Author Topic: Mistura Mishmash Legacy: 11.86: Not All Super Parents Wear Capes (26 Apr '24)  (Read 126847 times)

Offline oshizu

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Re: Mistura Mishmash Legacy 4.26: Cry Me a River (3 Sep '23)
« Reply #270 on: September 03, 2023, 01:17:13 PM »
4.26:  Cry Me a River


Now you say you're sorry
For being so untrue
Well, you can cry me a river
Cry me a river
I cried a river over you

-- "Cry Me a River," originally written by Arthur Hamilton for Ella Fitzgerald in 1953.
    (Performed by various artists but I first saw a 1970 video recording of this song by Joe Cocker)


Sunday, Week 26 (mid-spring)
Gisela: I'm so grateful for my Paranoia because it sparked my interest in Nectar-Brewing.
Thanks to my Nectars, Cisco and I can easily afford this huge ranch while raising our small children.
Our twins were born last Monday and we aged them to toddlers a day early on Friday.
We all loved Grandpa Carlos and Grandpa Aritz staying over from Tuesday til Friday night.
From L ro R: Jessie, Cisco holding Lucinda, and me.


Cisco: Arrggh, please stop!  No more asking me why!
I think it's about nap time for the two of you!
(And I could certainly use a break!)


While Grandpas Carlos and Artiz were here, I preferred to do my writing in the kitchen.
That way, I could socialize with everyone or quickly tend to our children's needs.
Since their departure, though, I've claimed this room as my study.
This chair wasn't intended for long writing sessions. I need a comfier chair!


Gisela: By 9pm, Jessie and Lucinda have both maxed out all their toddler skills.
3.5 days for Top-Notch Toddler in a regular residential lot ain't shabby at all!
Of course, it helped to have the grandpas here plus Cisco was home yesterday and today.



Monday
Cisco: I was totally fired up about Watcher joining me at work today, then found it's my day off.
I've spent the day preparing to sell nearly a dozen mystery novels to my publisher.
Our new home has worked wonders for my creative productivity!
It's a good thing, too, because my fragile male ego has struggled with not being the main breadwinner.


Rogelio: How nice to run into you, Gisela. It's a lovely evening for a stroll, isn't it?
Gisela: Yes, and I've been hoping to talk with you since yesterday.
In fact, I'd wanted to visit you this afternoon, but wasn't sure I'd be welcome.
Rogelio:  You're welcome to visit anytime, Gisela. What did you want to talk about?


Gisela: For an Unflirty sim, Rogelio, you sure runs hot and cold.
You flirt with me but, when I try harmlessly flirting back, you scold me for moving too fast.
But then, you autonomously give me a rose with that heartfelt message?
It doesn't matter! You and I can't do this! We're both happily married to other sims!


Rogelio: Happily married? Speak for yourself, Gisela!
I'm merely collateral damage in Elise's war of envy with you. Didn't you see the twins?
Gisela: Yes, I met Cannon and Abigail yesterday. I've been wanting to ask you about them.
Rogelio:  When Elise seduced me two weeks ago, I had no idea Valentin Price had already gotten her pregnant.
I didn't realize  I wasn't the biological father until the twins aged up to toddlers recently.
Why would I be happy? Elise drove you away from me then tricked me into raising another sim's children.



Tuesday
Cisco: Today, I get assigned my first case.
I travel to Windenburg to gather evidence and clues.
It seems like an open-and-shut case.


Back at the station, I analyze my evidence only to be told to hand the case over to a senior detective.
No wonder all but one of my coworkers are already adults or elders!
The Chief of Police is also a young adult, but he probably rose quickly through the ranks by nepotism!
Also, as a Neat sim, running uncleanly suspects through booking makes me extremely uncomfortable.



Wednesday
Gisela: The Eggfest holiday began yesterday but we had to wait to celebrate.
After Cisco got home from work at 6 pm, we all went hunting for eggs.
By bedtime, our Decorative Egg collection was still lacking one item.
At 1 am, I travel alone to Magnolia Blossom Park where I find the missing egg at 1:50 am.

No, I'm not turning into my mother. Every household should complete one collection!


Gisela: Jessie and Lucinda spend most of their time hanging out together.
Cisco: Their birthday's tomorrow but we should age them up today.
Gisela: I agree, but let's wait until this evening.


Cisco: I arrive at the Police Station only to learn that it's another Training Day! *sighs
I'm sent on patrol to Willow Creek where I witness a brawl right away and issue a citation.
Next, I issue an APB then travel to The Gnome's Arms where I perform my first arrest.
Then back to the precinct to book suspects.


Cisco: I mean no disrespect, Chief, but I'm merely a legacy spare.
I can't be actively serving as a Detective every day.
I'll try to convince my wife and our Watcher to let me work another active day.
But you have to promise me that I get to solve my own case from start to finish!


Gisela: As soon as Cisco gets home, we age up Jessie and Lucinda to children.
They both ask to keep the hairstyles that they aged up with. 
Let's hope the twins are as bright as they are beautiful!



