Belmondo BACC: 2.4 Flora (Port Promise) (23 June update)

[oshizu]

This will be  "Hello Toddlers" week in our BACC projects! I can't wait to see yours!
Both of our communities are in dire need of a park to enable the hosting of toddler play dates! Can't wait to see yours!

[oshizu]

Round 1.2: Rick

Round 1/Week 2/Tuesday (Spring)

Jesper: On a rooftop of a tteeny-tiny adobe house, Mie and I have been romancing.
Feeling bold, I ask her to marry me and she accepts!



Mie: C'mon, baby boy! Follow me!
Jesper: Are you serious, Mie? Before we get married?
Are you sure your family name was never Hansen?


Mie can be very persuasive.


Jesper: I allow Mie to talk me into trying for baby several times.
It's nice to feel wanted!
And then she gets the wonderful news: she's eating for two!


She needs to max Writing before she can join the Writer career.
For now, she contacts an agency about working as a Freelance Writer.

I've decided to put my career on hold until our child is older.


Wednesday

This morning, Mie joins the "real" Writer career as soon as she maxes Writing.


Jesper: I wanted to take you on a romantic date before our child arrives, but…
Mie: There's really nowhere to go on a date on Belmondo yet, is there?
I do appreciate the thought, Jesper.

Jesper: By the way, I think we need everyday outfits that are more casual, Mie.
Mie: I agree! It feels like you and I are always overdressed here in Oasis Springs.


Jesper: At home, we change our everyday outfits to better match our neighbors.
Marlon drops by for a visit, so I ask him to mentor me in Handiness.


Jesper: Since you maxed Fitness, too, do you mind mentoring me in that instead?
Marlon: Not at all. But shouldn't you work on Charisma so you can unlock the Gym?
I thought you weren't joining the Athlete career right away, anyway.


Jesper: Gah, I need to get my priorities straight. How could I forget?
If we unlock the Gym, I can work on my Fitness there! *practices storytelling in mirror


Thursday

Mie leaves for her first day at work at 8 am.
We wonder if she'll go into labor and have to leave work early.

Just in case, I place two bassinets in the front yard.
The house is too small to take photos indoors anyway.


She returns home with a promotion and goes into labor right away.
Twins!  Meet our firstborn son Jussi and his sister Louise.
And this time, we've unlocked the Park for real! (And we  earn a new settler.)


Friday

Mie has today and tomorrow off, so I have a little time for myself today.
Maxing Charisma, I unlock the Gym (since Marlon already maxed Fitness) and we earn Belmondo a second new settler.


Saturday

Our nooboos age up today, so we've enlarged our home into a Tiny House.
On your right, there's a long corridor with a skylight to give the house symmetry.
It doesn't add to our tile count, thankfully, and it might serve as a cramped dining area.

We'll have to wait and see.
After taxes, a $5k donation to the Community Fund , and remodeling, we have less than $2k left.


And here are our little bundles of joy as toddlers.
Our firstborn son, Jussi, has his mother's hair and blue eyes.
Our daughter, Louise,  shares the color of my hair and eyes.


After potty training, Mie is exhausted and takes a nap.
Since Mie is a lazy sim, does she need more sleep than the average sim?
Or does she get exhausted quicker from doing "chores"?

I'll just read to Jussi and Louise before bedtime.


Sunday

At work, Mie receives a career opportunity that boosts her fame through the roof.
She's now a three-star celebrity.
We unlocked Del Sol Valley a few days ago, when she became a two-star celebrity.


Our brand-new gym opened today, which I named Affluista Fitness.
It has the same architectural style as our home, but is probably 3-4 times larger.;


While I'm running on a treadmill, a gym trainer shows up and asks if I want to be mentored.
Boy, do I ever!
I'm surprised that Leilani Mahalo shows up to work out. I didn't know she's into fitness.


After Mie gets back from work, I host a toddler play date at our new park.
Naturally, I invite the Mahalo toddlers: Marcos, Maile, and Makoa.
I also invite the Berra twins who recently moved in across from the Mahalos.
That's Sunny Berra (left) and Maile Mahalo (right). So cute!


It's an odd play date. The guest toddlers' caregivers arrive two hours late.
And a half dozen random townie moochers show up instead.
When I "call to meal," these strangers all throng to the food as if they'd been invited..


