Ch. 21 - Family

The power Kelly inherited from his father and I had progressed perfectly and his big day had finally come.  Grandma's little man was going to become a child and start school!  I arrived early at Alcander and Wendi's to pinch his cute chubby baby cheeks for the last time.

Every one sang and cheered as Kelly blew out the candles on his birthday cake.

As you can see he grew into a handsome young boy.  I'm sure Alcander will sign him up for scouts as soon as he starts school.  Becoming a scoutmaster for his boy's troop has been all he's talked about as Kelly's birthday drew near.

Kelly was just as excited about scouts as his father.  The two of them were already planning a Spooky Day slumber party at the temple.  

"I've got it all planned out grandma, you can tell us about the history of the Temple of Love.  Grandpa and dad can make images appear while telling ghost stories, Auntie Cyrena and Uncle Calictus can transform and take us hunting and Bonehilda can serve food and drinks.  It'll be the best slumber party Grandma!"  Kelly said excitedly as he ate his big slice of cake.

Kelly's enthusiasm made me smile.  He had not even started school or signed up for scouts yet but he had already planned a overnight scouting trip.  How marvelous! My grandson seemed to be a social butterfly and party planner just like his grandmother.  

Speaking of parties it had been a while since I'd thrown one since the triplets were born.  I decided to throw my first gift giving party on  Snow Flake Day at the temple.

I bought a tree, decorations and gifts for everyone.  We decorated the tree, living room and wrapped presents.  In the kitchen Blasius and the twins helped me cook up a storm, on the menu was grilled salmon, hamburger and key lime pie.  The twins did more sampling than actual cooking during the process but there was enough food for the party once everyone started arriving.  

I made mental note to have two buffet tables and Octavio and Alesia on stand by for their birthday party.  Davin was inviting  werewolves from some of the mainland clans and if their appetites were anything like my children's I was going to need them.

It was wonderful having loving friends and family over to share food, gifts and company.  This is what I was missing on Olympus and why I left.  The family, friends and parties I had here in the mortal world were a thousand times better than being stuck at the same old tired party for three centuries.  Throwing parties, finding new lovers, having one hundred children and breaking an old witch's curse were far more exciting.

As everyone ate and mingled during the party Alesia informed me that little Dorian was talking, walking and potty trained.  "Oh little Dorian is a big boy now," I said bursting with grandmotherly pride.

"Yes he is and he's going to be a big brother soon too," Alesia said smiling.

"Oh congratulations Alesia, I'm so happy for you and JC!" I exclaimed as I pulled her into a tight hug.  "It seems like only yesterday that the three of you were married and you've already given me five grandchildren."

"Make that six," Alesia said grinning and nodding at the door.

Alcander had just walked in with Wendi, who had obviously gained a bit of weight since Alena's feast party.  There were soon to be two more babies added to the Divine family.  Good thing I already own two large cars to carry the grandchildren back and forth for sleepovers.  

"Gather around everybody it's time to open presents!"  I called once everyone had eaten their fill.  "Kids you can go ahead and start opening presents."

Cyrena and Calictus were both enchanted by the huge stack of presents.  Since everyone arrived bearing gifts it had grown twice its original size.

Cyrena got a bicycle.

Calictus got a snake terrarium.  I was going to strangle Alcander for that gift.

Kelly got a beginner magician set.

Blasius got a Sims University letterman jacket.

I got mistletoe for my Snow Flake Day gift.  My family knows me so well.

It was back to the old routine after the festivities of the holidays passed.  The kids went to school, did their homework, improved their skills and did their chores.

Calictus finished his homework early so he could set up his bedroom for the second terrarium.  I still owed Alcander an ear full over that.  "I've got to get the room all cleaned up for our new roommate Carl.  I don't know who it is yet but I'll know him when I see him."

Lenny had been released into the wild because Calictus had come across a female ancient dragon looking for a mate.  I thought it adorable he was playing matchmaker and felt relived that he'd let the spiky creature go.   The relief I felt was short lived because he soon returned home with Carl.  At least Carl wasn't as ugly as Lenny.

Blasius passed on his prankster knowledge to Cyrena as his brother did onto him before graduation.  "Remember young prankster computers and plumbing are gold mines for successful pranks."

I rolled my eyes as I headed out the door hearing what Blasius was telling his sister.  I didn't need the Fates to tell me that I would be sending many gift packages to neighbors apologizing for Cyrena's antics in the near future.  That would have to wait until later because I had grandma duty to attend to.

Meet Alena and Armondo's twin girls, Annemarie the little angel with green eyes and Terra the little princess with violet eyes.

The two were adorable little darlings and played so well summoning toys to share with one another.

Poor Armando had come down with the flu and their sitter had called off with an emergency.  Alena had to work so I was babysitting the girls and making dinner to help them out.

"Lets see if you have the same tickle spot as your mommy Terra.  Tickle, tickle, tickle!"

"Tickle, tickle, tickle Annemarie has the same tickle spot as her mommy and sister.  Yes she does, yes she does!"

Alena came home just as the girls were finishing their bottles and was able to help me put them to bed.

"Thank you so much for watching the girls for me mom.  I know you've been busy with the girls, you're a lifesaver."

"Trenton has the girls so it was no problem.  I'm going to stop by Alesia's to see how she's feeling before picking up the girls.  Trenton will probably have made an entire trunk of new clothes for them by now."

I hugged Alena goodnight and went across the street to check on Alesia.  She was still in the queasy stage of her pregnancy and JC was out of town for a few days.  A green faced Alesia answered the door and pulled me into the house before dashing off to the bathroom.

I followed the rhythmic banging of a xylophone and giggling up stairs to this lovely little vision.  Dorian had inherited his mother's(and grandmother's) striking good looks.  He was also a genie like his mother and grandfather.

"That was a very lovely song you played Dorian," I said bending down in front of him.

"Gamma!" he squealed and threw up his arms for me to pick him up.

Dorian yawned loudly and rested his head on my shoulder.  "Night night gamma."

"Okay little man lets get you tucked into bed and then I'll go and tuck your mommy into bed too."