Sim in the City IX: Growing Pains
Previously: Despite being heavily pregnant, Miko engaged in some hardcore street activism. Then she delivered a baby boy named Nico in the (dis)comfort of their apartment bathroom. Phoebe prematurely entered her teenage rebellion phase. Salim just couldn't get Maki to commit. Zora hung back and silently took everything in.
Oh, Nico! I gave him the "angel" trait thinking he would be a perfectly-behaved saint of a toddler, but how wrong I was. I'm glad he's getting in touch with his creative side. I just wish he would do it somewhere other than the floor of Salim's bedroom.
Salim: Oh, fuck, this kid is loud! I really need to get out of here.
Zora: Hey, before you go, what do you say we get up to some trouble together one last time?
At this point in their lives, "getting up to some trouble" is pretty tame. In this particular case, it means haggling with this salesman until he gives in and agrees to sell his sub-par inventory at a drastically reduced cost.
Only 25%? Okay, I guess we'll take it.
Zora: Nothing here is even worth 75% off the insane prices this bozo is asking.
Zora: All right, give me that stupid knife block. I suppose it's comparatively less hideous than everything else here.
Salesman: Ma'am, not to suggest the customer isn't always right, but these items are one of a kind, hand-crafted artisan-
Zora: Do you want my damn money or not? Just give it to me!
For a minute, Zora and Salim got so physically close to one another I thought they were trying to reignite the long-snuffed-out romantic flame, but, no, I think she's just taunting him about his slightly doughy physique now that he's a bit older.
Salim: DOUGHY?!? I'LL SHOW YOU DOUGHY, WOMAN!
Zora: Oh, geez, I guess I should have kept my stupid mouth shut.
Gym Trainer: Pathetic. You two clearly have no business even stepping foot in this establishment.
Aren't trainers supposed to, like, train and not just mock their gym's patrons who are honestly just trying their best to lose a pound or two?
Yes! People are autonomously gathering now in support of Speak for the Trees! Liberty Lee, you may not have been ideal girlfriend material, but you rock at spearheading protests. Keep up the good work!
It's Prank Day, which means Zora is free to torment her children without being called a bad parent for it.
We all know Phoebe's a little firecracker, though, and she gives back as good as she gets.
Phoebe always asking the important questions.
There isn't any clear purpose to this picture other than the fact that I really like it when I can get the entire family in one go. They're all so cute together. (Also, I wasn't kidding earlier about Salim moving out. He's officially gone now. But, don't worry, you'll probably be seeing him again very soon.)
Ever since Phoebe started constantly listening to loud music and cursing up a storm, Zora and Miko have taken to eating breakfast in her room. It's probably one of those weird Sim things that makes no logical sense, but I like to think it's because they're worried about her and want to keep an eye on her as much as possible, which is sweet.
Also, if you were at all questioning whether or not the passion between these two still burns as strongly as it did in the beginning, don't, because it totally does. They'll never have eyes for another.
Meanwhile, Nico only has eyes for his large stuffed cat friend, which is too adorable for words.
It cracks me up when toddlers eat the normal-sized dishes. Like, sure, this kid who was just a helpless larvae permanently confined to a bassinet a couple days ago is totally capable of balancing a large bowl of fruit parfait in one hand while conversing animatedly to his mother with the other. Absolutely.
Oh, look, Salim misses the place already! And he brought Maki with him! Nico is overjoyed to have a captive audience for his incessant babbling.
Salim is really just a stand-up guy. Nico isn't even his kid, and he's still autonomously teaching him the names of animals like the little guy's future is solely in his hands.
Zora has been finding it tough to fit in time to improve her piano-playing and secure that next promotion, so having Salim and Maki around to distract Nico is a welcome relief.
Phoebe brought home a project for school to complete at home, and she looks pretty darn confident about her ability to absolutely nail it.
She doesn't pass up the offer of a little help from Miko, though, who actually looks incredibly sad here. Miko, are you okay?
Apparently, some townie who I wasn't even aware she knew well at all died, and she's so sad about it she has to abandon Phoebe to cry it out under the covers.
Come on, girl, it can't be that bad! You have so much happiness in your life right now!
Ah, yes, a little sparkle magic playtime with Nico soon puts a smile on her face.
