Howard 1: Round 18

Last round, the Howard family got a little bigger when they discovered some new creatures wandering around the world. Herbert was initially cautious, but Disgust quickly welcomed Amygdala the cat and Cortex the dog into the family. Meanwhile, Hope developed a deeper relationship with Hermes Rowan.

Um...hey, Disgust...

Disgust: Hi, mysterious voice...say, do you think Cortex looks...off to you?

...Really? She's got green slime coming out of her mouth...

...and it looks like it's been going on for awhile...

Hope: You think we should take her to that vet place?

Yeah...I think that would be a good idea...

But let's hurry, because it looks like we've got to set up for New Year's...

Vet:  Hmm...

Hope: Is everything ok?

Vet: She should be fine. It looks like she may have just eaten something off. She should probably take it easy this week, though.

Hope: No problem. We've got a pretty low-key week...

Well, it's certainly calmer than the last house...

Good, at least one animal seems to be healthy around here.

Disgust: Happy birthday, honey...

Herbert: Oh, honey, you don't have to make a big deal about it...

Disgust: Are you kidding? Of course we do...

Happy birthday, dear Herbert...

Herbert: Ow...this cake better be worth it...

Um...well, it might have been good five minutes ago...

Herbert: Amygdala! That's my cake...

Yeah, good luck with that, Herbert...

Wow, nice trick.

Disgust: Thanks. I'm practicing for tonight.

New Year's?

Disgust: Yup. We're hosting the party.

Well, it look like you're all set up.

Disgust: I hope so...

Looks like Cortex is ready, too...

A black and white bash?

Disgust: Yeah, a house party just seemed too casual.

Um, Hope? You're aware that you're supposed to wear black and white, not black and brown.

Hope: Hey, it's a party. I want to be comfortable...

Although I guess it makes it easier to play with your niece...

Hope: Hey! You survived the jungle...

Erica: Barely. Trust me, if they try to talk you into a school trip, don't go!

Ok, resolution time...writing a book?

Disgust: Yeah, I thought I should try my hand at writing a cook book.

Huh, not a bad idea...

And I guess that one makes the most sense for you since you're already an A student...

Huh...would have thought you would have gone with the social media.

Herbert: Eh, I figured I'd pick one I can actually do...

Everybody: 3...2...1...Happy New Year!!!

So I see we're spending New Year's Day at the dog park?

Hope: I thought maybe she just needed more exercise.

...Did you grill fruit in the middle of winter?

Hermes: What? It's not like fruit is seasonal...

...you know what, I'm going to let that one go.

Besides, we have to head back for Disgust's birthday. 

Wait, we're still exercising the dog?

Disgust: More like exercising me...you know, before the bad back sets in.

Happy birthday, dear Disgust...

Hey, at least she saw it coming...

Herbert: Man, it's hot here...why did she have to move to the desert, anyway?

Why did who have to move to the desert?

Disgust: Sadness. We figured we should come down and see the new house...and our granddaughter.

I take it playing with Kiwi has taken Herbert's mind off the heat...or the moderate warmth...

Sadness: Thanks for coming over, guys...I think you may have actually tired Kiwi out...

Herbert: Where did she get to, anyway?

Disgust: Oh, Hope is putting her down for a nap...

Hope: Ok, so...take a nap...

Kiwi: No!

Hope: ... Please?

Maybe parenting can be the new skill Hope learns this year?

Since it looks like she won't be in school for much longer...

Um, hi Cyprus...

Hope: You know, this isn't a costume party...

Cyprus: I know that...

And let's get one last kiss in...

Hope: What?

Well, last one for now...

Happy birthday, dear Hope...

Huh...is it just me or have the club traits been showing up more and more?

Ok, well, this has been fun but I've got to be moving on. Keep an eye on Cortex, and I'll see you guys next round!

A Message From the Mysterious Voice: So, much less eventful around here. I can't believe that Disgust and Herbert are elders already. The New Year's party was actually really fun (even if everybody's random black and white outfits were really awkward.)

Palmer 1: Round 18

Last round started off as a sad one for the Palmers, as Grandma Madison finally succumbed to old age. Shortly after, though, Hank found a baby raccoon in the bushes and decided it would make the perfect addition to the family. After Rocket aged up, though, Hank realized that hiding a raccoon in his bedroom was not really possible. Somehow, though, he managed to convince his mother and aunt to let him keep it. Meanwhile, Dory aged from a baby to a toddler, and Josiah plugged away at his scientist career.

