Ch. 57 - Tomb Raiders

After seeing a few more of the sights around town and a trip to the book store we decided to follow the directions on the old museum map.  By mid morning we'd found our way to a forgotten burial mound.

The kids had bought excavation kits at the relics store and didn't waste any time trying them out when they found a few dig spots on the mound.

Helios and Helicia found some clay pottery and a few ancient coins. 

Hesper and I didn't find much in the underground chamber.

"Looks like this part of the tomb has been pretty much cleaned out."

Hesper didn't want to leave the mound empty handed since Helios and Helicia had already found a few relics above ground.  

"Let me clear some of this rubble and we can check the brick section of the wall mom."

With her vampire strength Hesper cleared away the rubble quickly.

The brick wall turned out to be a secret passage that lead to another doorway.  Helios opened it by standing on floor switch.

Hesper was able to collect a few ancient coins of her own while Helios cleared more rubble.

I activated a floor switch which revealed a hidden wall opening. The opening hid the switch for the locked doorway inside.

In the next camber we found more rubble.  I was beginning to get tired of all the dust and rubble but the children were having a blast so we continued on. 

Helicia found more coins and a money bag.

"Yes!  I'm going to go all out for prom with this."

I found a keystone and unlocked the next door.

Helios inspected the walls for more secret passage ways.

He found one with more pottery, gems and the remains of the poor soul who was trapped behind the wall.

The next passage led to a statue lined hallway.  The ears on the statues reminded me of my Fraggi and I wondered if the frolls had a hand in the building of these tunnels.

The floor switches in this area on the tomb required more weight than us just standing on them.  Hesper solved our weight problem by moving one of the statues on top of it.

There was more statue moving in the next chamber.

After realigning the statues and activating a hidden floor switch a secret stairway was revealed. 

It led to an underground maze and grave monument.

We wondered how no one had ever found this place before when we discovered a small camp site.  Like the jewel thief an explorer had become trapped alone within the tomb.

After writing down instructions for the proper authorities on how to navigate the tomb and marking where the remains could be found we sat down to a picnic dinner.  

We started our exploring again when I found an opening in the floor to inspect.  

"EEEEKKKKKK!  BUGS!  GET THEM OFF ME!  GET THEM OFF ME!!!!!!"

"Oh my me!  Hesper, Helios, Helicia gather your things we're leaving now.  I think you've gathered more than enough extra credit to improve your grades.  And if your teacher doesn't pass you I'll turn him into a toad.  Let's go."

The kids didn't make too big of a fuss about leaving a day early.  They got to visit shops, the museum, explore a tomb, find buried treasure and they all had new scooters to get around on when they returned home.  All in all it was a wonderful trip but I was ready to return to my sunny sandy beaches.

"I'd like to book four first class tickets to Sunlit Tides please."

Ch. 56 - Romance in France

"Drink up my loves daddy will be here soon to pick up for your weekend together."

We were leaving for Champs las Sims today so I made french toast for breakfast.

"This is really wonderful mom.  Thanks for cooking and taking us on this trip."

"Anything to make sure you kids are doing well in school.  I'm also excited about visiting the book store for new recipes."  Creps, cheese plates and frogs legs whenever I wanted.  I couldn't wait!

After a quick makeover and a long flight in first class the four of us landed in Champs las Sims, France.

Our first stop was the general store where we took touristy photos and browsed souvenirs.

I was also going to rent kenspas for us to get around on but the shop owner recognized me and gave them to us for free.  I cast a good luck charm on him in return.

Since the purpose of our trip was for the triplets to earn extra credit we visited La Gallerie d'Art.  There was a strange opening in the wall next to a plack with an old rumpled map inside.  A fun activity for kids and tourists I was sure. 

"Oh the kids would love a treasure hunt."

"Okay take my picture on three.  One, two, three jade lion!"

While Hesper, Helios and Helicia were off taking pictures and notes I ran into the most interesting museum tour guide I had ever seen.  His name Fraggleflorf Rimplekins and he was the last of the frolls.

Fraggleflorf told me his story while we walked through the exhibits.  He'd been talking to a witch back in his time when he touched one of her glowing gems.  Next thing he knew he was being thawed out by a group of archaeologists with blow dryers.  They taught him how to live in the present day and gave him a job in the museum.  In exchange he told them about his lost race and events of the past.

I was so fascinated by the froll and his little bumble bee wings that I asked him to show me the sights when the museum closed.

The triplets learned about the Catania Cafe and decided to eat there before doing more sight seeing on their own.

Fraggleflorf and I visited the town's famed nectary.

