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🌞Year 21 - Summer 2 - The Settlement (P1)🌞

Year 21 began with Addison, Wilson and their son Theo moving out to a place of their own. The settlement had been getting too full for them to have any more children, which Addison desperately wanted, so it was definitely time. We'll catch up with them later!

Casey was only 14 but she was already the epitome of a Romance Sim. She invited paper carrier Cory to meet her at the playground and they spent the day playing, flirting and eventually sharing their first kiss by the monkey bars.

As evening fell, Cory admitted to Casey that he was falling in love with her.

She averted her gaze. "Um... thanks?" she replied. She didn't think she felt the same way. This was just a bit of fun for her!

Back at the settlement, Edgar decided that it was finally time to activate his Servo. He'd need some help once he started his new job - someone to look after Cosmo and help around the settlement.

He powered the machine up, programmed her to be female and gave her some preliminary instructions. "Your name is B.E.L.L.E. It stands for Bio-Electronic Learning Life Emulator. I've activated you so that you can cook and clean and fix things around here, but mostly so that you can help me take care of my son Cosmo."

Belle looked around curiously at her new surroundings, then issued a mechanical chirp and nodded to acknowledge her instructions. "Understood. I will assist you."

Belle heard the faint sounds of Cosmo crying in his nursery and headed straight there, much to Edgar's approval. She picked Cosmo up and changed his nappy.

"You are now clean," she stated as she placed him back in his crib. "If you need further assistance, activate my auditory sensors."

Cosmo gurgled happily as he gazed up at her. He seemed completely unfazed that he was now being cared for by a robot.

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🌞Year 20 - Summer 2 - Rogers (P2)🌞

That night, the Rogers family were the second on the island to be visited by burglar Velma. Makes sense since they won the lottery, I guess, although they didn't spend any of it on themselves!

She got to work stealing their couches, of all things. Mason heard her blatantly banging around and ran downstairs to call the police while she was occupied. He was told to stay out of her way, so he quickly rushed out of the room while her back was turned.

A new police officer, who must be Imran's colleague, arrived promptly and got into a scuffle with the burglar.

Luckily for the Rogerses, Velma lost the fight and was arrested. Hopefully we won't see her around the island for a while. Take her back to the mainland, officer!

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🌞Year 20 - Summer 2 - Rogers (P1)🌞

"So you count the number of sides and that tells you what kind of shape it is, even if it looks different. Five-sided shapes are called pentagons," Mason was explaining.

Lance looked over from the sofa. "Are you throwing a party today, Dad? To celebrate it being 20 years since you moved here?"

Mason shook his head. "I don't think so. I think we should just go to the lake and enjoy the summer sun as a family. How does that sound?"

Darcy grinned. "Great! And I'm done with geometry! Let's go!"

They spent all morning and most of the afternoon at the lake. Mason swam amongst the reeds and the fish, Hazel sunbathed, and the kids fished. In doing so, Lance finally discovered his One True Hobby! He really enjoyed fishing and decided he wanted to do it more!

They got home just in time for Lance to catch his carpool to work. Hazel and Darcy waved him goodbye and wished him luck.

"Have fun asking questions!" said Darcy.

Hazel put her mechanical skill to good use that evening as she got to work fixing all of the broken appliances in their home. One of them was the trash compactor, but thankfully she had more success than her bestie Rosa had the previous year!

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🌞Year 20 - Summer 2 - Whittaker🌞

"Mum, look - a puppy!" cried Gabriela as they headed out to the lake in Year 20.

"Where did he come from? We're on an island!" said Rosa, looking around curiously.

"Can we keep him?"

Rosa played with the dog, who seemed friendly enough. "Well, he doesn't have a collar so until someone comes to the island to claim him then I guess we have a dog!"

They named the dog Ruffles and took him with them to the lake. Rosa and Gabriela fished while Ruffles happily dug some holes.

Jonas came home that afternoon with his first promotion - he's now a Rookie! He still has the same hours, so he'll thankfully still be able to come home in time for when Gabi gets home from school.