Monday

I maxed Handiness last night, so I get up early and jog to that abandoned mine entrance behind the gym.
What could be inside, I wonder?


Louise enjoys climbing around that monstrosity we earned as a reward for the gold-medal play date.


Jussi loves playing airplane with his papa.


And my beautiful, talented wife Mie completes yet another bestseller.

The four of us bid you farewell for now. See you next time.
By the way, don't you think we should have at least one more child?





HH #02: /Rick

Lots Unlocked:
Park: 3/3 families + Gardening 10 (Leilani)
Gym: Fitness 10 (Marlon), Charisma 10 (Jesper), Joker (The Curator, Jesper)

Miscellaneous Unlocks:
Del Sol Valley & Drama Club: Fame Rank 2 (Mie)
2nd World unlocked: 3/4 community lots (Spa, Park, Gym)
(Note: We claimed a new settler for opening a sim-owned retail store but not for unlocking Retail.)
Money tree: Level 0/10 Gardener, Gardening 10 (Jesper)

Career Unlocks:
Writer: Writing 10 (Mie)
Culinary x2: Cooking 10 (Mie & Jesper)
Gardener x1: unlocked Park + Gardening 10 (Mie)
Manual Labor: Handiness 10 (Jesper)

New Settlers:
+1: unlocked Park (Household #7)
+1: unlocked Gym (on standby)

Watcher's Remarks
*Desert Bloom Park: I am using the wonderful lot created by reggikko. I will leave the pleasure of sharing a shot of the entire park to her.

*Home Invaders & Party Crashers:  In this BACC save, I'm having a problem with random sims entering/ and staying in my sims' house without invitation as well as with them crashing my sims' parties.
  I read on EA Answers HQ that one solution would be to set the lot trait to Private Dwelling.
  This isn't an option in my BACC currently since I haven't unlocked lot traits yet, haha. At my sims' homes, I just set all the doors to Household Only. *sighs

Thanks for reading!

[PeregrineTook]

A great update!  Your town is really thriving!  So many toddlers and new settlers and that fantastic new gym...just great stuff!  It's possible I may be taking notes and learning more and more about how to do well in this challenge every time you post  :=)
Mie's makeover was fantastic and Jesper definitely looks more casual now.
Looking forward to spending more time with more of your residents!

[oshizu]

Thank you for reading, Pippin!
One of the great things about having three simmers playing a BACC now is that we can share more and learn from each other.
Like, I am going to be adding a Community Stats page exactly like yours, as you have offered to share yours. Thank you so much.

Haha, I've kind of been wanting to starting over. I have too many households to rotate through now.
Maybe I should focus on earning miscellaneous unlocks once I have my 10 households (and services. Lawdie, I need my nannies!).
I'm  just having too much fun. We hope you are, too!

[oshizu]

Round 1.3: Tasaki

Household #03: Tasaki (Spring)


Monday

Ayumi: You see Takumi and I about to try for baby and think to yourself:
"Yeah, yeah, so they're trying for baby in bed. So what's new?"

I'll tell you what's new! We're the first couple to NOT try for baby in the tent.
Actually, I put the bed down earlier while our Watcher wasn't paying attention.


Since I'm a painter, I'd initially planned to join the Painter career.
But Takumi's joining the Scientist career, so I'm aiming to become an Art Critic instead.
That way, I can work from home while Takum commutes to and from The Lab.

Mie Rick drops by for a visit so I ask her to mentor me in Writing.


When Takumi wants to go fishing for a cowberry, I tag along with my laptop.
Mie briefly accompanies us to Desert Bloom Park, leaving after an hour or so.


Wednesday

We both reached Level 3 Retail Employee last night.
Then, Takumi unlocks the Fisherman job by maxing his Fishing skill this morning.
So we both sign up; I take the morning shift and Takumi takes the evening shift.
Aren't we adorable in our rubber boots and frumpy hats?


I go into labor later that afternoon and give birth to twins.
By the way, Takumi and I have decided to change our family name to Tasaki.
It's a combination of my name Sasaki (too common) and Takumi's name Tamayama (too long).
We name our son Tadao and our daughter Chiyo.


That night, Takumi hears strange music and runs outside to investigate.
I receive the shock of my life when I look out the window.
Takumi is being beamed up into an Unidentified Flying Object!!!