Thursday
Rogelio: Thanks for coming over and inviting me to cook with you.
Elise and I don't cook, so I'm sure the kids are sick and tired of Quick Meals.
Gisela: Cisco and I are Foodies, so no Quick Meals allowed in our home!
By the way, I've never tried this Spinach Fritata recipe before, though. I hope everyone enjoys it.


Lucinda: This is my cousin Cannon. He aged up yesterday, just like Jessie and me.
My mama has violet eyes but Jessie and I have green eyes just like our papa.
But…Auntie Elise and Uncle Rogelio both have violet eyes.
So why do Cannon and Abigail have brown eyes/  Hmmmm…


Lucinda: We go home before Papa gets off work, then travel to our favorite park together.
We spend the evening there, working on scout badges and aspirations.
First, our parents help us with homework and extra credit (We're B students now!), then we all go fishing.
Next, Jessie and I eat Razzleberries and play on the Jungle Gym. 



Friday
Cisco: Today, I'm finally put completely in charge of my own case!
I might've gone a bit overboard collecting evidence at the crime scene in Oasis Springs.
By the time I'm ready to issue an APB, it's already 4:30pm.


To make a long story short, working late gives me time to arrest the suspect and wring a confession out of him.
Case closed!!
I bring home my first promotion to Detective!



Saturday
Rogelio: Thanks for agreeing to mentor me in nectar-brewing, Gisela. I wasn't sure where to start.
Why, that's our Prom photo! What's it doing here in your nectar cellar?
Gisela: I couldn't throw our photo out and my cellar is locked to everyone but me (and now you), so…


Rogelio: I've tried to forget you, Gisela, but I can't fight my feelings for you.
Gisela: What are you doing? Please don't stir up my feelings for you all over again!
You and I, we can't have a thing going on! You're my brother-in-law, for goodness sake!


Gisela: I was already sweaty from demonstrating how to stomp grapes.
And now, you've got me all hot and bothered! I'm going to take a quick shower.
Rogelio: An excellent idea! Do you mind if I join you?
Gisela: What? No!


Gisela:  Now look what you're making me do! This can't happen again, Rogelio.
It's a one-time fling and then we forget it ever happened and move on.
Rogelio: But what if I can't forget? Can you?


Gisela (to herself): What the heck is wrong with me?
No need to panic. I can fix this.  I'm not destroying my family over a moment of temporary insanity.

Cisco: Thanks for the massage, babe! My shoulders were feeling so tense from work and writing!
Gisela: So, Cisco, I was wondee4ring how you feel about having more children?
Cisco: Well, duh! We want to have a Big Happy Family. Of course, I want more children!






Progress: End of Week 26
Residence: Red Roan Field, Rider's Glen (Chestnut Ridge)
Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Notes
*Chestnut Ridge: It's been fun living in Chestnut Ridge, even without horses, goats, and sheep.
  As you can see, Gisela has her hands full without caring for ranch animals!

*Cisco's level 5 Detective promotion: He looks great in his new uniform!
  I joined Cisco at work for 3 of his 5 workdays this week. Totally worth it!
  That's as far as he'll rise in the Detective ranks.

*Valentin Price: When Elise persuaded Rogelio to propose to her, Valentin was still her boyfriend.
  I checked on him in game last night; he lives with his wife and their infant in the family penthouse.

*Cry Me a River: This update's title refers not to the song by Justin Timberlake.
  I first watched a video of Joe Cocker singing this 1955 song at the 1970 Woodstock Festival.
  Here's a Youtube link to a different performance of this song by Joe Cocker: Cry Me A River, Mad Dogs & Englishmen Tour, 1970

Offline Granny Lawlor

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Re: Mistura Mishmash Legacy 4.26: Cry Me a River (3 Sep '23)
« Reply #271 on: September 03, 2023, 01:44:16 PM »
Oh no! This is terrible. What if Gisela's next children have blonde hair? Lucinda is already questioning her cousin's parentage and Cisco is a Detective. Oh no no no.

The twins are lovely by the way...



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Offline oshizu

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Re: Mistura Mishmash Legacy 4.26: Cry Me a River (3 Sep '23)
« Reply #272 on: September 03, 2023, 02:19:52 PM »
Oh no! This is terrible. What if Gisela's next children have blonde hair? Lucinda is already questioning her cousin's parentage and Cisco is a Detective. Oh no no no.

The twins are lovely by the way...

One of Gisela's heir requirements is to have 3 children with her spouse, so that has to happen, too.
As for inherited hair colors, I tried reading online about how each person's inherited hair color is determined by a pair of genes called alleles.
The discussion quickly went over my head, haha. All Gisela and I can do is wait and hope.
Cisco applying his professional skills as a Detective to keep track of his wife is a brilliant idea.
I was tempted to use a career mod so he could be a Private Investigator but it's only a rabbithole career plus I've never used a career mod before.

