewells her Dad. Yes, Adrienne Pancakes is officially flying the nest, the first of the Townie children to be born into the save to reach her young adult years and move out into her own rotation (Axel joined the save as a toddler when Peaches and Johnny got together).

We'll get a proper look at Adrienne when we join her and Axel in their rotation next, but here's another sneak peak of their house. Axel and Adrienne purchased this little place in Britechester, and for realism's sake, took out a bank loan to do so. Adrienne had savings from her work as a barista throughout her teen years and Axel had a gift of $5000 from Johnny and Peaches, so after that money goes towards the house, they owe $32,000. At the end of each of their rotations, 50% of their funds will be deducted as a loan repayment. I think the Sims 4 needs more realistic housing costs, so I'm adding it in myself!

For now, though, back to the Pancakes, who are celebrating being empty nesters in the best possible way!

Then it's off for a spot of fishing for Bob and a coffee in the neighbourhood for Eliza. They miss Adrienne, but are proud of her success and independence, and happy she's starting her adult life.

The house is definitely too empty, and Eliza decides that since her baby has moved out, she needs a new fur baby to lavish her attention on. She naturally chooses a silly-looking fluffball of a small dog and names him Cuddles.

Then it's back to work on her latest romance novel. The Pancakes don't have a lot of cash on hand since moving into the new house, but both hold well-paying jobs and Eliza's novels bring in extra cash regularly.

This is important, because the Pancakes need a new project to occupy their late middle-age years now that their daughter is off doing her own thing. It won't be happening this rotation, but Bob has started doing some research into opening his own restaurant! He's a well-regarded chef, Eliza is a savvy businesswoman - together, they could create something special. It's going to take some saving and preparing though.

Then there's their fitness to think about. Jogging for Eliza, and a new punching bag added to one of the porches for Bob.

And after what seems like no time at all, Cuddles the puppy has become Cuddles the loyal, friendly couch potato.

Couch potato he may be, but Eliza got a dog partially to have another reason to wander the neighbourhood and nosy at other's gardens and houses, so he's regularly dragged out for a walk.

Bob is just super happy with life these days. Although he's retained his natural gloominess, he rarely actually feels gloomy, even when there's a roaring summer thunderstorm outside.

A burgler attempting to break into Eliza's beloved new house, that Bob worked so hard to make sure they could afford, ruffles his feather though!

Believe it or not, Bob was the winner of this fight, sending the would-be burglar packing. Go Bob!

Eliza is both grateful and a littled surprised by her man. Bob the protector? Who would have thought!

It makes for a surprisingly swoon-worthy scene in her novel. Oo-er!

As the summer wears on and the heat increases, Bob takes himself off to Sulani for a solo fishing trip, something he likes to do from time to time to add some more tropical catches to his fish collection.

While Eliza heads to the Spice Festival with bestie Peaches. They enjoy catching up about Axel and Adrienne, speculating over their adventures at university. Eliza might have been the type to be difficult over who her beloved only daughter dated, but having known Axel from childhood, as well as his family of course, she feels pretty happy with how that worked out.

"Have you heard from Axel? How's it going over there?"

"Oh, he seems to be thriving. Adrienne is a great help to him with his course work, and he's already moving up the ranks on the soccer team! How's Adrienne finding it?"

"She loves it, no surprise. We're very proud of her."

Speaking of, Axel and Adrienne dropped around for a visit late in the summer. Peep them in the background, still no close-ups though! Axel has that hilarious body type that skinny Sims that are also very athletic get.

Finally, Bob rounds out the summer with a spot more fishing in a different location. This phase of life is proving largely idyllic for the Pancakes, and it's nice that they're both getting some time just to enjoy life before the next big project kicks off.

And so we leave Bob, Eliza, and new family member Cuddles to their pleasant little life in Willow Creek. Until autumn, anyway!

[just---keep---simming]

Zest - Spring 3

Welcome back to the Zest household, where eldest child Axel is receiving his Foxbury University acceptance letter! Unlike his girlfriend Adrienne, who is the more dedicated student and held down a part-time barista job through school on top of that, he received all the scholarships he applied for. This seems doubly unfair given the Zests are wealthier than the Pancakes (at least in monetary terms, since their move to Eliza's dream mansion), and they could have afforded to pay Axel's tuition outright.

Axel immediately texts Adrienne to let her know the good news, and even if she might be smarting a little at the scholarship situation, she's pleased to hear this - the couple have decided to live together for university, and Axel's acceptance means they can move forward with their plans.

A family dinner is called for to celebrate this very important milestone. Peaches and Johnny are ridiculously proud of Axel and excited for his next adventure.

And although Hendrix will miss his big brother a lot, he's inspired by his example and gets cracking on his homework (he's been only a middling student so far).

Soon enough, it's our young man's birthday. He's outgrown his picky eater phase, clearly, if he's happy with a matcha cake!

Axel is heading off to university right away, but fear not, we're going to see plenty of him throughout this chapter as he visits Peaches and Johnny.

He and Adrienne will now be added to the rotation as their own household, as well. Here's a tiny glimpse of their university rental! You'll have to wait until their rotation to see much more, but we won't be waiting too long - they'll slot in after the Pancakes I think.

Back at the Zests, the family are adjusting to not having a teenager around the house any more.

It definitely feels different to just have the three of them, but Johnny is impressed with the pancakes!

And there's still plenty of child raising to focus on, with Hendrix getting stuck into his science set and experiencing monsters under the bed.

When Geekcon rolls around, Johnny invites Axel (it's just an excuse to see his stepson really - neither of them are big gamers), and despite their interests mostly lying elsewhere a nice time is had. Johnny even gets a space flight out of the afternoon.

Peaches and Johnny are enjoying the extra privacy they have with just a single child in the household to work around.

They spend the spring being affectionate with each other and spending a lot of time together again, ensuring their relationships stays strong during this transitional phase of life.

Remember how I said we'd still see plenty of Axel? He visits regularly after moving out, and Peaches of course gives him a key so he can come home any time.

Hendrix is always happy when his big brother drops around, but he also has his own thriving social life. He's enjoying the scouts, and his closest friend is Kian Howell, the adopted eldest son of Lou and Rory, our werewolf family. I don't think Hendrix knows Kian is a werewolf yet, but he'd think it was awesome if he did!

The end of spring brings beautiful warm weather and a chance for Peaches and Johnny to enjoy the pool, which they had some work done on to improve at the start of the season.

It also brings a loose tooth for Hendrix!

As for his own social life, Johnny makes his seasonal visit to the vampire mansion in Forgotten Hollow. It's creepy there, even though he knows he's safe given his friendship with Lilith, and yet it's pretty fun catching up with Salim and the other vampires and hearing about their very different lives.

Finally, they make the most of the warm end of season to head to the park for a family outing.

Chicken kebabs make for a tasty park lunch. Peaches is such a cutie in this lovely pastel top!

Hendrix and Johnny dabble in some fishing for Hendrix's scout board. They don't catch anything, but they do have fun.

And we can see Hendrix did in fact lose that tooth!

The Zests finish their season with Johnny heading to the lounge in Oasis Springs after they finish up at the park, to get in a practice stand up session for work. He does this a lot less than at the start of his career, but it's a good activity from time to time to work out kinks in new routines.

Then it's back home to pose as a family of three for the end of the season. It was an eventful spring for the Zests, with their first child flying the nest, but life is good in Del Sol Valley.

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Lynx - Spring 3

It's spring in Brindleton Bay, and we rejoin Catarina, Knox, Monty, Aphrodite, and Persephone to find the snow has melted and the sun is out.

Little Monty became an infant last winter, and is already making a start on his milestones in early spring. He's sitting up, playing with toys, and is curious about just about everything!

He had to put in the work to get this far though - with plenty of torturous-looking tummy time sessions under the loving eyes of his parents.

As for said parents, Knox and Catarina are in love with each other and their little family, and absolutely bathing in the joy of the life they've built together. Knox takes Catarina out to the park and treats her to fried fish while Monty plays in the ball pit.

They were smart enough to bring the nanny along as well, leaving Monty in her capable hands while each indulging in their own hobbies. Catarina is still working on the fishing boats and enjoys ticking off new fish she's caught in her notebook, and Knox is working in green tech and keeping his logic skill sharp with solo chess games.

Once they're back home, he's also able to indulge in his newest interest - knitting. He's not very good yet, but he likes the peace and quiet!

