Winter Festival 2001

Winter Fest 2001

To celebrate the end of one year in the hood and the begining of the next, the neighborhood residents planned refreshments and free skating at the local ice rink.

Violet and Sierra played a few heated rounds of rock-paper-scissors.  Maia didn't know such a simple little game could become so competitive.

Meanwhile, their classmates, Geneva and Charlotte, were still talking about their art lessons from the previous semester at school.  Apparently Fawn's visit was a huge success with the teens.  They couldn't stop talking about it. 

The ice skating rink was a big success as well.  Everyone seemed to enjoy taking a turn on the rink.

Alexis was a natural on the ice.

When skating made sims work up an appetite (as the London twins, seemed to have that same thought at the same time), hot drinks and snacks were offered at the picnic area next to the ice rink.

While enjoying the refreshments, the residents of New Eden also took the opportunity to socialize.  As always, there was a lot to talk about.

Heather found the mistletoe and scanned the area, wondering if there were any eligible bachelors in the hood that she would like to be kissed by.

While, Genesis didn't bother looking for the mistletoe.  She found her man and went for it.

Oh, James . . . beautiful, young Genesis plants a big old kiss on him and he can't stop fawning over Fawn Thayer.  If he's not more careful, he might miss out on a good thing.

Jane and Shawn take advantage of a day out without the babies and share a romantic moment.

While for a couple of younger sims, new relationships were just starting.

And others decided that maybe it was time to talk frankly about their relationships and find out where they stand.

Sierra wishes for peace in the new year and hopes that she won't keep getting in fights with Bryan Carson at school or at least if she does, she hopes she won't lose again.

Seth and Richie don't see eye to eye.

There's lots of things to talk about.  Money...

the latest television programs . . .

how much the hood is growing.

And plenty of time to play and have fun with the younger sims.

Even though they're in high school and should be more mature, the girls are still kids at Christmas time and looking forward to getting toys for Christmas.

Winter 2001 - First

Winter 2001 - Simdays 107-109

Seth First (36), Ivy First (33), Kendra First (6)

Seth had a few days off from the lab, so he took advantage of his extra time off to spend some extra daddy-daughter time with Kendra.  It was hard to believe that his little girl was growing up so fast and he wanted to enjoy every moment of this time while it lasted.

He was enjoying watching his daughter grow into a loving girl,

who enjoyed learning new things each day

and making new friends.

At night, after Kendra was in bed, Seth enjoyed looking through his telescope.  He was determined to learn more about the cosmos.

He was delighted when he finally saw his first shooting star.

One thing he did miss was spending more time with his wife.  Ivy was working long hours.  She would usually get home from the lab late, just about the time he and Kendra were getting ready for bed.  It was hard being on different schedules and they both missed the time they could all spend together as a family.

Things were about to change in the First household as Ivy started to feel a familiar queasy sensation at odd hours of the night.  She wondered if she could be pregnant?

When she found herself racing to make it to the restroom the next morning, she knew it must be true.  They were expecting their second child.  Both Seth and Ivy were thrilled.  Ivy was looking forward to the maternity leave coming up and the extra time that would allow her to spend with her growing family.

Winter is traditionally the season of giving and Seth and Ivy spared no opportunities to shower each other with little gifts.

They loved being able to give each other small tokens of their affection.

And of course, their giving spirit did not exclude their darling daughter, who was soon to become a big sister for the first time.

The Baker's oven was Seth's idea and the birdcage was on Kendra's wish list.

On her first day of school, Kendra brought home a friend, Lance Huffington.  They took advantage of the unseasonably warm weather and played outside on the swing set.

Lance: "I think it's neat that you have a daddy, Kendra.  I don't have one.  But I do have a best friend who comes over to play with me sometimes.  I like him almost as much as I like my mommy."

When Ivy came out to join the rest of the family and Lance, Seth told her about the conversation he'd just had with Lance. 

Ivy: "I think it's good that he has a positive male role model in his life, even if it's sad that it's not his father.  It makes me very grateful that our children will  have both of us as an important part of their lives.  I couldn't imagine a better father for our children."

Seth: "And I couldn't have dreamed of a better mother for mine."

Winter 2001 - Havers-Rossi

Winter 2001 - Simdays 107-109
Alexis Havers (42), Geneva Rossi (14 1/2), Owen Rossi (14 1/2)

Owen and Charlotte were known as an item by the end of the school year, but when they first met, they didn't hit it off immediately.   He tried to impress her with his knowledge of geography, but school talk just bored her.

When that didn't work, he tried teasing her to get her attention  . . . but oddly enough that didn't impress her either.

Owen: "I'm actually pretty popular.  I have a BFF."

That line of conversation caught her interest.

Charlotte: "Really?  That's cool."

Owen: "Yeah, it's my mom.  She's pretty cool for a mom."

Surprisingly, Charlotte thought that was pretty cool too.

Charlotte: "I wish my mom and I were closer.  I wouldn't count her as my friend.  Just my mom."

The more Owen talked, even as he talked on and on about herself, the more Charlotte found herself liking him.  She found herself staring at his lips wondering what it would be like to kiss him.

Before long they had gotten over their inital awkwardness and were becoming close friends.

A friendship, that as time went on, grew into young romance.

Not to be out done, Geneva soon had her first kiss as well, with a much older boy.

Geneva seemed to have a thing for older men.  The boys her own age were so immature.  Older men were intriguing.  She had no qualms about flirting with even her own mother's boyfriends and co-workers.

Alexis: "You know, Owen.  I think I need to take you shopping for new clothes and to get a new haircut.  I think you need a new look.  It would probably help you fit in better at school."

Owen: "I fit in just fine.  I have lots of friends."

Alexis: "Let's just go to the mall and look around tomorrow before I go to rehearsals."

The next day, Alexis and both of her children headed to the local shopping center to shop for new clothes.

While Owen browsed the racks, Alexis enjoyed running into a friend and former co-star.

While Geneva met up with a few of the girls from school . . .

and started a game of kicky bag with them outside.

Owen found a couple of outfits he liked and that his mother approved of and headed over to the barbershop.

After a getting a haircut and new pair of glasses, Owen hardly recognized himself in the mirror.  It was different, but he liked the way he looked.

Not wanting to be left out, especially when it came to new clothes, Geneva talked her mom into buying her a few new outfits as well.  Alexis and her kids were pleased with the results of the shopping trip.  Alexis couldn't believe she'd let her kids dress so sloppy for so long.  Now that she was home more and traveling less, she had time to pay closer attention to them at the time they probably need it most.

Geneva: "Hello."

Genesis: "Geneva?  This is Genesis Sartor from New Eden University.  How are you doing today?"

Geneva: "Fine."

Genesis: "I'm calling on behalf of the university.  I've heard how actively involved you've been with sports at your high school.  You should really keep it up if you want a scholarship at NEU.  We could really use some good female athletes on our teams."

Geneva: "I'm definitely interested.  I'll be sure to keep it in mind."

Geneva was actually more interested in learning a different type of sport, hustling pool.  She convinced her mom to buy a pool table for the basment and convert it into a rec room and invited Sofia over to try it out.

When she went upstairs to get some snacks for her friend.  She overheard a snippet of her mom's conversation on the phone and just rolled her eyes before heading back down to the basement.

A few minutes later, Alexis was headed upstairs to entertain a guest of her own.

*ROS - Owen Rossi gets a makeover.