Thanks for always reading and commenting, Judi!  So very much appreciated! <3

Offline GlazeyLady

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Re: Mistura Mishmash Legacy 4.26: Cry Me a River (3 Sep '23)
« Reply #273 on: September 03, 2023, 10:30:21 PM »
Gisella!! Your lovely redheaded family is so lovely and redheaded! Leave that blond boy alone!

But seriously, such a fun twist. And what will Elise do if/when she finds out? Will Cisco discover what Gisela's been up to down in the cellar? Or will Gisela tell him the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? Will Gisela stick with Cisco and his handsome beard, or will Rogelio lure her away to  . . . somewhere Elise can't find them?

So many questions . . . only the Watcher knows!
Can't wait until she tells all!

Offline oshizu

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Re: Mistura Mishmash Legacy 4.26: Cry Me a River (3 Sep '23)
« Reply #274 on: September 04, 2023, 12:14:26 PM »
Gisella!! Your lovely redheaded family is so lovely and redheaded! Leave that blond boy alone!

But seriously, such a fun twist. And what will Elise do if/when she finds out? Will Cisco discover what Gisela's been up to down in the cellar? Or will Gisela tell him the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? Will Gisela stick with Cisco and his handsome beard, or will Rogelio lure her away to  . . . somewhere Elise can't find them?

So many questions . . . only the Watcher knows!
Can't wait until she tells all!
Gisela has so much to lose!  But...she and Rogelio became BFFs as soon as they entered grade school, while Cisco (as dashing as he is) entered her life two weeks ago.
And then there are the beautiful children!
You pose great questions, ones I'm still pondering while I decide on how to fufill Gisela's heir requirements.
Two of her remaining four requirements will be met in the next update, I hope.

So much going on at the ranch with the children and Gisela's love life that I have yet to even visit the other two neighborhoods. LOL!

Offline oshizu

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Re: Mistura Mishmash Legacy 4.27: Tightrope (6 Sep '23)
« Reply #275 on: September 06, 2023, 02:19:05 AM »
4.27:Tightrope



Sunday, Week 27 (late spring)
Gisela: Last week started out great!  Jessie and Lucinda aged up to children on Wednesday.
And Cisco finally earned a promotion after Watcher joined him at work for 3 days.
Things fell apart on Saturday when Rogelio visited to learn about nectar-making.
I feel like I'm walking a tightrope while wearing a blindfold!
From L to R: Lucinda, my husband Cisco, me (the Gen4 heir), and Jessie.


My nectar cellar is the perfect place to sort out my thoughts. 
After meeting Cisco on Papa's suggestion, I believed I could find joy in life again.
Cisco is a thoughtful and loving husband, works hard to provide, and cares deeply about the children.
Living in my dream home, Cisco and I have been leading the perfect life.  Where did I go wrong?
Rogelio isn't even as handsome as Cisco, but it seems I'm still under his spell…
Why am I daydreaming about Rogelio? I need to decide what's best for the children!


The twins are disappointed because they didn't meet anyone their age at the park this afternoon.
So we take them to a new place in Oasis Springs called Ice Cream & Cake Bakery.
What a fantastic exterior!


Cisco: I give this place my Food Stamp of Approval as a great dessert place for children.
However, the menu should include a few more items that cater to adults.
I want to drink fou-fou coffee with my cake, not chamomile tea!
Gisela: On the other hand, the gelatos are scrumptious!


Carlos: Good evening, child! I was just coming to visit you.
Gisela: Oh, Grandpa! I'm in so much trouble! *explains her situation
Carlos:  Here's the number of a psychic who can tell you who the father is.
If it's Cisco, you could survive your mistake with your family intact.
Gisela: Thanks, Grandpa. I'll go now to ask whether Rogelio is the father.

Oh nooooo!



Monday
Lucinda: Becoming Playtime Captains this morning means we completed three aspirations!
And we'll be done with Whiz Kid this afternoon. Hey, you think Mama will let us age up early?
Jessie: Who knows? Saturday will mark our 10th day as children. 
Maybe if we're extra good between now and then. We should work on our character values, sis!


Gisela: After the kids go to school, I check that Cisco's busy writing, then  I go for an ultrasound scan.
Thank the Fates!  I'm having a single baby who my doctor believes will be a girl.
Now what?  Should I share the news with Rogelio? Would he want to know?
I hang the ultrasound in my nectar cellar, next to the Prom photo..
My cellar is transforming into quite the Chamber of Secrets. (Harry Potter would be proud!)


Later, I ask Cisco to help me with the Treehouse.
It's his day off and I need his help around the house.
Together, we build the Treehouse and add the Light Upgrade.
In the process, Cisco discovers that he's a Perfectionist! He's really gained all the desirable traits!



Tuesdayh
Cisco and I have built a good life for our family, except Cisco should spend more time with his kids.
When he's not at work, he spends all his free time writing in his study. We only see him at meals.
Besides the garden, nectars, meals, and homework, I even taught the twins how to ride bikes.
Well, I must not be too busy since I still found time for hanky-panky. Maybe I'm not busy enough?


