Their house is still the same, too:
Breakfast is not always like this, but on this Monday morning, Don Lothario, Dina, her mother Katrina and her sister Nina (left to right) gather round the table. Only Nico Dubois, Katrina's live-in lover, is still asleep.
One thing HAS changed - Nina has put on quite a bit of weight since I last saw her.
Dina wants to make progress in her career and towards her lifetime want (this is what I call it, even though the term "lifetime want" does not appear in TS4), and so I let her practise making drinks at the bar.
As before, Don does not need to be asked - he does his share of house work on his own initiative.
Later, he goes jogging, and trots past Bella Goth at a leisurely pace - without even acknowledging her. Has our Don truly settled for Nina as the one and only lady in his life?
He meets and greets Betty Larson. Larson? Name ring a bell? Yes, in TS2 we have the Maxis-made grown-up twins Jodie and Jason Larson. So far, I have not made many rules for my TS4 gameplay, but I think I'll try and have those with surnames I know from TS2 move in - Betty will be my first attempt.
Back home, Katrina struggles with a broken computer, but manages to repair it without being electrocuted.
On Tuesday, Nina and Katrina share a mother-daughter moment over breakfast.
Dina wakes up feeling uncomfortable.
I have Don invite Betty Larson over, and she and Nina retreat to Dina's bedroom for a chat.
Dina doesn't mind - she's been out for work anyway, and returns with a promotion to Caterer. Well done, Dina!
You've not seen Nico yet this week. Here he is, resting in the sun on the balcony. He and Katrina are as affectionate with each other as before.
He later makes dinner and is joined by Don and Dina in the back yard.
You already know how in TS4, our Sims' moods can influence what they are able to do (or not) at any given moment. On Wednesday, Dina feels flirty and manages to mix a cocktail called "Cupid".
Nina has not been doing anything for her health yet this week, and so I send her jogging.
She rewards herself afterwards with a meal prepared by Nico.
The evening ends for Dina, Don and Nina watching TV together.
Katrina starts Thursday morning with breakfast in the garden.
Nina cleans the bar for her sister - she never mixes drinks, that's exclusively Dina's domain, so it is very kind of Nina, isn't it!
Nothing else remarkable happens that day. I have the Sims talk to their friends on the phone but mostly leave them to their own devices, with the exception of Dina, who needs to build up her mixing and cooking skills for her career.
It is already Friday morning when I take the next picture; Don taking out the garbage.
Meals are eaten whereever they want; here, the TV room seems to be the place of choice.
Betty Larson is invited over again, and gladly joins Nina at the bar to sample the drinks Dina makes.
I have Don repair a broken sink. All week, sinks, toilets and bathtubs break; sometimes I let the family call a repair service, but I prefer to have them work on their handiness skill. Besides, Don, Nico and Nina do not work and so have enough time on their hands.
Another example of what Sims can do when in a certain mood: Nina makes heart-shaped cookies when she feels flirtatious :-)
Dina has really learned a lot about mixing drinks!
By Saturday morning, she can make a "Sea on Fire".
Katrina and Nico share a tender moment.
As adept as Dina is with her bartending equipment, as clumsy she is at the grill: She sets it on fire (maybe she took the drink's motto "Sea on Fire" too seriously!), but thankfully manages to put out the flames quickly.
Returning from work, she is promoted to Mixologist.
It is Sunday, and the young people gather in the back yard to eat the delicious chicken Nico has prepared.
In the early evening, Betty Larson moves in - that was easy! She and Nina are friends, but by no means very close or best friends. In TS2, making a friend move in is a lot harder.
Betty works as a professional painter. She is single and has brought some additional money to the household. Now I have a question for you and hope you can help: How do I make Betty move out and into a place of her own?
I have tried the computer, but it only shows the option to move the entire household.
It was fun playing this household, although I found it hard to focus on more than one Sim's aspirations and wishes at a time. Dina did well, but the others have not achieved any milestones. Also, I deliberately neglected Nina's wish to be disliked by a certain number of Sims. Let's see how they will do next time I play this household.
