Adventures in Henford-on-Bagley 22. Gen3 Kiddos/Finale (15 Oct)

[oshizu]

Our Best Lives: Adventures in the HoB 10. Lovely Latifah (Naoki)


Week 10, Sunday (Autumn)
On my last day of Week 7, I won first place in my 3rd Fair and earned House Expansion #3.
Besides adding a nursery and another additional room, I increased my home's overall footprint.
The kitchen and dining area now form a separate room.


The unfurnished nursery is on the far right.
I still haven't decided how to use the extra room.


Like Tamiyo, I'm trying to learn all the animal treat recipes.
Feeding my llama a Pumpkin Treat turns her orange.
She'll resume her beige color as soon as she's sheared.


Tamiyo generously gifted me a Golden Treat last week.
This morning, I give it to my young adult rooster so I can learn the Golden Treat recipe.
What I would dearly love is a hatchable Golden Egg!


Monday
Today I harvest 20 Grapes from my multiple Grape plants and complete the Fall Crops bundle.
(I'd already harvested 20 Carrots in Spring and 20 Green Beans in Summer.)

This unlocks unlimited chicken coops, which doesn't interest me much.
But, since I've completed all the crop bundles except Winter Crops, I've unlocked two other rewards.
I can build a Greenhouse and place garden planters/pots!


It doesn't take long to max out friendship with a flock of wild birds.
It's so much quicker than befriending wild rabbits!
Patchy: I can't believe you've locked me inside the garden!


After selling my harvest in town, I work on my human friendships.
I've maxed out every required friendship now except with two foxes.
Can't say I'm looking forward to that!


Watcher builds a greenhouse as soon as I get home.
The greenhouse is only half full now, but that's quite alright.
We also add toilet and shower rooms to the storage shed.


My top priority is completing the Winter Crop bundle.
(It requires 20 spinach, 20 onions, and 20 potatoes.)
Completing it unlocks infinite animal sheds.
I'm very eager to buy a cow, since milk will be more useful to me than wool.


Tuesday
What a gloomy, miserable day!
Look at those little hearts coming out of the chicken coop this morning!
I'd never noticed that before!

Yesterday, I gave Flirty Treats to my Golden rooster and Henna.
But the rooster's outside and Henna's sitting in the coop's second story.
So who's making the hearts?  Or are they more of an affer-effect?


Frankly, I'm not a fan at all of cross-stitching.
I could maybe see working with Tamiyo to find all the patterns.
No forget that: a quick search tells me there are 40 different cross-stitch patterns.
But I will cross-stitch the remaining 5-6 hoops that clog my personal inventory. *sighs


Wednesday
I continue to ask the Grocery Shop Owner and Grocery Deliverers about errands every day.
The only errands I accept are, naturally, the ones that reward a Livestock Upgrade Part.
Tonight, Kim gives not only the upgrade part I seek but also The Amazing Technicolor Neckwarmer.
I'd been idly thinking of buying that for Latifah to wear at this week's Llama Competition.
Perfect timing!


Naoki: So, remember what you told me last week about Rainbow Treats?
Tamiyo: Yes, I know all the animal treat recipes now except the one for Rainbow Treats.

Naoki: Well, I learned that recipe yesterday so here's a Rainbow Treat for you!
Thank you for gifting me a Golden Treat last week!
Tamiyo: Awwww, that's so sweet of you! Does this mean you know all the recipes?
 Naoki: No, I'm still missing the Obsidian Treat recipe.
Tamiyo: Oh, I can help you with that!


Thursday
Hey, I have a perfect-quality Large Aubergine!
My preparations are almost complete!


Friday
I'm better off abandoning that Friends requirement.
You give a fox a gift and the fox runs off.
It'll take forever to max out friendship with two foxes!


Tamiyo: What is this?  Another Rainbow Treat?
Naoki: Hardly! I'm about to give you 6 of the 7 gifts required for marriage.
Tamiyo: We're getting married?
Naoki: You need to finish your challenge first, Tamiyo, but we could get engaged first.


Tamiyo: Why won't you give me all seven gifts today?
Naoki: The last required gift is a pie cooked by me. Feel like lugging around a pie for a week?
Tamiyo: Um, no.
Naoki: I didn't think so. I'll give you the pie the day before your week starts, okay?
Now, I think it's time we head over to the Spice Festival!


Tamiyo: Hey, you're the Spice Champion! I thought you'd failed the challenge!
Naoki: I did, but only the first time. After that, I ate a serving of Bhel Puri and a few Samosas.
When I entered the challenge again, I succeeded!
Tamiyo: So, are you a Spice Hound now?
Naoki: No, not yet. I hear we need to eat 5-6 spicy dishes, so I need to eat four more?


Saturday
Today's the Finchwick Llama Fair!
For this long-awaited occasion, I make a special treat for Latifah.

Last night, I bought ingredients to prepare Curry at the Spice Festival.
I wonder how many servings I'll need to eat to become a Spice Hound.
Also, does the Curry I ate for the Spice Challenge count toward Spice Hound?


Latifah, you are looking mighty fine in your Amazing Technicolor Neckwarmer.
Here's a little treat to make you look even more fabulous, if that's possible!


As usual, I arrive in Finchwick just in time for some very last-minute shopping.
I enter Latifah into the Llama competition, where she puts her rival to shame.
Now, where is the Mayor? I'd like to have a few words with her….


After the Finchwick Fair is over…
Naoki: Madam Mayor, I want to thank you for all your support!
Ever since I arrived here in Henford-on-Bagley, you've been so generous and helpful!
Lavina: Naoki, you needn't thank me! Sure, I accepted your bribes because you offered them.
But your fair entries have been consistently exceptional.
We long-time villagers are all happy to welcome you into our community!


Tamiyo: It's hard to believe that you only have the Winter Crops bundle left!
I better make faster progress with my challenge!
Naoki: Yes, you do!  I'll finish everything I can do as a single sim next week.
But I don't want us to marry and live together until you finish your challenge, okay?

Tamiyo: So what are you going to build for your fourth house expansion?
Besides your very own private onsen bathhouse.
It's pretty extravagant, don't you think?