Monty is a handful these days, but a fun one. He's trying all sorts of new foods, and still loves icecream. Catarina also takes care to give lots of attention and love to Persephone and Aphrodite, of course - her fur babies shouldn't feel left out of the family, even if Monty demands a lot of their focus!

They also take the time to ask Blossom and Mary around a lot. They visit several times during the spring, delighting in cuddling with their grandchild and eating Catarina's delicious cooking.

Catarina and Knox also make a visit to them, still living in great comfort in the eco-home that the couple shared with them prior to Monty's birth and their relocation to Catarina's hometown, Brindleton Bay. Family means a lot to Knox and Catarina is more than happy to include her son's grandparents as much as possible, given her own parents are not around.

Back home, Catarina's closest friend continues to be Sara Scott, from Henford-on-Bagley, who likes to escape to Catarina's place as a bit of a break from her own daughter, leaving her in the capable hands of her husband for an afternoon of girl time.

And a brief Monty cuddle before she heads back home, of course!

Knox also does his fair share of the childcare, feeding Monty while Catarina heads off to work in the early morning.

Her fishing boat job only takes her out of the house for a few hours each day, but she does miss breakfast for Monty, so this is always Knox's job.

She also needs time to herself to continue working on her own aspiration, and finally succeeds this spring in become a Friend to the Animals! She has befriended all sorts of strays around the place, dogs and cats both, but is happy with just her beloved cats at home.

Once she's back, they call in the nanny again for another chance of some adult time. These two are committed to keeping their relationship strong while raising their child - the benefit of having kids a bit later in life, perhaps!

They head out to a local seafood restaurant with a warm, cosy, intimate feel, and spend a lovely evening together over delicious trout, seafood chowder, and wine.

The end of the evening is even better!

And then, at the end of spring, it's time for another milestone. Persephone is busy overseeing the yard as Catarina bakes Monty's birthday cake.

Then both his parents come together to celebrate this next major transition.

They have a toddler!

And that brings us to the end of this season for the Lynx family. Our most committed and intimate couple, while they're a little sad about probably not being able to add a second child to the mix, they dote on Monty and each other, and have plenty of time for everyone's personal hobbies as well as family life. Living the dream, really!

[just---keep---simming]

Straud - Spring 3

Good morning from Forgotten Hollow, where the nerds seem to gather for some scouting activity on a regular basis. It messes a little with the ambience of the place, seeing these guys running around in their dorky uniforms, but Lilith mostly ignores them as she chews on the postman for breakfast.

Inside, Vlad continues to spend a lot of time on the piano. He's long since maxed his skill and is now writing music, which takes such an absurdly long amount of time that the only successful songwriters in the Sims must be immortal, or they'd never live long enough to finish a song. Inspired once again by Twilight, his first creative attempt is called "Lilith's Song".

After all, she's certainly his muse these days.

Salim, meanwhile, continues to put in the work on his novels. He writes in the fantasy genre and I name all his books after existing vampire works. I think this chapter he was working his way through Darren Shan's vampire series, which is a surprisingly dark kid's series I used to love.

Our vampire family are a kind of polycule these days. I mentioned before that Lilith isn't monogamous, and while I don't have Lovestruck because it sounds like it can really mess with how relationships work in a frustrating way and because EA increased the price to SEVENTY NZ DOLLARS per expansion, but I do appreciate the new tweaks to jealousy that make these kinds of relationships possible. Salim is happy to take a break from writing for a little mutual stress relief.

And while Vlad and Salim aren't romantically involved, at least yet, they are increasingly close friends. Vlad spends a lot of time mentoring Salim in vampire skills, but they're also regular chess partners (Lilith's active lifestyle precludes her from sitting still long enough to finish a game).

Nothing like a snack of Eliza Pancakes after chess. Eliza is another Sim, like John Woods and both Nancy and Geoffrey Landgraab, who likes to wander through Forgotten Hollow at night.

As for vampire training, Vlad isn't the only one helping Salim out. He and Lilith enjoy sparring regularly, with Lilith always winning but Salim enjoying himself nonetheless.

Vlad, what are you wearing? I'm sure I didn't give you that alarming combination. Salim consults him for advice before heading out on the town.

It's easy for the vampires to end up spending all their time at home. The mansion has everything they could need and their relationships with each other are much less challenging than building relationships with non-vampire Sims, who seem scared or disgusted by them in many cases. Nonetheless, Salim makes an effort to head out to the spa in Newcrest.

This was about when I realised his swimwear includes a corsage pinned directly to his skin. Ouch. A woman at the spa is ambivalent in response to his flirting, but at least isn't horrified by his dark form.

He's then contacted by someone he met before joining the Straud household. I've forgotten her name, but she asked Salim on a date and they head out to the Bluffs. This was a mistake, there's no lighting and I cannot see what they are doing. I fumble around until I find the bonfire and get them to light it, but that's all they manage to do. Still, Salim seems to have a nice time.

As do Lilith and Vlad, back home.

Lilith also needs to get out of the house for a while, so after a quick meal (Nancy Landgraab, best friend Johnny's estranged snob of a mother, is a pleasing choice all round) she head to the city.

It's time she and Vlad meet her nephews! Angela, her sister, gave birth to twin boys, Lucas and Wyatt, in between winter and spring. They're now cute, blue-eyed infants, and happily seem unphased by their vampire family members.

Well, maybe a little phased. Lucas looks somewhat wary here! But Lilith enjoys getting to know the boys a little, and naturally adding them to the list of Sims firmly under her protection.

Angela isn't there when Lilith drops around, because apparently she's out at the Stargazer, where Salim has headed to continue to meet new people. Octavia Moon, although a celebrity, is surprisingly receptive to getting to know Salim.

When Salim gets home, he brings a surprisingly lurker with them. I like Caleb Vatore a lot, but he's not the type of vampire this household has much of an affinity with. They ignore him.

There's all sorts of chaos keeping them distracted, anyway. At some point this random woman, who turns out to be a mermaid, drops by. Salim flirts with her while Lilith flirts with Grim during the Reaper event.

It's Vlad who really sweeps her off her feet, though.

And Salim does occasionally take some time, between dates and flirtations, to do some work.

While Lilith's other main hobby, upgrading everything in the house, continues in the background.

And that brings us to the end of Spring for the Straud household. It was a bit of a weird one - lots of getting out and about for Salim though, which was good, while Lilith and Straud continued to be all over each other. They're a fun low pressure household to play since they're all immortal - no hurry to get anything done!

[just---keep---simming]

Pleasant - Spring 3

Hello, Arts Quarter, and a beautiful early spring day in San Myshuno.

As promised in the last chapter, by the time I get back to Angela and Kyle, there's a baby to meet. A surprise for all of us is that there's two! Meet Lucas and Wyatt Kyleson, twin boys. For those keeping count, that rounds out a VERY boy-heavy second generation! All of the Townie families have kids now, except the Strauds who won't be having any for a while since they're immortal, and Adrienne Pancakes has been the only girl so far. There's a slim possibility that Knox and Catarina and Rory and Lou may have more children, but there's also a good chance that Wyatt and Lucas are the last kids of Generation 2.

Kyle settles right in to being a hands-on Dad. With twins, there's really going to be no choice, but regardless he's completely smitten with his sons.

Lilith appears thrilled with the news that she's now an auntie!

While Angela takes advantage of the relatively easy newborn stage to resume yoga, banned in pregnancy by the nonsensical rules of the Sims.

She's also happy to head back to work. Although she's wanted to be a Mum for ages, she's also very successful in her career and fully intends to keep working. Kyle's job requires very little time out of the home, so their schedules also allow Angela to go back to work without having to put the twins in daycare.

Before long, it's time for babies that are a little more interesting and interactive!

Both boys inherited Kyle's bright blue eyes. Wyatt, in the top picture, has Angela's red hair, while Lucas is blond like his Dad. They're both very cute.

Two infants is always a handful, but Kyle and Angela actually handle it really well. There's minimal routing issues and choosing to pick up and put down the babies for no reason, and plenty of time to work on milestones.

There's still even a moment for adult alone time here and there.

And for Kyle to escape the apartment for a jog.

Mostly, though, as is only right for this time of life, it's all about the babies.

Before long Lucas is sitting up, and Wyatt is not too far behind!

Which means it's time for high chairs, trying new foods, and all sorts of mess.