Oh, great. We're starting this one off with a missed birthday. Sorry, Brett...

And it looks like we're starting off with a sick raccoon...

Flick: You think Rocket's sick?

Flick, he's bright blue with a glowing red nose. What do you think?

Ok, let's make sure we don't miss any more birthdays here...looks like Dory and Josiah are up next...

Getting some last minute flash cards in?

Josiah: I just want to make sure she gets the best start...

Well, we may want to get this show on the road before the sick raccoon eats the cake...

Happy birthday, dear Dory...

Ok, silly into goofball kind of makes sense...

And I actually don't mind that hairstyle.

...And we just missed Josiah...

Josiah: It's ok. Better that we did Dory's first...

Oh, you two joined Scouts?

Flick: Yup! Gemini and I are in the same troop...

Isn't everybody in the same troop?

Hey, look. Rocket's feeling better.

Flick: Yup. And look-hey, Rocket! High five!

Working on your pet training badge?

Flick: No...it just looks cool.

Ok, we're not missing this one...

Merida: Happy birthday...

Wait, isn't it your birthday too?

Merida: No...mine's at the end of the week.

...

Merida: What?

You guys are triplets...

Flick: Hey, look over there!

Dory: Huh?

Is there a scout badge for cheating at chess?

Flick: Shh! I'm not cheating...

Never mind, let's get your mom's birthday taken care of before we miss this one too.

Not too eventful, huh?

Eve: I don't know why we even celebrate this one, really...

Rocket...stay away from the chicken nuggets...

Oh, hey Gemini...man, you're really making the rounds visiting all the boys lately, huh?

Gemini: I can't wait for your party. It's going to be so much fun!

Flick: Yeah...I just wish we could bring Rocket, but Mom says they won't let a raccoon in the arcade...

Well, maybe Love Day will help change her mind?

Flick: So...are you giving a card to anyone for Love Day?

Madrid: (giggles) No...That's a grown up holiday. It's for people who have boyfriends and girlfriends and stuff...

Flick: Oh, right...

Madrid: But you're almost grown up, so maybe you should. Besides, I think Gemini likes you...

Ok, let's keep Madrid in mind as the town matchmaker...

Josiah: Are you guys trying to teach the raccoon to dance?

Flick: I taught it to high-five already! Rocket's really smart, Dad!

Congratulations, Merida...

and congratulations, Eve. At least you guys are still in sync with something around here.

And Love Day is here...and apparently going very well for Brett.

Brett: Happy Love Day, Merida...

Merida: Oh, Brett, you didn't have to...

Technically he did. It's on the tradition list...

Josiah: Sorry it's not very fancy...

Eve: Oh, that's ok. I think we're all still new at this present thing...

Eve: Besides, it's almost time for the boys' birthday party.

The boys are having their birthday party on Love Day?

Eve: Yeah, it seemed weird to me too, but it could be pretty cute, I guess.

Flick: Hey...why are there presents here? It's not Winterfest...

You guys have never heard of birthday presents?

Flick: So...these are mine?

Well, some of them are Hank's...

Flick: Cool! A helicopter...

Hank: What are you going to do with a toy helicopter after today? We're growing up, remember?

Flick: Oh, right...

Speaking of growing up...

Flick: Wait! I have to do one thing first...

Flick: Happy Love Day, Gemini...

Gemini & Libra: (Giggles)

Ok, little ladies man...let's get you guys into the party room and do your cake before this gets even more awkward.

Happy birthday, dear Flick and Hank...

Hank: Wait, we have to share?

Look, we're kind of on a time crunch here, ok?

No surprises there...

And that's...almost the same thing.

Ok, everybody to a mirror, now. 

Much better...

Dory: Hey Flick...heads up...

Flick: Dory, we're too big to play now...hey! Oh, you are so going to get it...

Looks like they're not too big for a mud fight, though...but we should really head inside because Merida...

...Ok, we're done here. I'll see you guys next round...

A Message from the Mysterious Voice: Well, one out of 4 adult birthdays isn't bad I guess? (And technically, the only reason I missed Merida's was because I forgot to pause the game when I swiped back to my other desktop.) In other news, this was the lot where I discovered that the Seasons present piles can function as birthday presents too, not just holiday ones. (It probably would have been a good idea to have Flick open his presents after he aged up, though, because he ended up outgrowing them almost immediately.)