The Clearys (A) - Round 14

Starring:

Colm Cleary, Elder Popularity Sim, 2nd LTW Have 20 Simultaneous Pet Best Friends

Tessa Cleary, Adult Knowledge Sim, 2nd LTW Become Education Minister

Neal Cleary, Adult Knowledge Sim, 3rd LTW Become Space Pirate

Tallulah Cleary, Teen Knowledge Sim, LTW Become Chief of Staff

Phoenix Cleary, Teen Romance Sim, LTW ?

Declan Cleary, Toddler Knowledge Sim, LTW Grow Up Well

Damien Cleary, Toddler Fortune Sim, LTW Grow Up Well


~*~*~*~*~

Last round at the Cleary house, Colm ate lots of grilled cheese and had to say goodbye to his beloved second wife, Michelle. The whole house was devastated by her death, and Tallulah acted out on her sadness by sneaking out of the house and getting brought home by the police. The house got an expansion in preparation for the birth of the Cleary twins Damien and Declan, and both Tessa and Neal reached TOC. At the very end of the round, Phoenix aged well into a teenager. Let's see how this family does in round 14.




The season started with Neal getting a supernatural visit from his mother, which actually pleased him, knowledge sim that he was. It definitely set the stage for the events that were about to follow...





Sadly, Death came for Colm one night...but he had a surprise up his sleeve! He had wished for the power to cheat death from the genie, and he was about to see if his wish was granted.






Death wants to play a game; at least it isn't chess.




Neal can't bear to look as his father embarks upon the game.







It wasn't exactly scientific, but "eenie-meenie-miney-mo" seemed like a good option in a game of chance.





And success! The genie had come through with his promise, and Death left very disappointed that day, going home empty-handed.





Guys? Hey, um... guys? You can stop crying now....



What was the first thing Colm did to celebrate his new lease on life? Well, a booty call to Christa Hu, duh.





He deserved a little celebration. After all, he'd just beat death!





Death was a persistent entity, however, and the next day while indulging in his favorite activity, gardening, Colm encountered his mortality again.




Again, he begged...and again Death granted him the opportunity to luck his way out of shuffling off the mortal coil.





This time, sadly, Colm wasn't as lucky. He chose the wrong hand, and his family had good reason to cry.




At least Colm got a lovely sendoff, though, complete with a cocktail and hula zombies dancing him into the afterworld.




Even the huge promotion Tessa brought home that night wasn't enough to alleviate the grief of the family. Colm had seemed larger than life in his time and nearly immortal. It was a sad reminder to everyone in the family that nothing lasts forever.





Colm's characteristic generosity and wide circle of friends was reflected in his enormous will, which left money in the hands of a whopping 22 residents of Rosebud.





The family laid him to rest next to his darling wife, Michelle, where the two of them could spend their afterlife together.




Unfortunately, the twins would forever remember their birthday as the day their grandpa dropped dead. Birthdays were supposed to be filled with happiness, balloons, and cake, not sobbing siblings.





Even through her grief, Tessa had one ray of hope: she and Neal were pregnant again. Even though her initial pregnancy had been an accident, Tessa was learning from Neal's large Irish family that there was little more important than the bonds of blood...something her parents never taught her in word or deed.




In an ironic mix-up of their names, it was Declan who grew up poorly, not Damien. He had some rage issues... "I HATE THIS MAKEOVER, AND I HATE YOU! THIS IS STUPID! I WANT MY GRANDPA!"




He and Damien had a decent relationship, and Damien tried to calm his twin by remembering to engage him in peaceful activities. The blowups were not attractive.





Neal took over his father's garden and felt closer to him by digging in the same dirt Colm had cared for so tenderly.




Meanwhile, Tessa grew larger and larger...





Tallulah and Phoenix knew what was coming as they watched their mother grow rounder through the passing days. They loved their family, but they definitely didn't want to be around for another cycle of toilet-splashing poop machines. It was time to take matters into their own hands, apply for private school, and then get the heck out of dodge to Sim State.





