Gen 1-Final Chapter and Heir Voting

Candy: MOM!!! MOM!!
Thistle: What honey? I'm in the kitchen cooking breakfast!

Candy: Mom, none of my school clothes fit me anymore! They are all too short!
Thistle: I knew you were probably getting close. What do you say we both play hooky and go shopping today?
Candy: Are you serious? Yay!

Thistle and Candy finally found Candy a new cute little outfit that suited her sweet personality. They also got Bubbles a couple of new things.

The Tea Household had been a busy one for the past few years. Candy had picked up an interest in playing chess and writing like her dad.

Thistle had finally decided it was time to go for a new look herself. A little more mature, motherly look. (And apparently she likes to randomly run from yetis as well lol)

Candy and Thistle had finally started to build a better bond. Bubbles and Thistle had always been close but Candy was a Daddy's girl until she was around 9 or 10.

Pepper was still loving football and was now a wide receiver for the Sweet Berry High Sugar-Rushes. Bubbles loved to get out and play catch whenever Pepper had a spare minute.

Bubbles was also taking after Thistle with her new interests in cooking. Her mother had bought her an Easy-Berry Cake Oven for Christmas and she was already turning out muffins and pies!


Strawkiwi had finally reached a more level writing career. No more were the ups and downs of the old days with the long periods in between novels. In fact, his children's books were much easier for him to write so he had a lot more free time to read some of his own favorite writer's newest releases.

He was also making a lot of time for his family. He and Pepper tossed the old pigskin around at least every other evening after dinner.

Peppercini was growing up much quicker than Thistle would have liked. Brandy the babysitter had gone off to college early and left Peppercini behind and broken hearted. He seemed to recover quickly because a few nights after they had broken up, Thistle overheard him on the phone with a new girl, Mellisa...with two "l"s. Thistle disliked Melissa or Mellisa, whatever her name was, even more than before.

Thistle didn't have to worry long because it quickly became apparent that she was only interested in Pepper during football season, because as soon as it was over, so were they. Pepper seemed to be a little defeated and after a little encouragement from Thistle, started taking up cooking as a way to stay distracted. After many smoke-filled kitchens, Pepper started to improve and his family thought his food a little better than edible.


Thistle was working on her cooking skills as well. Since starting work back as a pastry chef, Thistle had become quite popular in the cooking world. She began climbing the later and was now working a an Executive Chef at Julia Childerberry's restaurant "Le Tartare". She was also on a mission to learn every possible recipe and was literally flying through cookbooks. ;)

In addition to cooking, Thistle had taken up gardening. After her first couple of seasons she even had a few fruits and veggies to show for it.


Honeydew was still doing well academically. She seemed to keep to herself a lot and could either be found playing chess, or with her newest hobby, playing the guitar. In fact, she had told Thistle and Strawkiwi recently that she was planning to go to music school shortly after graduation from high school.

Of course it wasn't long before Peppercini's 18th birthday, and the twins' 14th birthday were rolling around. We had the twin's birthdays first. Both girls took in deep breaths from across the kitchen table and

made blew their candles out at the same time.


As teenagers, the twins changed even more in front of Thistle and Strawkiwi's eyes.


Bubbles had recently enrolled in a karate class at school and was truly enjoying it. Thistle was even able to give her some pointers. However, Bubbles seemed to be a little bitter towards Candy. Candy was sweet and friendly and generally go along with everyone. Bubbles started giving Candy mean looks here and there as if she were jealous somehow.

But Candy did not seem to notice and they never seemed to fight so Thistle began to forget all about it. Thistle's twins were all grown up. With no more babies around and her oldest child to soon be an adult himself, Thistle suddenly felt old. Before she knew it, it would be time to retire and pass on her legacy to one of her children. She loved them all so much and she didn't know how they would choose.