He had a surprise waiting for him when he walked inside. He somehow knew Gabi was the reason behind the sudden addition to their home so he sighed as he said wearily, "We have a dog now?"

"Isn't he cute?"

"Gabi, he's literally peeing on our couch right now."

"Oh. Um... I don't think he's house trained. Sorry, Dad!"

Jonas sighed again as he mopped up the puddle. He wasn't exactly a dog person.

He looked down at Ruffles, who cocked his head curiously. "You'd better not be more trouble than you're worth."

Gabi went to sleep with Ruffles happily curled up on her toes that night. Welcome to Driftwood Shores, Ruffles!

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🌞Year 20 - Summer 2 - The Farmhouse🌞

Year 20 began at the farm with Khadijah, Noor and Faizah all outside working hard. Sami was still considered too young to help out and Imran was taking care of Basim.

Noor had now spent so much time gardening that she got her Bronze Gardening badge, even though gardening is not her One True Hobby!

As the heat of the day increased, the Aziz family decided to throw a Summerfest party. The kids invited over their friends for a water balloon fight to try and cool off.

And as evening fell and a chill set in, the entire neighbourhood showed up to their bonfire party. Everyone roasted marshmallows and sang songs, or just stood around chatting.

They couldn't forget that it was also Khadijah's 18th birthday, so she took her family and closest friends inside to watch as she blew out her candles and aged up!

She rolled Fortune as her secondary aspiration, making her a Pleasure/Fortune Sim, and her Lifetime Want became to have 10 Dream Dates.

The second she aged up, she rolled the want to have her first ever Woohoo. She took Owen's hand and led him into the lounge so they could talk privately.

"But... literally the whole neighbourhood is here for the Summerfest party!" he said, blushing.

"So they won't notice if we slip away to my parents' bedroom!" rebutted Khadijah - and so they did.

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🌞Year 20 - Summer 2 - The Settlement (P2)🌞

After selling her masterpiece, Addison used the rest of her afternoon off to visit the cemetery. There was a dedicated pet corner and her beloved cat Squidge was the only pet interred there at the moment. She spent some time at his graveside, before sitting on the bench nearby and simply meditating.

Back at the settlement, Edgar got his second bump after sleeping all afternoon! There was no denying it now. He headed over to the main building and shared the news with everyone - they'd soon be the home of an alien nooboo!

Theo might not have worked on any other toddler skills yet, but Wilson had managed to get him fully potty trained! Well done Theo!

"Do you think we should move out?" Wilson asked Addison that night.

Addison thought about it. "It's probably time. Edgar's going to have a nooboo soon and it's getting really crowded here. If we want another nooboo of our own, we should probably get our own space."

Wilson nodded. "Exactly what I thought. Let's move out in the morning."

In the very wee hours, Edgar felt what could only be the pains of labour beginning. He tried not to think too hard about the logistics of the actual birth - just pushed when he felt it was time. And soon, he had given birth to a beautiful little boy with purple skin, black hair and dark eyes!

"Hello, little one," he cooed as he fed the nooboo a bottle. "Look at you! My handsome little nooboo from the stars. I'm going to call you Cosmo."

Welcome to Driftwood Shores, Cosmo!

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🌞Year 20 - Summer 2 - The Settlement (P1)🌞

Onto Year 20, and it began with Edgar feeling very queasy. He started wondering... could he be... was it possible? But he'd been fine the first time he was abducted!

Putting his thoughts to one side, Edgar headed into the lounge to search for a job. Now that he had maxed his Logic skill and Robotics badge, he was eligible to join the Science career. Luckily, a position as a Science Teacher was available on the mainland so he snapped it up.

Wilson was also keen to get a job - he called up Mason Rogers and asked if, with his History degree, he could take the open position in the Law career. He duly became a Family Law Attorney!

Both men had the whole weekend off as their jobs weren't due to start until the Autumn.

Casey, a newly aged-up Romance Sim, had been despondent at the fact that there were basically no teen boys in the hood - until she remembered the paper boy. As soon as he arrived, she rushed outside and started chatting him up.