And with the boys that little bit older, Angela and Kyle decide they're ready to try out daycare. They take this as a chance to head to Forgotten Hollow and catch up with Lilith. Forgotten Hollow might not usually be a place that Sims like Angela and Kyle would choose to frequent, but when you're under the protection of two Master Vampires, it's perfectly welcoming.

Angela makes sure to take a moment to say hello to Salim, previously her neighbour, now part of Lilith's polyamorous vampire coven. The vampire lifestyle is suiting him nicely, allowing him more time and energy than he ever had before to work on his dream of becoming a successful writer. Angela is happy for him.

Lucas and Wyatt's daycare trial is going well enough that Angela and Kyle then decide to head out on a date for Love Day. They have a nice time and Angela learns how to make some new experimental food.

Back home, it's Lilith's turn to visit, and she properly meets her nephews. They seem a little awed by their vampiric auntie!

Angela and Kyle leave Lilith with the boys for a moment to enjoy some more couple time. They're strictly on the birth control again though! The apartment is too small for more children, and although they might move to a bigger apartment in the same district one day, at least for now, these two feel their family is complete.

They're just as in love as ever, though!

And in fact also remain each other's best friend, spending most of their time in each other's company.

And that brings us to the end of spring for Angela and Kyle, along with their adorable twin boys. Lucas and Wyatt are cheerful, easy babies at this stage - we'll have to wait and see if that lasts into toddlerhood!

[just---keep---simming]

Howell - Spring 3

As we return to Moonwood Mill for the Howell's next spring rotation, we find the winter snows have already melted.

Kian is still thriving as he nears the end of his toddler years. He's maxed all his skills so is a shoo in for Top Notch Toddler, although I think that trait is still not working in my game.

Rory is making the most of the time she has left with her little boy at this age, although...

Surprisingly, this won't be her last chance to raise a toddler! I checked and her and Lou both still have very low fertility, so her pregnancy is just one of those strokes of luck. They don't have any traits or treatments to try and change things, they really just beat the odds. Exciting! While Kian would have otherwise been their only child, a slightly bigger family feels absolutely right for these two werewolves.

And what better time, then, to take their growing family and head to somewhere that can better accommodate them. I downloaded this funny werewolf home off the gallery and it's absolutely perfect for the Howells. It keeps the junkyard aesthetic of the Mill and especially the Wildfangs, but despite being run down it's weatherproof and more suitable for a young family. Kian was sleeping in the living room in their old place, but now he'll get a proper bedroom.

Kian takes the news of a new baby brother or sister well. He also approves of the new abode!

And then it's time for a birthday party, which means the whole family is off to an aggressively vibrant kid's park for a party in the rain. Lou kicks things off with grilling something meaty and rare, naturally.

Kian is not remotely bothered by the gloomy day.

They round off the afternoon with blowing out the candles on Kian's chocolate cake while one of the guests rampages in the background - just part and parcel of werewolf gatherings!

Kian ages up with lovely natural hair done in braids, those striking purple eyes, and as a force for good in the world. He's a playful kid and decides he wants to be Playtime Captain.

Back home after Kian's party, poor Rory has a rampage brewing while heavily pregnant. We're adding hormones to werewolf rage, oh my.

Kian wisely retreats to the dining table to make a start on the homework that Sims children are issued on their birthdays, before even attending their first day of school. What a nice present!

Meanwhile Lou catches a bit of TV in the new lounge. I really like the balance that was struck in this build - it's very functional while still having the rundown look that fits the Mill and the werewolf lifestyle Rory and Lou are living.

Rampage time! At least this should make Rory's last trimester go quickly.

Sure enough, not long after the rage dissipates, the labour pains start. Rory elects for a home birth - instincts over hospital seems on brand for her - and soon welcomes another baby boy! They settle on Connor for a name.

Lou is smitten with his new son.

Happily, Kian is happy about his new baby brother too, having a positive reaction to meeting his sibling for the first time.

To celebrate both Connor's birth and Love Day, Lou and Rory hire a nanny to take care of Connor and Kian (one well-versed in werewolves, of course) and head out to the sports bar in Windenburg.

Root beer floats and a spirited game of Foozball is exactly their brand of fun for a date!

And the following day, with the end of spring looming, it's off to San Sequoia so Kian can make a start on his aspiration. He needs to playfully stomp on a splashpad, which Lou happily watches him accomplish while lounging in the sun. Feels like summer already!

Lou and Kian enjoy lunch (a grilled special from Lou, obviously).

Then Kian gets to meet a couple of other kids his age - Jayden Price on the right, and none other than Hendrix Zest on the left! There's limited crossover between the Townie households in the first generation - will some of the kids of the second generation make connections?

While Lou is in San Sequoia with Kian, Rory is in the library at the Mill, chatting with a new client. Since moving to their new house she's needed to wait and save for a recycling machine and fabricator, which she now has installed, but they can't afford a computer yet.

More excitingly, Connor has escaped newborn object life and is now an infant! There's definite Rory in his features and those are her reddish eyes, but the hair colour is from Lou. He's already interesting-looking at this age, so I'm very intrigued to see if Rory's weird kid trend holds in my game.

Weird-looking or not, though, Rory is smitten and very much enjoying getting to parent in this phase, since Kian was already a toddler when he was adopted.

But there's not too much time for milestones just yet, as the end of the spring has rolled around already for the werewolf family. We leave them settled in their new home with their son Kian proving a smart and sociable kid, and surprise baby Connor brightening up their lives as well.

[just---keep---simming]

The Pancakes - Spring 3

The third "year" of the Townies has begun, and Adrienne Pancakes is researching her university options, checking on scholarship applications, and dreaming of the next phase of life. This will be her last rotation living with her parents - all going well, she'll be off to Britechester early in the summer to start her degree.

Eliza eats in her daughter's room and takes every chance she gets to chat with her as the time for her to move out draws closer. Don't worry Eliza, she'll be here all spring!

Bob is also focused on spending time with Adrienne, and the two of them enjoy a slice of cake after school one day. Just noticing now that a randomly selected purple ring escaped my makeover when Adrienne reached her teen years.

Adrienne's still here for the whole spring though, and she has to keep going to school, so Eliza and Bob also have their own hobbies and wellbeing to attend to. Eliza is trying to jog fairly regularly, and Bob gets in a punching bag session now and then but prefers to spend most of his free time fishing.

Eliza also takes a break from her romance novel writing to work on her logic skill. I think this is one of the most consistent funny quirks of the Sims franchise - why does playing chess alone build logic? Why does literally every Sim, no matter their traits, happily settle down to ponder chess moves as if it's a fun and normal activity for the average person? Never change, Sims franchise.

Then it's back to writing, while Adrienne does her homework nearby. Cute how close this family is at the moment.

Adrienne's next activity of the season is to join Axel at the Humor and Hijink's Festival, along with both his stepdad Johnny and dad John. Fortunately, Adrienne has already met both of them at a family dinner in Sulani last season, and John and Johnny are pretty civil these days.

Allowing Axel to leave them chatting at the bar and attend to more important matters, like making out passionately with his girlfriend in front of everyone at the festival.

Eliza and Bob, back home, have a quiet evening in just the two of them. Naturally, Bob has provided a delicious meal. They have a lovely time.

There's pie waiting for Adrienne when she gets home, and she grabs a slice and settles down to do her homework.

It's her last season at high school, and our girl certainly isn't slacking. Much to my annoyance, though, she fails to be awarded either of the scholarships she applied for. She is at the top of her job as a barista and hasn't missed a single shift, and she has perfect grades. What more do these people want?!

She doesn't let it throw her off, though, and continues soaking up every moment of learning she can while at school.

Bob and Eliza should be able to help her out with course fees anyway. They're saving hard to move to an even nicer neighbourhood and fulfill Eliza's mansion-related dreams, but Bob's fishing and Eliza's writing bring in extra cash, and they don't mind putting some aside for their daughter's education. Adrienne will also have savings, of course, and she can always get a loan.

The seasonal visit from Bjorn occurs on a grey, cloudy Willow Creek afternoon. He and Eliza simply chat briefly on the porch before he heads home. Their interactions are entirely drama and emotion-free these days.

Eliza has all the passion she needs from her marriage now. Although she's giving Bob a less-than-impressed glare as they climb into bed this particular day! I think it was because she was tense, but I could have built a whole storyline around that expression if I'd wanted to, Eliza!

