(Author’s note: I know I forget my sims’ birthdays, but I assure you, this chapter will feature the last of that forgetfulness)

Camouflaged in purple, the recently aged-up Gaby and Ramona hang out together at the nursery one last time before the whole house gets renovated to suit the current household set-up.

The five kids are starting to leave an impact on a previously-spacious house, and there are changes that need to be made.

The first drops of rain start to fall on Sunset Valley, and those two should really reconsider painting outside at this time of the year.

(The one on the left is Gaby, while the one on the right is Vinca)

Inside the house, Ramona tells her mother about her plan to stay outside to watch the clouds. Miranda wonders if her daughter’s being obnoxious on purpose before refusing.

Chelsea seems to develop the tendency to sneak around? The family just ignores it though.

Featuring one of the new additions to the house: a cozy little painting studio for Vinca to paint within the safety of a dry shelter.

And beside the little studio, is a small area just enough for this chemical table set-up to be squeezed in, with Buster the goldfish’s bowl and Stanley’s butterfly collection on the opposite wall.

Gaby specifically requested this as a birthday gift.

Look at how Gaby stares at that glowing liquid while unsupervised. She knows what she’s doing. She’s been reading the tutorials off the internet.

(Also featured in the back is a painting that Vinca won as a prize from an art competition.)

Today is a big day, since it appears that Stanley has dug up his old suit from his wedding!

And he’s ordering pizza, which makes the day even more special.

The younger twins are also in formal wear, and they probably don’t need to use their twin telepathic abilities to tell each other how much it stinks to wear it.

It’s Graduation day for Chelsea and Vinca!

Miranda starts to panic at the fact that Vinca still hasn’t changed into her ceremonial robes, but she seems to be too preoccupied with something that smells bad in the room.

(Maybe someone forgot to put the leftovers in the fridge again)

Getting impatient from waiting for the others, Lukas went downstairs to get in the car first.

Just as he did, several droplets from the sky threatened to ruin his freshly-pressed suit, and he’s not having any of that. He yells for everyone to get to the car already, to which they eventually leave for the ceremony.

The ceremony was boring and stuffy, and it was a relief for everyone when they got their ribbons and diplomas. And then it was time to leave. Aunt Eva was able to catch up when the twins’ names were called, but had to leave first for another concert.

While everyone else was distracted, Lukas pulls Chelsea aside and waves a box of present in front of her. She grins widely as she takes it from his hands, before taking a quick peek by forcibly trying to open one loose corner. Chelsea smiles.

“Aawwww, thanks bro, this is really sweet,” she tucks it inside her robe and pats it affectionately.

Chelsea suddenly finds herself in the arms of her mother, who hugs her as if she wouldn’t let go.

“I can’t believe I’m seeing the first of my kids to leave the house,” Miranda sniffles. She really doesn’t want to cry right now.

“Mom, the military facility is just an hour away,” Chelsea laughs, before hugging back more tightly. “I’ll miss you too. I’ll miss everyone here.”

With her bags already packed, Chelsea Ramos left for the military just as soon as everyone could change out of their formal clothes.

Vinca left the house a few days after Chelsea did, to set out towards the most obvious career choice for her: a professional artist. Weeks later, she drops by to visit with someone she had been seeing for a while now.

Today she formally introduces her girlfriend to the family. They currently live together in one of the beach houses along the neighborhood.

Tammi Velasco is so well-received by the Ramos family that the couple gets frequently invited for dinners.

(Stanley finally replaces his usual brightly orange dyed hair with the gray color of age)

Autumn finally arrives, but Gaby still hasn’t arrived at school.

She’s almost always late because she eats her breakfast so slowly, but she manages.

Meanwhile, Ramona enters a different car, and is off to continue her schooling at Smuggsworth Prep School, to the bewilderment of her family.

Being a computer whiz, all the time she spent on going through several web pages landed her on the Smuggsworth Prep School website, and through a moment of impulse, she sent her application. Her essay ends up being chosen as one of the best essays that could receive a scholarship.

Everyone just kinda shrugged and accepted it, but Gaby was more adamant. She is upset that she didn’t get to school in a limo too.

Stanley has considerably mellowed with age. No more running around in town carrying those heavy containers everywhere, he decided to use his energy for taking care the garden while he still can.

Miranda doesn’t have the same fears of age as she did when Eva aged up. Perhaps seeing Stanley get old beside her made her realize that it isn’t as scary as she thought.

With her work, it’s been progressing steadily, and her occasional change of uniform proves this. Miranda Ramos has always wanted to build up her own reputation separate from her sister’s. She wants to be recognized for her own talents.

Lukas’ rebellious impulse is starting to show.

Currently, his goal is go out of the house with his curfew on the line, in the pretense of testing out his new bike. He hasn’t run into any of the patrolling officers yet, not even his sister’s girlfriend Tammi, and that boosts his confidence.

(Author’s note: Okay, that was a cop-out on Ramona’s part, and it was also an impulse decision that I kinda forgot until the limo arrived. So…yeah, there you go. I’m currently down to handling four sims for now)