Several hours later, Takumi returns from the abduction, landing gracefully on his feet.
Watcher has a friend who's an alien abduction expert.
She says that an abducted sim who's dropped  roughly to the ground won't get pregnant.
Could that mean…?!


Thursday

Takumi: Hey, thanks for the surprise visit, Jesper. I really need someone to talk with!
Jesper: So, what do you think happened while you were unconscious on the UFO?

Takumi: I have no idea! I've been feeling a little sore ever since.
When I tried to tell Ayumi about my lower back pain, she replied, "Join the club!"
Jesper: That's cold! Well, I hope the aliens only sampled your blood and DNA…


Ayumi: Thanks for coming, Marlon. I've hung the remaining 6 masterpieces.
We've unlocked the Museum now, right?
Marlon: Yes,  the Museum's unlocked but it will be built on the smaller lot next door.

Ayumi: No problem, I'll just pick up…oh, I can't place Leilani's paintings and your sculptures in my inventory.
Takumi and I will need to replace the 4 masterpieces and your sculptures, I guess.
Marlon: Good idea! Let's go ahead and bulldoze this lot.


Friday

The next day, I return with my 10 masterpieces and Takumi's 5 excellent sculptures.
Our new Galeria de Oasis stands there in all its glory, so I place my objects inside.
(Don't mind the decorative flags left over from Love Day. *sighs)

I spot Marlon and ask him what's happening with the larger lot next door.


Marlon: I've had the new Belmont Center built on that lot.
It will function as Belmondo's  worldwide administrative center as well as a wedding venue.

Ayumi: How much did it cost to build?
Marlon: Nothing! HQ offered to pay for all its construction costs.
The only requirement is that one settler maxes the Logic skill.
Ayumi: Let me talk to Takumi. I'm sure he'd be willing to do that.


Returning home,  I learn Takumi's already at Logic 8 for his Renaissance Sim aspiration.
He proceeds to max Logic in no time at all.
Yay! We've unlocked the World Center and earned a new settler!


Our twins, Tadao (left) and Chiyo (right), age up to toddlers later today.
They both rolled the Charmer trait.
Tadao is angry because he must suffer an "Unwanted Sibling."


During their first potty training, Takumi behaves very oddly.
He's ranting about tummy sparkles and strange stomach pains.
Whatever is he going on about?


Saturday

Takumi and I both buy the Connections reward trait this morning.
When he joins the Scientist career, he completes the Renaissance Sim aspiration.
Club perks have been unlocked!


Since Takumi knows more toddlers than I do, he phones in a toddler play date.
Louise and Jussi Rick are both in green, with Care Berra in pink overalls.
The Mahalo toddlers are around somewhere, too!

You know, I'm starting to believe what Takumi says about his tummy pains.
He's definitely putting on a spare tire there! Looks like a baby bump to me!


Next, we rush to Belmont Center where I bake a small wedding cake.
Look at that beautiful aisle to the wedding arch!


Takumi's protests that he doesn't want to get wed with what appears to be a baby bump.
But I override his objections since tonight is our last chance to get married this week!
Better late than never, right?


While we're sharing the first slice of cake, Takumi goes into labor.
Where are the kids? We need to end this wedding reception and get home.
NOW!


Takumi gives birth to a little alienboo.
He names her "Mai," which means "Dance" in Japanese.
Her skin is not the color of a typical alien. Should we be concerned?


Tadao was mad about meeting his twin sister Chiyo.
But he seems fine with the birth of his full-alien sister.
Is that only because Tadao hasn't actually "met" Mai?



Sunday, Week 4

Early this morning, I'm finally able to join the Critic career!


We lengthened our trailer home on Friday but it's much too small for raising triplets.
There's just enough time this morning for a second, more extensive renovation.


Here's the first floor.
We built a master bedroom upstairs and moved our Murphy Bed there. Privacy!


It's a little cheesy but…
The combined kitchen and dining area is in a sunken room that doesn't add to the tile count.

Alright, it's time for you to move along and meet our new settlers.
What? You can't wait to meet Mai as a toddler? Well, neither can we!