"How come I never see you at school?" she asked.

"I don't live on the island," he replied. "I just visit with my mum each morning - she delivers your mail and I deliver your papers."

Before long, he had to leave to catch his ferry but Casey didn't mind - she'd already maxed her short term relationship with him.

Soon, Edgar got his first bump! Yep, definitely pregnant!

He was happy that he'd secured himself a job as now he'd be getting some parental leave when the nooboo arrived. Until then, he'd just have to wonder and worry about how exactly he was going to cope with being a single dad to an alien.

With it being Saturday, Addison was able to spend the entire day painting and managed to get her second masterpiece under her belt!

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🌞Year 19 - Summer 2 - Rogers🌞

Mason whistled through his teeth as he saw the transportation that was now being provided for him.

"Will this even fit on the ferry?" he joked with the driver as he climbed inside.

While at work, he received an opportunity. The niece of the Mayor of SimCity had been hauled in front of him on a minor charge, but it wasn't the first time. He decided to risk his career by making an example of her; thankfully, he was lauded by the press for doing so and earned 2 charisma and logic points! Those will help towards his next promotion!

Although she could have gone to her market stall next door, Hazel instead spent the entire day on her tablet writing an article for the SimCity Times.

Darcy discovered her One True Hobby that afternoon by playing Red Hands with her dad. Turns out she loves games like this! They'll have to drag that old game of Don't Wake the Llama out of storage!

That evening was Lance's 12th birthday. He blew out the candles on his hamburger cake and aged up!

He rolled as another straight Sim (what's with these dice rolls - normally I'd at least have one gay Sim by now!) whose aspiration is Knowledge and who's attracted to fit, athletic women that don't have red hair (which is hilarious - he just wants any other hair colour than his own)!

As he sat with his dad that night, Lance made a decision on the spot.

"Can you get me a job in Politics, Dad? I want to learn the ropes and earn some money."

Mason smiled. "Well, you're quite young for a part-time job right now but I'm glad you want to follow in my footsteps! I can get you something simple. You can go door to door asking questions. Would that work?"

"Sounds great! When do I start?"

With plans in place for Lance to start the very next day, the family headed to bed.

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🌞Year 19 - Summer 2 - Whittaker🌞

As Year 19 dawned at the Whittaker house, Jonas could not have been more excited for his first day as a Driftwood Dreamer. As soon as the carpool arrived, he was right there ready to jump in.

"Have a great day, babe!" called Rosa as she walked over to the market stall.

He got back at the same time Gabriela did.

"How was your first day, Dad?" she asked while they played Red Hands together.

"It was good! We just did training today but I love football so I had fun." He looked around. "Let's go to the playground for a couple of hours, eh? Come on."

Jonas sat on a bench and watched as Gabi slid down the slide and spun around on the merry-go-round. He was having such a good day! Year 19 also saw the first appearance of Driftwood Shores' Good Witch, who blessed the playground with butterflies and sun rays.

When they got home from the playground, Jonas and Gabi found Rosa being shocked! She had unsuccessfully attempted to fix their broken trash compactor. They both rushed to her side, unsure how they could help. Eventually the electricity subsided and Rosa recovered.

"Are you okay, babe?" Jonas asked. It was times like these that they all wished there was a doctor in Driftwood Shores.

Rosa nodded. "I think so. Just need to sit down. Maybe eat something."

She got herself a grilled cheese sandwich and sat down to nibble on it.

"Are you definitely okay, Mum? Your hair looks like mine used to!"

Rosa chuckled weakly. "I'll be all right once I've eaten and showered. You go on to bed, sweetheart. I love you."

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🌞Year 19 - Summer 2 - The Farmhouse🌞

As Year 19 on the farm began, Khadijah helped her little brother Sami out with his homework before school. She didn't have any interest in doing her own homework but she was willing to help with his! Noor decided to help out in the garden rather than do her own homework as well.

They all rushed for the bus, with Khadijah especially excited as it was going to be her last day!