Naoki: Nah, not one bit.  A hard-working farmer deserves a good soak at the end of the day.
Oddly, this natural hot springs does nothing for my "Inner Peace" aspiration.
Don't you think a hot springs soak should count toward the "Seek Relaxation" goal?
By the way, Tamiyo….
Tamiyo: Yes?
Naoki: Didn't you just teleportalate to the hot springs and get in without showering?
Tamiyo: (busted…)



Completed Bundles
*Fall Crops bundle: 20 carrots, 20 grapes, 20 green beans.
  Unlocks: unlimited chicken coops.
*Fair bundle:
  Week 4: 1st place in Oversized Crop Fair (Perfect Lettuce, $580)
  Week 6: 1st place in Chicken Fair (Onyx: Black hen)
  Week 7: 1st place in Garden Fair (Perfect Dragonfruit)
  Week 10: 1st place in Llama Fair (Latifah: Beige llama with rainbow wool)
  Unlocks: House expansion #4

In-Progress Bundles
Winter Crops bundle: 12/20 spinach, 14/20 potatoes, 20/20 onions

House Expansion #4
This fourth house expansion unlocks after winning 1st place in four unique fairs.
Naoki may now:
*Buy whatever he wants that isn’t locked as a Bundle Reward.
*Expand the house as much as he wants. (planning in progress)
*Remove the Off-the-Grid lot challenge, if so desired.  (not yet)

[oshizu]

Our Best Lives: Adventures in the HoB 11. Moolicious Mocha (Naoki)


Week 11, Monday (Autumn)
Thanks to my new greenhouse, I completed the Winter Crops bundle this morning.
First, I tried placing Latifah's original animal shed (with the ComfortCare Life Extender upgrade).
Though I could buy a new cow from that shed, the cow refused to come out.
So I've had to buy a new shed and will upgrade it later.

Meet my captivating cow, Mocha!


I remember now why I used to not invite Tamiyo over during my weeks.
She eats my food, steals my harvests, and antagonizes my farm animals.
When I locked her out, she was transportalating into locked areas of my lot.
So annoying!

Here, she's pestered my hen so much that I can't socialize with the hen myself.
I'm starting to wonder if she's truly The One for me…


I know y'all are sick and tired of seeing shots of me running errands.
But, hey, I just want you to know that I now have 12 Livestock Upgrade Parts.
Make that 3 upgrade parts once I get home and do two more upgrades:
the Coop Auto-Feeder and Mocha's ComfortCare Life Extender upgrades.


Tuesday
I'm speeding through my farm chores this morning and it's just past 10 am.
Suddenly, I get an invite to GeekCon!
Of course, I accept! I'd planned to attend GeekCon for weeks!
Remember? I need to complete 5 space missions to become a Nerd Brain.


You will not believe who invited me to GeekCon.
Yep, it's the Creature Keeper!  Who knew!
Yesterday, I commissioned a cow outfit for Mocha from him.
So I must have been on his mind when he was preparing to leave for GeekCon!


Naoki: I also invite along Tamiyo, since she'd invited me two weeks ago.

Cecelia Kang: Hey, I've been meaning to thank you for changing your hairstyle.
Tamiyo: That was my Watcher's idea, actually, not mine.
Cecelia: Your Watcher?
Tamiyo: Um, like my lifestyle advisor?
Cecelia: Oh, okay. Anyway, how awkward if the only two female Asians in the HoB had the same hairdo, right?


After GeekCon is over, I meet the most beautiful sim ever in the HoneyPop Bar.
When she tells me she's an actress, I realize she's out of my league.
Someone like her would never be happy living the country life with me.


Wednesday
I've just finished another errand for the Grocery Shop Owner.
It's taking forever to get the parts I need to fully upgrade both animal sheds!
Meanwhile, Watcher catches Tamiyo making her usual grumpy face.
It's definitely not a flattering look for her.


Thursday
Watcher disabled Eco Footprint gameplay at the very start.
So why does our simverse insist that my lot has a Green footprint?
I worry that the footprint will abruptly turn Neutral, causing my crops to devolve.


Friday
I visit Tamiyo so early this morning that her cow's still sleeping.
My purpose? To give her the last of my marriage gifts: a freshly-baked pumpkin pie.

I need to stop procrastinating and thinking I might meet someone I like better.
That's what Matcher told me last night, anyway. *sighs


Tamiyo: Naoki, I know that you and Watcher don't like me as much as you used to.
It's not like I deliberately act the way I do.
My behavior feels pretty much beyond my control.

I can't tell you what a relief it is that you've chosen me, Naoki!
These past few weeks, I've felt like I was losing you.
Yes, of course, I accept your proposal!  I've been waiting forever for you to ask!


Naoki: On Monday, I asked the Creature Keeper to make me a Cottagecore outfit for Mocha.
I handed him 2 pink wool, 1 gold wool, and any 5 wool, then waited four days.
How disappointing that it never arrived in the mail!
This afternoon, I invite him over and he's selling that outfit so I simply buy it for Mocha.
What about the rare wool I gave him? Grrrr.


Pania: Naoki, what are you and Tamiyo doing at my house?
Naoki: Tamiyo and I got engaged this morning, which calls for a celebration..
I want to take the four of us somewhere special, but I couldn't contact you to invite.
Tamiyo: We even looked for you at the Sand Bar.
Pania: Well, here I am.
Naoki (whispers to Tamiyo): Did you notice that Duane and Pania have the exact same hairstyle?


Duane: Wow, Naoki! You fly us out to Selvadorada for a single "Night on the Town"?
Pania: This is my first visit to Selvadorada.  Naoki, I thought you were a farmer.
Tamiyo: He is.  Naoki happens to be a rather wealthy farmer.
And this is the first time visiting Selvadorada for Naoki and me as well.
Naoki: *busy trying to order another Espuma Agria drink because somesim snatched his


Duane: Pania tells me she'll be visiting you, Tamiyo, during your snowy season. I'm so jealous!
Naoki: You should fly out with Pania, Duane. You're welcome to stay with me.
Just come as you are and I'll get you some warmer clothes once you arrive.

Duane: Do you mean it, Naoki?  We've been good friends for a while, but…
Naoki: No worries, Duane. The four of us will need to figure out our schedules, yeah?


Saturday
It's that day of the week again!  Time for the Finchwick Chicken Fair!
I've already won 1st place in the Chicken Competition.
So, today, I enter an excellent-quality Golden Egg to the Egg Competition.
Now, where's my dear friend, the Mayor?


Doesn't the UFO plant grow in autumn?
Tamiyo and I are at the Romance Festival, but no UFO Plant.

By the way, I earned the Spice Hound trait this afternoon.
Now I want to become Chopstick Savvy.


Tamiyo complains that the Romance Guru gave her negative news twice.
So I decide to ask him about my current relationship with Tamiyo.
Cracked wedding bells?  What the heck is that supposed to mean?


Around 9:30 pm, I'm notified about the Egg Competition results.
I'm not that surprised, frankly, that my Golden Egg won 1st place.
What's better than an excellent-quality Golden Egg?  A Rainbow Egg?

Only four more 1st place ribbons to complete the collection!
Let's see, I've yet to enter the Cow, Milk, Wool, and Pie Competitions.


There's just enough time to upgrade Latifah the llama's shed with the Auto-Feeder upgrade.
It's hard to believe that I've done enough errands to earn 25 Livestock Upgrade Parts total.

