let's spend the night together

September 2041 - Sophie Ottomas is 28 (Samantha Ottomas is 58, Emma Larrea is 28).

Sophie feels like a cliche - a single 28-year-old woman living alone with a cat. She knows breaking up with Christopher was the right decision, but lately she feels like she's standing still while the world whizzes past. She heard that Christopher got married a few months ago to her brother Paul's ex-girlfriend Brittany. Her twin sister has been married for four years and has a son, and she hasn't been in a relationship since college.

happy birthday to you

August 2041 - Viola Cameron is 50, Alison Cameron and Toby Wright are 16.

As Alison's due date gets closer, Viola is getting more and more excited about the baby. She's still worried about how her daughter will deal with being a teen mother, but she can't wait to meet her first grandchild.

the scientist

August 2041 - Adrien Cooke is 12 (Julien and Melissa Cooke are 54).

Even during the summer, Adrien spends most of his days studying. He's a serious, motivated kid, and he knows if he wants to college, he needs to get a scholarship.

dancing queen

July 2041 - Ricky Cormier is 46, Robert Stanton is 40, Jenny Johnson is 39, Meg Stanton and Ellie Fairchild are 17, Libby Stanton is 12, Jodie and Sadie are 9.

"What are you doing in here? You've been in the bathroom all morning." Libby stops when she catches a glimpse of Meg. "What did you do to your hair?"

"I dyed it. What do you think?"

summer days

June 2041 - Caroline and Charlie Wilder are 39, Riley is 16, Laura is 12, Michael is 8, Andrew is 6, Rose is 2, Lucy is 14 months.

"So what's going on with you and Curtis?" Laura asks.

"Nothing. I mean, we're just friends."

"He's been coming over a lot," Laura says. "I haven't seen George around here lately."

"He's just been busy. George is my boyfriend."

"Just because he's your boyfriend now doesn't mean he always will be."

total eclipse of the heart

May 2041 - Ellie Fairchild, Meg Stanton, Justin Kim, Christian Andrews and Aimee Wheeler are 17; Isaiah Gavigan, George Smith, and Riley Wilder are 16 (Sandy Fairchild is 56).

It's been more than a month since Meg and Matt Ottomas broke up, and Ellie is pretty tired of consoling her heartbroken best friend.

"You just need to meet a new guy," she says.

kaze wo atsumete

April 2041 - Cynthia and Robert Kim are 44, Justin is 17, Julie is 7 (Aimee Wheeler is 17).

For spring break the Kim family takes a trip to their vacation home in Takemizu Village. They haven't been there since before Julie was born, and Robert and Cynthia want to have a family vacation there before Justin leaves for college.

Lowell College: Spring 2041

Spring 2041 - Junior: Phoebe Centowski; Freshmen: Nate Centowski, Theo Centowski, Matt Ottomas, Opal Raymond.

Things might have been awkward between Theo and Matt after Opal decided to stop seeing Matt to be with Theo, but Matt isn't the kind of guy to take relationships that seriously. He still likes hanging out with Theo and Opal.

please don't eat the daisies

March 2041 - Jack Cooper is 38, Jillian Cooper is 37, Jackson is 12, Rachel is 10, Piper is 7 (Gabrielle Wheeler is 14, Alex Smith is 7).

Jackson is a pretty solitary kid, but at least he has his dog Tucker. He loves playing with his dog, and he takes him for a walk every morning before school.

live and learn

February 2041 - Andrew Carter and Kate Myers are 38, Harper Myers is 15, Avery Myers is 8 (Toby Wright is 15, Charlie Roseland is 8).

Harper has become friends with the stray cat who's been hanging out in their yard, and when she seems him mewing pitifully by the driveway buried in a snowdrift, she can't help but take him inside.

the new year

January 2041 - Brenda Roennigke and Amin Zhang are 27 (Sandy Fairchild is 56).

One cold afternoon in January, Amin meets Brenda at city hall so they can make their relationship official. They've been together since college, and they think it's time for them to get married and have a family together.

portions for foxes

December 2040 - Viola Cameron is 49, Alison Cameron and Toby Wright are 15.

Two years after her husband's death, Viola is starting to feel like her life might not be over. She's gotten used to being a single mother again - to sleeping alone, to making dinner for two instead of three.

"You've been such a big help to me," Viola says. "I appreciate it so much."

"Thanks Mom."

over the river and through the woods

November 2040 - Priya and Sanjay Ramaswami are 51, Anthony Cooke and Gavin Newson are 23, Anjali and Padma Ramaswami are 22, Krishna Ramaswami is four months.