HH #03: Tasaki

Miscellaneous Unlocks::
✔️Club perks: Renaissance Sims:(Takumi)
✔️StrangerVille: alien abduction of male sim who later gives birth to an alienboo
Money tree: Level 0/10 Gardener, Gardening 10 (Takumi)

Lots Unlocked::
✔️Museum: 5/5 excellent sculptures & 10/10 masterpiece paintings
✔️World Center: Logic 10 (Takumi)

Career Unlocks::
✔️Fisherman: Fishing 10 (Takumi)
✔️Critic: Writing 10 (Ayumi)
✔️Gardener x1: unlocked park + Gardening 10 (Ayumi)

New Settlers:
+1: unlocked Museum (HH #08, 1 sim from the previous week)
+1: unlocked World Center (HH 09, 1 sim)



Watcher's Remarks

*World Center: I've added this new lot type to serve as a kind of City Hall that handles administrative affairs for all of Belmondo.
*Ayumi's Maxed Painting Skill: Until daycare/nannies are unlocked, I don't want both parents to work in rabbithole careers. Therefore, I wish to defer until a later date the choice of using Ayumi's maxed Painting to unlock either the Painter or Style Influencer career.
*Alien Abductions: During the first week, Leilani Mahalo also got abducted by aliens.
At the time of their respective abductions, Leilani and Takumi had the highest Logic skill in Belmndo.
*Alienboo Skintone: I'm confused. Mai is paler than her parents or siblings, but still looks rather human.

Gallery Downloads
*Galeria de Oasis: This is a renovation of the "Artifact Gallery" retail store by RoxxySim.
  I slightly modified the exterior and extensively redid the interior. What a lovely build!
*Belmondo Center: This is a renovation of "Tropical Resort Lounge" by sensexxx.
I loved using this lot in my legacy challenge and decided it's still my favorite wedding venue for Oasis Springs.
After converting it to a museum lot, I redid the upstairs room to look like the Navigator's (Marlon's) Office.

[PeregrineTook]

The alienboo!!!  Congrats!!!  What an exciting event for your world!!  Super jealous!!
I rather enjoyed the name combining.  Michelle would never do that since she's too glorious for words, but some of my other Behrs may borrow that idea, if for no other reason, to avoid half the population (or more) having the same last name  ;=)
Care Berra.  How did I miss that?!?!?

[oshizu]

The alienboo!!!  Congrats!!!  What an exciting event for your world!!  Super jealous!!
I rather enjoyed the name combining.  Michelle would never do that since she's too glorious for words, but some of my other Behrs may borrow that idea, if for no other reason, to avoid half the population (or more) having the same last name  ;=)
Care Berra.  How did I miss that?!?!?

Now I'll have to wait forever to see how that alienboo ages up, lol.
Oh yeah, I agree that Michelle must remain the original Behr in your BACC.

Sunny Berra and Care Berra are two of my tenth-generation Sharebear triplets, but I didn't want to bring the Sharebear family name into my BACC.
I aged all three to teens in my Sharebear save and decided not to bring the middle triplet over here.

[oshizu]

Round 1.4: Rizzo

Household #04: Rizzo (Spring)


Sunday

On the front porch of a house on the Cacti Casa lot of the Parched Prospect District…

"I'm so glad we were allowed to have a "real house" built.
"Yes, me too! I would have hated to live in a trailer or a container home!"
"Well, we better get going or we'll be late for our appointment with…"
"Marlon Mahalo, whose official title is The Navigator."


"This must be the Belmondo Center. It's pretty impressive except for…"
"Agreed. Those leftover holiday lights really detract from the architectural beauty.
"The Navigator's office is on the second floor, right?


Marlon: Thank you so much for coming in to see me.
Male sim: It's a striking administrative center, except for…
Marlon: Yes, we know. We've had those stupid lights since the Love Day holiday. *sighs
Anyway, welcome to Belmondo! We're so glad you're here!
My name's Marlon Mahalo. I currently hold the office of the The Navigator.

Female: Oh yes, I hear you navigated the spacecraft to Belmondo after its engines failed.
Marlon: Yes, that and I'm also helping Belomondo navigate its course as a growing settlement.


Jorge: First of all, Marlon, thank you inviting Helen and I to settle on Belmond.
The two of us grew up together so we're delighted you chose us both.
Helen: When Jorge mentioned he wanted to relocate here, I applied to come with him.


Helen: I ran my own restaurant back on Planet Earth, so I will of course join the Chef career.
Besides the Master Chef aspiration, I'm not sure what else I hope to accomplish.
Since we both hail from a tropical climate, perhaps I should unlock a tropical destination?