Whaaaat!? Nerd Brain's Insta-Upgrade perk works with the coop and animal shed?!?!?!?!?!
Why did nobody tell me about this earlier!? WWWHHHHHYYYYY?


When we next meet, it will be winter!
Before switching to Tamiyo, I better prepare my crops for the coming season.
Watcher, don't forget to continue expanding my house!
I might be getting married in winter and Duane will definitely be my house guest!


Completed bundle
*Winter crops: 20 spinach, 20 potatoes, 20 onions
  Unlocks: unlimited animal sheds
  This is the last of the Community Center bundles.
  Plans to build the Community Center are in the making.

New traits
*Handy (bonus trait from Nerd Brain)
*Spice Hound (Naoki's my first sim that's learned this trait. I'm totally stoked! haha)

Watcher's Notes
*Teen Proposal: MCCC is set up to allow Naoki and Tamiyo to get engaged, even though they're still teens.
  They'll both  be aged up to young adults, however,  before getting married.
*Naoki's Off-the-Grid lot challenge: We're keeping it for now. In exchange, we've swapped out one of the lot traits to add Geothermal (which I've never tried before).
*Tamiyo's challenge: Her personal earnings are currently a little over $500,000.
  Let's see how quickly we can boost that to $1,000,000, shall we?

[oshizu]

Our Best Lives 12: Moo, Moo, Moolah (Tamiyo)


Week 12, Sunday (Autumn)
I cook some curry only to realize that I've already earned the Spice Hound trait. Yay!
Did it count when I raided Naoki's fridge last week and ate his remaining serving of Curry?

Look, here's the excellent-quality cross stitch Naoki gave me as a wedding gift.
I guess he cross-stitched from reference, using a selfie of himself.


Last week, Watcher switched to me mid-week to disable my Transportalate spell!
But this is my week and I'll transportalate if I want to.
You would transportalate, too, if it happened to you.  (Obscure song reference)

Yes, I've come to Magic HQ since I'm a Virtuoso spellcaster.


Gah, check out Naoki being all palsy-walsy with Sages L. Faba and Simeon.
He's not even a spellcaster!


Meanwhile, Sage Morgyn seems to have forgotten me. *shocked
I'm forced to re-introduce myself and regain his friendship.
All I want is for Sage Morgyn to teach me my last Untamed Magic spell!
(But why did Sage Morgyn remember Naoki but forget me?!)


Monday
Here's my cow Latte after eating the Rainbow Treat Naoki gifted me.
Now I can make all the animal treats, except the Midnight Treat.

I do have a Midnight Treat but I'm afraid to use it, because I don't have any Obsidian Eggs.
Oh, duh, what's the CopyPasto spell for?  I'll just make an extra one for later.


Yesterday, I crafted 4 orchid flower arrangements and 4 camping mascots.
They're the wares I'm hoping to sell from my vendor table today.


Hmmm, only one flower arrangement left?
Presently, I have 2 flower arrangements and 2 camping mascots listed on Plopsy.
I quickly unlist them and add them to my vendor table's inventory.


And I sell those four extra items as well.
Thanks to the Finchwick shops, Plopsy, and this vendor table, I've done really well so far this week.
As of this moment, my personal earnings already exceed $800,000.
Should I spend less time on my farm animals and focus on crafting things to sell?
Most definitely!


Tuesday
Today's weather is utterly dismal.
And what's more, I just didn't feel like making a fourth flower arrangement.
So I only have 4 camping mascots and 3 flower arrangements to sell.


Wednesday
The downpour wreaks havoc on my sales.
For a bit, I had a half dozen female customers who, it turns out, were just here for Naoki. Typical.
Even with only 7 items, I didn't sell out my inventory until 2:30 am the next day (today)
Still, I'm over the $910,000 mark by the time I get home.


Thursday
Today, I've located my vendor table on an in-your-face spot in front of the Gnome's Arm.
There's always sims congregating here, so why not?
Why didn't I think of this sooner?


At exactly 9:21 pm, I sell a flower arrangement for $18,027 (at $200% markup).
At the same time, I get a notice that I've completed the Rosebud achievement.

But remember my Rosebud value was $29,076 off due to living with Naoki the first two weeks?
So I'll keep selling stuff until my inventory's gone.
My current household funds: $955,865.


It's exactly 11:59 pm and I've run out of inventory.
My current household funds are $1,000,562.
This means I've earned, let's see, $44,697 since receiving that Rosebud notification.
I believe I have legit completed my Rosebud Challenge, don't you?


Friday
Tamiyo: I know it's just past midnight, but I couldn't wait to tell you, Naoki!
I completed my Rosebud Challenge about a half hour ago.
Naoki: Wow, you ended Week 9 with just a little over $500k. How'd you make so much this week?
Tamiyo: Before, I'd been gradually evolving my garden but only selling stuff passively on Plopsy.
This week, I sold my crafts in Finchwick. My prices were lower than Plopsy but I sold more items.
Before you proposed, I lost focus because I wasn't sure we'd end up together.


Naoki: Well, it's already Friday. I think you should pack your things and move into my place today..
Celebrating our young adult birthdays together will be more fun, don't you think?
Do you mind moving first then getting married two days later? Maybe, Sunday?
Tamiyo: Sounds good to me! Should I take everything with me?
Naoki: *helps Tamiyo decide what to take and what to leave behind


By noon, I'm all packed and ready to go ask Naoki to join his household.
I'm all nerves!
Could the Romance Guru be right about our romantic destiny?  Nah!


Eleven hours later after moving, my farm animals and I are more or less settled.
After my move, Naoki traded away two of his chickens who aged from chicks straight to elders.
But we still have too many farm animals: eleven chickens, two cows, and a llama.
I already regret insisting on bringing all of mine with me.

And incidentally, I sold off all the plants that I'd brought with me.
After that short time in my family inventory, they all devolved to normal quality.
Luckily, Naoki has a nearly-perfect garden. Still, all my hard work!


I make a Matcha Tea Cake for our young adult birthdays.
Strangely, the cake requires a green egg. Bizarre, right?
Green tea (not even of the matcha variety) would have been more accurate.
Anyway, I blow out the candles first and Naoki follows right after me.


Tamiyo: So, now that we're both young adults, wanna go try for baby?
Naoki: A little practice wouldn't hurt but, honestly, we should wait until after our friends' visit.
Now that we're both done with our challenges, the four of us can relax and have some fun.

Tamiyo: Oh, you're right!
Naoki: Since I've submitted all the bundles, the Community Center's construction is underway.
Would you like to throw our wedding party there?


Naoki: I hope you're not thinking of trying to complete the 40-pattern cross-stitch collection.
Tamiyo: Not me. But I'd like to finish the five or six cross-stitch hoops in my inventory.
Naoki: That's a relief.  All 40 would be a pain to collect and they're not even an official collection!