She then decides to introduce Nico to snow for the first time.
I think he likes it! In the grand scheme of things, Miko did most of the work here, but Nico sure had fun pounding away at the sides of this half-formed snowman like a tiny maniac.
The boy is positively crazy about the fluffy white stuff!
Phoebe finished her school project, an adorable little castle diorama, but the only one left to appreciate her efforts was her stuffed unicorn, appropriately named Uni, who can't even be bothered to open her (his? their?) eyes.
Phoebe shakes off the brain exhaustion with some impromptu angry sit-ups, as one does.
Now that her project's done, she's finally free to spend some quality time hanging out with her friends. The only problem? A massive blizzard decided to blow in at the exact moment they met up. Everyone to safety, now!
They decided to try their luck at skating, despite the blizzard. If you're wondering who that remarkably tall child behind Phoebe is, that's her friend Aahana, already grown up into a teen (which I didn't even realize until she showed up).
Unfortunately, her age seniority does not make her any better at skating than her younger friends.
Once again, Phoebe always asking the important questions.
Phoebe: UGH! I. HAVE. HAD. IT! Let's get out of here! I think I know a place we can go to warm up.
Phoebe: DAD! DAD! LET US IN! IT'S COLDER THAN THE TIP OF AN ICEBERG OUT HERE!
The girls rush inside, throw off their wet coats, and crowd in front of the fireplace to warm up. (You'll be seeing more of Salim's new house in Brindleton Bay very soon.)
Aahana: Wow, thanks for the cake, Mr. Benali!
Jane: Yeah! I wish you were my dad! You're so cool!
Wow, I thought Phoebe was already behaving like a rebellious teen. Now that she can officially say she has an older friend, she's going to be even bolder.
Aahana is cute, though. Very, very cute. I'm going to have to make a note of that cuteness for my records...
Back at home, Nico has figured out how to stealthily escape his room and those horrid flashcards without arousing Miko's suspicion. I hope she catches onto his absence before he makes a run for it!
Yes, finally, back to her one true musical love, the violin!
For the cherry on top of that sundae, guess who's going to have another baby? Nico is already incredibly adorable, but I just couldn't resist the possibility of giving him an equally adorable sister. Keep your fingers crossed for a girl!
Oh, Nico! I gave him the "angel" trait thinking he would be a perfectly-behaved saint of a toddler, but how wrong I was. I'm glad he's getting in touch with his creative side. I just wish he would do it somewhere other than the floor of Salim's bedroom.
Salim: Oh, fuck, this kid is loud! I really need to get out of here.
Zora: Hey, before you go, what do you say we get up to some trouble together one last time?
At this point in their lives, "getting up to some trouble" is pretty tame. In this particular case, it means haggling with this salesman until he gives in and agrees to sell his sub-par inventory at a drastically reduced cost.
Only 25%? Okay, I guess we'll take it.
Zora: Nothing here is even worth 75% off the insane prices this bozo is asking.
Zora: All right, give me that stupid knife block. I suppose it's comparatively less hideous than everything else here.
Salesman: Ma'am, not to suggest the customer isn't always right, but these items are one of a kind, hand-crafted artisan-
Zora: Do you want my damn money or not? Just give it to me!
For a minute, Zora and Salim got so physically close to one another I thought they were trying to reignite the long-snuffed-out romantic flame, but, no, I think she's just taunting him about his slightly doughy physique now that he's a bit older.
Salim: DOUGHY?!? I'LL SHOW YOU DOUGHY, WOMAN!
Zora: Oh, geez, I guess I should have kept my stupid mouth shut.
Gym Trainer: Pathetic. You two clearly have no business even stepping foot in this establishment.
Aren't trainers supposed to, like, train and not just mock their gym's patrons who are honestly just trying their best to lose a pound or two?
Yes! People are autonomously gathering now in support of Speak for the Trees! Liberty Lee, you may not have been ideal girlfriend material, but you rock at spearheading protests. Keep up the good work!
It's Prank Day, which means Zora is free to torment her children without being called a bad parent for it.
We all know Phoebe's a little firecracker, though, and she gives back as good as she gets.
Phoebe always asking the important questions.