With almost no help from their parents, the two enterprising teens impressed the headmaster enough to gain entrance into Rosebud Academy for the final semester of senior year. It wasn't the experience they cared about so much as the bullet point on their college applications, and now they had it.





Unfortunately for the teens, Tessa's time for birth came before their time for college.





A baby girl was born, Norah, on a snowy winter night.




But that wasn't the only addition. Shortly thereafter, the Cleary family welcomed another little girl: Claire.




And then Charlie....





...and Rachael!! It was quadruplets for the Cleary family, and Tallulah and Phoenix nearly killed one another rushing to the computer to apply for scholarships.






They kissed their parents and siblings goodbye and hot-footed it out of the house to Sim State. Helping out with Damien and Declan had been enough!




Neal honed his gardening craft in a state of shock. If they were going to have four brand new toddlers in the house and two young children, they would be needing a LOT of food.




[[Author's Notes: Wow. Okay. So let me just start this commentary by saying that at the point in my game when I played this household, I had neither the More Than 8 Sims Per Lot hack NOR the trips and quads hack installed. I have since installed More Than 8 Sims Per Lot, but at the time this happened, I was staring in shock at my computer screen. I know it was a glitch, and I feared imminent destruction of my 'hood, but so far, nothing else seems to be glitchy. Tessa kept having "first" pregnancies. In other words, the full cinematic, no "second twin gets magicked onto the screen without all the hoopla" stuff. Each birth happened about a sim hour apart, and by the time she had her fourth child, I decided to end her pregnancy manually using InTeen. Otherwise, I think she would have just kept going! I quickly had to send the teens off to Uni because I couldn't handle a house with that many sims, especially when four of them are about to become toddlers, two of them arean't old enough to help out around the house yet, and both my grandparents are dead. I decided to keep the four that were born, and I don't *think* they're clones because of their skintones, but if their personalities turn out to be identical, I may have to rethink that. I've never killed off a sim toddler before, though, so probably they'll just stick around. I was totally depressed to lose Colm, but I have to admit, it was overshadowed by the weird BabyFest 2011. We'll see how things go next round. O.o If I don't lose my mind, it'll be a miracle!


Bloopers:
He's probably a little young for the GC talk, Neal. Give him a few years. // LOLZ, VERY INSIGHTFUL OF YOU, DECLAN. // Awwww, even his carpool driver is sad to see Colm go. :'( ]]

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The Clearys (A) - Round 13

Starring:

Colm Cleary, Elder Popularity Sim, Have 20 Simultaneous Pet Best Friends

Michelle Cleary, Elder Fortune Sim, 2nd LTW Become City Planner

Neal Cleary, Adult Knowledge Sim, 2nd LTW Become Chief of Staff

Tessa Cleary, Adult Knowledge Sim, LTW Become Head of SCIA

Tallulah Cleary, Teen Knowledge Sim, LTW Become Chief of Staff

Phoenix Cleary, Child Romance Sim, LTW Grow Up Well


~*~*~*~*~

Last time at the Cleary household, Neal and Tessa both worked toward their LTWs. Tessa still had a few promotions to go before she was the head of the SCIA, but she was making good progress. Neal was even closer to his second LTW goal. Tallulah aged well into a teenager, and Phoenix aged well into a child. Colm finally achieved his lifetime want of having 20 simultaneous best friends, and Michelle retired from her business career. Tallulah and Phoenix bonded well, having no idea that their mother was pregnant again and expecting a new baby or babies. Let's see how this new family is doing this round.



At the beginning of the season, we check back in with the Clearys and find that they are behaving as their typical overachiever selves, starting with Tallulah becoming fit thanks to the Electro Dance Sphere.




Tessa, newly pregnant, was off work for maternity leave, and she found that the only thing she craved was cheesecake. She couldn't get enough of the stuff.



The rest of the household was aware of Tessa's pregnancy, but Neal and his daughter kept a close eye on Colm. He was getting older, and he was starting to show some signs of dementia, which worried Tallulah and her like-minded knowledge sim father.