Saturday
Naoki: I've made two excellent-quality pies for today's Pie Competition.
I submit the Pumpkin Pie, which requires Level 8 Cooking.
And Tamiyo submits my Chocolate Pie, which requires Level 5 Cooking.
I made an Apple Pie, too, which requires a higher Cooking level was it was worth less.


Naoki: Our only rival is a Lemon Meringue Pie.
Dude, I couldn't never get enough of a power surplus to bake!
That pie requires Level 9 Baking, so it has a high chance of winning, darn it.
I need to find my good friend, the Mayor…

Tamiyo: Look over there, Naoki!  The Community Center seems finished!


Naoki: The Mayor says they're finishing up the interior this evening.
I think we should go home and plan our wedding.
Tamiyo: You know, it'd be really great if Pania and Duane could be at our wedding.

Naoki: If you don't mind postponing our wedding, we could wait until their visit.
Tamiyo: Let's do that! I'll write Pania tonight after checking the weather forecast.



Gameplay Restrictions
Now that both Tamiyo and Naoki have finished their challenges:
*Income: they'll continue to sell only through the shops, Plopsy, and the vendor table.
  They do not sell directly from inventory except in cases like furniture and robot salvage parts.
*Travel: No travel restrictions for this affluent household.
*What now?: We're preparing for the next generation(s).

Watcher's Notes
*Community Center: I tried my best to recreate Stardew Valley's Community Center.
  My version looks quite different, due to the Tardis-like nature of Stardew Valley buildings.
  So mine is much wider than the original, but the interior rooms are rather similar. Oh well.
*Pie Competition: Late Saturday night, the two pie entries appeared in household inventory.
 However, we never got a notice about the results of the Pie Competition.
 Naoki and Tamiyo submitted two of the three entries.
 Shouldn't they have received, at the very least, a Participation Ribbon each?

[oshizu]

Our Best Lives: Adventures in the HoB 13. House Guests


Week 13, Sunday (1st week of Winter)
Naoki: The first day of winter brings lovely weather.
Even our chickens are delighted!
Tamiyo: Is that their mating ritual?
Naoki: Those are two roosters, so I doubt it.


Tamiyo: I'd thought I'd be taking  it easy in my new home.
But Watcher has me join the Writer career and start writing novels.
My aim, she tells me, is to become a Bestselling Author.

I'm also a Professional Slacker so I never have to actually go to work.
By the way, I've temporarily taken over Duane's future bedroom.


Tuesday
Naoki: I started Painter Extraordinaire before we came to the HoB.
Since Tamiyo's busy writing these days, I decide to finish the aspiration.

Tamiyo and I could easily afford to buy one Money Tree seed each.
But we've resisted so far to make our separate challenges that much harder.
Is it time for us to each buy a Money Tree seed?  I think, YES!


Wednesday
Naoki: Tamiyo and I have worked out a reasonable division of labor for now.
Since I'm an Animal Enthusiast, I look after all of our farm animals.

Frankly, my farm chores are more time-consuming than Tamiyo's.
And I still believe we should scale back to 8 chickens, 1 cow, and one llama.
(No, Latifah isn't dirty.  Her wool's black because I fed her a Midnight Treat.)


Tamiyo: Besides writing, I'm responsible for harvesting and tending the crops.
After the bunnies, birds, and Patchy get done, though, I don't have much tending to do.

Being in the Writer career helps me write novels twice as fast!!
By late afternoon, I write my third bestseller and start writing to boost my royalties.
I really want to become a Bestselling Author before our friends arrive!


Thursday
Naoki: After selling our harvest, we stop by the new Community Center.
If you've played Stardew Valley before, you'll recognize most of the rooms.
Tamiyo: It's a museum lot, so it can also be used for weddings and parties.
That's why the restrooms, bar, and buffet table have been added.


Naoki: I'm a bit worried whether there'll be enough power and water to accommodate four sims.
I hope  Pania and Duane will be comfortable staying with us.
Tamiyo: I'm sure they will. I mean, you enlarged the living area and they each have their own bedroom!
I can't believe they're arriving tomorrow!  I'm so excited!


Naoki: The timing's pretty perfect.  They arrive on Friday evening.
Then, Saturday is the first snow of the year, so let's go to the Festival of Snow!
Tamiyo: I've only been to Mt. Komorebi once with you, remember?
Naoki: We can make a quick stop in Finchwick first to sell produce.
I'm also entering my magnificent Mocha in the Cow Competition.


Friday
Tamiyo: This is the last book I'll publish today.
I'm quitting my job now since I know I'll finish Bestselling Author tomorrow.

I'll just have time to harvest and tend the crops before the shops close.
We're meeting Pania and Duane in Finchwick soon after!


Tamiyo: We're so glad you're here!
Pania: It's cold as heck here, but where's the snow?
Naoki: The first snow isn't until tomorrow, Pania. You two must be exhausted.
Duane: Yeah, I'm suffering from some serious loading-screen lag! I could use a nap.


Naoki: First, we'll get you sorted with warmer wardrobes.
Then, after a light dinner, we'll all hit the sack early.
Tamiyo: Rest well, Pania and Duane.  Tomorrow's gonna be a busy day.

Naoki: Man, seeing their bedrooms makes me wish I had a room of my own, too!
Tamiyo: I just moved in and you already want a separate bedroom?
Naoki: Not my own bedroom, silly.  I mean an indoor room for my hobbies.


Saturday
Naoki: Even with the four of us doing farm chores, we don't get to Finchwick until 6 pm.
Mostly because Tamiyo and I are helping our friends learn new skills.

At the Fair, I enter Mocha in the Cow Competition (that's us in the middle).
In the Milk Competition, I enter an excellent-quality Golden Honey Milk.
And we're off to the Festival of Snow.


Duane: Cool. I never knew you were born and raised in Mt. Komorebi.
Naoki: Well, not here in Kiyomatsu, but another hood called Senbamachi.
Duane: Could we maybe visit Senbamachi another day, too?
Naoki: Sure. I haven't been there myself since last year.
MmmMmmMmmm. Nothing like yakisoba from a festival food stall!


Pania: I see why you brought us here, Naoki. There's a lot more snow than in the HoB!
So far, we ate from food stalls and bought a Simmi, but Yamachan didn't show up.
Duane: What else is there to do here, Tamiyo?
Tamiyo: Actually, this is my first trip to Kiyomatsu too. I grew up in Oasis Springs.
Naoki: Friends, there's a lot more to do in Mt. Komorebi.  Let's try an easy winter sport.


Pania: Oh no! I didn't mean to pick a run with a ramp!
Duane: What do you mean? This is fantastic!


Tamiyo: This is my first time sledding, so I pick an easy run.
Naoki (to himself): Booooring.


