Always Time for Tea Last Post 10/15 Team please send to the graveyard

[oshizu]

Oh, Joria! I giggled so much at the "Wrong ice cream!" remark.
I hope Dar and Paka didn't have any of the first batch!

Yay, another party under Dar's belt!
Thanks for sharing the "Before" shot of their home.
Looking forward to the remodeling outcome as well as more toddler spam!

[Shewolf13]

Oops! Loved the ice cream bit XD I've done things like that. The boys are delightful!

[Joria]

@oshizu : Fortunately, no ice cream was eaten by anyone except Nahlani!  She kept coming back for more!  Well, at least now we know the ice creams work.  I did fix her up some of the weight loss one although I must say she was pretty firm about using the exercise equipment.  Haha.
   Party didn't count for Dar.  Paka needed a silver medal party for one of his aspirations and I figured, why not?  I'm starting to get a wee bit concerned because she only has 3 parties done, (one last night), no part time jobs, (yikes!) and still has three whims to fill.  I've been giving her Paka's red hot serum but she doesn't get angry!  She was doing "Paint three emotional paintings" and I thought if I could get her angry I'd kill two birds with one rage.  Lol.  She did two part time jobs but both failed.  I'm not as worried over the parties, (which I truly hate doing), but the whims and jobs are a concern.
 @ Shewolf:  I admit I was really embarrassed when I saw what happened to Nahlani!  Why I figured Weight of the World would make her thin is beyond me.  Elder brain fog I guess.  Now the boys are actually children, (but you don't know that yet, right?), I kind of miss dealing with them.  Thinking Dar might just like to have another child or two.

[Joria]

Chapter 11 - Not Nanny!  No, no!

Well, our darling boys are certainly keeping us all on our toes!  I somehow managed to complete my gardening aspiration but the job is so far behind.  Who has time to make flower arrangements when my boys are needing so much from us?  Paka manages to use up a wee bit of their energy in play time, which he takes great delight in and so do the boys.  GA caught some snapshots of Paka and Assam playing.  What fun!

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Parents, no matter how much it looks like fun for you and your nooboo, don't do this at home!  It tends to give mother's heart attacks!  Assam had a ball with it though and laughed his little head off.  (Notice me in the background, totally unaware!)

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My little angel Jon Tom loved his baths, and boy did he need them.  For some reason this one is a dirt magnet and was constantly in need of a bath.  I sometimes thought he got so dirty because not only did he play hard, and usually on his own, but he also wanted more time with Momma.  Not that he was clingy, but just needed a bit more hugs and kisses than Assam.

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He was always ready to just sit and chatter away with me, while his brother snoozed on.  He certainly was smart enough and the first one to max talking!.  I loved the time I spent listening to him spin tall tales.

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As time went by I was beginning to get more and more concerned over the things I wasn't able to do.  Paka had gotten a job as a scientist of all things, so wasn't home that much.  And of course, when he was home the first thing was hydration!  In desperation, and luckily for me having Free Services, I called up for a gardener, (after all I had maxed the aspiration, so why not?), and a nanny.  The first one lasted maybe ten minutes.  She was literally on her last legs and I did not want a death around my boys at this stage!  Plus, all she did was start cooking things, and leaving them, to start another.  Out she went.  The next decided to stand around chatting with everyone except the boys who he seemed to dislike, that is when he wasn't reading a book and NOT to my sons!  On the third try we got one that at first, seemed to be working just fine.  He read to the boys, sat down and taught them flash card stuff and seemed to genuinely care for them.  Only they did not like him.  Not at all!  Here is Mr. Assam telling him where to go and what to do!

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My first real clue was what my sweet little Jon Tom threw a huge temper fit, broke the doll house, and in general pitched a fit!  He was so upset!  All I could get out of him was "No Nanny!  No! No! No!".

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Of course I disciplined this behavior but I must say my heart wasn't really into giving him a scolding.  The poor darling was so upset over what he had done to his poor dollies and cried for what seemed like hours.  Dad fixed it but I think the message of his behavior can cause definite bad results set in.  He never broke the dollies home again.

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It seemed having the Nanny just set both the boys off.  Normally not at all defiant, Jon Tom seemed to be set on saying something I would have to scold him for.  However, his more assertive brother Assam stepped in and let everyone have his opinion full force.  He was so angry!

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Even seeing his Dad coming toward him did not quell his rage.  I believe the words, "poopy face", were used to my shock.  We never used forbidden words around the boys, or anyone for that matter. 

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After a few words with his Dad, Assam seemed to calm down a bit but was still in no mood to be nice.  I tried to jolly him out of it, offering a story and hugs. He thought about it, but.....

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It was no go.  I just wanted to tear my hair out in frustration.  This is our heir!  How is he going to get on in the world with this temper?

