The Gavigan Family: Week 3

Returning to the Gavigans' house on Monday morning, we find the school bus waiting for Isaiah, Gerlinde and Gesine.

When they are gone and Nathan is busy looking after his customers, Mary spends a quiet hour doing yoga in the girls' room.

Isaiah brings home classmate Melrose Moonbeam.

Two hours later, the school bus pulls up again, dropping off the twins - and Gesine proudly brings home her first A+ report!

Isaiah knows it is important to keep the yard in good shape if they want to offer their customers a good time, and he helps by raking the leaves.

At bedtime, Mary congratulates Gesine for her good grades.

Early on Tuesday morning, the business has received a positive review and is now on Rank 8 with Bianca Capp and Tara Gieke (née Kat) gaining customer stars.

Isaiah is doing his homework for the last time today!

Charlie Cho comes home with the girls from school today (he is Etsu Cho's and Hal Capp's son).

Mary and Nathan wave their son good-bye - Isaiah is on his way to the taxi that is to take him to college, where we are soon going to check on him.

The girls know how busy their parents are, and usually do their share of the housework without grumbling.

"Now that Isaiah is at college, only our two little girls are left," Mary sighs - half happy, half nostalgic.

On Thursday morning, while it is still dark, Nathan offers free entry to Kevin Beare and rises the business to rank 9.

Later, he finds several jars full of butterflies in the back yard again, but this time, they are all still alive, and Nathan hurries to release them.

Christopher Capp, one of Miranda's sons (his father is Tank Grunt), accompanies the girls home from school today.

Mary prepares a special dinner: Salmon. Why?

Because it is the twins' birthday! First Gesine grows up into a pretty teenager. Her aspiration is Fortune, and she dreams of becoming Space Pirate one day.

Gerlinde follows a little later. She turns out to be a Knowledge Sim and sees herself as a future World Class Ballet Dancer - and that while the family have never owned a stereo, and she has never been dancing in her life!

Friday finally sees the Gavigans' home business on Rank 10 - that is four more to go for Nathan.

The girls' room gets a little makeover.

Today, it is Mary's turn to release the butterflies captured in jars by some customers.

Nathan has been working on his paintings for a long time, and kept them all in his inventory.

Now he is ready to start his next business, "Gavigan's Gallery". He buys an appropriate property, and the entire family travel there by taxi to have a look at it.

It is the Maxis-made community lot known as "Van Dough Gallery".

There is a grill, table and chairs in the backyard.

Many paintings and some sculptures are already there, as well as the magazine shelf and the counter and cash register. Nathan puts up all the paintings from his inventory as well.

A view across the gallery.

There is a room with a TV, bookshelf and two armchairs at the back of the gallery; paintings are put up for sale there as well.

Being a Fortune Sim, young Gesine is happy to try out her talent for selling. She soon gets her Bronze Sales Badge; I think it took her only three or four sales conversations!

Gerlinde does not want to stay behind her sister and tries her luck with Gunnar Roque.

It seems only logical that Gesine is the one to be in charge of the cash register, while her parents show paintings to their customers.

The day ends with Gavigan's Gallery receiving a "Best of the Best" award, proudly displayed by Nathan on the wall in their living room at home.

On Saturday, everyone is back at the Gallery again. Today, Mary (not pictured) makes her Gold Sales Badge.

Don't think there is only work and no play for the twins! They are fun-loving teenage girls, after all, and that side of their life is not neglected.

With Isaiah's bed gone, the empty space is used for a sewing machine, and Gerlinde starts making potholders instantly. Nathan's plans for the future involves a third business, "Gavigan's Garments", and if Gerlinde can learn how to sew clothes by the time her Dad will be opening his clothes shop, she'll be happy to help.

On Sunday, the gallery makes Ranks 1 and 2. One of the visitors is a Vampire - she looks funny, walking in the characteristic Vampire-manner but wearing normal winter clothes.

For the Sunday morning shift, Nathan and Mary left the girls at home to have a well-deserved rest, and so it is Mary who has to work the cash register today. Beatrice Monty and Ashley Pitts have to wait a while, but in the end, she manages to handle their purchases without either of them leaving in a huff.

Back home, the girls have not been idle. Gerlinde makes her Bronze Sewing Badge, while Gesine works on another painting to be sold at the gallery.

For the Sunday afternoon shift at the gallery, Gerlinde stays home and keeps sewing, while the others make sure everything is in good shape. Last night, a bad witch summoned an infestation of bugs on the lot, and Mary is quick to get rid of them. Her efforts are rewarded when the business reaches Rank 3.

Sunday dinner sees the family (minus Isaiah) gathered around the table.

Quite late in the evening, Nathan feels like having another snack - and sets the kitchen stove on fire. Oh no, not another fire, I hear you say! Don't worry. There is a fire alarm behind the fridge, and the only harm the Gavigans come to is that everyone needs a shower. 
Next time we'll come back to this busy household, Mary and Nathan will turn into Elders. The girls will keep helping their parents until it is time for them to go to college, too. But first, it is their brother's turn; we'll see how he is settling in there in the next chapter.