Naoki: I can't believe Pania actually injured herself on the Bunny Slope.
The second time, Duane chooses a gentler slope without a ramp.
Tamiyo: Those two--do you think they might…?
Naoki: Now, now, Tamiyo.  No matchmaking. If it's mean to happen, it'll happen.


Naoki: This is what I'm talking about.
Tamiyo: Hey, I could get to like this extreme sports stuff.
Naoki: Sweetheart, sledding on the Bunny Slope is hardly an extreme sport.
Tamiyo: Oh.


Pania: I never realized there'd be so much to do in the snow!
Duane: Me, neither. I thought folks just stayed indoors in front of a fireplace or something.
Pania: I'm not sure two weeks will be enough to try everything, Duane.
Duane: My feelings exactly.


Pania: And look, Duane! There are other festivals and other winter activities!
Duane: Wow, I'd like to try snowboarding, since I love to surf.

Naoki: We'll have time to visit more places and try out even more activities.
For today, though, we need to get home because the Finchwick Cow Fair has ended.


Naoki: Back home, I panic at discovering that I can't find Mocha anywhere.
My Golden Honey Milk vanished, too, but that can be easily replaced.
Not so with my beloved Mocha, who's in neither my personal nor family inventory.

In desperation, I return to the Finchwick fairgrounds. What do you know?
As soon as I arrive, Mocha's beautiful face appears in my personal inventory.
What a relief!


Pania: Congrats on winning first place with Mocha!
Duane: I bet Mocha was happy you came looking for her in Finchwick, yeah?
Tamiyo: I don't know about you guys, but I'm beat. We still getting married tomorrow, Naoki?
Naoki: Tomorrow?!
Tamiyo: ....
Naoki: Joking! Of course, we are. I'm the one who rushed getting the Community Center completed, aren't I?

Pania: I don't know, Tamiyo.  If I were you, I'd have the wedding on Monday and throw a bachelorette party on Sunday night...



Missing Mocha
There are bug reports on EA Answers HQ about animals entered into fairs vanishing when the fair ends.
Up until now, I've always found my post-fair animals in  the sim's personal inventory.
If not in personal inventory, looking in household inventory apparently works, too.
If that doesn't work, folks have found their animals by enabling bb.showhiddenobjects.
None of that worked for Mocha. 
But when Naoki revisited the fair venue hours after the fair ended, Mocha showed up in his personal inventory.

Double Entries
From now on, Naoki's only going to submit one entry per fair.
When he and Tamiyo submitted two pies backed by him, no winner was announced.
And when, besides Mocha, he entered Golden Honey Milk in the Milk Competition, that competition was entirely ignored.
Does this happen to other folks?  Is the game glitched or is it my save?

[oshizu]

Our Best Lives: Adventure sin the HoB 14.1. Wedding Magic Nightly


Week 14, Sunday (2nd week of Winter)
Duane: Tamiyo tells me I'm doing a great job looking after the crops.
I really love working in this greenhouse, even if it's winter.
As much as I love the Kealoha family, I need to strike out on my own now.
I want to live in my own place in Sulani, big enough to have both a garden and greenhouse!


Pania: Naoki claims that I'm a natural with the farm animals.
The country life is busy, but I'm loving my first two days here!

Tamiyo says I should start giving Healthy Treats to her cow Latte.
She's going to give me Latte at the end of our stay, can you imagine?
Hmmm, I'll need to move to a bigger lot, though.


Naoki: Duane's not as comfortable as Pania around the farm animals.
But he's totally won over my cow Mocha, that shameless hussy!
Yes, I give Healthy Treats to Mocha every day.
No, I'm not giving Mocha to Duane ever!


Naoki: It's already past 4 pm, Tamiyo. How much more cooking do you want to do?
Tamiyo: Well, I made the wedding cake, you made a Caprese Salad, and I'm making Veggie Tempura…
Naoki: That's enough food since it's getting late. If there's not enough, let's use the buffet table.


Tamiyo: I never dreamed that our campsite would become the place where we get married.


I'm so pleased that Sage Simeon took the time to attend our wedding.
He's the one who gave me this second chance at life.  I owe him so much!


Tamiyo: Even the grumpy Agnes Crumplebottom and her sister Agatha are present.
I'm not actually friends of either sister, which is why Naoki's hosting this party.
How disappointing that we couldn't invite the Mayor.


Tamiyo: Marrying Naoki is all I've wanted ever since we arrived here in the HoB.
I know he doesn't care for me like I care for him.
I'm also aware that Watcher had to talk him into marrying me.
All that doesn't matter.  He'll learn to love me in time, I know he will.


Tamiyo: It is a lovely wedding with Pania, Duane, and our villager friends all present.
Not everyone is seated for the ceremony, though.
Especially not Bella Goth.  Why is she here?


Tamiyo: We hired Sara Scott as our mixologist but she ends up chatting the whole time instead.
Pania steps up to take Sara's place tending bar, but it isn't necessary.
Our guests mainly stay outdoors, getting drinks from the Fountain of Mirth instead.


Married at last to the man of my dreams.
Watcher, I know you get upset by my constantly dropping queues.
I swear, I'll try to do better!


Naoki: Why are you eating our wedding cake by yourself?
"Take the first slice" means that we…
Oh, never mind. *sighs exasperatedly
(Mark my words, Watcher. Tamiyo will never change!)


Naoki: We actually earned a gold medal soon after the wedding ceremony.
But I wanted to try completing all the party goals.
Now we know that this Community Center isn't really suitable as a wedding venue.
Maybe Watcher will build another one in the Isle of Volpe.


Pania: Hello, Sage Simeon. My name is Pania.
I am a former elemental from Sulani and I'm deeply interested in…
Simeon: Say no more! I can be of assistance to you but not here.
You must visit me in the Magical Realm.  Have Tamiyo take you to me.


Pania: I'm not sure why, Tamiyo, but I can't do magic interactions with the Sages at all.
Would you give the Rite of Ascension?
Tamiyo: My pleasure.  And it's not just you.
After you mentioned your problem to Naoki and Duane, they tried, too.
But they also didn't have a Magic option when interacting with the Sages.
Pania: It's a relief to know that the Sages hadn't singled me out for rejection!


Duane: So I asked you to come along so I could ask for some advice.
Naoki: Shoot.
Duane: I'm thinking of getting a wand for Pania. You think she'd like that?
Naoki: Oh yeah. And she might also like a broom until she learns to teleportalate. Go for it, Duane!


Simeon: I knew, at first glance, that Pania would become "one of us."


Monday
Duane: We've been going places and doing things every day since our arrival.
It's great to just spend an afternoon by the fire, too.
This is such a cozy home!


Duane: Naoki has maxed Charisma so he's the one who should be selling the harvest.
But he's asked me to do the honors to help me become Fabulously Wealthy.
Living in a Watched household has so many benefits!