As a famed deity of love and beauty in one of the most romantic places in the world I was immediately recognized.  The local nectar makers gave me all sorts of nectars and I gave romantic advice, made match ups and gave out charms.

The nectary boasted a huge selection of high quality vintages.  They were all so delicious Fraggi and I got a little carried away with our sampling.  

By the time the taxi dropped us off at my hotel I had decided it was time for the frolls to make a come back.

I asked Fraggleflorf to watch the stars with me and tell me the stories of his people.  He was still too gone on the nectar to notice how muddy the ground was.  Since he was not a goddess the muck embraced him eagerly.

"I think you missed a few spots Fraggi.  Here, let me help you out with them."

A note from Mellowyellow:

Hi Simmers!  I just wanted to say thanks to fellow Sims fan Cakenotlie1 for their daddy donation of Fraggleflorf Rimplekins.   His download link can be found on the fathers tab.  He and Aphrodite really hit it off Cake, she wanted to marry him by the end of her vacation lol.  If anyone has a CC free daddy donation I'd be glad to add them to the list.  Thanks for reading and happy simming!

Ch. 55 - Good-bye Elves

Today was the elves birthday.  Gene, Genia and Genio would be graduating and moving out with their unicorns.  

Having the six of them leave me all in one day took some of the shine from my otherwise dazzling personality.  They wouldn't be moving far but it's always hard for a mother to let go.  Sutter and Fireball sensed my mood and walked with me along the beach to keep me company.  

Later when the twins woke up I focused all my attention on them.  I wanted to enjoy as much time with them as possible before our trip to France.  Isidor and Iris were both walking and potty trained by the afternoon.  I'm still an excellent teacher even when I'm not feeling my best.

I got a little emotional watching my youngest grow up a little more right before my eyes.

"It's time to start getting ready for the party mom," Genio said before I gathered him and then his brother into my arms.

"Aww mom, it's not like were going to be leaving town.  We're just moving to the next beach over," Gene said embarrassed by my display but hugged me back just as tight. 

Helicia put the twins to bed while everyone got ready for the party and I tracked down Genia for goodbye hugs.

All of my grown children got the same treatment when we got to the Rec.  

"Oh I've missed you so much Fasya.  Congratulations on your promotion to lieutenant."

"Thanks mom, I've missed you too.  It hasn't been that long since I've visited has it?  We'll go out for dinner soon one of these days okay?"

After making a few more dates for lunch and breakfast with Cyrena and Doria it was time to start blowing out candles.  Genia was first to celebrate her birthday.

Genia aged into a beautiful young woman and gained the hopeless romantic trait.  She wants to be an animal rescuer.

Genio was the next of my elves to step into adulthood.

Look how smart and handsome he turned out to be.  Genio gained the flirty trait.  He hopes to become a jockey with Fireball's help. 

Gene became a gorgeous gentleman and gained the great kisser trait.  He wants to grow the perfect garden to encourage others to lead a healthier lifestyle.  With Baron blessing his crops I'm positive he'll have everyone eating out of the palm of his hand.  

I teared up a bit when the three of them climbed on their unicorns and flashed away.  It's always a bittersweet moment when it's time for my children to leave me and move on but when they come back to visit it's always one of my most cherished moments.

*Bounus Pics*

Gnomes!!!

I just love these little guys.

They have been my bread and butter for this challenge especially since the unicorns came into the picture.  It has been a while since Aphrodite got a big ticket offering and the last one she got(a car) was stolen by a burglar!  Buying the house for this last group cleaned her out.  Since the kitchen garden died selling them has kept the repo man away.

A note from Mellowyellow:

Hey fellow Sims fans!  I see the blog has gotten over 7,000 views and I just wanted to give a great big THANKS to my subscribers, lurkers and accidental google searchers.  This challenge has not been easy going with all the crashes, error codes and harsh words exchanged between Evelyn and I but we have resolved our issues and decided to come together because we have been challenged!  The challenger shall remain unnamed(I've got one for him but I try to keep a T for teen rating on here).  Anyway my challenger hasn't touched an EA game since the Sims 2 but claims they can finish the 100 BC faster than me even with my head start.  "HA!  Loser buys the winner's choice game card!"  Was what I had to say to that before working out some extra rules since I have a blog to keep up and they don't.  It is now crunch time since my challenger has a better computer than me, summer is almost upon us and that last gameplay video for the Sims 4 was awesome! I've got to get Aphrodite cranking so I can get the updates out faster and win a sweet simpoint card to go with my pre-order of Sims 4.  As always thanks for reading and happy simming!