Gisela: Rogelio, I wanted to tell you that I'm having a baby girl and you're the father.
Rogelio: Really? You're carrying my very first child?  May I feel your tummy?
Gisela: Yes, but nobody can know our secret! It would tear both of our families apart.
Rogelio: I would hardly call my household a "family," but I agree to the secrecy.
Can we name our child Felicia?  And may I visit her, pretending to be Uncle Rogelio?


Gisela: After giving birth to Licia (Felicia's nickname), things get wacky.
I can't have a science baby with Cisco unless he's on the home lot, so I have to wait until he's off work.
But when I change Licia's wardrobe, I accidentally force Cisco home from work early. Oops!

Cisco isn't an occult, yet both girls are spellcasters.
Licia shares our violet eyes and pointy ears combined, obviously, with Rogelio's hair.
Dakota (my science baby with Cisco) has my red hair with Cisco's green eyes and non-pointy ears.



Wednesday
Cisco: Good morning, Licia! Looks like you slept soundly through the night.
Yesterday evening, I did some research on genetics to understand you and Dakota look so different.
I learned that it's possible for two redhead parents to have a blond baby.
Not sure why you and I hardly know each other, but we can fix that in a single day, right?


I realize that Grandpas Carlos and Aritz are, as caregivers go, the exception rather than the rule.
Compared to them, Papa Marcos is pretty attentive but Mama Izar tries hard.
No offense, Mama, but I'm locking you out of the garden cuz you only want to talk to the plants.
Still, I appreciate their help while Cisco's at work and they mentor the twins as well.


The next heir?  Obviously, the fifth-generation Mistura heir can only be Licia!
Among my four kids, she's the only one with violet eyes.
The green-eyed Dakota is also very pretty but her ears aren't pointy.
I'm sure you agree that only Licia will do!



Thursday
Gisela: I've already shared that I group my bottled nectar in storage racks according to nectar type.
Once they're finely aged, though, I transfer them to boxes based on their value.
The four boxes are for $50k and over, $10k to $49.9k, $5k to $9.9k, and below $5k.
I should probably sell my Finely Aged Nectars right away. Don't they contribute to higher bills?


After me, Licia's 2nd favorite person is her Grandpa Marcos, followed by Papa Rogelio.
Dakota's favorite folks are me, followed by Papa Cisco tied with her Grandma Izar.
I'm surprise to notice that Licia is only acquaintances with Cisco and my mother.


I hope Jessie (right) and Lucinda (left) haven't been feeling neglected lately.
They ask their grandparents for help with homework since the infants keep me busy.
They're doing so well in school and each have three character values each in range already.


When Licia wants to be put in bed, Rogelio must've appeared as one of her caregiver options.
He's walking over from the other side of the bridge, but Licia waits patiently for him to arrive.
After tucking Lucia in and giving her a kiss, he quietly leaves without talking to anyone.
That melancholy look on Rogelio's face is killing me.


Cisco favors his daughter Lucinda because they share the exact same hair color.
So, as soon as he gets home, he takes her volunteering to a nursing home.
Lucinda doesn't even need to boost her Empathy!
I'm left to not only look after the infants, but also extinguish the fire in our backyard.
Surely, Cisco realizes that my parents can only passively help look after the infants.



Friday
Rogelio comes over this morning, no doubt to play with Licia.
Today's the Spring Equinox holiday, however, so everyone's home including Cisco.
I was hoping to age up the infants today, but yesterday's fire left them tired and hungry.
Ever since the fire, Licia and Dakota feel Loved but not Well Cared For.



Saturday
Today we celebrate four birthdays!
First, Jessie and Lucina age up into teens and will start high school on Monday.
They've worked hard on their character values and even maxed three adult skills each.
I'm fine with letting them age up four days early.


It's past noon when I give up on the infants feeling Well Cared For.
They feel Loved and always feel Grandparental Love, so I decide that's good enough.
Once I age up Licia, Jessie helps out by aging up Dakota.
 

Lician (left) becomes a Perfectionist like me, while Dakota (right) becomes Neat like Cisco.
And to my utter surprise, both girls get the Top-Notch Infant trait!
We know that Grandparental Love gives a Happy +2 boost, but does it substitute for Well Cared For?


Rogelio must have some sixth sense when it comes to Licia, because he's soon at our front door.
Licia thrives on Rogelio's attention, since she and Cisco are only acquaintances.
Fortunately she's good friends with her Grandpa Marcos.
Rogelio and I are going to need a more permanent solution for co-parenting Licia.
Wait, did I just say "co-parenting"?






Gallery Download
*Dusty Turf (30x20): "Ice Cream & Cake Bakery" (restaurant) by laurenalycev.
  Another community lot I added in an attempt to make our simverse more children-friendly.
 There's an ice cream stand on Copperdale's pier, but isn't that for teens?

