For the previous week with this family, click here.
Right next door to the part of the Newson family we visited last "week" lives yet another Newson household:
Garrett (left) with his half-Alien son Ned (the toddler) and live-in love Paola Picaso (right).
The other two Sims in this picture are Kennedy Smith, a tourist-townie who recently moved to New Max, and Prezioso, one of Paola's brothers.
On this Monday morning, Garrett can be found tending the small vegetable patch. Normally, I would hardly direct him, as he has been on Permanent Platinum ever since he became Game Designer 23 days from Elderhood. But with a toddler in the house, things need to run as smoothly as possible, and so I still direct Garrett more than I would do otherwise.
Paola has not yet achieved her lifetime want of becomeing Education Minister; she currently fills the position of College Professor. Here she is, about to make Smart Milk for her step son before the carpool will pick her up for work.
A Nanny looks after little Ned during the day. At first I thought she was going to spend all day fishing, but she then showed herself to be a rather diligent lady; after having put Ned in his crib, she cleaned the toilet, took out the trash and made Garrett's and Paola's bed.
An hour after Paola returns from work, she turns into an Elder. She will have to work hard to achieve her lifetime want - five friends are needed for her next promotion, and hopefully, she won't be fired due to the wrong decision with a chance card, as she is now too old to get back to her former position.
Garrett is home from work an hour after Paola and instantly turns into an Elder, too.
By the way, Paola has rolled the wish to get married right after her age transition!
Tuesday is quickly told; the only remarkable thing is Paola gaining her Silver Badge in gardening.
Just like yesterday, she finishes work an hour before Garrett. The Nanny leaves, and Paola reads to Ned under the tree in the front garden until the little boy's Daddy comes home, too.
It is Wednesday, and once again the Nanny is here. She really does take good care of Ned while his parents are at work.
A repair man had to be called for the broken dishwasher.
At 6:00 pm, Ned grows up - his toddler time was very easy, he was an undemanding and uncomplicated little boy, and I am looking forward to seeing him make friends at school.
Thursday is Ned's first day at school. He returns home to find the Nanny waiting for him; it's only another hour or so until Paola is back from work, but his parents do not want him to be on his own. In the evening, it is Paola who helps Ned with his first homework; his Dad is so tired from work he had to go to bed immediately.
To make up for the time their little boy has to spend without his parents, Garrett and Paola sit with him for breakfast on Friday morning. "I am going to get an A+ real soon," Ned is convinced. "I'm sure you are, darling," Paola replies.
After school, Ned has a long, leisurely hot bath. The Nanny is still here, and soon Paola and Garrett will also be home.
Garrett arrives just as Paola and Ned are building a snowman together. Like yesterday, he has to go to bed right away. The elderly Sims' sleeping pattern does not easily agree with full-time work!
Before Ned goes to bed, he and Paola play chess. Like many half-Alien children - especially when they were fed Smart Milk as toddlers -, Ned is an extremely fast learner, and acquires several logic points with one single game of chess.
The weekend is here! On Saturday morning, Ned boards the family car with his parents. Where are they headed?
St. Simius, and I am sure you can guess what for:
Paola and Garrett are tying the knot!
As it was Paola's wish to get married, Garrett takes on her surname and is now Garrett Picaso, while Ned is still Ned Newson.
Even the Unsavoury Charlatan applauds!
More family members were invited, but not everybody turned up. I am sure you can make out Gavin and Ginger Newson.
The wedding cake is a big hit with everyone, and Garrett fondly remembers their first date.
Ned sits with Auntie Ginger while the bartender has chosen the Unsavoury Charlatan for company.
Later, he talks to his Uncle Prezioso (who is not really his uncle, as Ned is no blood relation to Paola, but she is so much his mother that her brother is family to him just as much as his Dad's relatives).
And now it is Sunday, which starts for Garrett and Ned with a cosy hour of reading. It is nice that Ned still loves having his Dad read to him, although he can very well read on his own.
Over breakfast, he asks his parents whether they could all go on a holiday together. "I can't see why not," Garrett replies.
In the afternoon, Paola invites her other brother over, Pablo, who could not make it to her wedding. Her sister-in-law, Lilo Landgraab (Prezioso's wife), is also asked. Ned is always eager to talk - must be the Newson gene in him, part of a large family.
The week ends with Lilo autonomously trying to pet the skunk, and getting sprayed in return.
This was a nice week of easy playing. I hope to see Paola reaching her lifetime want next round, before it is too late, and wish for Ned to meet a few children his age; maybe he will bring a class mate home from school next week. Also, I will try and keep Garrett's promise of a family holiday in mind.