Faizah and Basim were the only ones left at home so Faizah made a start on teaching Basim to walk. He didn't pick it up all the way but he made a good start after a few hesitant wobbles.

Once everyone was back from work and school, Khadijah and Noor got to work weeding and watering all the crops that Faizah could no longer do all on her own with a toddler in tow. Imran took over teaching Basim - he managed to get a "Dada" out of him but not much more just yet!

Sami brought Lance Mason back from school with him. "I think you're going to be my best friend forever," he said as they sat and watched TV in the lounge.

Lance grinned. He was already best friends with Khadijah and Noor so he didn't mind being BFFs with Sami as well.

With Lance already there, Faizah decided to reconnect with her old friend and former roommate Hazel and invited her over to join her son at the farm for dinner.

By the end of the evening, everyone was good friends again and Hazel and Faizah were promising not to lose touch any more!

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🌞Year 19 - Summer 2 - The Settlement (P2)🌞

Owen brought his girlfriend Khadijah home from school with him. They played Red Hands together in the main building, which had now been converted into a proper kitchen, lounge and skilling space.

"Will you still love me when you're an adult?" asked Khadijah.

Owen scoffed. "Don't be silly, of course I will!"

"I'm only a year younger than you so I'll be aging up next year. You'll wait for me, right?"

Owen leaned in and kissed her gently. "There's no one else on this island for me."

With one last loving look at Khadijah, Owen blew out his candles that night and aged up. Other than getting a bit taller, he didn't really change! He kept the same outfit and didn't roll a secondary aspiration* so he's a Popularity Sim through and through. His Lifetime Want is to become a Hall of Famer.

*I always roll for a secondary aspiration, but if they get their primary aspiration again, then I count it as them not having a secondary.

During the party, Khadijah became best friends with Casey (her future sister-in-law) and Edgar and Paul autonomously decided to go steady! They really have been taking things slowly but they're very gradually progressing their relationship.

Later that night, after several years of watching for UFOs through the telescope, Edgar finally got his wish of being abducted again! I don't know why you look so shocked, Edgar - you literally wished for this!

But that was the end of Year 19 so we'll have to wait until next year to see if the aliens left him a little present this time!

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🌞Year 19 - Summer 2 - The Settlement (P1)🌞

Year 19 began with Owen rushing to get to school. Casey and Mrs Burke had left ages ago and, seeing as it was his last day, he didn't want to miss it!

The Settlement had been redesigned thanks to a donation from Mason Rogers and now features six two-bedroom cabins to accommodate several families!

School was very much business as usual. The morning was spent on individual skill-building, with everyone either in the Creative Corner or reading a book from the Book Corner.

Addison realised at lunch that they had already run out of space for everyone to sit in the canteen, and made a mental note to get another table!

The afternoon was spent on book work. Leaving the older kids to help out Lance and Gabriela, Addison worked in a small group with some of the other younger kids, plus Casey who was still quite new.

Back at home, Wilson started to potty train Theo then left him to his own devices. When he played with the xylophone, Theo discovered his One True Hobby was Music and Dance!

Edgar and Paul were quite happy working on their own hobbies.

At long last, Edgar managed to complete work on the Servo he had been building for years. He decided against activating it right now but was excited to see what help it would be able to provide in the future!

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🌷Spring 2 - Round 5 Summary🌷

🌷Households: 4 Settlement Farmhouse Whittaker Rogers 🌷Population: 60 (Sim Multiplier = 3) 🌷Unlocked 3 CAS Points Total Law Career Sport Career 1 Position in Architecture (as 10 lots built) 🌷Relationship Changes Khadijah Aziz x Owen Miller (Going Steady) Edgar Whittaker x Paul Miller (Kissed) 🌷Nooboos Born: 2 Theo Burke Basim Aziz 🌷Deaths: 0 🌷Home Businesses: 0 🌷Community Lots: 7 Forest Lake Grocery Stall (Owned by Faizah Aziz) School (Owned by Addison Burke) Furniture Stall (Owned by Hazel Rogers) Football Pitch Driftwood Shores Playground Driftwood Shores Cemetery

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🌷Year 18 - Spring 2 - Rogers🌷

In Year 18, Hazel convinced Mason to call in sick to work so that she could open her furniture stall. They didn't exactly need the money from either career now, but she was determined to keep supplying Driftwood Shores' citizens with any furniture they might need.