Duane: After shopping, I join the others at the ice skating rink across from the Community Center.
They're all struggling just to stay upright, but not the Creature Keeper.
Where did he learn to skate like that? Does Finchwick have its own ballet school or something?


Duane: After several more hours of skating, Naoki begins doing the fancy stuff.
Probably because he has the highest Fitness.
If he starts wearing one of those skin-tight sequined body suits, though, I'm heading back to Sulani!


Duane: After another hour, even Pania can perform fancy routines in the rink!
I'm the only one still bumbling along, trying not to fall on my rear end.
But that's only because I'd been busy at the shops.  Right?


Tuesday
Naoki: I've been randomly visiting the Bramblewood now and then in search of Nightly Mushrooms.
Sunday, I arrived at 10:05 pm, but could only "View Nightly Mushroom."
Yesterday, I arrived at 9:30 pm and stayed until 5 am. Nearly froze to death, too!
But, again, all I could do was "View Nightly Mushroom."

Tonight, I make sure to arrive before 10 pm.


And whaddya know?  At 10:50 pm on the button, I can harvest the Nightly Mushroom.
I know there are two other Nightly Mushrooms growing, but one's enough for me.
Time to go plant this!


Naoki: Except for my Bramblewood visit, we all stayed home today.
Duane's been learning Logic and Pania is nearly an Adept already.
Eventually, they'd benefit from learning income-generating skills.
But today, we're calling it a night so we can prepare for Winterfest tomorrow!



Notes
*The Community Center as a wedding venue
  The multiple bookcases and easels make the Community Center unsuitable for weddings.
  Visitors leave books all over lot and the wedding couple kept wanting to go paint.
  It would be better to remove the wedding venue from this lot and create another elsewhere.
  The Isle Volpe, which is a national park, would make a better wedding venue.

*Nightly Mushrooms: They were not easy to get.  First, they only grow in winter.
  Next, you need to arrive in the neighborhood before 10 pm then stay there long enough for it to grow (like the Granite Fall herbs).
  Finally, I was able to harvest one at 10:50 pm.
  I still have a blank mushroom spot in my Gardening tab, between Museberry and Nightly Mushroom.
  Do you know which mushroom I'm missing?  (I guess I could just google, lol).

[oshizu]

Our Best Lives: Adventures in the HoB 14.2. All I Want for Winterfest


Week 14, Wednesday (2nd week of Winter)
Duane: I'm so excited about  my very first Winterfest today.
Pania is a bit of a hypocrite, though.
She gives me a Rose as a Winterfest gift.
But when I give it back to her as my Winterfest gift, she develops a festering grudge against me.
Dude, it's just a gift rose!


Duane: Our Winterfest tree isn't as lavish as ones I've seen in magazines.
But our friends enjoy a low-key aesthetic, and that's fine with me.


Today is a day of many firsts for me.
I cook something for the first time in my life.
Naoki asks me to prepare the Grand Meal.
Look at me calling everyone to meal with that little black bell!


Tamiyo: I can't believe you never cooked before, Duane. This turkey is so moist and tender. It's perfect!
Duane: I'd never ever seen a turkey before, either!
Pania: Me, neither.  Wild turkeys were introduced to Sulani back in the late 1700's.
But as you've probably guessed, Duane and I aren't turkey hunting enthusiasts.


Yo!  After selling today's harvest, I become Fabulously Wealthy!
I'm not exactly swimming in satisfaction, but I'll get there!
Where are the others? Back at the ice skating rink?


(Back home in their hot springs)
Duane: Where's Pania?
Tamiyo: She said she wanted to write a few postcards.
Naoki: Don't worry, Duane.  She'll be join us here soon.


(Meanwhile, over at the house...)
Pania: Father Winter! You've arrived at exactly 8 pm!
I've heard so much about you!
Do you mind if we take a commemorative selfie?
Father Winter: Of course not, young lady. My, what big eyes you have!


Pania: And I have this Winterfest gift for you!
Father Winter (FW): Come, come, Pania.  You can't pull that on me. I'm Father Winter!
Isn't this the rose you gave to Duane that he gave back to you?
Pania: (busted)
FW: And you best cool your festering grudge toward Duane. He's a good guy--one of the nicest.


Pania: Oh, I thought you were leaving already.
FW: No, I just felt like going out the back door and knocking on the front door.
Pania: Were you waiting for me here?
FW: Yes, dear. Here's your Winterfest gift from me.
Pania: Oh, it's all I ever wanted for Winterfest, Father Winter: a fossilized sea monster!  (Ugh)


FW: You can't hide your disappointment from me, Pania.
Tell me what you really want out of life.
Pania: You mean, what I really want out of life or for a Winterfest gift?
Recently, my dearest life wish is to have a child.


FW (thinks hard): A child, eh? 


FW: You're in luck tonight, Pania, because I can help you with your life wish! Like, me, personally!
Pania: Um, Father Winter? Is it true what folks say about the Father Winter's Child trait?
FW: Yes, of course it is.
Pania: Well then, lead the way!


FW: Leading!


Duane: Are you sure Pania's okay? Could she have burned down the kitchen?
Naoki: Nah, she's probably decided to take a nap or something.
Tamiyo: Duane, maybe you should go check on her.


Pania: Why, Father Winter! You're wearing boxers with red hearts!
I take it this isn't your first Winterfest tryst?
FW: Don't be naïve, Pania.  One, I'm a popular guy who gets around on Winterfest.
Two, I'm as old as the hills.


But not too old…


Duane: Bah, I can take a hint.
It's not like I enjoyed being the obvious third wheel in the hot springs!
Strangely, the outside door to this onsen is locked.
I guess I'll just play chess in the changing room..


Tamiyo: So, do you want to…
Naoki: But Duane is right over there in the next room!
Tamiyo: Then, we'll just have to be quiet, won't we?


FW: I guess I'll just slip away while Pania's asleep.


FW: I might be getting too old for this.


Thursday
Pania: At exactly 1:51 am, Tamiyo and I receive wonderful news.
We're both eating for two!
Now, how am I going to explain my pregnancy to my friends?
Watcher: Simply tell them the truth, Pania.

Pania: You mean, that you wanted me to have a child with the Father Winter's Child trait?
Watcher: No, no, not that truth!  Say that you wanted Father Winter's child. Sheesh!

[sdhoey]

*cough* you go girl

[Granny Lawlor]

I'd been feeling sorry for Tamiyo with her half-hearted lover but - poor Duane! Cuckolded by Father Winter!

[oshizu]

I'd been feeling sorry for Tamiyo with her half-hearted lover but - poor Duane! Cuckolded by Father Winter!

@Granny Lawlor
To be cuckolded, Duane would have had to had a relationship with Pania during Winterfest.
During that holiday, they didn't have a romantic relationship yet though their friendship was almost maxed.
Duane is a bit shy and doesn't actually "speak up" until later.

