Phoebe's World XIX
Previously: Elliot tried to chase after a girl his own age, but she wasn't having any of it, so he poured all of his energy into making some kick-ass Love Day decorations. Phoebe and Aahana had to deal with Aisha's terrible twos but escaped long enough for a romantic dinner date.
Phoebe: Well, son, does this breakfast sufficiently meet your insanely picky and frankly ridiculous food requirements?
Elliot: LEAVE ME ALONE, MOM! YOU JUST DON'T UNDERSTAAAAAAAND!
Oh, great, two child meltdowns at once. Phoebe and Aahana are totally prepared for dealing with this. Elliot is repulsed by the food on his plate while Aisha is outraged that she doesn't yet have any food at all.
Normally, as a fellow child-averse individual, I would sympathize, but Elliot really has no room to talk here considering he was just whining his head off five minutes ago.
Besides, look at how utterly adorable she is when she's not having a tantrum! Elliot knows he's about to lose his status as the favored child, and he's resigned to his sad fate.
Elliot: That's okay! I definitely didn't need help with my homework anyway, considering I'm a genius and all!
In other news, Joaquin got old and turned into a kind of sleazy-looking hipster grandpa (I'm not sure what compelled me to settle on that hair option). Jane still loves him anyway, though.
The supposed purpose of this family outing to the park was to throw a birthday party for Aisha (all of a sudden, I'm really into the concept of park birthday parties), but, naturally, all of the adults had to wander over to the food stall first to fulfill their pressing tea and coffee needs.
Meanwhile, Elliot is left to entertain Aisha, but he mostly just terrifies her with his faces that are more scary than funny.
Instead, she tries to make friends with some pigeons, but that doesn't work out so well either.
Jane: Quick, kid, look over there! Your parents are totally showering your sister with more love and affection than you'll ever get.
Jane: BOO!... Just kidding.
Elliot: Ugh, why would you even say that? What kind of monster are you?!?
Phoebe: Greetings, family, friends, and random strangers! Let's all raise a glass for my daughter's birthday. She's only the best, cutest, most well-behaved and generally angelic child in the world.
Elliot: Well, that's a bald-faced lie if I've ever heard one.
Elliot: You were right, Aunt Jane. They do love her more than they love me.
Jane: Well, you have to admit she's pretty freaking adorable.
Elliot: *sighs in defeat* I know.
Come on, Elliot, you're not even a teenager yet! I'm sure you've still got plenty of tricks up your sleeve to sway everyone back to your side!
Like gifting your sister this toy car so that she can immediately whack herself in the forehead with it. Rude!
Yeah, guys, this is scenic and all, but where are the kids? Did you send them home to bed for the sole purpose of having the park to yourselves for stargazing? Aisha literally just grew up, and Elliot is insanely jealous of her. Do you really trust them not to kill each other?
Aisha: I can't believe the only present I got for my birthday was a defective toy car from my lame older brother.
Aahana: Honey, please tell me it's coming soon before she loses it.
Phoebe: It should be on its way right... this... second!
(Notice Elliot eating breakfast alone at the island counter like the black sheep he thinks he's becoming.)
The best birthday gift of them all has arrived! A new pet cat to replace the hole left by Shirley Temple, who Aisha never knew but surely would have loved!
Aisha is absolutely beside herself with joy, and even Elliot can't entirely hide his excitement.
The official introduction! Fingers crossed they really hit it off.
This cat, whose name is currently and will remain (because I'm uncreative) Mallory, fits right in. She's immediately bounding up and down the stairs like she owns the place.
I can't tell if she's howling in distress at Joaquin's guitar-playing or meowing along in harmony to it. Either way, I think she's a keeper!
Aisha: You are all mine and nobody else's.
That's going to be hard to enforce, but she's still the birthday girl, so we'll let her indulge her fantasy. By the way, I've restrained myself this long, but I have to say that Aisha is shaping up to be a real beauty. She takes a lot after Aahana (just like Elliot takes a lot after Phoebe) but with just enough difference to make her stand out. I can't wait to see her grow up!
Phoebe: Wow, was that birthday gift ever a success! Aren't we the most brilliant parents ever?!?
