Hello! Simon Ravelo here. Before Ol’ Grimmy swoops in waving his scythe around and offering me an umbrella drink, I thought I should get my two cents in. I hope you’ll forgive me if I forget to cross a few i’s or dot a few t’s — I’m an old man, you know, and I’ve never been great with details. I like to live in the moment, make hay while the sun shines, carpe diem and all that stuff, so I don’t worry too much about what people think of me or whether or not I use proper punctuation. Life is too short for that, my friends! (Though I’m sure my writer daughter would tell you differently, at least about the punctuation.)
You’ve already heard about Marlee, Ethan, Trent, Darren, Cady, Arielle, and their college escapades, so now I’ll tell you about the rest of the crazy bunch. You know, sometimes I can’t believe I have ten children. Ten! One for each toe, as I tell my friends. I never thought I’d have any children, let alone that many. It was my wife’s idea, you know — ahh, my wife. She’s a wonderfully loony woman.
Here she is, pregnant for the 10th time, having breakfast with Ron and Johannes. Stephen was still a baby then, probably sleeping soundly in his crib. Great scott, it’s still dark out! Too early for the likes of me. I’m probably still sleeping, too.
Wait, it looks like I’m up after all. Crazy old man, getting up before dawn. Looks like Stephen is showing me the right way to play with dolls. You see, I’ve got it all wrong. You’re not supposed to walk them around the dollhouse like they’re real people. You’re supposed to turn them upside-down and nibble on their toes.
And here she is, our 10th and last child, Miss Leda Ravelo. You can’t tell from the picture, but I’m saying to my wife through my smiling teeth, “That’s the last one, right? Or should we have another go in the hot tub?”
Good gravy, they grow up fast. You blink and you miss it. Here’s Ron becoming a teenager already. Handsome fella, isn’t he? He sure seems to think so.
And Stephen — Stevo, as I like to call him — became a full-grown kid shortly thereafter. As much as I love my kids, I wasn’t overly fond of their school years. I hate homework! And they were always doing homework, and asking for help with it. Of course, being a decent sort of dad, I happily obliged, but gads, I’m glad that’s over with. There’s a reason I never went to college, you know.
Sorry, I got off on a tangent there with the homework rant. It isn’t poor Stevo’s fault that he had to grow up and start bringing home those blasted notebooks. While we’re on the subject of growing up, here’s little Leda hugging her grandpa…I mean, her dad. Holy moly, I’m old!
Leda was a cute little squirt. Kind of pouty, though.
Yep, I remember these days. Kids everywhere. The video game console on at full blast from the time they came home from school until they finally trundled off to bed. The nanny trying to keep track of everyone while her dinner’s burning on the stove. My wife taking a break to soak in the hot tub and chat with her friends. And where was I? Probably on the computer, playing SSX3. Darn that game! I’ve been playing it most of my life and I’m still not sick of it.
That’s Stephen on the sofa, by the way, playing — what else? — SSX3! with his school chum. I forget her name. And there’s Ron playing “red hands” with Johannes. And I have no idea who that other little girl is.
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Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Awww, I miss ‘Ol’ Daddy-o’ Ravelo. I’m glad you made this update from him, Jen!
What a sweet update, I’m gonna miss that ol’ guy when his time is up. So do you have any plans with the rest of the clan? At least you got them all up and grown :)
Aww yes Ron is quite handsome. And i saw Ethan! Yes! Oh and you picked Trent as the heir..wow. I didn’t know that, until now. Maybe i never really paid attention. Haha. Ummm..oh yes, how do you change the toddler’s hair? I have looked for that toddler mirror and i found one on Mod the Sims 2..but it wasnt for nightlife and it was being stupid and wont show up haha. And yes, your pictures are so beautiful. The kids are so beautiful. I love the Ravelos. Congratulations on Generation 3.
It’s generation -2- believe it or not, Eva.
xD Yay blonde kids.