Jorge: I was sure I'd be joining the Mixologist career until I recently spoke with Ayumi Tasaki.
She almost convinced me to become a Food Critic instead, so I could work from home.

However, I now have a new strategy so I'm back to my initial Mixologist plan.


Helen: I thought Marlon would never stop talking!
Jorge: Still, it's wonderful that he's so excited about cultivating a happy, healthy habitat for us all.
But, yeah, it's great to be back in our new home, just the two of us!


Jorge: That same evening, I propose to Helen and we return to Belcomdo Center to get married.
No big wedding. We don't know anyone here yet besides Marlon Mahalo.

By the way, I'm mostly responsible for implementing the strategy to get daycare and nannies.
So, I'll be narrating this update, okay?


Monday

Since another settler completed Renaissance Sim last week, we can now use club perks.
I want to complete the Leader of the Pack so I form a club and invite a few settlers.
They can help me earn club perk points faster.


Later that evening, Helen throws a dinner party for her Master Chef aspiration.
I practically have to do everything myself!
Helen keeps forgetting to thank a guest for coming.
Everyone wants to dance instead of listen to music.

Oh well, she only needed to earn a silver medal. And everyone's earning points for my club!


Tuesday

We both buy Connections in preparation for joining the Culinary career.
Helen gets a job after maxing her Gourmet Cooking skill.
I need to wait until I'm sure we'll have access to Daycare and Nannies.

Our first step is reaching 10 households on Belmondo to unlock Services.
Toward this goal, I complete my Leader of the Pack aspiration.


Socializing with my club members didn't increase my Charisma much.
I end up reading one skill book then leveling Charisma with a mirror instead.
Using my completed Leader of the Pack as a Joker, I roll 3 settlers who form our 10th household.
We've unlocked Services.


Helen gives birth to twin girls, Marcella and Elise.
Our Watcher is disappointed that we didn't have a boy.
I'm inclined to agree and will try to persuade Helen as well. *winks


Wednesday

Early this morning, I get a phone call offering me a job at Level 5 of the Culinary career!
I'm so excited that I fumble the phone and cut off the call. Darn it!

Taking this as a sign, I phone to join the Culinary career at Level 4.
Helen and I are both off today and tomorrow.
We have ample time to get ready for our first day of work on Friday!


That evening, I max the Mixology skill and unlock the Mixologist branch of my career.

Helen is such a wonderful, generous person!
She hasn't let me help with the twins at all since their birth.
She's insisted that she would learn Parenting faster if she took care of them herself.
So true, so true! She unlocks Daycare/Nannies a few hours later.


Thursday

Marlon Mahalo, our Navigator, phones me this afternoon.
He wants to thank Helen and me for helping Belmondo reach 10 households.
The 10th household moved in earlier this morning, not long after their house was ready.


Helen visits the Mahalo and Berra homes, making sure to meet all the toddlers.

This evening, after our twins age up to toddlers, Helen throws a toddler play date.
We too are now the proud owners of that ugly but free and useful toddler playground gym!


Friday

After many carrots and lots of listening to Alternative music, Helen gives birth to a boy!
We've named him Emilio!
Life is perfect!


During our first day at work, Helen receives some fame-related career opportunity.
In exchange for getting fired, she'd earn fame, money, and a celebrity acquaintance..
She rejects that offer without a second thought.

It does make me wonder if I should build my fame, too.
Mie Rick told me she got a fantastic fame-related career opp this week.


I've been learning Baking lately in hope of unlocking the Restaurant.
The twins enjoy sampling my baked goods.
Unfortunately, one serving of a baked good doesn't fill their hunger.

Aren't the twins beautiful? Of course, they are! Look at their mother!


Saturday

That's right. The nanny is giving Marcella a bath in the backyard.
We continue to live in a Micro House until Emilio's toddler birthday tomorrow.


After work today, Helen and I manage two unlocks.
She completes the Freelance Botanist aspiration and unlocks Sulani.
After having maxed Cooking and Gourmet Cooking, I reach Balking 10 to unlock the Restaurant.
Unlocking a new lot type also earns us a new settler.


Sunday

I age up Emilio this morning. He rolls the Angelic trait.
Helen and I are so glad we tried for another child!


During our toddler play date on Thursday, Helen learned that Sofia Corona loves to paint.
As a housewarming gift, she suggests we give Sofia an upgraded Digitalistic Sketchpad.