Progress: End of Week 27
Residence: Red Roan Field, Rider's Glen (Chestnut Ridge)
Gisela Mistura (Gen4 heir) - YA (10 Days to Adult)
Traits: Perfectionist, Paranoid, Family-Oriented (+Foodie)
Spouse: Cisco Wright; Children: Jessie & Lucinda, Dakota
Baby daddy: Rogelio Moonstrider; Child: Felicia
Remaining tasks
 *Aspirations (2/3): Drama Llama 3/3, Expert Nectar Maker 1/1, Big Happy Family 2/4
🍷Have three children with your spouse (3/3)
🍷Slowly rebuild relationship with ex but accidentally get pregnant and raise child under your roof
  *Plus two more
Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Notes
*Top-Notch Infant: I didn't expect the girls to get Top-Notch Infant.
  Actually, though, I don't know what benefit Top-Notch Infant gives versus Happy Infant.

*Stayovers: Gisela's grandfathers are better caregivers.
  Gisela's father Marcos is just as good, but her mother Izar isn't as attentive and never cooks.
  On the other hand, that Happy +2 Grandparental Love moodlet is great!

Offline Granny Lawlor

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Re: Mistura Mishmash Legacy 4.27: Tightrope (6 Sep '23)
« Reply #276 on: September 06, 2023, 04:22:49 AM »
Oh Gisela! Trying to pretend you had twins. Cisco is too smart for that! Btw, the game always letting the birth father know a child is or isn't his does get in the way of story-telling, doesn't it!

Lucinda may have Cisco's hair but I think her face shape favours Gisela. Jesse is very handsome too.

Cisco leaving Gisela to handle the home completely can be seen as old-fashioned but a partnership based on differing strengths can work really well. At least he's a good father. I worry that Gisela will go off with Rogelio & Licia leaving her other children because he doesn't seem interested in them. Oh dear. Get your act together, Gisela! I know you've got requirements but the grass isn't always greener - sometimes it's just the artificial stuff!



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Offline oshizu

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Re: Mistura Mishmash Legacy 4.27: Tightrope (6 Sep '23)
« Reply #277 on: September 06, 2023, 04:50:07 PM »
Oh Gisela! Trying to pretend you had twins. Cisco is too smart for that! Btw, the game always letting the birth father know a child is or isn't his does get in the way of story-telling, doesn't it!

Lucinda may have Cisco's hair but I think her face shape favours Gisela. Jesse is very handsome too.

Cisco leaving Gisela to handle the home completely can be seen as old-fashioned but a partnership based on differing strengths can work really well. At least he's a good father. I worry that Gisela will go off with Rogelio & Licia leaving her other children because he doesn't seem interested in them. Oh dear. Get your act together, Gisela! I know you've got requirements but the grass isn't always greener - sometimes it's just the artificial stuff!
Yes, the game spoils the suspense, doesn't it?  Gisela's profile shows that she cheated on Cisco and that Cisco didn't father her child.
But Cisco's profile doesn't show anything of the short. Of course, Cisco having to "Adopt as Caregiver" Licia is a dead giveaway. 
But the household is otherwise going along as usual.

Cisco's not a great father on his own. As soon as he finishes whatever infant-related chore I give him, he runs off to Talk to the Plants.
The fire made restoring the infants' Well Cared For mood impossible, but the got Top-Notch Infants anyway.
Marcos (G's father) is a gem and Izar (her mother) has been more helpful than I'd expected. Hard to beat Grandpa Aritz with the Fresh Chef trait, though.
I'm just glad the infant stage is over...until the next generation!

After Jessie & Lucinda aged up to teens, I was thinking that Lucinda resembled her father.
I'd prefer not having to raise so many sim-kids, but I seem to have chosen heir requirements that demand multiple births. *sighs
Thanks to infants, gone are the days when we could breeze through raising triplet toddlers! 
Have you noticed any substantial benefit to the Top-Notch Infant trait?

Offline Granny Lawlor

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Re: Mistura Mishmash Legacy 4.27: Tightrope (6 Sep '23)
« Reply #278 on: September 07, 2023, 01:51:07 AM »
I think the Top-Notch-Infant gives a confidence or happy buff every now and then. Something about trusting the universe due to a happy childhood. Or is that from Top-Notch-Toddler?
It's interesting that your youngest got it anyway. No-one seems to have pinned down exactly what's required.

It's difficult to see if Lucinda looks like her father - she doesn't have a beard -  ;D

Offline oshizu

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Re: Mistura Mishmash Legacy 4.27: Tightrope (6 Sep '23)
« Reply #279 on: September 07, 2023, 02:51:03 PM »
I think the Top-Notch-Infant gives a confidence or happy buff every now and then. Something about trusting the universe due to a happy childhood. Or is that from Top-Notch-Toddler?
It's interesting that your youngest got it anyway. No-one seems to have pinned down exactly what's required.

It's difficult to see if Lucinda looks like her father - she doesn't have a beard -  ;D

I still stand by my understanding that the Top-Notch Infant trait is based on meeting an infants' needs (Well-Cared For) and providing affection/attention (Loved).
Licia and Dakota had only positive moodlets at the time they caked up, and I didn't worry that much (at all?) about earning milestones.
Going forward, I plan to rely on the Well-Cared For and Loved moodlets (and get rid of any fire pits in the yard).
Who nows? Perhaps their stats reached the right level without actually displaying the Well-Cared For moodlet.

