1.15 Of Parks and Parties

Hours later, there was no sandcastle or anything in sight. Alfie, what did you do all day? You promised us a sandcastle!

Sorry, got distracted…it is just soooo much fun to be on one of these things! Have you tried it? It’s like flying – wheeeee!

In fact, I did play on them when I was younger. Although they weren’t actually shaped like bees. Those toys didn’t make adorable sounds, either. Sigh. Childhood memories… anyway, we will let you have some more fun now. Come on, let’s go, readers – no sandcastle to see here :( Hold on, wait. This isn’t our garden! This is the park – when did you go there without me noticing? oO

You probably just don’t remember! After our last visit was such a success, all of us went again. Well, Dad, Brian and me. The girls were having a girl’s day, whatever that means.

Apparently, the girl’s day hadn’t been too exciting, because a few hours later Kate could be spotted in the park, as well. Here she is talking to a lovely saleswoman, who is feeling a little wolfy tonight. I forgot her name, but I created her, too. (Basically, I just build five or six families, consisting of supernaturals)

Alfie continued being adorable by rocking the (flowery) dancefloor. Go, Alfie!

Well, I have to make the missing sandcastle up to you somehow…

Oh, look, Kate brought Lynn along with her – that’s nice. The whole family together again. So, do you have any luck throwing horse-shoes?

Shhhh, I’m trying to focus! *throws* I missed :(

Despite the family being there, Kate decided to be a little stupid and catch a kiss from these weird little booths. Why not apply yourself for being the kisser? I mean, you might as well do it “right”…

Not a bad idea! I might try that tomorrow, thanks!

You’re…welcome?

Uh, Kate? WHAT are you doing? And where is the rest of your family?

You know that it’s Valentine’s day today – that means PARTAY :)

Doesn’t it mean spending time with your loved one(s)?

Nope, it means PARTAY :)

Have fun then.

A few hours later, everybody had returned from wherever they were (park/party). Nobody looked too happy, though. What’s up, guys? Are you interested in a movie night? Apparently, Harry Potter is on right now *points at screen behind Lynn*

Naaaah, we don’t really feel like it. Just having a snack and off to bed, I guess.

I’m just glad that the kids changed first. This way, the dirt from the playground won’t get in your food. I’m proud of you :)

Dustin was modeling less excellent behavior. Was that really necessary? There are two toilets in this house, and both are unoccupied!

I know, but it happened so fast… I’m so ashamed!

You better be… thanks to you, we now have the second -5.

Sorry :(

Well, I’ll let you go change. The entire family seems to be going to bed now, anyway, so we might call it a night.

Author's Notes: Okay, I have to admit that it's been some time since I took these pictures :D But most of them were pretty self-explanatory, it wasn't too hard to reconstruct what they had been doing. Dustin occasionally slips, but the other idiots are doing really well! I'm so proud of them. :)

1.14 Costume day and other stuff

The day had been a complete success. Although they had gotten home a little late from the festival, nobody really felt like going to sleep anytime soon. Brian borrowed some toys from her younger sister, of course after he had asked, and played for a few hours, before his eyelids finally got heavy.  The others felt similarly, which is why the lights didn’t go out until the middle of the night.

The next day started obviously after only a few hours of sleep, but for a few people that had been enough. While Alfie crawled out of the bed, woken up by his complaining stomach, his parents were already busy making out on the couch. Really, guys? In front of the children?

Why not? My bunnyhoney is so cute with his grey hair…

Pleeease let me leave the room first, okay? Thanks. See you later.

After Kate had run off to work, Dustin actually took some time to look after Lynn. Her birthday was approaching and she was far from having learned all three skills. Despite having the “family orientated” trait (I think?), he didn’t bother to start teaching her one. Now THAT was going to be fun…

Why should I do all the work? I’m old and fragile.

Hahaha. You’re old, yes. But you’re not fragile, really not.

Home from school, both boys entered the house carefully. They hadn’t had a chance to escape their parents’ smothering session this morning, which is why they were prepared to cross the living room with their eyes closed. But since Kate wasn’t home yet, they were safe.

Yuck, did you see that, bro?

I did… did you HEAR that? So disgusting!!

Hell yeah… gross!

To add to the appropriateness of behavior Kate and Dustin showed, she brought Lynn to the cake in her bikini, which still showed more than it hid. Kate, don’t you think you should change your clothes? You’re a mother, for God’s sake…

So? I read of a grandmother running around in her house stark naked! So I’m good!

Where did you read that?

On your blogroll.

Touché.

Aaaaaaanyway, everybody was thrilled about Lynn’s birthday! No more toddlers in the house – the little ones were growing up so fast. Kate and Dustin were also glad those days were over.

I’m so excited! Sososososo excited!

Somehow I had pictured you differently. Girlier.

Well, this is what I want to wear. And I love this hairstyle – it hides my eyes, even when I’m having a bad day. No stupid questions like “why do you look so sad?”

Whoa, where is that attitude coming from?

I just think that life won’t always be easy with two older brothers at hand.

Quite the contrary, I think it will be pretty awesome! I’m envying you, honestly.

Apparently, Kate also had imagined her daughter to grow up differently than she actually did.

So, mom… will you read me a bedtime story today? I’m so excited, because tomorrow is my first day of school… I don’t think I can sleep on my own.

*doesn’t even look up from book* huh….what? Uh…no. Don’t really feel like it. Good night, hon.

