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[personal profile] orikes
There's not too much to report in this belated Sunday Picspam, but I did do a little bit of playing. Mostly I waffled between knowing I should be working on the update and wanting to play. So I didn't really do much of either.

What playing I did do, though, involved lots and lots of kid parties.





Ophelia's house had gotten a bit mixed up in the rotation, so I decided to play them until Rachel was a child. By then, I figured I'd finish out the season. I think I'm going to give them a double run in Spring to even things out, but regardless, Rachel is now a child and hosting kid days with her cousins and extended cousins.

As a side note, rebuilding the hood has really thrown my aging off. Once the BC was done and I was into playing the neighborhood again, I had every intention of sticking to seasonal rotations to make sure everyone was exactly where they should be. That got shot to hell when I did the rebuild. It's probably not showing up to anyone reading the story, but it's driving me nuts. It's things like the Whedonberry twins SHOULD be older than Josephine, but Jo was born before they were in the story. I accidentally aged up Chastity to teen before Austin, even though he should be older.

Well, hopefully next generation, I'll be able to remain a little sanity with this type of thing.

(Don't count on it...)



While I was at Opie's house, I also did a little playing with the new OMSPs from MTS2. These are FANTASTIC. They blow the old ones out of the water. They are HERE for anyone interested. I believe the shiftable versions require Apartment Life, but there are versions there for the older game.

See, the old OMSPs, you generally need to use the invisible display tray to place sims on certain things. The tray kills most animations, though, so it can be a bit of a hassle to get everything set up and placed correctly using them. These seem to let the animations continue, which meant I had the kids smustling on top of the stereo, adding to the sense of chaos. CHAOS YAY!



As I said, there were a lot of kid parties played out. This pic is from one that was actually staged, since I needed the pictures for the update. I'm including it to show that I am working on the next update and to say again how much I love the playground equipment. <3



Giving myself a little more playtime, I hopped into the Thayer house and played them to right before the twin's birthday (I seem to have a lot of twins this time around – only one set was cheescaked!). Pretty much everyone stayed in the basement playroom, which was cool since that's what it was intended for.



Cute Noah is cute!

I think all the Thayer boys are cute, but Noah is probably going to be the most traditionally attractive of them all.

I was telling Jenn the other night how I keep confusing Noah and Aaron's personalities. Noah is technically shy while Aaron is outgoing. They tend to behave exactly the opposite from one another. Noah seeks out other people to interact and play while Aaron is most likely to disappear off on the piano or chess table by himself. I'm thinking it's because Noah is playful and Aaron is serious, but it's really confusing at times. When Noah starts flirting, it's going to hurt my brain to see him do the shy flirt.



Oz is my smustle king. I've done three of these kid days so far, and at everyone he's started the smustle off. Steve has yet to infect everyone with the slap dance, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time.



It's nice getting to see the relationships being established between the kids. I'm trying to stay hands off during the kid day parties, but I do occasionally direct the residents to chat with a particular sim to at least establish a relationship. For the most part, though, they're making their own friends, which is a nice change.

Not that Star EVER appreciates losing at anything...



Meadow and Jeremiah aren't BAD parents by any stretch, but even though they're both family sims, they're not the best parents I've got this generation. Oddly, Ophelia may be stepping into the lead as mother of the year, followed closely by Miranda. It's funny that a romancer and a pop sim would edge out a family sim. Meadow and Jeremiah don't exactly ignore the kids, but they're very busy stalking one another and trying to make more babies.



Speaking of parental sims, as I said, I was really itching to play this weekend. So, The PurpleBunny-TheS family got played.

I put Sarah and Chris and the kids in a new house since I didn't really want to import their old house. This meant decorating was required among other things. I also realized that Sarah now has the LTW of graduating three kids from college. So, I've been encouraging them to get that third pregnancy. No luck yet, but they're trying.



If I'm not careful, both Chris and Sarah will raid the fridge rather than actually making dinner. They're both fantastic parents in game, but it's kinda funny how they tend to forget certain basic necessities. ;)



One of the reasons I played their house was this little guy. I figured it was time to let A.C. age up and join with the rest of the kids. I love how different he and Thaco look from one another.