That blue screen of death on Jane's computer does not look good, but Mallory looks adorable all curled up on her and Joaquin's bed instead of the pet bed where she rightfully belongs.
She's also a big fan of Jane's gourmet cooking. Look at her eyeing that steaming bowl of butternut squash soup fresh off the stove top.
Apparently, ghost Shirley Temple caught wind of there being a new cat in town and decided to come out of hiding to mark her territory.
Aisha: Wait, we have a ghost cat? Cool! Why didn't anybody tell me?!?
Meanwhile, Elliot is just quietly busy reminding everyone that he's a creative genius. No big deal.
This is just such a wholesome image, I had to include it! Also, I needed to show off Elliot's impressive gallery of macaroni art because it is truly a marvel. Right now, he's busy making new summer-themed decorations.
They look great behind the bar, where Elliot's still trying to get Phoebe to let him have an adult beverage without success.
He's also still trying to hit on grown women without success. I shudder to think what his teenage years will bring.
I'm not sure how much these faces are helping Aisha with her homework, but she sure appreciates the laugh.
I have to say, this is one of the hardest career tracks I've done yet, solely because it takes so damn long to build the gardening skill (or at least it feels like it)! It'll be so satisfying when Aahana finally reaches the top.
Melinda, please stop trying to break up Phoebe's marriage from beyond the grave. I thought we were past all that.
Aahana: Ugh, I have had a day! First, I busted my butt to get a promotion. Then, my wife's dead ex-girlfriend tried to ask me on a date. I feel like my brain could burst at any moment!
Jane: That's what the drinks are for, honey. That's what the drinks are for.
Ah, yes, an evening of rest and relaxation should definitely do the trick!
Aahana: Yeah, we're going to have to ask you to leave now, buddy.
Phoebe: Wait! Don't I know you? Didn't I try to throw a drink in your face when I was a teenager?
Wolfgang: Yes, and failed miserably! Though I'm forever scarred by the beating you gave me a few days later...
Aahana: Cute. You're still going to have to leave.
Finally, he's gone. Now things can get extra-steamy in the sauna, if you know what I mean...
Jane: Hey, guys, whatcha doin'?
Talk about ruining the moment! Unfortunately, I don't think they were ever left alone long enough to see things through to the end. A real shame, but I'm sure they'll survive.
Phoebe: Well, son, does this breakfast sufficiently meet your insanely picky and frankly ridiculous food requirements?
Elliot: LEAVE ME ALONE, MOM! YOU JUST DON'T UNDERSTAAAAAAAND!
Oh, great, two child meltdowns at once. Phoebe and Aahana are totally prepared for dealing with this. Elliot is repulsed by the food on his plate while Aisha is outraged that she doesn't yet have any food at all.
Normally, as a fellow child-averse individual, I would sympathize, but Elliot really has no room to talk here considering he was just whining his head off five minutes ago.
Besides, look at how utterly adorable she is when she's not having a tantrum! Elliot knows he's about to lose his status as the favored child, and he's resigned to his sad fate.
Elliot: That's okay! I definitely didn't need help with my homework anyway, considering I'm a genius and all!
In other news, Joaquin got old and turned into a kind of sleazy-looking hipster grandpa (I'm not sure what compelled me to settle on that hair option). Jane still loves him anyway, though.
The supposed purpose of this family outing to the park was to throw a birthday party for Aisha (all of a sudden, I'm really into the concept of park birthday parties), but, naturally, all of the adults had to wander over to the food stall first to fulfill their pressing tea and coffee needs.
Meanwhile, Elliot is left to entertain Aisha, but he mostly just terrifies her with his faces that are more scary than funny.
Instead, she tries to make friends with some pigeons, but that doesn't work out so well either.
Jane: Quick, kid, look over there! Your parents are totally showering your sister with more love and affection than you'll ever get.
Jane: BOO!... Just kidding.
Elliot: Ugh, why would you even say that? What kind of monster are you?!?
Phoebe: Greetings, family, friends, and random strangers! Let's all raise a glass for my daughter's birthday. She's only the best, cutest, most well-behaved and generally angelic child in the world.
Elliot: Well, that's a bald-faced lie if I've ever heard one.
Elliot: You were right, Aunt Jane. They do love her more than they love me.