As it happens, though, the season was otherwise nothing but love, smooches, cuddles, and happiness for this previously troubled couple.

So much so that when Eliza has a midlife crisis to work through, Bob joins her in the Sylvan Glade for a spot of fishing.

As the spring draws to a close, Adrienne is itching for one more night out, so gives her boyfriend a call. They choose another city festival for their date for Love Day.

Where Adrienne discovers she doesn't have a lot of tolerance for spicy food yet!

They exchange gifts and enjoy some drinks together. Things are also going well for these two young lovebirds, who are making active plans to move to Britechester together and go to university - Axel with a focus on sports, and Adrienne to study law.

The final morning of the season, Adrienne clears out the cobwebs with a run.

Then journals for a while. You know our girl is on the positive affirmations, self-development train.

And right at the very end of the season, as summer breaks, Bob and Eliza finally have enough saved to move to Eliza's dream home! This beautiful house is still in Willow Creek, but in a nicer neighbourhood, Pendula View, defined by huge, sprawling houses and the river. They leave behind Courtyard Lane and its canals. We'll see the interior in the summer.

For now, though, that brings us to the end of the season for the Pancakes. Bob and Eliza are thrilled about their new home, and Adrienne is happy enough for them but very ready for her independence I think! Of course, she still has a room in the new house, and likely always will.

[just---keep---simming]

The Townies - Year 2 Summary

Well, two "years" in, and things have changed a lot for the Townie families!

The Pancakes

Eliza and Bob started off the spring of year 2 in different bedrooms, but by the end of the season had renovated Eliza's room into a shared master so that their daughter, Adrienne, could have her own room once she was old enough.

In summer, Adrienne became best friends with Axel Woods, Johnny Zest's stepson and her neighbour, as he lived most of the time with his Dad John in Willow Creek. Bob was smitten with his daughter but adamant he still didn't want more children, to Eliza's disappointment.

In the summer, Adrienne grew up into a self-assured teenager and started at high school. She also got a job as a barista because she wanted nothing more from life than to be fabulously wealthy. Bob and Eliza continued to grow closer as Eliza accepted that Adrienne would be their only child.

In the winter, Eliza's career as a romance novelist really started taking off, with multiple published works selling well enough to earn some decent royalties. The Pancakes celebrated Winterfest and New Year's, Adrienne is the top student at her school, and Adrienne and Axel start dating.

Howell

Big changes are afoot for the Howell family, with their spring starting off as Lou and Angela Pleasant in Evergreen Harbor. Early on, Angela and Lou break up, and Angela moves back in with her twin sister Lilith in San Myshuno. Lou, meanwhile, pairs up with new girlfriend Rory Oaklow, and they move to a rugged little starter home in Moonwood Mill. Lou's desire to invest in their little pack, the Wildfangs, has a rocky start when he changes Joaquin Le Chien into a werewolf against his will, getting him into trouble with the Moonwood Collective and with Rory. On the other hand, they both enjoy the freedom that living in the Mill brings.

Things settle down by the summer, with Lou agreeing to Rory's rule of not changing anyone against their wishes. The couple adopt a spaniel called Zena and induct a werewolf called Kayson Rouse into the Wildfangs. They also get married in a private ceremony, just the two of them, at the top of the mountain.

In the autumn, the werewolf couple discover they have fertility challenges and decide to adopt. Kristopher Volkov, leader of the Moodwood Collective and Rory's adoptive father, orchestrates the adoption of a werewolf child called Kian. Lou and Rory are both delighted to welcome him to their little family.

Finally, winter is for getting to know Kian, earning as much as possible to facilitate moving to a bigger house one day, and playing in the snow. The Howell family finish the year out as a family of three werewolves, and with the Wildfangs slowly growing.

The Pleasants

Year 2 kicks off with the Pleasant twins back together! Angela joins Lilith in her apartment in the Arts Quarter of San Myshuno, where Lilith is busy rising through the ranks of the criminal world and Angela can focus on becoming the city's most well-respected art critic. It seemed like this location might actually suit Angela better than Lilith, who in the spring started learning about vampires and found herself very intrigued by the idea of immortality. Lilith continues casually seeing several men, and Angela puts herself back out there in the dating world too.

By the summer, Lilith knows what she wants to do. She seduces Vladislaus Straud, an ancient vampire in Forgotten Hollow, and becomes a vampire herself. Angela goes on a few dates, but nothing sticks until she meets Kyle Kyleson, who she has an incredible time with. By the end of the season, he's agreed to be her boyfriend.

Autumn brings the news that Lilith is moving out to Forgotten Hollow to live with Straud and lean into her vampiric lifestyle. Angela redecorates the Arts Quarter apartment and waves her sister goodbye. Kyle moves in shortly thereafter, and at the end of the autumn he proposes to Angela, and she accepts.

Winter is a big season for Angela and Kyle, who have an engagement party, a stunning winter wedding in the city botanical gardens, and then fall pregnant by the end of the season. They are both blissfully happy! We'll need to wait until Year 3 to meet their baby, though.

Straud

Lilith and Vlad don't have a full year as their own rotation, just the autumn and winter, but they start autumn off strong with a move for both of them - Lilith from the city, Vlad from his gloomy mansion. Lilith chooses the airy, sweeping house from the Twilight series, and it fits them both perfectly. She and Straud spend most of autumn developing their vampiric powers and generally wreaking havoc in the clouded world of Forgotten Hollow.

In the winter, the couple make some progress towards the coven they really want - a group of close-knit vampires filling this lovely, expansive house of theirs. Salim Benali, Lilith's friend with benefits from the city, agrees to the change and moves into the house after his transformation.

Lynx

Spring in Evergreen Harbor reveals that, after moving in with Knox's parents last season, Knox and Catarina have managed to improve the environment of Port Promise. The couple hadn't managed to fall pregnant though, and decide to put it on hold as they work on the rest of their goals for the Port, as having a baby in a container house would be difficult.

In the summer Catarina loses her favourite cat, Bartholomew Bittlebun Jnr., but throws herself into work and crafting to make enough money for their new home in the future. Knox works hard on the community space at Port Promise.

In the autumn, having turned Port Promise into a charming eco paradise, Knox and Catarina move back to Catarina's home of Brindleton Bay, where they plan to start their family. Catarina adopts a stray cat and calls her Persephone, and they also lose her last original cat, Cleo. Knox and Catarina discover they're the second family among the Townies to have fertility challenges, but decide on IVF over adoption. Their son, Monty Greenburg, joins the family at the end of the season.

Katarina and Knox celebrate their adult birthdays at the start of winter, and Monty becomes an infant. Persephone, the new cat, and Boris, the son of Cleo and Bartholomew, have a kitten that Catarina names Aphrodite, before Boris passes away. Mary and Blossom join the household for Winterfest and dote on their grandson.

Zest

As for the Zests, they start the spring by moving out of San Myshuno and into a modern, attractive home in Del Sol Valley, closer to where Johnny performs for work. They welcome their son Hendrix to the family, and Axel starts staying with them more regularly, though still part-time.

In the summer, Axel, now a hot-heated teenager, asks to move in with them full-time. Peaches is delighted, as is Johnny, and they quickly agree, although Axel makes an effort to spend time with his Dad John regularly too. Hendrix achieves many milestones and becomes a toddler and Axel develops a very unrequited crush on Marion Sparacino.

Autumn sees the Zests spending time with friends and family. Axel starts dating Adrienne Pancakes, his childhood best friend, having recovered from his crush, and they go to prom together and have a magical evening.

Finally, in winter, Hendrix has a child birthday and turns out to be a cheerful kid, and Axel applies to university, though won't find out his results until next season. Peaches and John can now be civil with each other, but Peaches and Johnny have a brief argument, which fortunately they recover from. Peaches and Johnny have their adult birthdays at the end of the season, and Axel and Adrienne exchange promise rings.

[just---keep---simming]

Zest - Winter 2

Peaches and Johnny Zest open their winter season in Mt Komerabi at the Festival of Youth. Why, you ask? Because it's Hendrix's birthday, of course!

Here's our first glimpse of him as a child, having made a beeline for the science set after blowing out his candles. I think I've mentioned before that both Johnny and Peaches have blonde hair and light green eyes, so it was no surprise that Hendrix shares these genetics. He also grows up to be Cheerful.

Back home, older half-brother Axel is relieved to no longer have a toddler in the house. Hendrix is far more fun to hang out with now, in this teenager's opinion.