But yes, both Naoki and his Watcher have felt rather half-hearted toward Tamiyo.
I do feel bad about that, she's never quite in the swing of things.
Who cuts the wedding cake then sits down and eats the first slice by herself? LOL
At one point, I even considered Naoki marrying someone else instead...

Thanks for dropping by! <3

[oshizu]

Our Best Lives: Adventures in the HoB 14.3. Duane Finally Speaks Up


Week 14, Thursday (2nd week of Winter)
Duane: I'm already Fab Wealthy, but Naoki encourages me to keep handling our household's sales.
He's right! Interacting with the villagers makes me feel part of the HoB community.
Even though I'm just a tourist.


Duane: Pania's an Adept spellcaster now so we make a quick visit to the Magical Realm.

L. Faba: This is such an unflattering screenshot of me!
Pania: I'm pretty sure this pic's about my baby bump, not about you.
Duane: Um, about that baby bump.
Pania: Hold on, Duane! I'll explain everything to you all very soon.


Naoki: Speaking of baby bumps, Tamiyo's is also showing!
She also has little golden lights flying around her now and then.
We haven't figured out why yet. Because she's a Virtuoso spellcaster?


Naoki: Pania had asked me where we could sit down and talk, so I suggested this restaurant.
When we arrive, Duane heads for the vending machine and tries to buy a Simmi capsule.
I think he's noticed how nervous Pania feels about talking with us.
In his own way, Duane is trying to ease the tension.


This lovely restaurant in Wakabamori, Mt. Komorebi, is called Konayuki.
It means powdery snow.

Note: I slightly edited this gorgeous Gallery lot, created by Momofy, to accommodate an 8-seat table.
The larger kotatsu only seats six and the hotpot menu selection is very limited.


Naoki: I'll just order for everyone, since I used to come here often with my family.


Pania: Let me get straight to the point: I'm having Father Winter's baby.
Duane: Father Winter? That dawg! Wait till I get my hands on him.
Pania: No, Duane. It's not like you think. It was a decision I made with our Watcher.
Duane: But, Pania, when I learned that you and I would be coming here together, I'd thought…


Pania: Watcher wants the third-generation of the Nakadai family to be a Father Winter's Child.
That meant either Tamiyo or I would need to be with Father Winter.
Since Tamiyo is married but I'm not, I volunteered for the role.
Duane: Uh, so it's not like you and Father Winter are going to get married?
Pania: Not at all.  We're just friends now.  In fact, that cad snuck off while I was asleep!


Naoki: The reasonable thing would be for you to extend your stay.
You and Tamiyo will give birth around the same time.
Tamiyo: Oh, do stay, Pania! The three of us could raise the kids together.
Pania: I agree that it'd be much easier than trying to raise a child alone in Sulani.
I wish you'd extend your stay, too, Duane.


Duane: If you're staying longer, Pania, you can definitely count on me staying, too.
I can help around the farm, doing whatever needs doing.
I've had my heart set on you, Pania, ever since we first met. I'm not giving up on you now.

Naoki: Duane, hush! That's a convo you and Pania should be having in private.
Duane: *blushes


Duane:  Aaargh! Why do you and Naoki get to eat the fancy experimental gourmet food?
Meanwhile, Naoki orders curry for Pania and me?
Tamiyo: If you're going to stay with us, you have to become Spice Hounds.
Naoki: Yeah, it's part of the house tradition. *smirks


Friday
Duane: This morning, Naoki gave me a half dozen different animal treats to give out.
Since I need to make 5 animal treats for Country Caretaker, he says, I should learn to make useful ones.
Here's Latifah after I give her a Golden Treat. Can you tell Naoki spoils her rotten?


In Sulani, all I did was work part-time as a lifeguard, surf, and generally hang out at the beach.
I'm surprised how much I enjoy the farming life.
Though I'm busy all day, I find every day so satisfying and filled with new discoveries!
(Sometimes, though, I feel a little homesick for Sulani.)


I'm sure Pania's life has changed immensely as well.
In Sulani, I used to see her at the community plaza, gossiping with the other local women.
Pania and I only became friends through Naoki and Tamiyo.
Isn't that strange? Especially since we both live in Ohan'ali Town.


Naoki is such a hustler!  No wonder he gets so much done!
We make a brief stop in Senbamachi to take turns getting selfies with the mascot Yamachan.
Naoki promises we'll come back here another time.
Then it's off we go to the Spice District because…


Tonight's the Spice Festival! Arrrgggh!
Look at Naoki's look of ecstasy as he sniffs his serving of curry.


To my complete surprise, Pania becomes a Spice Champion at her first attempt!
Of course, Naoki and Tamiyo are also Spice Champions since they're already Spice Hounds.
Tamiyo remarks that tonight's the first time she's ever been Spice Champion.
But that leaves me the odd man out…again!


I shamelessly seek Naoki's advice and he shares his secret for winning his first Spice Challenge.
Following his advice, I go eat one serving each of Bhel Puri and Samosas.
And when I try the Spice Challenge again….Success!
Do you think Pania's the type to look down on me because I can't eat spicy food?


Pania: I've always found Duane so attractive, but I've had to hold back.
I wasn't sure how he'd feel about my "thing" with Father Winter.
I'm still not sure.
Do you think Duane's the type to look down on me for my Winterfest pregnancy?


Saturday
Tamiyo: Pania and I are both in our third trimester today.
I spent the morning training her until she became a Master spellcaster.

By now, we have a considerable library of magic tomes at home.
While she reads a few Master-rank tomes, Duane and I learn about Parenting.


Tamiyo: Naoki's going to try the Pie Competition again with an Apple Pie.
I should have helped out by maxing the Baking skill, but I didn't have the time.
Or rather, I forgot to make Baking a priority.


Tamiyo: Well, now I feel horrible that I didn't learn Baking.
Naoki enters his excellent Apple Pie (L8 Cooking).
His rivals are an Exotic Fruit Pie (L6 Baking) and a Fish Pie (L2 Baking).
Hmmm, the next Pie Competition is in three weeks.  I can max Baking by then, for sure!

Duane: Because Naoki's last Pie Competition was glitched, he wants to stay in Finchwick until it ends.
It gives Pania and I a chance to sit and share our visions of the future.


When she asks me to be her boyfriend, I am over the moon!



Sunday, Week 15
Naoki: It's 12:42 am and, as you can see, the Fair still hasn't ended though the pies are gone.
We continue waiting and the Fair finally closes at 1:12 am.
I believe I've officially abandoned the Pie Competition.
But part of me still wants to enter the Milk and Wool Competitions. *sighs

Well, we better get home.  The girls will go into labor very, very soon!

[sdhoey]

What is with the fair and this guy?? Does it have it out for him?