For instance, it seemed that whenever he cooked for the family anymore, he grossly overestimated the number of people eating. Not only that, he was almost solely residing on a diet of grilled cheese. It worried Neal and Tallulah.




Life went on, however, or at least that's how Neal felt things should go. His concern about his aging father didn't prohibit him from earning new achievements and constantly increasing his knowledge base. When he finally felt himself to be an expert in mechanical skill, he understood that he'd reached a goal of becoming a renaissance man: well-skilled in a variety of different subjects.




To reward himself for maximizing his skills, he purchased a guitar for himself. After all, as a new dad and a doctor, he needed some way to unwind.




Michelle and Colm, the two oldest members of the household, found their own ways to entertain themselves. Shockingly, one day while they were having a date, an unexpected visitor showed up...with a sicle.




Michelle was disappointed that she didn't get to finish her date, let alone bone her long-time hubby before their date was over. But apparently Death waited for no woman, including her.





Michelle was doing her business with Death, not noticing poor, confused Colm. Colm: "What's going on?? Where's Michelle? Ooh, hula dancers!!" In the meantime...





Neal: "I don't understand why my parents can't keep their bedroom neat. I mean, how much effort does it take to pull up the bedsheets?"





Colm: "You're a sucky date!!"





At first, it seems only Tallulah understands what has taken place in the Cleary home that day. She lost her loving grandmother, and though her grilled cheese lunch is delicious, she still mourns the loss greatly.





Colm, too, finally comes to realize exactly what event ruined his date with his beloved wife. :( I'm sorry, Colm. You'll join her soon, I'm sure.




Neal and Phoenix's realization of Michelle's death follow shortly thereafter, and finally the house is grieving in a proper way for it's dearly departed matriarch.





Rest In Peace, Michelle. You were a good townie-cum-playable, and your family will definitely miss you.





Tallulah, stunned by the death of her grandmother -- the first major death she'd ever witnessed -- began to belie her sensible habits and took to acting out. She boldly snuck out with her best friend one night while the entire family was inside watching tv and hanging out in the living room.





Fortunately or unfortunately, Tallulah's "life of crime" came to an end when she was brought home early the next morning by a police officer who'd caught her breaking curfew. Not only had she been brought home in the back of a cop car, but she'd been caught by a REALLY cute cop. She would never outlive the mortification.





It wasn't just Tallulah that was affected strangely by Michelle's death, though. Colm began to really accept his mortality in a way he never had before. He rewrote his will and left everything to Neal, even giving him some of his prize possessions. Neal almost didn't want to take them because he understood what Colm's sudden generosity with presents meant.





Little did anyone in the house know, though, but that the gypsy woman who flitted through town would make a stop at the Cleary house that season.




She left a strange present on the front lawn, and who should encounter it first but Colm? He quickly, almost desperately, rubbed the lamp and awaited the fabled genie to appear.



The genie rapidly granted Colm's wish, unbeknownst to the rest of the family. What did he wish for? Well, what any elderly man who had just lost his wife would wish for: the power to cheat death.





Before Colm could find out if the genie had true powers or not, something else took precedence in the season's activities: Tessa was going into labor.




Apparently, either Neal was especially fertile or that cheesecake did wonders, Tessa gave birth to twins that day.






The first baby was born: a boy, and Tessa immediately continued her labor after handing off her first baby to Grandpa Colm.







Baby number two was another boy, and Tessa was delighted not only with her new sons but also to be done with the painful labor process!




When Neal got home that night, they decided on traditional Irish names for the twins: Damien and Declan. Damien favored Neal in looks and Declan favored Tessa, though they both had their mother's brown hair and chocolate brown eyes.





With the population increase in the Cleary house, it was necessary to do a bit of expansion. Tessa and Neal's bedroom got moved, and the second floor gained some extra ground for a nursery and toddler training area for the new babies.





After the twins were born, Tessa immediately set about working off the baby weight, as she still had aspirations to become the head of the SCIA. She knew she couldn't do it without being in peak physical condition.






As for Neal, his routine didn't change much aside from helping with diapers and feeding time. He decided to take up his father's hobby of gardening in his spare time. It not only made him feel closer to the earth, it made him feel closer to Colm, who seemed to be fading by the day.