Here's A.C. with their pet bird Balor. The family rolled the want for the bird while I was chatting with Sarah, so she got to name the feather brain. Everyone obsesses about him, even the dog. I forgot to get a picture of her, but there was a dog in the bin named Buffy. Considering Sarah's latest obsession, she was the obvious choice. Buffy likes sitting and watching Balor all day long.



A.C. loves his older brother. Even though Thaco could take or leave him, the little guy follows his big brother everywhere. I think they're finally starting to develop a decent relationship, but it was kinda funny watching them be typical older/younger brothers.



The PurpleBunny-TheS family was no different from the others, so when Saturday hit, they got a kid day as well. This one seemed to last forever. They also went through about five served meals of food.

Has anyone ever heard of a hack that increases the number of servings in a given meal? I've tried the trick of calling to meal and having that dish out more servings, but it never seems to work correctly for me.



This picture is only included for the cuteness factor. I love watching to see which kid interacts with who. Star and Louise are still obviously best friends. Oz and Hugh are best friends, but Oz is also really good friends with Moon. Hugh likes everyone, while the twins (Ash and Ava) always interact with each other first before moving on to other people.



One thing I've been waiting impatiently for are the romances. My teens seem really tame all things considered. FINALLY I got some romance when Thaco brought Raleigh home from school. The two spent the entire afternoon alternating between flirting...



...and pissing each other off.

They'd do a flirty, positive interaction, then turn around and noogie. Or play punch you, punch me, which with two mean sims, is never a good idea.

It was really rather endearing. I don't think they'll last. She's a romancer while he's a pop sim. I think he'll want to settle down some day, but I'm not sure she will. We'll see how it goes once they get to college and woohoo becomes a factor.



Still, it was nice to see the first First Kiss of the generation.

That's it for today. I'm now off to read the Bohemian update.

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-23 08:23 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] smoothiesims.livejournal.com
YAY FOR CUTE KIDS AND KID PARTIES AND KISSES.

I think Noah looks so sweet. As does A.C. I think he got the best of his parents' features and he looks like he was the cutest toddler ever. Also, yay for playground equipment!

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-24 03:06 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] orikes13.livejournal.com
I really can't wait to see what A.C. looks like as an adult. Both kids are an interesting mix of Chris and Sarah. :)

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-23 08:41 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dgjamie.livejournal.com
Yay for "Sunday" Picspam!

I love love love the shots of the kids parties. Especially with the Nanny wading through a sea of children with that resigned look on her face. And of Rachel and Ava dancing on the stereo. That's very cool.

Awww for first kisses too :)

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-24 03:07 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] orikes13.livejournal.com
Having the Nanny there was funny. My only worry was that the kids would get hungry before Ophelia got home to fix something to eat. Nanny Kendal just wandered around looking confused, occasionally trying to talk to one of the kids.

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-23 09:13 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] docnerd.livejournal.com
Every playground needs a sandbox...

Lots of cute kids and cute teens and stereo-smustling! Can't wait for the update!

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-24 03:08 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] orikes13.livejournal.com
You're right! Every playground does need a sandbox... :)

I was hoping to have the update out by Friday, but I don't have much written, so I'm thinking I'm going to be a little behind. Le sigh.

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-23 09:35 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] traciandrus.livejournal.com
Those OSMP's are great aren't they? I love the smustling on the stereo I would have never thought of that. lol I've had my kid sitting on top of the frig tho. ;)
Everytime I see Moon, and her hair, all I can think of is "Old Lady Moon" . lol Its a cute look for her, tho.

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-24 03:09 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] orikes13.livejournal.com
The new OMSPs make my day. It's a brilliant idea using the shiftable option. It's so much better than sifting through the blocks and trying to figure out which one is the height I need. I quickly deleted all the old ones and just added the new ones.

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-23 09:37 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] niee87.livejournal.com
Hey, hope you don't mind me adding you were on LJ :) I enjoy picspam and definitely have enjoyed those of yours I've looked through! The kids are all adorable! Noah in particular from that picture of him. The parties look like a bunch of totally fun insanity!

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-24 03:10 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] orikes13.livejournal.com
I don't mind at all. :) Picspam is fun. I should probably keep some of it quiet for the story, but I really do love sharing the pictures.

Kid parties are a blast to have. I'm a bit cheaty since I summon everyone to the lot rather than calling, but it seems to work. :)

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-24 09:37 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] niee87.livejournal.com
Who cares if it's cheaty? Who would want to make that many phone calls :P And as to keeping things quiet, what's the fun in that? ;) You still have plot secrets, at least that are told on the LJ so that makes it all okay.