Awww. That’s all I can say: awwww! :-)
That has got to be the most beautiful family. They are all just so damn cute :)
I do believe I’m going to miss that old fart when he finally toddles off. All of this reading and writing blogs is turning me soft-hearted!
Being softhearted is no problem at all ;) Great job as usual Jen! All I have to say is…I want a great graphics card for christmas! Hehe…
oh man. Those ravelo’s make some pretty fine looking boys. I can’t believe I’ve been reading your blog thinking “wow, them’s some good looking computer graphics.” What is wrong with me. ;) Daddy-o is still my fav. I like Cady, she really would make some interesting stories on her own due to her “nature”. I love them all. Thanks Jen!!
That was so sweeeeeeeet in a way *g*. Can’t wait to see Anastacia and Kaela grow up – good chioce on the names! And Lauren is a cute granny, with that spiky chin and all ;). I’m sure gen 2 will turn out beautiful (and I really wonder how fare you are right now playing :)! Good job – needless to say. Keep it up :)
You really have a great way about making this family lovable and entertaining. I always love these Ravelo updates. The pictures are so amazing and all the kids are really cute. :)
I read your blog all the time, but hardly comment. You rock. You seriously rock, and we’ll miss your stuff this month.
Awww that was such a great update! You are really great at writing updates in the style of one family member. All the kids grown up already! Good job on managing the 10 kid want!!
So I guess you’re taking a break now huh? Well, good luck and I shall be looking forward to seeing more Ravelo updates in future!
Thanks for having such a great blog Jen! :)
Thanks for the comments, guys! Simon was thrilled that I finally let him talk. ;-) I’m actually getting ready to post another update soon — NaNo is going pretty well so far (*knocks on wood*) and I’m finding myself with more time on my hands than I thought I would have. Next up will probably be Marlee and Ethan, and then maybe an update on the 7 kids in college (oy).
To answer some questions…
PRMami – My first goal is to get all the kids through college. Then I’ll marry most of them off and make them have lots of babies so I can fulfill Lauren’s “Have 20 Grandchildren” want. Trent’s having at least 3 because his LTW is to graduate 3 kids from college. I don’t know what I’ll eventually do with all these Ravelos running around. Any suggestions? :-)
Eva – I’ve been using Pescado’s Clothing Object to change the toddlers’ appearances, since the toddler mirror I had doesn’t work with NL (probably the same one you found on MTS2). That reminds me, I need to see if Pescado has updated that object for NL, because even though it works in my game, I’d like to have the latest version.
Mieko – Actually, Anastacia and Kaela are Generation 3 — according to the Legacy Challenge rules, your founder is considered Generation 1. I just looked it up to make sure. ;-) I knew you’d be happy about the blonde kids! Haha.
channe – Hi and welcome! You rock, too!
Awww…I still love your posts, Jen! I’ve missed reading this blog :) -ponders- Cady just might be the prettiest sim I’ve seen and Ethan is just a handsome darling, yes indeed! Thanks for the updates, even with NaNo. You rock!
…oh, I remember who Leda looks like (you know, the one in your halloween update *g*) – she looks exactly like my Spanish teacher, only that my Spanish teacher is blonde *lol*. So long :)
That was even better than usual, Jen! Thanks for all your amazing blogging, and good luck on NaNo!
It’s always so sad when founders move on. This one is already looking to be leaving behind a unique and, dare I say, classy legacy. I miss the guy already. BTW, good luck on your novel, I hope you are having fun writing it!
Seriously? Weird. :3
My NaNo is at uhm, 3,500words so far.
Yea. I’m going to be crazily writing this weekend.
I need to bookmark that name generator.
Glad to see an update from ya Jen! I missed the ol’ Ravelo’s! Hope everything is going well with NaNo! I’m up to 4,000 words! Got a whole bunch more to go!
You guys are doing great on NaNo! Keep it up! I had a crazy busy weekend which threw me off the NaNo track, but I’m hoping to get back on it tonight. I’m determined to finish this year!!