For Thanksgiving all of the Ramaswami's get together, the first time they've all been together since Anjali and Padma graduated from college. Between Anjali's medical career and Padma's busy life in Bridgeport juggling her acting career and motherhood, it isn't easy to get the girls in the same room.

leaving on a jet plane

October 2040 - Chris Byall and David Ottomas are 43.

After more than eleven years, business at The Pier is doing great.

Lowell College: Fall 2040

Fall 2040 - Junior: Phoebe Centowski; Freshmen: Nate Centowski, Theo Centowski, Matt Ottomas, Opal Raymond.

Matt Ottomas, Nate and Theo Centowski, and Opal Raymond are all freshman this year, and they're living in the same dorm as Phoebe.

back to school again

Fall 2040 - 2040/2041 school update.

Providence Elementary School

With her youngest child off in college, Samantha is even more devoted to her students. She teaches the youngest students, first through third graders.

all you need is love

September 2040 - Patrick Seiff is 27, Clara Long Seiff is 22, Benjamin Long and Viola Cameron are 49, Elizabeth Long is 43, Christopher Seiff is 27, Anjali Ramaswami is 22, Alison Cameron is 15, Christopher and Margaret Long are 13.

As if weddings aren't stressful enough, Clara's wedding is the first time her parents have been in the same place since the divorce. Luckily the aisle provides a natural buffer - her dad, Elizabeth, and their kids on one side...

her mom and Alison on the other. Since her mom's family is so much smaller than her dad's, they even things out by having their friends sit on her mom's side.

eight days a week

August 2040 - Anthony Cooke is 23, Anjali Ramaswami is 22 (Benjamin Long is 49, Elizabeth Long is 43, Patrick Seiff is 27, Clara Long is 22).

Anjali and Anthony move into a beautiful new townhouse-style apartment. Initially they hadn't planned to live together; but when Paul took a new job in Bridgeport, Anthony and Anjali decided it didn't make sense for both of them to look for new places.

Round 2040-2042 Schedule and ROS

To go along with my new playing style, I've written up a schedule for the round. Right now it's pretty sparse, but I'll update it as I go.

Fall/Winter 2040
August 2040 - Cooke/Ramaswami
September 2040 - Seiff (Patrick and Clara's wedding)
school update
Lowell College Fall Semester
October 2040 - Byall/Ottomas (move away)
November 2040 - Ramaswami
December 2040 - Cameron

Spring/Summer 2041
January 2041 - Zhang
February 2041 - Carter/Myers
March 2041 - Cooper
Lowell College Spring Semester
April 2041 - Kim
May 2041 - Fairchild (prom)
June 2041 - Wilder
July 2041 - Stanton

Fall/Winter 2041
August 2041 - Cooke
happy birthday! - Cameron/Wright and Zhang babies due
September 2041 - Sophie Ottomas
school update
Lowell College Fall Semester
October 2041 - Smith
November 2041 - Tommy and Sheila Ottomas
December 2041 - Long

Spring/Summer 2042
January 2042 - Larrea (move away)
February 2042 - Bertoni
March 2042 - Cameron
Lowell College Spring Semester
April 2042 - Wright
May 2042 - London (prom)
June 2042 - Jitkamusal
July 2042 - Roseland


Random Events:

I rolled random events for the first time, and some of these are pretty big! I still haven't completely decided how and when I'll fulfill these, but when I do I'll link to the relevant posts.

Move away: Chris Byall
Oops, preggy!: Alison Cameron
Move away: Emma Larrea
You were afraid of that! Satisfy your biggest fear: Toby Wright

new schedule

I've decided to change the way I update my Sims. Instead of writing about four households per year (one household for every season), I'm going to use a two-year-round system like over at Lakeside Heights, where I write an update for every Sim month, and after two Sim years I've covered almost every household. I'm also going to start including school updates for the elementary and high school kids. I'm really excited about this new schedule, although it may take me some time to get used to it, so the next few updates may be kind of late.

I haven't been updating very much lately because I've been very distracted by setting up a downtown. I finally created the perfect neighborhood terrain using Sim City 4, and I've been slowly putting in buildings. It's still very sparse, but once it's more developed I'll include pictures. I've also been trying to fill in some of the gaps in the Providence neighborhood so I can include neighborhood photos. But I've put the building on hold so I can keep going with the storytelling.

happy birthday to you

April 2040 - Caroline and Charlie Wilder are 38, Riley is 15, Laura is 11, Michael is 7, Andrew is 5, Rose is 18 months.

After having five children, Caroline is no longer scared of childbirth. But Riley is pretty freaked out when her mom goes into labor.

seventeen

May 2040 - Peter Ottomas is 57, Samantha Ottomas is 56, Matt is 17 (Theo Centowski is 17).

When your mother is a teacher at your school, it's impossible to skip school.