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-23 11:23 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] widget-sims.livejournal.com
Those kids are seriously adorable.

If you're still looking for a hack that increases the number of servings there's one here - http://www.insimenator.org/index.php/topic,11403.0.html
I know it's only been updated for EP3 but I've been using it for ages in a game with all the expansions and haven't had any issues.

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-24 03:13 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] orikes13.livejournal.com
I'll have to take a look at that. I want to be sure it doesn't muck things up for Freetime or Seasons stuff related to food.

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-24 12:33 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ndainye.livejournal.com
Yay for picspam and kid parties!!! Cute kids all around. Looking forward to the update and to the teenings.

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-24 03:13 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] orikes13.livejournal.com
Thank YOU for the idea on doing kid parties. I probably wouldn't have made a habit of it if seeing your stuff hadn't been so cool. :)

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-24 12:49 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] leilia.livejournal.com
Yay kid parties! I may have to do that with my kids one of these years. They are a little young at the moment...

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-24 03:13 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] orikes13.livejournal.com
They probably should be able to walk on their own before having a party. ;)

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-24 12:50 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] writeraissa.livejournal.com
Yay for progeny! They're so adorable, and you know simSarah will succeed at getting knocked up one of these days--or at least enjoy trying!

THAAAAANK YOU for the link to the new OMSPs!!!! Chris is gonna die when he sees them!

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-24 03:14 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] orikes13.livejournal.com
Your kids are adorable. I adore Thaco. The next time I play the house, he'll be headed off to college to join Alpha and Beta with Charlotte not too far behind that.

And you're welcome. the new OMSps are awesome.

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-24 12:52 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] penguingirl03.livejournal.com
"Yay chaos!" indeed. That's one of my favorite things about kid parties is all of the many many things going on at once. I'm looking forward to the next update.

Also, thanks for pointing towards the new OMSPs! Those are awesome looking and I can't wait to try them out in the game!

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-24 03:15 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] orikes13.livejournal.com
Yay Chaos! :) It's funny watching all the kids running around, pairing off and playing cops and robbers or mary mack. :)

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-24 03:41 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] regacylady.livejournal.com
Woo, kid days! Thats actually a really good idea...

Everyone is cute, of course! I can't wait to see more of them as they age up.

The whole "ages getting messed up due to rebuild" thing is really annoying, I would know. XD I spent ages going back and forth between houses with Insim and SimPE and my notebook to make sure everyone was correct. Me, have OCD? Nahhh...=D

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-25 02:44 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] orikes13.livejournal.com
Heh. I have a little OCD, but it's combined with impatience. I rebuilt the hood about four times before I finally got things right enough to keep moving forward. THe age thing is annoying, but minor all things considered. :)

As far as them aging up, I'm really anxious to get to college. I love this generation and really want to get to their story. I keep having to pull myself back to make sure I do justice to the story.

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-24 04:25 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] katrisims.livejournal.com
Kiddy spam, hooray! And yay chaos, too. Poor Nanny there seems to have gotten quite a lot on her plate.

Aww at the first First Kiss this generation! A complicated relationship those two seem to have there. :D

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-25 02:44 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] orikes13.livejournal.com
Raleigh and Thaco crack me up. I really don't expect them to last, but hey, teen flirts are fun!

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-24 08:45 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dicreasy.livejournal.com
Great picspam Ori.

I've got to check out those new OMSPs. I was shooting something the other day where it would have been handy to not only have an OMSP I could move tot he exact height I wanted, but would also allow the animations to continue when I unfroze the sim.

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-25 02:42 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] orikes13.livejournal.com
I've only played a little with the new OMSPs, so I can't guarantee that all animations stay in effect, but the little I did try was much better than the magisplay tray and a blocky OMSP. They're shiftable like the shelves, so you may not be able to get them exactly on an item you want, but you can get it pretty damn close. The girls on the stereo were just a little bit above it, but shooting from above makes it look just fine.

I'm really happy with them. :)

(no subject)

Date: 2009-02-25 03:56 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jamdoodle.livejournal.com
Way, Picspam!
It looks niceee. Also, an updated version (so it seems) of the "Allow More Servings" hack is here: http://www.insimenator.org/index.php/topic,41641.0.html