I discover the option to give Sofia a "Bro Gift," sine she and I are both bros. Too funny!
Emilio comes with me so  he can introduce himself to Sofia.
Hopefully, Sofia will host her own toddler play date and invite our Emliio as a guest.


Now that we're raising three toddlers, it's time to expand our house.
You'll be glad to hear that the bath fits indoors now.


Well, I guess we won't meet again for a long, long time!



HH #04: Rizzo

Miscellaneous Unlocks::
✔️Services: 10 households
✔️Daycare/Nannies: Parenting 10 (Helen)
✔️Sulani: Freelance Botanist aspiration (Helen)
📌Money tree: Level 0/10 Gardener, Gardening 10 (Jorge)

Lots Unlocked::
✔️Restaurant: Cooking 10, Gourmet Cooking 10, Baking 10 (all Jorge)
📌Arts Center::Artsy Skill #1 0/10, Artsy Skill #2 0/10, Mixology 10/10 (Helen)
✔️Bar: 1010 teens or older plus Mixology 10/10 (Helen)

Career Unlocks::
✔️Chef branch: Gourmet Cooking 10 (Helen)
✔️Mixologist branch: Mixology 10 (Jorge)
✔️Gardener x1: unlocked park + Gardening 10 (Helen)

New Settlers:
+3:  Joker: Leader of the Pack + Charisma 10 (both Jorge): HH #10
+1:  Unlocked Restaurant (on standby)
+1:  Unlocked Bar (on standby)
Total new settlers on standby: 1 2



Watcher's Remarks

*Weekly cycles: I've decided to play each week to start from Sunday, 11 pm, ending on Sunday 11 pm of the next week.
Maybe I'll switch from my next household.
Though this does not synchronize with seasonal changes, it allows each household to play through a two-day weekend.
This timing also makes for better vacation planning.

*Daycare/Nannies: I had created this couple with the intent of having them do the Chef and Mixologist careers.
At the time, I hadn't thought of how career choices must accommodate the absence of daycare/nannies.
Anyway, this is why I pushed to reach 10 households at such an early stage. It's done!

*New Settlers: Belmondo current has 10 households and 1 settler 2 settlers on standby.
I might just reserve any more settlers earned in Round 1.
Perhaps I'll create/place them at the start of Round 2. I'll need to think about it.

*Toddler Play Dates: What is the maximum number of guest toddlers one can invite to a toddler play date?
Also, I plan to build a small park that is designed specifically as a venue for toddler play dates.
It's easier if the toddlers don't have to walk far before arriving at the scene of the play date action.

[PeregrineTook]

So, you started off with the super cute house, and I thought that would be a main focus of my comments, then you had the clever usage of Marlon in his swanky-looking office which I thought was a brilliant narrative element, but then you had adorable nooboos (including going back for another try and having the adorable boy child), so I figured the kiddos would be the focus, but nope.  You unlocked nannies and daycare!!  The game just got infinitely easier for your Sims!!!  Congrats on that and on all the amazing progress you've made!  I've done my restart, so I'm going to have to speed-Sim to get anywhere close to caught up  ;=)

[oshizu]

Thanks for the many kind words, @PeregrineTook my friend!
The scene in Marlon's office had to be shot in a separate file--I couldn't get all three of them to sit just so without placing them in the same household.

Haha, you don't need to be speed-simming unless you want to. I'm going to take a BACC break to play this month's tournament challenge.
It's no doubt boring for readers unfamiliar with the Build-a-City Challenge to read about all my unlocks in my unstory-like story.
Hopefully, there'll be less of that in the updates to come.
Looking forward, by the way, to seeing the houses where your Behrs, their Boos, and their Behrboos will reside. <3

[reggikko]

Wow, so much progress! So many nooboos and toddlers. You are doing great.

I adore all of the lots you've added to the neighborhood. It's really coming together beautifully.

[oshizu]

Wow, so much progress! So many nooboos and toddlers. You are doing great.

I adore all of the lots you've added to the neighborhood. It's really coming together beautifully.

Thank you for the compliment on the building additions. I'm so grateful for the Community Gallery!
And yes, soooo many nooboos! The next round will be all about toddler skills, haha.