Jane: Well, you have to admit she's pretty freaking adorable.
Elliot: *sighs in defeat* I know.
Come on, Elliot, you're not even a teenager yet! I'm sure you've still got plenty of tricks up your sleeve to sway everyone back to your side!
Like gifting your sister this toy car so that she can immediately whack herself in the forehead with it. Rude!
Yeah, guys, this is scenic and all, but where are the kids? Did you send them home to bed for the sole purpose of having the park to yourselves for stargazing? Aisha literally just grew up, and Elliot is insanely jealous of her. Do you really trust them not to kill each other?
Aisha: I can't believe the only present I got for my birthday was a defective toy car from my lame older brother.
Aahana: Honey, please tell me it's coming soon before she loses it.
Phoebe: It should be on its way right... this... second!
(Notice Elliot eating breakfast alone at the island counter like the black sheep he thinks he's becoming.)
The best birthday gift of them all has arrived! A new pet cat to replace the hole left by Shirley Temple, who Aisha never knew but surely would have loved!
Aisha is absolutely beside herself with joy, and even Elliot can't entirely hide his excitement.
The official introduction! Fingers crossed they really hit it off.
This cat, whose name is currently and will remain (because I'm uncreative) Mallory, fits right in. She's immediately bounding up and down the stairs like she owns the place.
I can't tell if she's howling in distress at Joaquin's guitar-playing or meowing along in harmony to it. Either way, I think she's a keeper!
Aisha: You are all mine and nobody else's.
That's going to be hard to enforce, but she's still the birthday girl, so we'll let her indulge her fantasy. By the way, I've restrained myself this long, but I have to say that Aisha is shaping up to be a real beauty. She takes a lot after Aahana (just like Elliot takes a lot after Phoebe) but with just enough difference to make her stand out. I can't wait to see her grow up!
Phoebe: Wow, was that birthday gift ever a success! Aren't we the most brilliant parents ever?!?
That blue screen of death on Jane's computer does not look good, but Mallory looks adorable all curled up on her and Joaquin's bed instead of the pet bed where she rightfully belongs.
She's also a big fan of Jane's gourmet cooking. Look at her eyeing that steaming bowl of butternut squash soup fresh off the stove top.
Apparently, ghost Shirley Temple caught wind of there being a new cat in town and decided to come out of hiding to mark her territory.
Aisha: Wait, we have a ghost cat? Cool! Why didn't anybody tell me?!?
Meanwhile, Elliot is just quietly busy reminding everyone that he's a creative genius. No big deal.
This is just such a wholesome image, I had to include it! Also, I needed to show off Elliot's impressive gallery of macaroni art because it is truly a marvel. Right now, he's busy making new summer-themed decorations.
They look great behind the bar, where Elliot's still trying to get Phoebe to let him have an adult beverage without success.
He's also still trying to hit on grown women without success. I shudder to think what his teenage years will bring.
I'm not sure how much these faces are helping Aisha with her homework, but she sure appreciates the laugh.
I have to say, this is one of the hardest career tracks I've done yet, solely because it takes so damn long to build the gardening skill (or at least it feels like it)! It'll be so satisfying when Aahana finally reaches the top.
Melinda, please stop trying to break up Phoebe's marriage from beyond the grave. I thought we were past all that.
Aahana: Ugh, I have had a day! First, I busted my butt to get a promotion. Then, my wife's dead ex-girlfriend tried to ask me on a date. I feel like my brain could burst at any moment!
Jane: That's what the drinks are for, honey. That's what the drinks are for.
Ah, yes, an evening of rest and relaxation should definitely do the trick!
Aahana: Yeah, we're going to have to ask you to leave now, buddy.
Phoebe: Wait! Don't I know you? Didn't I try to throw a drink in your face when I was a teenager?
Wolfgang: Yes, and failed miserably! Though I'm forever scarred by the beating you gave me a few days later...
Aahana: Cute. You're still going to have to leave.
Finally, he's gone. Now things can get extra-steamy in the sauna, if you know what I mean...
Jane: Hey, guys, whatcha doin'?
Talk about ruining the moment! Unfortunately, I don't think they were ever left alone long enough to see things through to the end. A real shame, but I'm sure they'll survive.