She later had time to read Brian a bedtime story, though. Talking about favorites again!!

What? The book matches our hair. We have the same hair, that means he really is a part of me.

Well, sure… but the other kids are also a part of you! Just because Alfie and Lynn look different… I don’t really understand you.

You don’t have to.

Yeah, and because that’s fair, Brian fell asleep after a few minutes of reading. Whenever Dustin reads something, the kids stay wide awake. WHY IS THAT?

I am just the best!

What exactly happened to your character? I barely know you any more…

What now? You actually read her a story?

Yeah, you were right… she is my daughter, too. And I have to accept that.

Good girl. Although I’m still confused how the kids only fall asleep when you read to them….

Just a picture to show what a great photographer I am… aaaand moving on.

Dustin felt like he had to fill Brian in on his relatives. The girl he is talking about is his granddaughter. I think it’s Katelyn’s daughter. Or Parker’s. Sorry, I lost track. Both have a few kids by now.

Adoooorableness! Wait, who is that? Lynn, is that you?

Had to be, because the boys were busy in the kitchen. Alfie ate his super-healthy pancakes (with apples!), while Brian tried to finish his homework. You have at least 20 minutes until the bus arrives – good timing, buddy!

Look who’s talking! Aren’t you the one who usually does all of her work last minute?

That’s different. I’m a grown-up…mostly.

Today was costume day… after school, Alfie changed into something that probably was supposed to be a prince costume. And then he proceeded to play in the sand, getting the costume all dirty. Is that necessary? You could have worn your everyday clothes, those are easier to wash…

Don’t tell me you ever washed any of our clothes!

Huh. Damnit, that kid’s smart.

I know. And I’m creative, too! If you come back in an hour, I will have built the greatest sandcastle you have ever seen. Promise!

Okay, I want to see that… wait, did you just say that to get rid of me?

Nooooo, I wouldn’t dare! See you, byyyyyye!

Well, in dubio pro reo. We’ll leave now, and come back in a little bit to check on you.

Alrighty, byyyyyyyyyyye now!

Why do I feel like he kicked us out?

1.13 Family Time

Having two children around now gave Kate and Dustin a little more time on their hands. During the mornings the boys went to school, while Kate was out of the house as well. Dustin took care of Lynn in that period of time, but always seemed glad to have Kate back in the afternoon. Despite this being his fifth child, he still showed some insecurities when it came to toddlers. Kate, however, was annoyed by how much Dustin seemed to need her. She just wanted to relax after work, watch some TV or play computer games.

This meant that the boys inevitably had to take care of themselves most of the time. Unlike their father, they knew about the benefits of fresh food and consumed it regularly. Thank God.

Or sometimes they didn’t. Alfie, I just told them about your great eating habits! What are you doing?! :(

*sips* huh, what? Yeah, this is…just freshly pressed lemon…orange juice, from the superm…the local farmers market?

Thanks for trying to save it, but I don’t think they’re convinced.

It’s bonding time! On the weekends the boys usually played together, which was really cute. If only they wore their everyday clothes to play in the sandbox, and not their pajamas… I tell you, that is going to hurt at night, with all the sand in your bed…

The “busy” parents then realized that maybe they should spend some more time with their children, so they all headed to the park. The spring festival was on, and they claimed to have attractions for everybody – from toddler to senior. That was a perfect description of our little family, which is why they went there straight after lunch. Uh…Kate, what are you doing?

Did you realize it’s my birthday today?

Yep, I know that. Of course I know that. Why?

I’m going to be oooooooold… my life is almost over and I’m not even close to fulfilling my LTW!

You’re not going to be old, just a real adult. And fyi: you don’t have to fulfill your LTW, if you really don’t want to. Well, let’s check. You want to master guitar and painting, and so far you have…oh. Oh wells.

While Kate was panicking, everybody else actually was having a good time. Dustin threw some horse-shoes…

Brian had a look at this weird little machine that told you whether you and your partner were destined to stay together…

…and Lynn played with the toys she brought to the park.

Apparently, Kate’s panic attack was over rather quickly, and she proceeded to talk to some people. This one is Mara Alvarez, if I remember correctly, pretty much Sunset Valley’s first fairy. (Okay, maybe I was worried about the low number of supernatural creatures, so I put some new families into town)

Fries? Seriously? I can never tell them about healthy food again. Please don’t do that. Please.

Do I really want to know what that is?

I’m not too sure myself. It looks a little like chicken, and a little like fries, but it tastes like feet.

And then the best part of the day: simultaneous dancing <3 Gosh, is that cute.

Yeehaw!

Uh, Kate… this is not line-dance. Just saying. But go ahead, you look great.

Well, the dancers attracted some more people to the floor, and soon it was a bunch of people having a lot of fun, and getting to know each other at the same time. I still can’t get over how cute Alfie looks when dancing.

What? Why did we have to stop?

Because it’s your moms’s birthday and you’re all supposed to watch and celebrate! Be happy with her! *whispers* and don’t mention wrinkles or being old, she’s allergic to that

I can’t watch… she will be so old…

Hush!

Huh, is that a wrinkle on my hand? Oh my Gosh, I’m ooooooold!

Lynn, help me out here! Major crisis!

Fooooood! I need fooooooooooood!

Good girl.

Author's notes: So yeah, Kate is already an adult now, and SO far from reaching her LTW... fortunately, she doesn't have to fulfil it, does she? Somehow the guitar and easel are not her favorite items in the world. Pity.