[oshizu]

What is with the fair and this guy?? Does it have it out for him?

The Pie Competition seems to be glitched. 
I've read about other simmers who have managed to enter multiple household entries fine or win the Pie Competition just fine.
That's the 2nd time he hasn't even gotten a notice about the Pie Competition results!
If there are only 3 entries total, Naoki should have gotten either a 3rd place or a Participation ribbon, don't you think?
The Fair Ribbon collection is complete upon winning all nine 1st place ribbons.  Naoki has given up on that collection, grrrr.

[oshizu]

Our Best Lives: Adventures in the HoB 15.1. Toil, Troubles, Toddlers


Week 15, Sunday (3rd week of Winter)
Duane: Around 2 am Tamiyo leaves for the hospital to give birth with Naoki.
When Pania leaves, I think I might be able to go with her, but it doesn't happen.
Left behind at the house, I go into prenatal panic.


Tamiyo: I give birth to a girl, who we name Akane after a plant.
Pania: I have boy/girl twins. The boy Lono is named after the Hawai'ian god of agriculture and rain.
The girl Laka is named after the Hawai'ian goddess of hula and storytelling.
.
Naoki: Going by the bassinets, all the nooboos are born spellcasters.


Tamiyo: We wanted to give our daughter a name connected to nature.
Akane, pronounced in 3 syllables, is a textile plant dye that gives a deep-red hue.


Pania: I hope you won't be angry.
Duane: About what?
Pania: When asked the father's name, I gave the nurse yours instead of Father Winter's.
Later, I realized it was for the birth certificates. Duane, the twins have your family name.
Duane: Why would I be angry about that? I'm really glad they do.


Pania: I realize we're all done with the farm chores, but is it okay to be here?
Tamiyo: We hired a nanny to look after the nooboos.  They'll be fine.
Besides, today's New Skill Day. It's a good time make some skilling progress.
Pania: You're right!  It's been too cold lately to do any fishing in the HoB!


Naoki: I take a short break from mentoring Duane, since he's already Fishing 9.
I want to break open this mine shaft in case we want to explore it another day.


Monday
Pania: I hope you don't think my proposal is too sudden.
But I would really love for us to be married before the twins age up to toddlers tomorrow.
Will you marry me, Duane?
Duane: Oh my gosh, yes.  YES!


Duane: I use Dr. June's Weather Machine to chase the clouds out of the sky for our wedding.
Darn it, Watcher! You missed the moment when a bolt of light flashes out of the machine!


Duane: Pania, I will cherish you for the rest of my days.



Naoki: Watch carefully, Tamiyo.  That is how you "Take the first slice" of a wedding cake.
Tamiyo: Oooohhhhh.


Duane: I'm so touched that the Kealohas are here on such short notice.
They are the closest thing to family I've had growing up.


Of course, Pania's magical mentor--Sage Simeon--arrives to give us his blessing.
Wait until he hears that we have three more spellcasters for him to train!


Duane: So much has happened since I came to the HoB.
But today is, without a doubt, the happiest day of my whole life.


Tamiyo: I can't believe how fast Pania and Duane got together.
Naoki: I know, right?  It took us over 13 weeks before we got married.
Tamiyo: In 10 days, Pania had twins with Father Winter, proposed to Duane, and now they're wed.
Naoki: It was a whirlwind romance, but they're a great match, don't you think?
Tamiyo: I agree.  I hope they'll be very happy together!


Naoki: I've been meaning to ask, Tamiyo, since you gave birth to Akane.
How would you feel about adopting a toddler brother for Akane? 
Tamiyo: Akane would love having a sibling her own age. But where would we find him?
Naoki: I've been checking with a few adoption agencies lately. I have a little boy in mind.


Tuesday
Tamiyo: We were just getting ready to age up the nooboos.  Who do you have there?

 
Naoki: His name is Katsuya. He's feeling a little shy right now.
He'll be fine once the others age up to toddlers.
Pania: What a handsome little boy!


Tamiyo: And here are our four toddlers.  You just met Katsuya.
Naoki and I are the parents of Akane.
I'm a 2nd-gen spellcasters, so she has the Strong bloodline.
Do you think she resembles me?

Pania: My kids inherited the Sulani Mana, Weak bloodline, and Father Winter's Child traits.
Their hair color confuses me.  My hair is brown, yet Lono's is red and Laka's is black.
Shouldn't they either have brown hair like mine or share the same hair color linked to Father Winter?
Lono has Father Winter's fair skin but he and his sister both inherited my green eyes.


Naoki: Due to the cold weather, the toddlers can neither play nor sleep outdoors.
I've had to build a monstrosity of a room behind the main house.
It totally ruins the traditional aesthetic of the farm, but it's only temporary.
Maybe I should build a basement room instead?


Duane: We rush through our farm chores to go to GeekCon.
And here I thought that life was busy with all the crops and farm animals.
Four toddlers is so much work!  But I still want to have a child with Pania.


Naoki: Despite her black hair, Laka (center) looks a lot like her mother.
Our daughter Akane (left) will perhaps resemble Tamiyo when she's older.


Tamiyo: I wonder if Lono will grow up looking like Father Winter.
Was Father Winter a ginger before his hair went gray?


Wednesday
(Katsuya pets the llama Latifah)
Latifah: Say wut?


(Katsuya hugs the golden hen)
Watcher: Arrrgggh, it's so cute.  I'm dyyyyiiinnggg!

Tamiyo: I'm so glad our Watcher never plays favorites.



Notes
*Auto-Aging:
Up to now, I've been playing the Auto-Aging disabled for all sims.
With no time pressure, I could relax and explore the new Cottage Living content.
Also, I wanted Tamiyo and Naoki to remain teens, so I would not be tempted to start a family.
Once the nooboos aged up, I switched the "Auto-Aging for Played Sims" setting to Active Household only.

*Happy Buff from Harvestables:
I'm "forced" to temporarily remove the Off-the-Grid lot challenge.
My toddlers weren't getting Happy buffs from eating harvestables while living off-the-gird.
It seems odd to me that sims living off-the-grid wouldn't get happy over eating raw produce.
Oh well.
Once the toddlers age up, I'll add the Off-the-Grid lot challenge again.
Just five more days. Longer than that, because there will be more nooboos shortly.

[Granny Lawlor]

Four toddlers in one household - you are brave! Just as well Duane can't fulfil his desire to have another!
Still - I forsee lots of toddler spam! Yay.

[oshizu]

reggikko and I recently completed the How Many Life States in Your World Dynasty challenge.
After raising 45 kids with two parents, I needed a break from raising children but I'm ready and willing now. *rolls up shirt sleeves
Four toddlers with four YA caregivers in one week? A bit hectic but quite do-able.

Duane will eventually get his wish, because I want to see what he and Paina's children would look like.
I hope you support his/our wish, too! hahaha