He still continued to work hard at his job, though, and he was rewarded with a promotion to Chief of Staff: a goal he'd been striving to achieve for over a year.




Having achieved his goal at such a young age, he decided that next, he wanted to become more adventurous. Space Pirate seemed like a title he'd love to achieve, and with his past record of success, he felt that he could achieve it no problem.




Tallulah and Phoenix began to adjust better to life without their grandmother. They spent a lot of time together, especially playing chess. Phoenix constantly caught his sister cheating him, which made him angry but also flattered him. Apparently, he had a knack for the game that she felt she couldn't overcome otherwise.



Tallulah really began to step up and become a more responsible teenager in the weeks following the twins' birth. She helped out whenever her parents were exhausted and really tried to be a good older sister to all of her siblings. It didn't go unnoticed or unappreciated by Tessa and Neal, who were frequently exhausted between working full time and trying to raise four children.






Fortunately or unfortunately, it was soon time for the twins to grow up into toddlers. True, it would mean they were a bit more independent, but it also meant the terrible twos and lots of skills to be learned. Neal and Tessa delighted in their family, however, and they were happy to see their little boys growing up.





They were especially surprised to see how different the boys turned out. Damien especially favored Neal, in looks but not personality. Declan favored Tessa in looks but was her opposite in personality. The magic and surprise of genetics never ceased to amaze the two young parents.




The following weeks were filled with lots of sleepless or nearly-sleepless nights for Tessa and Neal. The toddlers were more able to entertain themselves, but they were so young and in need of skill training. Tessa and Neal were frequently up into the late hours of the night teaching their youngest children how to walk, talk, or use the potty.





It was a benefit that they were both exceptional parents, though. The training responsibilities didn't fall too heavily on either Neal or Tessa because they both worked hard to split the labor equally. As a result, they both managed to survive on little but equal amounts of sleep while simultaneously working hard to support their family financially and raise their children well.






Tallulah and Phoenix were mercifully more independent now. Tallulah was frequently found either studying or on the phone, and Phoenix could almost always be found peering up into the heavens with the family telescope, researching his family history with fervor.





Neal and Tessa even managed to squeeze out a few moments here and there just to themselves. It wasn't easy with such a full house, but the fact was that they loved one another, and a little intimacy went a long way toward recharging their batteries.





That season, they had the first sighting of Michelle's ghost. At first, it seemed a happy occasion.





It was quickly revealed that Michelle wasn't nearly as loving as a ghostly grandmother as she was when she was alive, but nevertheless, the family was glad to know she was still around...despite the restless nights and the occasional self-wettings due to shock.






As for Tessa, she continued to soldier on admirably. After giving birth to three and raising four children, she still managed to achieve her lifetime want of becoming the head of the SCIA. It was hands-down one of the proudest moments of her life.





Despite the happiness professional success brought her, it was her family that truly brought her the most pleasure, however. One chilly fall night, the entire family minus the twins gathered to celebrate Phoenix's transition into teen-dom.






He turned out to be as handsome as his daddy, if drastically different-looking, and he made a decision as he blew out his candles that he wanted to be the sexiest sim in Rosebud. Teenaged ladies had better watch out: Phoenix Cleary was on the prowl.



[[Author's Notes: SHEW. I didn't realize so much had happened at the Cleary house in round 13! There were fifty pictures for this update, which is a lot more than I normally have. It was a total blast to play, though, and I decided to let Tessa and Neal procreate as much as they want to since there is a dearth of Clearys in the Rosebud 'hood. I trust they will produce some of the most good-looking children in the land, which doesn't exactly discourage me from letting them breed uninterrupted. I'm shocked at how differently the twins turned out but delighted at the same time. There's definitely an even divide between looks and personality of their parents shown in the youngest boys. I can't wait to see how they grow up! No bloopers for you; they were all included in the update. (LOL at everyone taking FOREVER to notice Michelle died...it was seriously almost a full 24 hours.) ]]

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