For Johnny and Peaches, with their youngest now ready for school, domestic life continues with pleasant normalcy.

Having only had Axel occasionally when he was this age, Peaches delights in being able to spend more time with Hendrix on things like school projects.

Axel, meanwhile, is really just going through the motions at school. He's confident he has good enough grades to get into university and he's captain of the football team. He's not too worried about his last exams.

When Winterfest rolls around, the Zests set up their tree with Peaches' tasteful colour scheme, and swap presents. Axel is thrilled with his new football.

Hendrix gets a very creepy doctor's play set.

While Johnny and Peaches share a kiss under the mistletoe out the front, stealing away for a moment alone.

Everyone except Axel, who is a picky eater, enjoys Peaches' famous turkey dinner.

And the night ends with a special present from Father Winter for Hendrix - a brand new bicycle!

He can't wait until morning to try it out, although by his expression he's not too confident yet!

Shortly after Winterfest, it's time for Axel to start applying to universities. He doesn't know what he wants to study yet, but he does know he wants to go to Foxbury Institute, so that's where he applies. It'll be a little while until he finds out if he's in.

The family celebrates this milestone with a dinner out in Sulani. Peaches, Johnny, Axel and Hendrix are joined by both John, Axel's father and Peaches' ex-husband, and Adrienne, Axel's girlfriend. It's a great night and special in that it's the first time Peaches and John have socialised since their divorce, which wasn't particularly amicable. Seems like the two of them have cooled off enough to have the odd blended family event!

Things can't be completely perfect, though. I have no idea why, but towards the end of the winter, Peaches and Johnny start arguing and sniping at each other.

Which leads to a night on the couch for Johnny.

And an uncomfortable conversation with a concerned Axel, who lived through one parental divorce and doesn't want Hendrix to go through the same.

Luckily, some quality time together, a romantic evening out, and apologies all around seem to put things back to rights.

There, much better!

Right on time for both Peaches and Johnny to celebrate their adult birthdays. They both received a little makeover, but I think we'll mostly see that next season.

A toast from Axel to his stepdad.

And the season ends with Axel heading from the birthday party right to a night out at the Romance festival with Adrienne. Don't worry, they're not getting engaged as teenagers! But they do exchange promise rings, which is rather sweet of them.

And that brings us to the end of the Zest's second winter, with Axel nearly grown up, Hendrix at school, and the family as happy as they've ever been in their home in Del Sol Valley.

[just---keep---simming]

Lynx - Winter 2

We're joining Catarina and Knox Greenburg in Brindleton Bay, for their first winter together in their new home. With the fire going and a movie on, the couple appear toasty and happy at home.

Both of them start the winter off with a birthday, leaving young adulthood behind them. As per tradition, they also get a small update to their outfits and haircuts, which you'll see in later pictures.

A new phase of life is certainly beginning, with their son, Monty, who arrived in the autumn, now an infant. He's a cute kid with Catarina's red hair and green eyes.

Domestic tasks abound. Knox excels in fixing things around the house, and he makes a start on upgrading some of their appliances.

He's also a hands-on Dad with Monty. Knox has wanted a kid for a long time but they weren't ready while focused on their careers and tidying up Evergreen Harbor. Now that Monty is here, Knox is fully ready for this new focus.

Catarina is delighted to be a Mum, too, but she hasn't forgotten her fur babies. Persephone isn't so sure about they baby, but she appreciates a hug from the adult Sims!

Having Knox happy to take Monty on for the afternoon solo lets Catarina head over to Henford-on-Bagley to visit best friend Sara Scott.

The two women enjoy a catch up. Catarina shares photos of Monty and gets to meet Sara's baby girl! She and Scott ended up using a surrogate as well, and recently welcomed Brooklynn to their home.

Back in Brindleton Bay, the snow is falling and the house is decorated for New Year's, although Catarina and Knox decide to stay in for the holiday.

A quiet evening, just the two of them, talking over their fears and hopes, was just what they both wanted.

Catarina just wants to spend as much time as possible with Monty, and enjoy all the milestones he's racing through. He's a big fan of icecream!

Knox enjoys a slice of cake with Boris for company while Catarina is on feeding duty.

Speaking of Boris, he's made friends with his and Persephone's kitten, Aphrodite. She looks much more like her Mum at this stage, but maybe she'll get Boris' fluffy coat.

Knox and Catarina are so smitten with Monty that they're already trying for another one. They're well aware their fertility likely means a natural pregnancy is off the table, but there's no harm in trying and seeing what happens. If they don't fall pregnant naturally, Monty will be their only child.

Before they know it, New Year's is behind them and Winterfest has rolled around. It's still snowy in the bay, but Knox swaps out the gold and silver decor for cheery red and green.

Of course, Mary and Blossom are invited around to spend the day with them.

Knox delights in a catch up with one of his mothers, hearing all about how Evergreen Harbor continues to flourish now that it's been cleaned up.

Presents are exchanged to mark the holiday. Doesn't Catarina look nice in that wine red colour?

Monty is too little to really understand the excitement of the holiday, but he has fun playing with the wrapping paper, snuggling with his two nanas, and being fussed over by his adoring parents.

Mary and Blossom head back to Evergreen Harbor in the afternoon so it's just Knox and Catarina for dinner, but they both enjoy their gravy-drenched turkey.

Unfortunately, in what has become a bit of a tradition for the Lynx household, the season closes with the loss of a beloved cat. Boris has come to the end of his time, and with Persephone and Aphrodite looking on, he departs with Grim for the other side.

And yes, Aphrodite DID grow up with Boris' fluffy coat.

And that brings us to the end of the season for Catarina, Knox, Monty, Persephone, and Aphrodite. Although grieving Boris, the little family have never been happier thanks to the addition of Monty.

[just---keep---simming]

Chapter 2: Dangerous Liaison

So yeah, I'm still in school. Boring, I know, but my principal was right - I am really close to graduating. I'll be finishing soon, and as much as I think a high school diploma isn't going to help me, it also can't hurt. I'm hardly the school's top student but I did manage to pull my grades up to a B despite skipping a lot of classes to play music and never doing any homework.

School does have the upside of being a place to meet people. I didn't stay in touch with anyone from my old school, but it turned out to be easy to make new friends. Luna Villareal and I have fashion and beauty in common, but she actually cares about her schoolwork.

Forget school, though. One morning, when I'd decided to skip school altogether, I took the bus to Del Sol Valley. San Myshuno, where I live, is a great place to start your career as a famous musician, but Del Sol Valley is where you go once you're a rich megastar. I like to wander around downtown and imagine my name and face on a billboard, my shows in the stadiums, my mansion in the hills overlooking the valley. That's how I stumbled across the most amazing recording studio I'd ever seen. Anyone can book time in it, for a fee, but the manager told me famous musicians come here too to record their albums.

That's how I found myself down there basically every second day towards the end of my last year at school, and first year on my own, jamming and learning how to use the recording equipment, dreaming of writing my own music and recording it here one day.

That was pretty much the end of school, for me. I stayed enrolled right up until I finished, and I did get my diploma, but I was hardly there in the last couple of months. I hung out at Thriftea a couple of times, spent a little time with my classmates, but the recording studio was where I always wanted to be.

Cassandra missed having me around school, I knew, so I invited her to cut class with me a couple of times and check out the studio as well. She enjoyed meeting me in the valley and seeing me play. "You're really good, Grace. I reckon you're gonna be a star." "Thanks, Cass!"

Speaking of stars, guess who I met at the studio one day, not long after school had finished? Thorne Bailey! He was there re-recording an old track and I plucked up the courage to introduce myself. He was actually pretty cool, not stuck up at all, and chatted to me about music over lunch.

Even better, he agreed to listen to me play after he was done with his own work! He had some really nice things to say, told me to keep working at it and he'd help me strike a deal when the time was right, but that I needed to write my own music if I really wanted to make it big. He's totally right off course. I need to start thinking about what kind of songs I want to create.

Soon after school was out for good, the weather started getting colder. Harvestfest rolled around and Cassandra, knowing I'd be alone at my apartment otherwise, swung by to invite me to have dinner with her family for the holidays.

So off I went to Willow Creek, which is a little too close to my own parent's place for comfort, but I didn't bump into them while I was there, thank God. Cassandra's parents, Bella and Mortimer, are crazy rich, super glamorous, but really nice. At least they were nice to me, and Cass seems to like them. Her little brother is annoying, but that's normal for little brothers, I'm told.