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I finally got them both sitting down eating something yummy, and started to read one of their favorite stories.  Peace and quiet at last!  Why were they so hungry?  Didn't the nanny feed them?  Why were they so angry?  Were they that upset over my working on my arrangements?  I guess I'll never know, but at least things were back to being peaceful and positive.

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At last it was time for baths and bed.  I didn't even mind getting splashed this time as long as they were calm and happy.

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As I carried him back to his bed, little Assam looked up at me and said, "Sowy Momma."  Gulping back tears I just cuddled him even closer. 

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I'm sowy too Assam.  Momma always loves you.  I just hope he will always remember that part.  Knowing he would have to leave one day it was almost too much to bear.  Time for tea and tenderness.  It's been a rough day.

[oshizu]

What a hard day for Mommy that must have been!
I feel a bit exhausted just reading about it!
Do the boys have those toddler tablets? Those work well when Mommy wants a bit of time to herself.
Wow, Assam is a stubborn one! Independent?

[Joria]

They do have them.  Jon Tom is quite happy to spend hours with his doing the different games on them  Assam, however, not so much.  I could get him to play/talk to his bear and himself in the mirror but he never really wanted to stick to one thing very long.  It was even difficult to get him to use the potty even after he maxed it but he would stubbornly refuse and wait till the last possible minute.  You could not read bed time stories to him the way you could Jon Tom.  He'd get angry and want to get down, so the only way for him was simply put him to bed.  However, sometimes he'd pop up the minute we started reading to Jon Tom, would listen and then snuggle back down for sleep.  It was interesting that he didn't do things that were deliberately naughty, like making a mess, but he was always defiant even when it was something he particularly wanted or needed.  Of the two, he was the most interested in food, and would often stop what he was doing and grab a snack, where Jon Tom was more into wanting to be bathed and would ignore food for the most part.

[Shewolf13]

Wowza! Poor Darjeeling. It's already hard enough on a mama having to work, let alone having the kiddos be so upset over it! That was a great update though. It definitely tugged at the feelings quite a bit. Those last couple shots were heartbreaking.

[Joria]

Poor Dar my foot!  Poor Watcher, lol.  It was exhausting trying to keep track of what everyone was doing with the boys always busy yet not busy at what they needed to do. By the end of playing the game I was too worn out to do anything except grab a cup of tea and veg out with movies.  I also became addicted to pints of Talenti gelato!  Ice cream and tea, what a combo. haha
     Assam was almost always angry no matter what.  He would have brief moments when he wasn't angry but as soon as he was thwarted in any way he'd get angry again.  Actually, I felt kind of sorry for him because Jon Tom was so far ahead of him in all the goals so he barely made it to that high toddler stage.  I know, as a Watcher, there was probably a ton of stuff I did wrong or could have done or planned better.  I have to lay any accomplishments at oshizu's door because she has been so helpful with tips and how to's.  Still though, there were so many precious moments it was hard to not just click away and capture every second.  That particular night, when Dar put them to bed, for once Assam listened to a bed time story and gave a sweet kiss good night.  I didn't show when Assam broke the doll house.  He just remained defiant and unrepentent while Jon Tom wailed about "poor dollies" after his brief bad mood.  Next update I show why no nannies.  Everything went much more smoothly once I got rid of having nannies.

[oshizu]

Awwww, poor Watcher! *pushes another pint of Talenti gelato your way

[Joria]

So, I can blame you and not just sims for my weight gain?  Lol.  (It was really, really, good gelato!)

Ok, is it just me or do others find they are starting to crave things their Sims are eating or drinking?  All I was able to think about when I was working on the Grilled Cheese aspiration was grilled cheese sandwiches which I would dip in tomato soup, my personal favorite.  The other day it was garden salad for a dinner party and of course, I really wanted a nice salad.  Making the ice cream and voila, gelato was eaten, (not that I need an excuse for that one).  Any of the cooking aspirations seem to be my downfall.  Probably would make a really good subject for someone who does hypnosis!  lol

[oshizu]

Just sent you a message.

[Joria]

Chapter 12 -  So That's Why...

Why is it Dad's come up with the most hair raising games for their boys to play?  I mean, think about it.  "Hey son, let's go play football", or "Here's how you really shoot a bow and arrow", or....."let's play hidden monster on an airplane".

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I know the boys and Paka really love playing this game, but ......well, when I watch I have to admit I'm a bit nervous.    Still, doesn't it look like fun? They are both laughing and carrying on and there is such love being exchanged.  Yeah, I guess it's really worth a little risk for the closeness they will share in later years.

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My big adventure with the terrible twosome is just getting drenched during bath time.  You'd think I'd have enough sense to change into a swimsuit or something beforehand.  Oh well, it's all in good, clean, fun.  Haha.

