The Swain-Gavigan Family: Week 9

You can find the previous week with this family here. 

We're staying in the same part of New Max where the Senior Residence is, but move further up the road to the left one of these two semis.

Sirius Swain lives here, along with his partner and mother of his children, Gerlinde Gavigan. She has been on Permanent Platinum for a while now, since she became World Class Ballet Dancer last round. Sirius still needs to advance in his career; he will only reach his lifetime want once he's a Celebrity Chef. Right now, his job is that of an Executive Chef.

Their youngest two are the twins Gavin (left) and Gary (right).

Helen and Clarence are their firstborns, twins as well. Why do they have four children? Because Sirius' parents, Erik Swain and his wife Blossom (nee Moonbeam), dreamt of having six grandchildren. Sadly, both died before they could welcome them all, and now that they are gone, Sirius and Gerlinde feel they have done enough to ensure New Maximiliania's future for the next generation.

On this Monday afternoon at the end of spring, it is warm enough for Helen and Clarence to do their homework on the patio.

At 6:00 pm, Gavin...

...and Gary grow up into school children. I must admit I am rather relieved - the toddler "years" were exhausting, not only for the parents!

The baby cribs are quickly replaced by big beds, a toy box and a desk for doing homework are added. Gavin immediately starts to play with a toy rocket, while Gary was so tired he went to bed almost straight away.

Big sis Helen joins her little brother. Good job there is more than one rocket to play with - no arguments!

On Tuesday morning, Gerlinde mops the bathroom floor on her own accord. Throughout the week, she frequently does a bit of cleaning without me telling her to. That is a Sim after my own heart!

It is the first day at school for the younger twins. Summer is here, and Helen shields her eyes against the bright morning sun.

Around lunch time (the kids are of course still at school), Nathan Gavigan walks by. Sirius warmly welcomes his sort-of father-in-law (Gerlinde's Dad).

Clarence brings home his first A+ report!

He also brings along a class mate, Param Patel. Through their Alien blood line, Param is related to the Swain-Gavigan siblings: Param's father is Cedric Stacks, whose human father was Julien Cooke. The same Pollination Technician who fathered Cedric is also Sirius' father.

Helen also proudly announces her first A+!

The younger twins are helped with their homework, and until dinner time, the kids try to get their fun levels back up. All of them seem to be rather unhappy at school and doing home work, it seems, in spite of them all having been brought up on SmartMilk. I wonder whether they will want to go to college as they grow up.

I decide to give Gavin a different hairstyle and a pair of glasses to make him look a little less scary. He seems to like it.

With all four of her children at school and no performance scheduled for today, Gerlinde seems a little lost, especially as Sirius is diligently working on the skills he needs for his next promotion.

Today, Sirius grills ribs for dinner, and they eat on the patio. Not everyone is hungry; Gavin and Helen start a pillow fight on their own accord.

Thursday is off to a firey start when a tree on the adjacent semi (currently empty) catches fire after being hit by lightning. Thankfully, the rain extinguishes the flames quickly.

Clarence is so happy about his new specs!

Gary brings home his first A+ today. That really did not take long - it is only his third day at school.

Cousins (or so), neighbours (their house is just round the corner) and class mates Param and Paul (pictured) Patel get off the bus with our four.

Gavin also got his first A+ today and runs towards the house to proudly show the report to his parents.

He is ill, however, and it takes him several attempts (and his Mom's patient help) to complete his homework before he can finally go to bed.

The older two spend some time at Gerlinde's ballet barre in the garage, admired by their Dad.

The nice thing about a rented place is that one does not have to handle all the upkeep; the landlord does his share of the work, as is proven on Friday morning.

Sirius comes home with a promotion to Restauranteur, and colleague Stacy Stacks in tow.

Today is also Clarence and Helen's birthday! I choose their aspiration by throwing a dice. Clarence ends up with the Pleasure aspiration and a lifetime want of having 50 1st dates, while his twin sister apparently has her father as a role model: She, too, wants to be Celebrity Chef one day. Her aspiration is Romance.

To match her dress (and, I fhink, her aspiration), she changes her hairstyle.

The family leave the house early on Saturday morning, suitcases in hand. Where to?

I meant to send them to Twikkii Island anyway for a family vacation; how nice that Sirius rolled the wish! The children have worked so hard at school, and deserve a holiday, their parents think. They check in at the most expensive hotel, a complex of bungalows.

After everyone has familiarised themselves with their bungalows, they take a taxi to the beach where the boys all go for a swim, Helen builds a sandcastle and the parents do some sunbathing until rain starts to fall; time to return to the hotel.

Their evening meal is taken on the largest bungalow's patio. Sirius remarks that it is nice having meals served instead of him usually serving them.

Sirius and Gerlinde fall asleep to the soothing sound of the waves.

The younger twins sleep in the same bungalow as their parents, while the teenagers have their own (smaller) bungalow.

On Sunday, the family visit the Board Walk.

Local specialties are tried, and souvenirs bought.

Clarence almost falls victim to the Unsavoury Charlatan's tricks, but manages to stand his ground.

Helen learns the Fire Dance.

The colour of her face that evening matches her hair and night dress!

Clarence's face has a similar colour to the lobster on his plate ;-)

It is Monday morning and the last day here for the family. (Actually, I should have finished playing them on their Sunday, but the shortest trip is for two nights and three days, and so they have this additional day.)
Room Service is called to bring breakfast to the balcony.

Gerlinde and Sirius insist that their children get at least a tiny bit of culture in during their family holiday, and so the taxi takes them to the Ancient Ruins of Numchuck.

All that culture is tiring, and Helen finds a welcome place to sit near the ancient fountain. Her Mum joins her.

By the time the shuttle is there to take the family to the airport, it rains heavily, and going home doesn't seem a bad idea.

This was a week and a day I really enjoyed playing! I was, of course, hoping for them to meet some townies/tourists with surnames of playables, but there were none. Never mind, it was still fun!
I realise now that I could have Clarence started on his LTW - there were several tourist teenage girls he could have dated without risking negative repercussions back home. Also, there was no Family Sunday, as they were away on holiday, but their granddad Nathan came visiting once or twice during the week.

Will Gerlinde and Sirius ever roll the wish to marry? Are the teenagers going to go to college?