There isn't any clear purpose to this picture other than the fact that I really like it when I can get the entire family in one go. They're all so cute together. (Also, I wasn't kidding earlier about Salim moving out. He's officially gone now. But, don't worry, you'll probably be seeing him again very soon.)
Ever since Phoebe started constantly listening to loud music and cursing up a storm, Zora and Miko have taken to eating breakfast in her room. It's probably one of those weird Sim things that makes no logical sense, but I like to think it's because they're worried about her and want to keep an eye on her as much as possible, which is sweet.
Also, if you were at all questioning whether or not the passion between these two still burns as strongly as it did in the beginning, don't, because it totally does. They'll never have eyes for another.
Meanwhile, Nico only has eyes for his large stuffed cat friend, which is too adorable for words.
It cracks me up when toddlers eat the normal-sized dishes. Like, sure, this kid who was just a helpless larvae permanently confined to a bassinet a couple days ago is totally capable of balancing a large bowl of fruit parfait in one hand while conversing animatedly to his mother with the other. Absolutely.
Oh, look, Salim misses the place already! And he brought Maki with him! Nico is overjoyed to have a captive audience for his incessant babbling.
Salim is really just a stand-up guy. Nico isn't even his kid, and he's still autonomously teaching him the names of animals like the little guy's future is solely in his hands.
Zora has been finding it tough to fit in time to improve her piano-playing and secure that next promotion, so having Salim and Maki around to distract Nico is a welcome relief.
Phoebe brought home a project for school to complete at home, and she looks pretty darn confident about her ability to absolutely nail it.
She doesn't pass up the offer of a little help from Miko, though, who actually looks incredibly sad here. Miko, are you okay?
Apparently, some townie who I wasn't even aware she knew well at all died, and she's so sad about it she has to abandon Phoebe to cry it out under the covers.
Come on, girl, it can't be that bad! You have so much happiness in your life right now!
Ah, yes, a little sparkle magic playtime with Nico soon puts a smile on her face.
She then decides to introduce Nico to snow for the first time.
I think he likes it! In the grand scheme of things, Miko did most of the work here, but Nico sure had fun pounding away at the sides of this half-formed snowman like a tiny maniac.
The boy is positively crazy about the fluffy white stuff!
Phoebe finished her school project, an adorable little castle diorama, but the only one left to appreciate her efforts was her stuffed unicorn, appropriately named Uni, who can't even be bothered to open her (his? their?) eyes.
Phoebe shakes off the brain exhaustion with some impromptu angry sit-ups, as one does.
Now that her project's done, she's finally free to spend some quality time hanging out with her friends. The only problem? A massive blizzard decided to blow in at the exact moment they met up. Everyone to safety, now!
They decided to try their luck at skating, despite the blizzard. If you're wondering who that remarkably tall child behind Phoebe is, that's her friend Aahana, already grown up into a teen (which I didn't even realize until she showed up).
Unfortunately, her age seniority does not make her any better at skating than her younger friends.
Once again, Phoebe always asking the important questions.
Phoebe: UGH! I. HAVE. HAD. IT! Let's get out of here! I think I know a place we can go to warm up.
Phoebe: DAD! DAD! LET US IN! IT'S COLDER THAN THE TIP OF AN ICEBERG OUT HERE!
The girls rush inside, throw off their wet coats, and crowd in front of the fireplace to warm up. (You'll be seeing more of Salim's new house in Brindleton Bay very soon.)
Aahana: Wow, thanks for the cake, Mr. Benali!
Jane: Yeah! I wish you were my dad! You're so cool!
Wow, I thought Phoebe was already behaving like a rebellious teen. Now that she can officially say she has an older friend, she's going to be even bolder.
Aahana is cute, though. Very, very cute. I'm going to have to make a note of that cuteness for my records...
Back at home, Nico has figured out how to stealthily escape his room and those horrid flashcards without arousing Miko's suspicion. I hope she catches onto his absence before he makes a run for it!
Yes, finally, back to her one true musical love, the violin!
For the cherry on top of that sundae, guess who's going to have another baby? Nico is already incredibly adorable, but I just couldn't resist the possibility of giving him an equally adorable sister. Keep your fingers crossed for a girl!