[oshizu]

Round 1.5: Berra

Household #05: Berra (Spring)


Sunday

Hi, my name's Sofia Carova.
You're probably wondering why this household's name is Berra, and not Carova.
It all started back on Earth on he day that I received my letter of approval to move to Belmondo.
Along with that letter, the post delivered another one from You-Know-Who.


She's looking for a caregiver to raise the Gen10 legacy heir, Sunny Berra, and his sister Care.
Fine, I think to myself. How hard could it be to raise two schoolchildren?
Right? Wrong!!!


Arriving on Belmondo, I follow Marlon Mahalo's directions to my new home.
Soon after, the doorbell rings and I race out front to greet my little wards.
I stop and rub my unbelieving eyes: Sunny and Care are toddlers!?
.
That stretch limo speeding away must have dropped off the tots and their luggage.


On the plus side, I get to live with the Berras in this adorable casita in upscale Skyward Palms.
But I have no idea how I'm going to manage raising the toddlers while supporting us financially.


Once the kids are fed, I invite over other newer settlers to help me with my garden.
That's Gilberto Costa to my right, Zeke Zouk with his back turned, and the Kahales in between.

They promise to help out as much as possible, but there's a lot that only I can do.
At first, I'd felt confident I could raise the kids myself. Now, I'm having second thoughts.


When Zeke starts a fire at the grill, Gilberto and Fetu Kahale hop around in useless panic.
Do I really need a spouse in my life?
According to Belmondo law, though, I'm not allowed to simply move in a "helper"…. *sighs


Sofia: I'm swallowing my pride here. There are only 6 of us unattached settlers in Belmondo.
Gilberto: Why me? Because of my already-unlocked career or because you find me irresistible?
Sofia: A little of both, actually. What, you don't think we'd make a great couple?
Gilberto: Frankly, I'm an aspiring Serial Romantic so I don't really see myself as a family man.
Sofia:  Oh, puhleeze, Gilberto! You're Unflirty!
Gilberto: …


Monday

Sofia: My day starts out being greeted by a nekkid gnome.
Oh great, today's Eggfest! I'd entirely forgotten!


Care Berra is a Charmer, which means she can interact with other sims, besides caregivers and nannies.
Honestly, Care's making deeper inroads into Gilberto's heart than I am!
Time to give myself a makeover and try again.
(Oh, no wonder my everyday outfit was so frumpy!  I never got a makeover!)


Sofia: I really wish you'd move in with us, Gilberto.
Once the Berras are teens, we're free to move out.
Our Navigator, Marlon Mahalo, says he'll save your Vista Quarry home for you.

Gilberto: I also contacted Marlon Mahalo last night to ask if we'd still have Daycare/Nannies if I moved here.
Apparently, the Rizzos unlocked the Bar lot so Belmondo presently has 11 households.

Watcher thought watching an Unflirty sim as a Serial Romantic would be humorous.
But I'd much rather live with you and choose a different aspiration.
So, invite me to move in already, Sofia!


Sofia: I am beyond elated to introduce a new addition to our household.
Please note that he's changed aspirations as well.
Gilberto, let's finish up this Eggfest holiday! You're the Geek, so you're the official egg hunter!


As Gilberto's reward for completing the egg collection, I let him invite me into the tent.
He may be Unflirty but, as long as he initiates the flirting, he's fine!


And what about the toddlers? No worries there!
I hired a nanny earlier and she's looking after them.

Sunny: Look, Care! All the gnomes jumped over here!
Care: Is that one with his arms raised their leader?


Tuesday

In the afternoon, I visit my good friend Mie Rick.
Mie and Jesper's toddlers--Louise and Jussi--are so adorable!
Sunny and Care had been invited to the Ricks' toddler play date the other day.
But today, I introduce myself to them for the first time. I have plans for the boy, Jussi!


With Belmondo overflowing with toddlers these days, Marlon Mahalo has had a new park built.
It's a park designed exclusively for toddler play dates.
We're the first to use it!


Because I'd invited the Rick twins to our toddler play date, Mie shows up with them.
Poor Gilberto with his zero Fame!
He finds his social interactions with Mie are quite limited.


I've been thinking that Jussi Rick would make a nice match for Care Berra.
When Care tries to share the love with Jussi, though, he pushes her away.
Not just once, but twice!
Perhaps Mie and I should put our heads together?
Or, maybe we both need to chill until Jussi and Care are older, haha.