Cassandra and I caught a cheesy horror movie to round out the day. It was nice...I guess I kind of miss some of the wholesome family things I gave up when I ran away to follow my dreams.

Life in my apartment is really different to the kind of life Cassandra has, and that I used to have. I bet Cass has never had a screaming argument with her elderly neighbour because he's blaring horrible oldies rock music at two in the morning!

Pretty soon, my birthday rolled around. I was finally turning eighteen! Cassandra had turned eighteen a few weeks earlier and Luna would have her own birthday in a couple more months. I invited them both out to dinner - just a cheap diner, I'm still broke - to celebrate.

Then we hit a club for drinks and karaoke.

And finally cake! Which means I am officially, for real, an adult, and even if they find me my parents can't do anything to stop me chasing my dreams.

Which meant I was back in the studio any time I wasn't at my barista job, spending nearly everything I made that I didn't have to use for rent on studio fees. I bumped into Thorne a lot during that time, and he always had good advice for me.

Then one day, he took my hands and smiled at me. "Look, Grace, I think you're something special. I'm very...drawn to you, and I want to be part of your journey. As a friend, as a mentor, or as more than that, if you're interested?" I stared at him in shock. "Aren't you married?" "Not happily. Octavia and I are figuring out the logistics of a divorce, but we're not going public with it for a while, for my son's sake."

Of course, the first thing I did after that was invite Cassandra over for a debrief. I made us onigiri as I filled her in. "Oh my God, Grace. Thorne Bailey propositioned you? THORNE BAILEY?" "Right?! He says he's divorcing his wife." "Girl, that sounds like the plot to a bad movie. Don't count on anything from him until the ink is dried on his divorce papers."

I knew she was right. It wasn't smart to take a famous, notoriously flirtatious celebrity at his word, or imagine that he was really that interested in a scruffy newbie to the world of music who could barely scrape together the studio fees. I spent a while focusing on my skills, practicing every second I could, and starting, tentatively, to write some of my own stuff.

But Thorne still came by regularly, still wanted to watch me play, still had nothing but constructive and kind things to say.

On top of that, I liked his company. He was fun. We had a lot in common, obviously with music being one of those things, and I found him easy to talk to.

So when he offered to get me a coffee and go over the songs I'd been writing one day, I accepted. How could I not?

One thing led to another. Luckily he'd taken me to Windenburg, away from any of his usual haunts, and the paparazzi that normally followed him to the doors of the studio (they weren't allowed inside) hadn't figured out to track him here.

[just---keep---simming]

Chapter 1: A Fresh Start

I can't believe it. I'm here, in San Myshuno, in the foyer of the building of an apartment I rented all by myself. Take that, Mum and Dad. I might not have a single Simolean left to my name, but I'm in the city and out of crushing, mundane, soul-killing suburbia.

Okay, so the apartment is tiny. And gross. The walls are stained and I think there are mice. I can't afford any furniture, not even a place to sit. But hey, it's somewhere to live for now, and I have my guitar for company and something to do.

Not too long after I moved in my neighbours came over to introduce themselves. Their names are Anaya and Baako Jang, and they're a married couple who live in the apartment next door. They're, like, old or whatever, but they actually seem kind of cool. I don't think the whole building is as grotty as my apartment, so maybe their place is nicer.

I didn't let them in to my apartment; I'm too embarrassed to let them see it, and I don't need adults nosing around and getting worried about me. I didn't tell them how old I am but it's not hard to guess I'm underage. Anaya gave me some fruitcake before they headed home, which was disgusting but also the only food I have at the moment, so I made myself have a slice. Gross.

You wouldn't think doing the dishes would be so exciting. I hated doing them at home. But when you're doing your own dishes in your own place, it's kind of cool.

What's not cool is having no money. I managed to get a job at a local cafe easy enough, but they would only give me hours that didn't clash with school. I was planning on dropping out and tried to convince them to give me more hours, but they weren't having it. They gave me two hours every morning, EARLY, and that'll have to do.

My first shift was fine, but I was tired from getting up so early and not happy to be heading in to my new school. I enrolled myself here when I moved - I didn't want my parents to be able to just turn up to school and find me - but like I said, I wasn't planning on staying for long.

To my annoyance, the principal wouldn't let me drop out. She said I only needed a handful more credits to get my diploma, and if I went ahead and unenrolled she planned to track my parents down and let them know it.

Which is how I found myself back in a stupid classroom, taking stupid notes for a stupid maths class I don't care about or need. What good is maths to a famous musician?

I guess I did enjoy meeting some new city kids though. Cassandra Goth and I quickly hit it off; her parents are pretty intense, like mine, and she was impressed when I told her about how I'd gotten out from under their suffocating expectations.

"I'm going to be famous, but they don't believe I can do it." "It's brave of you to do it without their support. Can I come see your apartment sometime?" "Sure, sometime. Once I have some furniture for it!"

So I figured I was going to have to suffer through school, at least for a while, which was a bummer because I was hoping to supplement my barista income with some busking and school took up so much of my time. After a little while, though, I discovered the school's music room, and realised I could make something out of being stuck in education. I started skipping classes now and then, focused on piano and singing since I had my own guitar at home. When I couldn't cut class without risking too much trouble, I'd stay late after school instead.

It sounds like I was crushing it, doesn't it? But I won't lie, it was really hard a lot of the time. My air mattress sucked and I often woke up on the floor. I was exhausted at school because of the crappy night's sleep and early barista shifts. And, although I was earning a small wage, I was worried about making rent and bills.

Which meant that, even though I lived right by some amazing food stalls, I didn't get to eat there very much.

Eating was a big problem in fact. I didn't really learn how to cook at home. My parents were big on education and me going to university, but not so big on basic life skills.

After I nearly burnt my apartment down, I decided I'd better stick to salads. Fresh produce isn't cheap but at least salads don't require an oven. There was no way I could afford to replace it, even if I wanted to risk it again, which I didn't. I was terrified of starting another fire.

I wasn't totally useless, though. After my toilet broke I headed to the library and checked out a book on home repairs. I followed the instructions carefully, and managed to fix it myself!

I also got started with the busking, picking a couple of places around the city to try my hand. I'm...still learning, let's say. Like, I'm not terrible, but I'm also self-aware enough to know I need to keep practicing. Still, I made a little bit of cash and people seemed to enjoy listening as they walked past.

The other thing that I knew I needed to do to help my finances was improve my skills as a barista. It's hardly my dream job, but a promotion and a better pay rate would help a lot. Some more time in the library helped nab me that, and while my boss hardly thinks I'm going to be the next coffee maestro, he seems happy enough with my work.

I was telling Cassandra about my promotion, and she mentioned that on the weekend the flea market would be on in the city. She lives in Willow Creek (poor thing!) but suggested she get the bus to the city and come check it out with me. The bonus I'd gotten from work might even cover a sofa, if there were bargains to be had.

It was a rainy day for the flea market, but that didn't deter Cassandra. She came out to the city as promised, and we checked out the goods.

I was so glad she suggested it, because I found a sofa I could afford! It's pretty worn, but it's purple! So it really brightens the place up. Somewhere to sit at last.

Cassandra is the first person I've let into the apartment since I rented it. It's still pretty embarrassing, but she's my closest friend, and I trusted her not to judge. I was going to make us onigiri, but Cassandra had another suggestion.

"The Spice Festival is on tonight. Free food! Should we go?"

Cassandra's parents are loaded so I knew she was thinking of me when she mentioned free food, which I thought was nice of her.

It was a great idea. We sampled all the dishes available and I had a huge serving of my favourite, ramen. I don't really know how to use chopsticks but I'm sure I'll get the hang of it. Cassandra introduced me to a friend of hers, Greta, and we finished the night listening to the busker and chatting. Which brings me to the end of my first six months in the city. I've survived so far, just, and even though school feels like a waste of time, at least I can work on my music there. Let's hope I can keep making rent!

[just---keep---simming]

The Diamond DITFT

Grace Diamond. Sixteen years old, cute pink hair, and with dreams of making it big as a musician in the city. She loves music and is self-absorbed, the perfect recipe for musical superstardom, which is great because Grace wants to be a musical genius, and also famous and rich. This is our founder for a new DITFT-inspired challenge, although I'm changing up the order of generations and making changes to the goals as I go.