Heir Voting! Traits and Lifetime Wishes Listed.
See Poll At Top Right of Page
And Vote for Your Favorite! :)

Gen 1-Chapter 16: Candles Galore

Looks like little Pepper had found himself a girlfriend.

Well at least Brandy wasn't a bad choice. She was very smart and family-oriented. She was also employed as a babysitter. She couldn't be all bad, but Thistle still thought it hard to swallow that her son was old enough to have a girlfriend.

Little Candy was growing up too. She was very dexterous and imaginative and often spent hours building little towns out of blocks and legos.


And of course, when she was through, my cleaning buddy Honeydew would help her clean the mess up. Thistle and Strawkiwi hoped that Honeydew did not become neurotic with her cleaning. For now Thistle just considered her "ultra-organized and tidy".

Honeydew did not spend all of her time cleaning. She loved to play peek-a-boo with the twins, especially Bubbles who was always looking for attention.


Strawkiwi's writer's block seemed to be far behind him at this time. He was busily turning out books...children's books to be exact. Although his publishing house was disappointed at first with his genre change, they quickly started to encourage him when his first book flew off the shelves. Now the "The Littlest Berry Muffin and Gang" books were a household name. He was currently working on book 4 in the series when the twin's birthday rolled around.

Five years old. Thistle could not believe her babies were 5!

As everyone sang the girls "Happy Birthday" Thistle smiled. Even though they were older, they were still hers and she was lucky to have such a wonderful, happy family. She joined everyone else in singing as the girls blew their candles out together.

Bubbles, always the center of attention, was the first to make the change from toddler to child.


But Candy followed right behind her while Auntie Mint looked on.


Candy definitely took after Thistle. A very pretty and quiet child.


Bubbles on the other hand had a natural sort of glamour to her. It was likely that she would continue to be the center of attention with those looks. Strawkiwi and Thistle still marveled at her strange hair color.


As girls will be girls, living in the small nursery room was challenging. Even sweet little Candy couldn't help getting annoyed with her sister. Thistle and Strawkiwi decided to redo the girls bedroom in hopes that it would help and that they would let the girls choose their bedspreads and decorations.


Candy choose a colorful quilt with dancers and stars on it.



While Bubbles chose a girly space motif for hers. Both girls decided to keep their hand-me-down pirate "treasure chest" toybox because in Bubbles on words it was "awesome".


By the time the girl's bedroom had been completed, it was time for Honeydew's 14th birthday. She had been begging Thistle to take her to get some new "cool" clothes an a new stylish hair cut. Thistle told her that as soon as her birthday party was over, that we could go.


Honeydew took a deep breath in and made a wish. She blew out the candles.

I think Honeydew was wishing that she would grow up to be beautiful because she did. Her new haircut and wardrobe make her nearly unrecognizable.


When she walked into the kitchen in her new outfit and haircut, Strawkiwi almost choked on the left-over birthday cake. Who gave his daughter permission to grow up?



With the Peppercini's YA birthday right around the corner it will be time for heir voting soon, so I will try to get the poll up asap, but meanwhile, think about who you would like to take over the household when *gulp, tear* Thistle and Strawkiwi become old folk.

Honeydew's New Room

I just realized that somehow that picture was deleted from the preceding chapter. So this is little miss Honeydew's new room:

Daytime view:
Nighttime/evening view:

Gen 1- Chapter 15: Changes

A few months had passed by and Thistle had held her tongue about the book. In fact she had pretty much held her tongue about everything--at least to Strawkiwi. The couple had not been fighting but then again they had been avoiding each other as well. Time passed by and Strawkiwi's birthday rolled around. Thistle did not throw one of her usual parties due to the lack of money and her silent anger toward her husband. Pepper was the only one old enough in the house to notice the tension. He tried to ease things by throwing his dad a birthday party for his 30th birthday.

All: Happy Birthday dear Strawkiwi....Happy Birthday to you!
Strawkiwi was aging well.