Wednesday

We are happy to report that we've finally rid the downtown area of holiday decorations.
Look at our beautiful World Center and Galeria without the Love Day lighting!
Now we all need to keep watch and disable decorations for every future holiday. *sighs


Later that day, Gilberto and I become parents to twins: Paola and Arturo.
You probably think I've lost my mind.
But Sunny and Care will have maxed all toddler skills tomorrow.
That gives Gilberto and I a little time for ourselves. Well, for career-related skilling, to be exact.


Friday

Gilberto and I are fine with spending this to prepare for career requirements.
And now that our twins are toddlers, we'll focus on their skills until Sunday.
If we devote the rest of this week to Paola and Arturo, next week will be a breeze.
At least, we hope it will be...


Gilberto (muttering to himself): Sofia is a redhead and I have brown hair.
Why does Arturo have black hair? Why?!


Saturday

This morning, Gilberto and I buy Connections then join Belmondo's work force.
Gilberto joins the Tech Guru career, while I join Style Influencer.

Ayumi Tasaka made an opening in the Style Influencer career for me, so I'm glad to be able to pay it forward.
I've opened a second spot in the Style Influenceer career for Mina Kahale.


I overhear Gilberto wondering to himself whether Fetu Kahale might be Arturo's "real" father.
Fat chance!
They share black hair, but does Arturo look Asian to you? *rolls eyes


Sunday

The Berras' birthday notices take me by surprise.
I hadn't even make birthday cakes for them in advance!
After I age up Sunny, my little Paola sneaks a piece of cake, so I have to bake another to age up Care Berra!


Sunny and Care have both aged up into beautiful children, don't you think?
(Jussi Rick, eat your heart out!)
They've already signed up for Scouts and hope to be able to start school next time.

And with wonderful Gilberto's help, we've all managed to survive our first week!



HH #05  Berra

Miscellaneous Unlocks::
✔️Glimmerbrook: Painter Extraordinaire (Sofia Costa)
📌Schools: Children/Teens 2/5 and one YA with three L6 skills (Marlon Mahalo)
📌Money tree: Level 0/10 Gardener, Gardening 10 (Gilberto Costa)

Lots Unlocked::
None.

Career Unlocks:
✔️Style Influencer: Painting 10 (Sofia Costa)
📌Gardener x1: unlocked park + Gardening  4/0

New Settlers:
None.

Watcher's Remarks

The Berra/Costa Household: This lot will ultimately be the home to the Berras.
Around the time of the Berras' teen birthday, the Costas will move out into a home of their own.
I'll decide how to split up their household funds later.

Weekly Cycles:  I played this household until Sunday, 11 pm.
From now on, each household will be played from Sunday, 11 pm, until Sunday, 11 pm, of the next week. Hurrah for two-day weekends!

Charmer Toddlers and Non-Charmer Toddlers: Desperation taught me something new about toddlers!
In the past, I'd believed that only Charmers could interact with other sims (besides caregivers and nannies).
Sunny has the Independent trait but I discovered that, after spamming another sim with Talk to Stranger socials, he'd eventually get the full range of social interactions.
Very useful for the busy Costa caregivers, since Sunny could then ask visiting YA sims to do flashcards, teach blocks, read a book, or play.

Discover University
In the absence of a Discover University update to Purzell's BACC rules, I've made my own restrictions as follows:
*Discover University careers: These career can be unlocked without requiring separate branch requirements:
  -- Educator (Administrate and Professor): Max the Logic& Debate skill
  -  Engineer (Computer Engineer and Mechanical Engineer): Max the Robotics skill
  -  Law (Judge and Private Attorney): Max the Logic & Debate skill
*University education: Have a sim reach L10 of the Educator/Professor career,
*Britechester: Have a sim reach L10 of the Educator/Administrator career (reggikko's idea)

[PeregrineTook]

Is it wrong that Care is my favorite in this household?
Sofia and Gilberto are a rather cute couple.  Speaking of couples, Jussi obviously wants Care to be his girlfriend, so he's playing hard to get.
Super cute house, by the way!  You've got a lovely little world going there!

[oshizu]

I've seen Care as a teen, too, and she just keeps getting prettier. I'm also looking forward to seeing how the Costa twins age up.
As for Sofia and Gilberto, I've been rather lucky with CAS sims whose looks I randomize then edit.
The house is based on a photo of a real house I saw on the web. Living in trailers and container homes is more cost-efficient, though.