Regarding the "I Believe in Me" and "Trusting the Universe" moodlets, my sims only get them from childhood not as toddlers.

Offline GlazeyLady

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Re: Mistura Mishmash Legacy 4.27: Tightrope (6 Sep '23)
« Reply #280 on: September 09, 2023, 12:39:17 PM »
Felicia and Dakota are both adorable. I get that Cisco "knows" Licia isn't his child in the game, but it seems he doesn't really know in the story. Is that right? Or is he not as focused on the children (running off to talk to the plants) because he's hurt about Licia being Rogelio's and everything that means?

Of course Licia's pointy ears win for heir designation, but how does Cisco feel about that? Surely he thought he'd be father to the next heir. I'm not as worried that Gisela will take off with Licia and Rogelio as I am that Cisco might say "Sorry Gisela, this isn't MY idea of a Big Happy Family."

I'm curious - was the Big Happy Family specifically part of the requirements? Big Happy Family paired with having a child with an ex while married and having 3 children with the spouse certainly leads to interesting, drama-filled gameplay and story!

Offline oshizu

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Re: Mistura Mishmash Legacy 4.28: Happy Birthday Hoedown (9 Sep '23)
« Reply #281 on: September 09, 2023, 01:02:36 PM »
4.28: Happy Birthday Hoedown



Sunday, Week 28 (early summer)
Gisela: Last week was so trying! And not only because I discovered that Rogelio was my baby's father.
After Felicia and Dakota's birth on Tuesday, my parents stayed over until the infants aged up to toddlers.
Twins Jessie and Lucinda became teens on Saturday, then Jessie helped me age up Dakota.
What a relief to be free of infants in the house!
From L to R: Cisco holding science baby Dakota, Lucinda, me holding Licia, and Jessie


As you may recall, Licia is my love child with Rogelio Moonstrider, who's both my lifelong bestie and neighbor.
I still can't get over that my sister Elise trapped Rogelio into marriage just to spite me!
But angelic Licia is above all that!
And Watcher confided in me that Licia will enjoy a joyful, uncomplicated life (unlike my life).


So far, Licia doesn't mind that Cisco seems to avoid her.
Why should she?  Her Grandpa Marcos adores her to pieces and the feeling's mutual.
My parents' stayover ends this afternoon. Perhaps I'll invite over my grandparents next.
When raising toddlers, the more grown-ups around the merrier, right?



Monday
Today, Jessie and Lucinda go to high school for the first time, but we've sent them alone.
Cisco has had yesterday and today off, so we're making great progress with the toddlers.
With luck, Licia and Dakota might max all their skills tomorrow!


It's Cisco's adult birthday so I throw a Happy Birthday Hoedown for him at the local Rusty Horseshoe nightclub.
It's a family affair and the club is filled with Misturas. Even Great-Grandma Tiva's ghostly son Colby joins the fun.
I'd cooked a birthday cake and several meals in the afternoon, so we're ready to party!
If Cisco had introduced me to his family and coworkers, I'd loved to have invited them, too.


Lucinda (back right): Whoa, did you see Aunt Elise slide into Mama's seat as soon as Mama went to get a drink?
Jessie (back left): I hate to say this about my own aunt, but she sure puts the "hoe" in "hoedown"!
Cannon (blue shirt): That's my mother y'all are talking about but, sadly, I have to agree.
We can't take her anywhere!


Gisela: From the bar, I'm shocked to see Cisco respond to Elise's flirting by flirting back.
You probably think I'm being a hypocrite since Rogelio and I have a love child.
But Rogelio and I are discreet; we've never openly flirted in front of the whole family. 
Cisco and Elise have Amazing Compatibility despite being acquaintances.
Ugh, Elise isn't interested in Cisco. She's trying to yank my chain and it's working!


I don't want to cause a scene and spoil the party, because that's exactly what my sister Elise wants me to do.
Instead, I shift the mood by starting a Cowpoke Group Dance.
Yee haw!  The party ends on a high note and earns a gold medal!



Tuesday
The twins are disappointed about not attending high school actively again today.
But Licia and Dakota are a few hours away from maxing their toddler skills.
Plus Grandpa Carlos and Grandpa Aritz arrive today for a stayover.
Grandpa Aritz looks so happy to be visiting us again. Licia and Dakota will love meeting them!


After an hour of "Talk to Stranger" socials, Licia and Dakota can start befriending their great-grandfathers.
Licia maxes all her toddler skills before the twins return from high school.
Dakota doesn't manage that until nightfall, but they can both free-range now.
Here's Dakota with her Great-Grandpa Carlos.


Lately, I've been thinking a lot about which twin would form the best Cadet branch.
I've decided it will not be Lucinda. After school, her Fun's always in the red zone.
Also, how many Sketchpads has she lost in the past four days!?
On the other hand, Jessie enjoys working with me in the garden. He'll be much easier to live with.