Very well, and Thistle noticed it. In fact, the cold shoulder that she had been giving Strawkiwi was starting to melt because she missed him. It completely evaported when he set in front of her the next morning and asked her what she wanted. He told her he had almost finished the novel but it wasn't his best work. She was a little taken aback at first and chewed her pancakes slowly while thinking it over.

Thistle: What I want is everything to get back to normal, whatever that may mean. I don't want to be angry with you anymore.

Strawkiwi: I've hated the silence and tension between us Thistle. If you want me to get a different job I will. I'll do whatever it takes as long as I'm with you.

Thistle: I'll think it over and get back to you this evening.

Later that night the couple laid in bed. Thistle was silent and pensive. Strawkiwi pulled her over towards him and put his arms around her.

Strawkiwi: What do you want Thistle?

Thistle: I want to go back to work so that you can finish your novel. The bistro in town has offered me my old job back as lead pastry chef and I want to take it. The twins are old enough now I would feel comfortable leaving them with a babysitter a few hours a day. While we are at work. We can see if Pepper would be willing to help you with them when you are home.

Strawkiwi: If that's what you want that's what we will do.

Thistle was a little nervous as she put on her old uniform and headed to the bistro that next morning. She was uncertain about leaving the babies and even more uncertain about going back to a job that she hadn't done for years.

While Thistle was at work, Strawkiwi was playing housedad. The twins still required a lot of attention and needed some help with the basics.


Strawkiwi was teaching the tots to read.

Pepper was helping out with the twins, especially on the weekends. He was teaching Candy to speak like a "big girl".

And he was surprised at how fast she was learning.


Whenever she was home, Thistle was playing with the twins as well. She missed her babies when she was gone and work was keeping her very busy. Bubbles was not learning to talk as fast as Candy and Thistle seemed to have a little better ability with her than Pepper and Strawkiwi.

Honeydew was a little more of a solitary child. She loved to read and play chess.


She also was a little bit of a neat freak but with Thistle working and Strawkiwi working on his book, they had to admit they appreciated her help around the house.


Strawkiwi was finally finished with his book. He had sat at his computer for so many hours finishing his book and as he pulled his chair out from his desk, he looked around the office that had not offered much in way of creative inspiration. The room was a nice size and he suddenly got a great idea. With the royalties coming in from his prior books and the new book as well, the Tea family might have a little extra money. He would talk to Thistle about his idea that night and they would make some calls to see if he could make a certain little girls dreams come true.


Thistle almost cried with happiness when Strawkiwi told her about his book and his idea. They would turn the office into a bedroom for their eldest daughter.

The next day the couple sat Honeydew down at the kitchen table. At first she thought she was in trouble but when Thistle's face broke into a grin she knew it was good news.

Thistle: How would you like to come with Mommy and Daddy to Lowe's today?

Honeydew made a face: Lowe's?

Strawkiwi: Yes, so you can pick out some paint and carpet for your new room.

Honeydew: My very own room!? OMB! *jumps up and down squealing* I'm so excited! Can we make it purple?

***

Good news seemed to be all around. Pepper came dashing into the house the next day after school.

Peppercini: Mom! I've been asked to join the football team!


Thistle had played football with her big brothers when she was young and still had a great arm. She decided to show her son how to throw an awesome shot-gun pass. She knew Pepper had a good arm but didn't know how great a catch he was. As she threw her ace grade pass to him she was a little worried.

Pepper got smacked in the face with the ball. After a few hours of practice though, he had it down.

But Thistle couldn't help but be a little curious as to her son's sudden interest in sports and athleticism. Pepper had always been the artistic, guitar-playing type.

The answer was revealed to her when the phone rang and the voice of a familiar young girl asked for Peppercini. Thistle handed the phone over to Pepper who grinned when he heard the voice answer his "hello" over the line. Thistle furrowed her brow and started to turn away when she realized her the girl was.

It was Bridget...the babysitter!