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Today was one of those really good and happy days.  My two toddlers were just so full of themselves as they tumbled and rolled in the ball pit.  I don't know whoever came up with that idea but it was definitely a good one.  No matter what the weather they had a day full of healthy exercise and it didn't hurt their motor skills at all!  I almost wanted to jump in with them.

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Of course we had to convert the "gym" to a play room so they could romp and play but they really had fun.  Both of them loved the big mirrors, talking, and dancing, laughing and learning.  I learned something too, which channel to put on the radio! When they were a bit too rambunctious or were out of sorts, or needed to go to sleep, it was the Lullaby channel!  Worked like a charm.  When it was just fun and let's be in a good mood, it was the Kids Channel.  I began to really love the stereo!

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Remember how I said Assam was not remorseful about breaking his doll house?  I was wrong.  He just hid it well, at least until Daddy "fits it", as he said.  Here he is giving Paka a big, loving hug for "fitsing" his dollies home.  Is this a sweet moment or what?

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Sometimes the boys were really in sync with one another.  They both managed to get mine and Paka's attention because they really wanted to learn how to use their blocks.  So of course, we helped them with it.  My heart is always so full when they are doing things like this.  Sometimes I just want them to stay this way forever.

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Paka and I had been feeling a bit lonely for each other for quite some time now.  We hadn't even begun to work on our Soul Mate aspiration and it seemed like out romance was definitely on the back burner.  Not that we didn't love one another as much as always, it just seemed there was never enough time alone.  We were either exhausted from our day or busy with it and there was never enough time to just talk with one another without interruptions.  Paka, being the darling man that he is, decided enough was enough.  He called up Chez Llama and made reservations for us.  We were going out!  Why not?  Didn't we have a nanny to watch over the boys? 
   We had barely sat down with our drinks when Paka got a phone call.  Emergency!!  Well, we ran out of that restaurant without ever having a bite to eat and hurried home as fast as we could.  When we got home all was in turmoil.  Our good friends Paolo and Eva were there and it's a good thing.  That stupid nanny had waited for us to leave and then he left as well!  Our boys would have been alone if it were not for our friends.  That did it!  Now I knew why my boys really did not want Nanny!  They couldn't communicate all he had done or the way he had been with them, nothing too terrible since I was home all the time, but it was the absolute last straw.  I got over my trepidation and tackled Assam with his favorite airplane game while Paka consoled Jon Tom who was very tearful.

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Order restored and calm prevailed.  The boys were over the trauma, at least they seemed to be, so I tucked them both into bed.  Assam decided this night he needed a story too.

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It was really nice sitting there with them, reading about princesses and all, and the relief I felt was almost palpable. 

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That night over a calming cup of tea I reflected on what life was like for us.  There was no way my career or anything else was as important as my love for Paka and my sons and nothing was ever going to get in the way of that again.  Even if I fell behind on the requirements I had to fulfill, my family was going to come first.  My parents had always put me and my needs before their own desires and I learned from them.  Family first, last, and always.  Oh, how I wished I could have had the comforting voice of Mother telling me it was all going to be all righ!.  A grateful prayer for her guidance went up to heaven where I was sure she was.  No more tears.  No more fear.  Only my family.

[oshizu]

Wait for the boys to fall asleep then have a home date? Lol.

Did Paka really get a phone call about the nanny or is that part of your story.
Just wondering because that's never happened to me, although I have had parent sims go out for dinner and run into the nanny at the restaurant.  wth?

Don't worry, Dar. You and Paka will have time to get everything done! Especially since life extension is allowed.

[reggikko]

Wow, Joria, you've really had a time of it.

In regard to nannies, you don't have to worry about them dying. They are immortal. They don't do a whole lot on their own with toddlers, so it's best if the toddlers ask for help with stuff. This will also help with Assam. When you have an independent toddler, always have them ask for help rather than having caregivers initiate. They are much happier when they are in control. They also learn faster alone, so try to let them do as much as possible without help.

Of course, this doesn't do you any good now, but I hope it helps in the future.

[Joria]

@oshizu :  No true phone call.  I just got a bit worried about the boys being there with the nanny and I was right.  Just had that "Mom intuition" that said better check on the boys.
The meal was taking way too long, order not coming etc. so I got a bit antsy and we just left.  Dates from home or otherwise much more likely now, although Dar is determined to finish her unique skill, Flower Arranging and her career by the same name.  She long ago maxed gardening but that is a universal skill for everyone, and has maxed Parenting without maxing any of the aspirations.  How does that work?

@ reggikko:  So late I get so smart! Lol.  I think I'm too much of a controller and leaving things up to nannies or butlers just isn't my style.  In rl I'd be all over watching them and interfering so it's a good thing I never had the chance.  Once I was done trying nannies I did have the boys come to me with their needs and wants and it was much easier.  They got more attention and I had more time.