Wednesday
Lucinda: Our first active day at high school!
When we first arrive, I try to introduce myself to this boy but he yells at me.
It turns out Raylan Michaelson (left) is Mean. Well, duh!
Braylon Uha is a Cheerful Glutton and much nicer.  Hmmm, Uha…could he be a mardude?
I mean, I'm not desperate to fall in love but I'd like some teen friends besides Jessie and my cousins, y'kiow?


Lucinda: After school, Jessie suggests we drop by ThrifTea. What a great idea!
I meet Marlon Rasoya, who's a Socially Awkward Horse Lover. He's kinda shy but really sweet!
Braylon Uha shows up and asks me to Prom as friends, but I decline. I'd rather go to Prom with Marlon.
Jessie: I run into Kiersten, a girl I knew in grade school. We're so busy catching up that I'm an hour late for work!



Thursday
Lucinda: Today's the Summer Splash holiday.
We're all playing on the Splash Pad when Marlon suddenly shows up and asks me to Prom.
I'd been hoping he's ask me, so of course I say yes.


Gisela: Licia and Dakota age up to children today!
I help them both myself since I've sent Jessie and Lucinda to take a Parenting skill class.
Licia's a Perfectionist like me, while Dakota's Neat like Cisco.
Dakota's happy to take it easy, but Licia's eager to tackle scouting and some aspirations.


Jessie: I first met Kaitlynn Sierra at school yesterday and she immediately asked me to be BFFs.
This morning, she came over to invite me to Prom, but I didn't accept.
Several hours later, I decide to make a Promposal sign to invite Kiersten to Prom.
Unbelievably, Kaitlynn asks me to Prom a second time. Some sims can't take a hint!


Thanks the Fates that Kiersten agrees to be my Prom Date.
Heck, I didn't even want to go to Prom until next week.
But I like Kiersten a lot and I really don't want any more unwelcome Prom invites.


I give Kiersten a makeover in the closet, and she's even prettier than I'd imagined.
But as soon as we're done, you'll never guess who comes over.
Yes, Kaitlynn Sierra arrives to invite me to Prom for the third time and I turn her down again.
I checked her profile and we have Bad Compatibility. What's her problem!?



Friday
Dakota (ginger): I'm so excited about our first day of grade school, aren't you?
Licia (blond): Yeah! Hey, look! There's Jessie's stalker!
Dakota: Oh no! Is she here for the reason I think she's here?
Licia: Yep, Jessie turned her down to go to Prom as friends for the FOURTH time this morning!


Jessie:  After school, I'm surprised by a phone call from a sim named Valentin Price.
Last week, my cousin Cannon confided that that's who his real father is.
But the dude doesn't actually know me (or does he?). He just called to offer me early graduation.
I accept, of course. I never want to see Kaitlynn again!



Saturday
Gisela: The girls are so cute in their matching overalls!
They almost earned their ninth scout badge without ever attending a scout meeting.
But they were each three drawings short. They'll definitely be done tomorrow!


Jessie: Tonight's a perfect evening!
My crush Kiersten and I share a First Kiss and she agrees to be my girlfriend!
And that creepster Kaitlynn is nowhere in sight!


Lucinda: Marlon phoned me two days ago to confess his crush on me, asking if I felt the same.
So yesterday we went on a rather steamy date now and he asked me to be his girlfriend.
I love how his attention is always focused on me.


Jessie: I didn't expect to be chosen Prom Royalty!
Thanks for voting for me, sis!
Lucinda: And thanks for NOT voting for me for Prom Jester.
I detest that jester hat!





Progress: End of Week 28
Residence: Red Roan Field, Rider's Glen (Chestnut Ridge)

Gisela Mistura (Gen4 heir) - YA (3 Days to Adult)
Traits: Perfectionist, Paranoid, Family-Oriented (+Foodie, Cheerful)
Spouse: Cisco Wright; Children: Jessie & Lucinda, Dakota
Ex-boyfriend: Rogelio Moonstrider; Child: Felicia
Remaining tasks
 *Aspirations (2/3): Drama Llama 3/3, Expert Nectar Maker 1/1, Big Happy Family 2/4
 *Plus two more

Felicia (Gen5 heir) - Child
Traits: Sunny/Angelic; Perfectionist
Toddler quirks: Loves Sounds, Wanderer; Heavy Sleeper
Skills (0/3): Photography 2

Rest of Househol
Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Notes
*Kaitlynn Sierra: Kaitlynn asked Jessie to be BFFs on his first active school day.
  All he did were the Friendly Intro and Get to Know socials.
  From Wednesday to Friday, Jessie turned down her Prom invites four times.
  In the process, she dropped from Best Friends to Acquaintances.  Serves her right!
  Despite their Bad Compatibility, they remain Deeply Connected.
  Is that sentiment from when they were Best Friends? The connection seems pretty one-sided to me.