Grace has made her way to San Myshuno with little more than her beloved guitar and the clothes on her back. Being incredibly broke and sans support from her disapproving family back in Willow Creek, while she has superstar taste, she has a thrift store budget, and her wardrobe reflect that. A single pair of shoes, three pairs of pants, three t-shirts, a long-sleeved shirt and gloves for cold days, and a cheap bodycon dress for nights out. Hopefully she'll be able to treat herself to an upgrade one day, but for now, she's pretty sure she can make do.

Using all her wits and charm, and by managing to find a less scrupulous landlord, Grace managed to rent a crappy apartment in the Medina Studios building in the Arts Quarter, despite being underage. The deposit just about cleared out her savings.

The little she had left was spent on an airbed. The apartment came with a basic kitchen and bathroom, but also weird smells, mice, cockroaches, and stained walls. The posters were left behind by the previous tenant, Salim Benali, and Grace decided to keep them. Free posters are better than no posters at all, maybe.

Generation 1: Big City Muser

You've fled suburbia and the dream-crushing expectations of your strict, straight-laced parents, and headed to the big city to make a name for yourself. You're going to be a famous musician, no matter how unrealistic your parents told you it was. Young and broke in the big city means it's going to be a tough start, but you know you can do it.

Complete the Musical Genius aspiration

Reach the top of the Entertainer career, Musician branch

Max Guitar, Piano, Violin, and Singing

Become a Global Superstar

Have at least one child with another famous Sim

[just---keep---simming]

Straud - Winter 2

Forgotten Hollow dawns unusually bright on the first day of winter as we return to Lilith and Vlad's three-story mansion in the snow. In the background looms Straud's gothic castle.

Inside, Lilith is enjoying the perks of being undead plus central heating, and hasn't bothered dressing for the weather. Salim has swung by, and with Vlad having completed his Master Vampire aspiration, he now wants a vampire family. Adding Lilith to his life was a good start, and maybe they'll have a child one day, but for now the mansion feels too big and empty with just the two of them rattling around. It's Lilith's job to convince Salim to join them.

Salim is an aspiring author who has been struggling to get by in San Myshuno for years now, with little literary success. He's had a thing for Lilith for ages - they were friends with benefits for a while before she left the city - and finds himself swayed by her convincing spiel. The raw power, the living forever, the adventure of it all! It would take the pressure off his goal of becoming a bestselling author if he had all the time in the world to make it happen. Plus, wouldn't it give him something interesting to write about?

Lilith reassures him that the process is working as intended when he starts to glow purple and experience weird gastrointestinal symptoms. I don't normally have the Townie Sims pick a second aspiration once they finish their first, because I want to save the experience for later descendants, but I made an exception for Vlad because he was already close to finishing his first aspiration when I started playing him.

Vlad recovers his power after turning Salim with some dark meditation, the dark ambience of which is somewhat marred by his bunny slippers.

Salim moves in right away, happy to leave his dingy apartment in the city behind in favour of a beautiful, sprawling mansion, in which he is given his own wing. He joins Lilith in learning more about vampires, in preparation for his very imminent future.

Unfortunately he's not quite there yet, and the initial phase is pretty unpleasant. He's ravenously hungry, but everything he eats tastes like dirt.

Lilith heads off to work once Salim is settled in. God she's cool.

Vlad, having mastered piano, has moved on to becoming more charismatic. He's hoping to counteract his vampire weaknesses, which means people dislike him on first meeting almost every time. I love the choice to not give vampires reflections!

Meanwhile, Salim attempts to soothe his discomfort in a relaxing lavender bath.

Lavender isn't going to cut it, I'm afraid! Johnny dropped by to see Lilith right in time to catch Salim's transformation.

His first order of business, naturally, is to head out hunting. Forgotten Hollow continues to provide, with John Wood providing yet another meal to the Straud household. He insists on hanging out in Forgotten Hollow after dark really regularly. Happily, he hasn't suggested Axel joins him there yet!

Salim's transformation yields striking yellow eyes.

Meanwhile, the two older vampires are inside celebrating Winterfest.

Straud gifts Lilith an enormous diamond, which she is delighted about...

Her gift to him is rather more experiential.

Once everyone is sated in various ways, Lilith heads out to join Salim in the snow. Over a game of chess, they discuss hunting, house rules (no eating Angela, Johnny or his family, Lara or her family, etc.), tips and tricks, and how to stay safe from the powerful sibling vampires down the street, Caleb and another Lilith. They don't get along with Straud or his clan, having far more scruples and beliefs about restraint than either Vlad or Lilith Pleasant do.

Salim is delighted to discover that, once his thirst his taken care of, he's full of ideas, barely needs to rest, and feels inspired to write. He starts his first book, The Vampire Diaries. Our other author in the save, Eliza Pancakes, is a romance specialist who is slowly writing books for every romantic comedy I love. Salim will be focused on fantasy, and anything with a vampire in it specifically. Write what you know, they say!

Lilith finds herself extinguishing a fire in Salim's room while he's off at work one day. After this happened, she went around and upgraded every fireplace in the house to try and make things safer.

Angela is relieved to hear this when she drops by for a visit. Undead monster her sister may be, but she doesn't want Lilith to go up in smoke.

Salim's newfound inspiration pays off, and he quickly achieves a promotion in his writer's job.

Then he and Lilith head to the gym in Windenburg together. Lilith's glee at working out was great, I had to snap a picture. Salim, on the other hand, is lazy and hates working out, so was sad to be there. He chose to focus on meeting cute women instead.

Straud has a surprise for Lilith upon her return. Tired of the flowing silver locks, he's opted for a suave, elegant shorter cut. It suits him.

Thus, newly trimmed, he takes Lilith and Salim out to the Stargazer's Lounge for an upmarket New Year's Eve.

Salim heads off to hunt dinner amongst the patrons and flirt with random partygoers, while Vlad and Lilith indulge in some alone time. They're really quite smitten with each other, and while Lilith has been clear she's not interested in monogamy (and in fact is hoping to invite Salim back into her bed at some point too), they thoroughly enjoy a flirtatious evening together.

Before Lilith, too, goes hunting among lounge patrons for her meal.

Salim and Vlad head home first, while Lilith is still eating, and take advantage of the alone time for Vlad to mentor Salim. He's very happy with the new acquisition to his family - Salim has slotted in nicely and is proving an adept vampire.

They make quite the attractive family, don't they? Vlad would like more, of course, but he's in no hurry. It needs to be the right Sims that they invite in; Salim was a good choice as someone Lilith knew well and enjoyed the company of. Perhaps he will meet someone and want to bring them into the fold too, one day. Whatever happens in the future, life in Forgotten Hollow is everything Lilith hoped for so far.

[just---keep---simming]

Pleasant - Winter 2

Wow. Winter in San Myshuno is gorgeous as we rejoin Angela and her fiance Kyle in the Arts Quarter.

Not for long though - the couple are off to Windenburg with some of their family and friends for an engagement party! Doesn't Angela look divine in this raspberry colour?

This time Lilith does show up, along with Vlad. Johnny and Salim are among the other guests.

There's food and dancing, chatting and laughing. It would have been nice if Vlad had ditched his dark form for the pictures but alas, one cannot have everything.

Kyle and Angela end the evening with a slow dance, a good practice for the wedding, which is coming up soon. They didn't want a long engagement so they've planned a winter wedding. Note to self - find an indoor only venue if you want to do this, or you'll be changing the guests from cold weather back into formal attire every fifteen seconds.

First though, it's back home for a video game stream. Kyle's getting better!

The practice he's been putting in with Salim across the hall, in his grimy bachelor pad apartment, has been helping.

It's not all sitting down and gaming, though. Both Kyle and Angela have found their preferred ways of keeping active and getting their fitness up, and make sure to give it some priority. They want to look their best for their upcoming wedding, sure, but also to be healthy.

The twins continue to see plenty of each other too, which is nice. Angela asks Lilith to be her maid of honor for the wedding, and Lilith accepts happily. Cute!

And before I know it, Winterfest has rolled around. Lilith spent it with Straud in Forgotten Hollow this time around, so it was just Angela and Kyle.

That's actually pretty nice though. Kyle thinks fish is an interesting choice for a Winterfest meal, but admits it is delicious.

Their exchange of presents goes well. Angela gives Kyle one of her own paintings, and Kyle gets Angela a digital camera. He explains she can take reference pictures for her paintings while they're out and about. She loves it.