"Are you almost ready to go, Matt?" Samantha asks.

"Not yet, Mom. I can walk."

"All right, but make sure you're not late. I'll see you at school."

"Okay Mom."

Lowell College: Spring 2040

Spring 2040 - Seniors: Clara Long, Anjali Ramaswami, Padma Ramaswami; Sophomore: Phoebe Centowski (Anthony Cooke is 22, Nate and Theo Centowski are 17).

As Padma's pregnancy progresses, Anjali is constantly trying to talk to Padma about her plans.

"I won't give birth until after graduation," Padma says. "I have several more months."

"But what are you going to do after graduation?" Anjali asks. "Are you going to move in with Gavin? Are you going to move back home?"

father and son

February 2040 - Sheila and Tommy Ottomas are 29, Katie is 5, Sean is 2.

Sean loves having a big sister to play with. She's at school for most of the day, but every morning before she leaves for school, she comes into his room to say hello.

the long and winding road

November 2039 - John Lowell is 69, Anne and James Smith are 39, George is 15, John and Tom are 11, Jamie is 8, Alex is 6.

This is the first Thanksgiving since Anne's mother Elizabeth died, and for the first time Anne is cooking Thanksgiving dinner at her house.

Lowell College: Fall 2039

Fall 2039 - Seniors: Clara Long, Anjali Ramaswami, Padma Ramaswami; Sophomore: Phoebe Centowski.

Anjali, Padma, and Clara are all very excited about starting their senior year.

oxford comma

August 2039 - Anthony Cooke and Paul Ottomas are 22, Anjali Ramaswami is 21 (Phil Jitkamusal is 30).

After college, Paul and Anthony rent an apartment together in Providence.

wide open spaces

May 2039 - Caroline and Charlie Wilder are 37, Riley and George Smith are 14, Laura is 10, Michael is 6, Andrew is 4, Rose is six months.

Since the birth of their daughter Rose, the Wilder farmhouse is overflowing with kids. Baby Rose doesn't even have a bedroom; Charlie set up her crib at the end of the upstairs hallway, right outside her parents' room.

Lowell College: Spring 2039

Spring 2039 - Seniors: Anthony Cooke, Paul Ottomas, Brittany Parker; Juniors: Clara Long, Anjali Ramaswami, Padma Ramaswami; Freshman: Phoebe Centowski.

The Lowell College campus is beautiful in the spring, and Brittany has been spending as much time outside as possible.

house at pooh corner

February 2039 - Jack Cooper is 36; Jillian Cooper is 35; Jackson, John Smith, and Tom Smith are 10; Rachel is 8; Piper and Alex Smith are 5.

Piper Cooper learned to read a few months ago, and ever since she's been reading everything she can get her hands on. She's always loved stories, and now she can read them herself.

i will follow you into the dark

November 2038 - Neil Cameron is 64, Viola Cameron is 47, Alison is 13, Clara Long is 20.

It starts out like any other quiet November morning. Alison is at school, Viola is at work, and Neil is doing a little yard work.

But suddenly he feels a pain in his chest. He's not ready to die, but it's his time to go.

Lowell College: Fall 2038

Fall 2038 - Seniors: Anthony Cooke, Paul Ottomas, Brittany Parker; Juniors: Clara Long, Anjali Ramaswami, Padma Ramaswami; Freshman: Phoebe Centowski.

Phoebe Centowski is so excited to be in college. She moves into Cabot Hall, and right away she starts making friends.

happy birthday to you

August 2038 - Andrew and Emma Larrea are 25 (Samantha Ottomas are 55).

Andrew and Emma are expecting their first child, conceived while they were on their honeymoon.

who needs sleep?

August 2038 - Phil Jitkamusal is 29, Tara Jitkamusal is 27, Anna and Kat are four months.

In April, Phil and Tara became the parents of twin girls, Anna and Kat.

how much is that doggie in the window?

May 2038 - Cyd Roseland is 34, Christa Roseland is 32, Charlie is 5, Connor is 1.

Things are pretty hectic at the Roseland house. The tiny farmhouse only has two bedrooms, so for now baby Connor sleeps in the living room.

Lowell College: Spring 2038

Spring 2038 - Juniors: Anthony Cooke, Paul Ottomas, Brittany Parker; Sophomores: Clara Long, Anjali Ramaswami, Padma Ramaswami.

Anjali has always been studious, but now that she's officially a physics major, she's studying even more.

family affair

February 2038 - Anne and James Smith are 37, George is 13, John and Tom are 9, Jamie is 6, Alex is 4 (Justin Kim and Meg Stanton are 14, Riley Wilder is 13).