*Grandparent Candy: This is my first time seeing Grandparent Candy.
  The Gen5 kids received it from their great-grandfathers but not from their grandparents.
  Licia got a whopping 4 pieces, while Jessie and Dakota got one each.
  On the other hand, Lucinda didn't get any. I wonder why not.

Offline oshizu

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Re: Mistura Mishmash Legacy 4.28: Happy Birthday Hoedown (9 Sep '23)
« Reply #282 on: September 09, 2023, 01:33:24 PM »
Felicia and Dakota are both adorable. I get that Cisco "knows" Licia isn't his child in the game, but it seems he doesn't really know in the story. Is that right? Or is he not as focused on the children (running off to talk to the plants) because he's hurt about Licia being Rogelio's and everything that means?

Of course Licia's pointy ears win for heir designation, but how does Cisco feel about that? Surely he thought he'd be father to the next heir. I'm not as worried that Gisela will take off with Licia and Rogelio as I am that Cisco might say "Sorry Gisela, this isn't MY idea of a Big Happy Family."

I'm curious - was the Big Happy Family specifically part of the requirements? Big Happy Family paired with having a child with an ex while married and having 3 children with the spouse certainly leads to interesting, drama-filled gameplay and story!

To avoid spoilers for the rest of Gisela's generation, I'd just like to share that I haven't modified a single heir requirement of the source challenge.
The rest of Gisela's requirements will be revealed in the next update for Week 30. You'll have your answers about the requirements then.

As for what Cisco knows, he had to adopt Licia as her caregiver so that's a dead giveaway in-game.
But when Gisela clicks on his profile, he hasn't registered that Gisela cheated or that he didn't father Licia.
Since Licia's birth, Rogelio only visits briefly to interact with Licia while Cisco's at work.

Anyway, Gisela and Cisco are bumbling along. Gisela looks after the kids, cooks, gardens, and makes nectar.
Cisco works 40 hrs a week and prefers talking to plants than his family but willingly helps out when asked.  That's the story I'm going with.
My own father worked a full-time job while earning a college degree in his late 20s while my brother and I were very young.
Yes, he was super busy but I remember lots of family trips; he made time for his family. Maybe it was good that my mother didn't have a big garden...

My only problem with this generation's requirements is that it's a lot of stuff to squeeze in while trying to ensure a timely start for the next heir.
Lots and lots of drama with hardly enough time for building up to it.  Oh well, I've done what I can..
Haha, I'm SOOOO ready to be done with Gisela's generation but she first needs to complete the Big Happy Family aspiration. :(
Anyway, that's why neither of the twins (Jessie/Lucinda) could be the next heir.
I want to start the next generation with a clean slate, not stuck at home making babies for their mother's aspiration.

Offline Granny Lawlor

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Re: Mistura Mishmash Legacy 4.28: Happy Birthday Hoedown (9 Sep '23)
« Reply #283 on: September 09, 2023, 02:10:40 PM »
Oh Elise! Go live your own life!

I really feel for Gisela but she's got 4 adorable children. Licia will make a great heir and I'm sure Jesse and Lucinda will "do right" by their mother's desire for a Big Happy Family.

I don't think I've ever seen Grandparent Candy but then I've not invited them over for stays either.

It's funny that your story and mine both had a Summer Festival. We're experiencing a heatwave irl here - nothing dangerous but not a lot is getting done!

Offline oshizu

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Re: Mistura Mishmash Legacy 4.28: Happy Birthday Hoedown (9 Sep '23)
« Reply #284 on: September 09, 2023, 02:30:56 PM »
Oh Elise! Go live your own life!

I really feel for Gisela but she's got 4 adorable children. Licia will make a great heir and I'm sure Jesse and Lucinda will "do right" by their mother's desire for a Big Happy Family.

I don't think I've ever seen Grandparent Candy but then I've not invited them over for stays either.

It's funny that your story and mine both had a Summer Festival. We're experiencing a heatwave irl here - nothing dangerous but not a lot is getting done!

Poor Elise!  Watcher makes her flirt with her brother-in-law for the sake of a stupid pun!  LOL
Here's a screenie of Licia's inventory. The Grandparent Candy is the last stack.


Oddly, the Gen5 kids' grandparents (Izar & Marcos) gave the Happy +2 Grandparental Love moodlet (so helpful!) but no Grandparent Candy.
Great-Grandpas Carlos & Aritz gave Grandparent Candy during their second stayover (incl. Licia/Dakota) but not their first stayover (Jessie/Lucinda only).
I guess because elders can only give Grandparent Candy to toddlers to teens.
But Carlos/Aritz only visited during Jessie/Lucinda's infant stage, whereas Izar/Marco aren't elders and they stayed over during Licia/Dakota's infant stage.

I wonder what triggers an elder giving Grandparent Candy to a kid?  Licia knows the secret!

Heatwaves are tough! I love the new Splash Pads--I never saw a whole household playing in one together.
The Water Slide is great fun, too! 
There's a holiday every week in my game but most of them aren't screenshot-worthy. ;)