They end their Winterfest celebrations with a steamy shared shower. Oo-er.

The day after Winterfest, it's wedding time! This is a replacement for the huge park in San Myshuno. It's obviously a wedding venue, but it also has some other regular park amenities too, so can still be used by the families for other purposes. It's really beautifully made.

The wedding itself is inside the greenhouse, under a beautiful floral arch. With the snow outside it's gorgeous, all frosted windows and dreamy atmosphere to match the snowy whites and greys inside.

The ceremony goes smoothly. Some of the guests even sit down to watch! On seats!

Then they enjoy a casual meal, still inside the greenhouse, which has heating. I do have to keep chasing the guests back inside and changing their outfits though - they keep wanting to head to other parts of the park and get changed whenever they step outside.

Kyle and Angela round out the ceremony by cutting and sharing their cake.

Before a final slow dance as a couple, just like they practiced at the engagement party. Angela looks so gorgeous in her wedding pictures!

Back home, they both agree to start trying for kids right away. Their relationship has felt right from the beginning, letting it move quickly through the various stages, and Angela wants to be a mother. Kyle has always wanted a family too.

It doesn't take very long at all before Angela is able to tell Kyle the good news.

"I'm pregnant!" "Amazing! We're so lucky, loads of people have to try for ages. Are we going to find out anything about what we're having?" "I'd like it to be a surprise, if that's okay with you?" "Surprises are fun," Kyle grinned.

Angela sends out messages to their friends to let them know the big news.

Then discovers the early stage of pregnancy really takes it out of you. Naps are the order of the day!

Kyle enjoys a last winter jog around the Arts Quarter as Angela naps. Spring will be here soon, and the snows will melt.

As the winter draws to a close, Angela starts showing.

Which doesn't stop her heading out to the spice festival to enjoy a meal. In fact, spice is one of her cravings!

But that's where we leave Angela and Kyle - married, expecting, and deliriously happy. I forgot to pause her pregnancy AGAIN so by the time we see them again there will be a baby to meet!

[just---keep---simming]

Howell - Winter 2

The snow is already thick on the ground as we join Rory, Lou, Zena, and newest family member Kian in Moonwood Mill for winter.

Cold it might be, but it certainly is beautiful. A little snow doesn't put Lou off donning some teeny running shorts and hitting the trails.

And there's plenty of good ways to warm back up after being outside!

But although the werewolf household's life bears some resemblance to its former state, adding a toddler into the mix, adopted son Kian, has definitely changed some things around. Rory scales back her work so there's plenty of time for play.

And Lou, with Zena supervising, sets about taming the baby wolf they've taken into their home and hearts. They want him to be proud of his beastly soul, but they also want him to be able to read.

Overseeing the education of a toddler is hard work for a little dog!

Rory is conscious of making sure Zena still gets some attention, even with Kian taking up a lot more of their time. Late evening walks in the snow make for a peaceful escape for both canine and Mum.

Not that Kian is a particularly difficult toddler. He is quite happy to amuse himself with his blocks as Rory gets some alone time and Lou works out on the deck.

The festival of snow rolls around during the winter for the Howells, and they seize the opportunity to take Kian to his first major social event outside of the mill.

The highlight for the little guy is definitely some sledding with his Mum!

The highlight for the adults is a relaxing hour in the hot pools while the friendly staff of the bathhouse keep an eye on Kian for them.

And they all enjoy the snow sculptures lit up in rainbow colours, and the fireworks, before heading back home.

Where Rory does bedtime and puts a sugar-crashing toddler to bed, pleased with their outing.

As Winterfest draws close, the weather only worsens in the mill. It seems to be the world with the most extremes in weather and strong seasonality of the ones currently occupied by Townie families. It makes the need for a bigger, and most importantly warmer, house all the clearer.

So Rory is back to work on the fabricator, doing what she can to earn the funds for a move across town.

Lou is still working his manual labour job on the weekends, as well, and though he earns very little it's better than nothing. That and some woodworking should get them there sometime in the spring, with any luck.

Kian is coping just fine with their funny little house though. The main issue is the lounge being open to the elements, but they bundle him up in a warm coat and boots, and he seems to not mind the cold at all.

Late in the winter, as promised, Kian's birth father drops around for a visit. He seems a little bemused by the Howell's house, but not concerned - seeing Lou hanging out in the snow in a t-shirt must reassure him that werewolves don't need as much shelter from the elements as the rest of them. He chats briefly with Kian and then heads off, happy to leave the boy in the care of his new family.

The next day, Rory takes advantage of the one remaining clear morning to get a jog in before the snow starts to fall again.

Lou brings Zena up and they indulge in a little play time...

...as do Kian and Lou.

Then Rory's rampage for the season hits right on Winterfest. This doesn't phase Kian in the slightest, who wants to play with the "puppy" and shows off his howling to his glowing parent.

It does mean that when Father Winter drops by Rory fights him for presents. This does upset Kian, even though he gets some good gifts out of it!

And with that slightly crazy end to the season, the winter comes to a close for the Howells. They are absolutely loving having Kian as part of the family, and are delighted his adoption and settling in has gone so smoothly. He's full of wolfish instincts already, and far from being bothered by their little wild child, Rory and Lou are bursting with pride.

[just---keep---simming]

Pancakes - Winter 2

Welcome back to the Pancakes household, where we find a fairly typical scene - the little family of three at the dining table, Adrienne doing her homework, Eliza playing on her phone, and Bob staring into the middle distance and contemplating the pleasing domestic peace of his life.

Things continue to be really good for Bob and Eliza. They're affectionate with each other and spending more time together. Despite the rocky patch Eliza in particular went through, I'm happy these two managed to make it work.

They're not the only ones enjoying a pretty great relationship at the moment, either. Adrienne and Axel head out to the city on the Sunday afternoon for the flea market, where they enjoy each other's company and a spirited game of basketball.

The next morning, bright and early, Adrienne is off to her job as a barista before school.

They have a short day at Adrienne's high school this week, with just one morning class to go to.

Because all the students are off to a career day for the afternoon! Adrienne is deeply unimpressed by both the detective and medical display (the latter was being run by Axel's dad, John!) - she's after something decidedly better paid. I'm thinking law.

Meanwhile, Eliza's novel writing life continues apace. She writes romance novels exclusively, each one named after a romantic comedy I've enjoyed. I think she might be writing Love Actually here.

When Peaches invites her over for an afternoon catch up, though, she's happy to put the pen away and head over to Del Sol Valley.

It's always a treat to see and play with Hendrix, given Eliza's toddler-raising days are behind her.

Before long, the winter weather has set in properly in Willow Creek, and the Pancakes have decorated for Winterfest.

Typically wholesome family time followed: the three Pancakes got started in the morning by decorating the tree together.

Followed by swapping gifts...

And a meal, cooked by Bob and appreciated enthusiastically by his daughter and wife. Dear Bob never bothered to get out of his dressing gown all day!

The week rolled on, and Eliza made an effort to spend time with her daughter, who was growing up so fast it was making everyone's heads reel.

Bob, in need of some alone time, headed out to Sulani for an evening of fishing, followed by a peaceful, solo meal at one of the island restaurants. Seafood, of course.

Then he enjoyed a rather warm welcome home from Eliza on his return!

Friday rolled around quickly, with Friday morning finding Adrienne at school early, preparing diligently for the week's exams.

She aced them again, naturally. I think she should have some success when it comes to applying for scholarships.

We're not quite there yet, though. A family trip to Mt Komerabi for a festival kicks of the weekend for the Pancakes.

Bob joins Eliza and Adrienne there after work, where he's now a star chef.

Finally, the winter ends with the New Year celebration, for which Eliza naturally decorates the house in silver and gold. The snow is still thick on the ground as the winter draws to a close.

Adrienne heads out for an early jog to make the most of the clear, cold, stunning morning.

Then, she heads out to the Bluffs in Windenberg with Axel, for their only date for this season. It's a lot of fun, and even includes some "messing around". I have teen pregnancy enabled, but of course Adrienne is meticulously prepared, and will be having no surprise unplanned babies before crushing her university degree.

The Pancakes finish the winter with toasts to a new year once Adrienne gets home from her date.

And that brings us to the end of the winter, and the second "year", for the Pancakes. How nice to have it both open and close with family bliss for this lovely trio!