Alex loves playing with his big brothers and sister, and with four older siblings, there's always someone to play with.

can't buy me love

November 2037 - Andrew Larrea and Emma Ottomas are 24 (Peter Ottomas is 55, Samantha Ottomas is 54, Sophie Ottomas and Christopher Seiff are 24).

Andrew was recently promoted at the law firm, and he used his bonus to put a down payment on a large house in Forest Hills. The morgage is a bit more expensive than he and Emma can afford, but he and Emma have admired this house for years.

Lowell College: Fall 2037

Fall 2037 - Juniors: Anthony Cooke, Paul Ottomas, Brittany Parker; Sophomores: Clara Long, Anjali Ramaswami, Padma Ramaswami.

Anthony and Anjali spend a lot of time studying together in the Goode Observatory. Anthony is a physics major, and Anjali is planning to declare physics in the spring.

kokomo

August 2037 - Andrea and Randy London are 40, Georgia is 12.

Andrea and Randy buy a vacation home on Twikkii Island, and they go on vacation at the beginning of August.

happy birthday to you

I've decided to start doing birth announcements to help keep track of what's going on in the neighborhood. I'm still deciding how to do them. Since I have three babies born in a four month period, I put all of them in the same update. We'll see if I keep grouping them like this, but I think this way is efficient but not too confusing.

ETA: Yay for bigger photos!

supermodel

May 2037 - Jenny Johnson is 35, Meg Stanton is 13.

Jenny's Closet is doing really well. She has a good eye for fashion, and she keeps the store stocked with the latest styles and trends.

Lowell College: Spring 2037

Spring Semester 2037 - Sophomores: Anthony Cooke, Paul Ottomas, Brittany Parker; Freshmen: Clara Long, Anjali Ramaswami, Padma Ramaswami.

After all of the drama last semester, Padma has been trying to avoid boy drama. Plus her course load is a little heavier this semester, so she and her sister have been spending a lot of time in the library.

boy crazy

February 2037 - Sandy Fairchild is 52; Ellie, Christian Andrews, and Meg Stanton are 13; Isaiah Gavigan is 12.

Most afternoons Meg has to babysit her younger sisters, but when she's free they meet at the Lowell  College student center after school.

precious things

November 2036 - Jack Cooper is 34, Jillian Cooper is 33, Jackson is 8, Rachel is 6, Piper is 3.

Jillian quit her job as a kindergarten teacher at the end of the last school year to be a stay-at-home mother. Instead of going to daycare, Piper spends the day at home with her mom. Jillian loves spending the day with her baby girl. When Jackson and Rachel were toddlers, she was constantly exhausted from taking care of them and baby Piper. She was relieved when they got older and more independent. But now Jackson and Rachel are in school all day, and Jillian enjoys every second taking care of her youngest.

Lowell College: Fall 2036

Fall Semester 2036 - Sophomores: Anthony Cooke, Paul Ottomas, Brittany Parker; Freshmen: Clara Long, Anjali Ramaswami, Padma Ramaswami.

"So are you worried about Anjali and Clara starting at Lowell this year?" asks Paul.

"No, why would I be worried?" replies Anthony.

"Wasn't there a lot of drama between the three of you?"

"That was over a year ago. Things are fine now."

Anthony is a serious kid. He's a lot more concerned about figuring out his logic ball than any potential drama.

i know where the summer goes

August 2036 - Benjamin Long is 45, Elizabeth Long is 39, Christopher and Margaret are 9, Clara is 18.

It's August, and the Longs are trying to fill the month with fun things before school starts. Benjamin and Elizabeth are too busy at work to take the kids on vacation, but there are great hiking trails within walking distance of their house.

teenager

May 2036 - Robert Stanton is 36; Meg, Christian Andrews, and Justin Kim are 12; Libby is 7; Jodie and Sadie are 4.

Meg has started spending a lot of time in the bathroom admiring herself in the mirror and putting on makeup. Her mother helped her pick out a new wardrobe and gave her a makeover in honor of her starting seventh grade.

buildings and mountains

February 2036 - Cynthia and Robert Kim are 39; Justin Kim, Christian Andrews, and Aimee Wheeler are 12; Julie Kim is 2.

For years Cynthia, Robert, and Justin Kim were the stars of a sci-fi TV show. When the show was cancelled, and Cynthia, Robert, and Justin spent the next few years traveling between the city and Takemizu Village. But after Julie was born, Cynthia and Robert decided they should settle down in Providence. They bought a beautiful home in the Forest Hills neighborhood.

Robert loves living out in the country. They have an enormous house and yard. The house includes an underground garage, a basketball course, a swimming pool, and a sauna.

Cynthia likes the quiet and the isolation because it helps her write. A few years ago she sold her first book, a science fiction novel called Contact, and she's working on a sequel called Invasion.