Darcy had already learnt all of her toddler skills, so Mason was happy to leave her to her own devices while he worked on his own skills all day - only occasionally pausing to feed her or put her down for a nap.

That night was Darcy's 5th birthday. Mason, ever the Popularity Sim, very rarely passed up an opportunity for a party so they invited all of their friends over to celebrate!

Happy birthday Darcy!

They added a bunk bed to Lance's small room and the year (and the round) ended with everyone sleeping peacefully.

At the end of the round, Mason is now 41, Hazel is 40, Lance is 11 and Darcy is 5.

And that brings us to the end of Round 5 - let's have a round summary!

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🌷Year 18 - Spring 2 - Whittaker (P2)🌷

That evening, over a dinner of grilled cheese sandwiches, Jonas brought up Mason's suggestion.

"... so he said I could join the team and do it semi-professionally! We'd be the Driftwood Dreamers! I'd earn money for doing it and everything! What do you think?"

Gabi looked up at him curiously. "But Mum doesn't get back from the market stall till 5. Would you be here when I get back from school?"

"I'll make sure I get back when you do. I promise," Jonas reassured her.

Rosa took his hand and squeezed it. "It sounds like you really want to do it, hon. So do it."

Jonas picked up the phone and called Mason back. He couldn't deny he was excited! After a brief chat, he was officially a Minor Leaguer with the Driftwood Dreamers and would be training and playing with them five days a week!

So as the round ended, everyone was feeling more satisfied than they had in years. Jonas may be a late starter, but he was happy that he would finally be contributing properly to his household and to the Driftwood Shores economy!

Jonas is now 38, Rosa is 40, and Gabriela is 7.

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🌷Year 18 - Spring 2 - Whittaker (P1)🌷

With Gabi and Rosa at school and work respectively, and nothing much to do at home, Jonas decided to visit the newly-built football pitch in Year 18.

He stood at the end of the pitch and nodded appreciatively. It had all the appropriate markings, stands for spectators, places to get food and drink, and even benches for each team's coach and subs. He could really imagine proper games being held here!

He headed to the other end and practised penalties for a while, feeling the joy of sport flow through him. It had been so long since he'd indulged properly in his hobby.

Afterwards, Mason approached him. "Hey, Jonas! What do you think of the pitch?"

"Looks great!" replied Jonas enthusiastically.

"Now that we have this, we can start putting some games together. I know you're quite sporty, so would you be interested in doing this semi-professionally?"

Jonas considered it. It would be good to bring a proper wage into his family for once. "I'll have to run it by the family, but I'll let you know!"

He headed home feeling excited. What would Rosa and Gabi say?

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🌷Year 18 - Spring 2 - The Farmhouse🌷

As Year 18 began at the farm, Faizah almost immediately went into her fourth labour and gave birth to second son, Basim! She's in her 40s now so I'm hoping this is the last nooboo but you never know! Welcome to Driftwood Shores, Basim!

The day was business as usual for Faizah once Basim was sleeping soundly.

Once the older children were back from school and had ditched their bags and homework, they decided to go and check out the new playground that had been built thanks to Mason's lottery money. There were lots of monkey bars, swings and slides for them to enjoy and they stayed there having fun and avoiding their responsibilities until darkness fell and their stomachs started rumbling.

"Come on, Noor, Sami!" called Khadijah. "Let's get home for dinner!"

By the time the kids got back, Basim had already aged up! That was quick!

And Imran came home with a promotion to Desk Sergeant that night, meaning he'd be expected back at work bright and early the following morning with very little time to rest and recover. Sorry, Imran - best get to bed!

At the end of the year and the round, Imran is now 45, Faizah is 42, Khadijah is 16, Noor is 14, Sami is 6 and Basim is 1.