When everyone was gathered the morning of her session, Willow's enthusiasm for nature and everything outdoors really began to shine through.
Willow: "I'm going to show you all countless beautifully amazing wonders of nature today! I want to teach you all to have an appreciation of the entire natural world. Everything is beautiful; everything has it's place. From the softness of the forest floor to the vastness of the big blue sky. From the petals of all the flowers to the spines of the prickliest cactus. From the waters that flow in our creeks and rivers to the tiniest of critters crawling or flying around - yes, even bugs can be beautiful..."
Emelia's own enthusiasm grew as she listened to Willow's speech. She's already filled with wonder and curiosity about the world around her. This trip to the Nature and Science SIMposium is more for her than her mother. And today's a bit of a vacation away from her mom, as Fey agreed to let Emelia attend this session without her.
Willow: "I'm going to show you all countless beautifully amazing wonders of nature today! I want to teach you all to have an appreciation of the entire natural world. Everything is beautiful; everything has it's place. From the softness of the forest floor to the vastness of the big blue sky. From the petals of all the flowers to the spines of the prickliest cactus. From the waters that flow in our creeks and rivers to the tiniest of critters crawling or flying around - yes, even bugs can be beautiful..."
Emelia's own enthusiasm grew as she listened to Willow's speech. She's already filled with wonder and curiosity about the world around her. This trip to the Nature and Science SIMposium is more for her than her mother. And today's a bit of a vacation away from her mom, as Fey agreed to let Emelia attend this session without her.
The whole group is very much looking forward to the day's adventure, but for most of the adults it's a little too early to be as enthusiastic as Willow, or even Emelia. Little Free-Jon, however, is too excited to even sit down. His parents have both been camping before, but this will be the first time for him. And for someone who treats every day as an adventure the first camping trip is a special thing.
Willow: "...so if everyone's ready to get started we'll be leaving in ten minutes."
Willow: "...so if everyone's ready to get started we'll be leaving in ten minutes."
She made it ten minutes, because while everyone registered the Great Outdoors session had been gathering together before her little speech, Willow had noticed one of the other guests - one that hadn't originally signed up for today's events - approaching.
So Willow walked over to where Mikey sat, a little apart from the rest of the group. And she'd probably deny it, but she looked a little nervous. Maybe she had a small case of the butterflies, the metaphorical kind not the kind that some of the group might collect today.
Whatever the reason Willow doesn't really mind one extra Sim tagging along. The more the merrier as far as she is concerned. Plus it's time to get going.
One short loading screen (okay I have seen shorter, but what do you expect with a household of 22) and our group has arrived at...
Willow: "Welcome to Magnolia Blossom Park, everybody! I know, I know. Most, if not all, of you have been to the Magnolia Blossom Park in your home worlds... probably several times over. So we're not going on a tour or anything. But how many of you have ever just stopped to admire the beauty of it? How often?"
One short loading screen (okay I have seen shorter, but what do you expect with a household of 22) and our group has arrived at...
Willow: "Welcome to Magnolia Blossom Park, everybody! I know, I know. Most, if not all, of you have been to the Magnolia Blossom Park in your home worlds... probably several times over. So we're not going on a tour or anything. But how many of you have ever just stopped to admire the beauty of it? How often?"
"So to start our day of enjoying the wonderful world of nature I want you all to just take a couple of deep breaths. Enjoy this fresh air. There's nothing like a beautiful day at the park, and lucky for us Sims, we can enjoy that everyday... At least until a Seasons expansion pack is released.
"Anyways, one of my favorite things about being outside is that it feels free. Can't you just feel the busy rush of everyday life fading away as the sunshine warms your skin? There's no need to stick to any schedule or routine. This is going to be a pretty informal session. We're basically just going to enjoy each others' company while enjoying the peace and serenity of this beautiful park."
For an hour or so the group just chatted amongst the background of gorgeous trees.
For an hour or so the group just chatted amongst the background of gorgeous trees.
Jamie (a.k.a. JRose) decided to take a break from the chatter and simply enjoy the beautiful day.
She enjoyed a long moment of peace, thinking about all that she's yet to explore of this newest Sims game. And marveling at the freedom that she has to do so.
Free-Jon (a.k.a. whatever he decides his name is today) immediately ran up to Emelia and started talking a mile a minute. When he takes a breath, Emelia decides to have a little fun.
Ikey and Cindy talked about how their visits here are going so far.
Cindy's sister, Crystal is also happy to finally be exploring the world beyond her home - though she is a little nervous. Elder gives her some good advice.
When Mikey walked towards Willow, she was struck with the idea of getting in touch with her mischievous side. He had pulled enough jokes on her yesterday; it was time she returned the favor... just a little.
When Mikey asked what she had planned for the rest of the day, she tried her best to shock him.
When Mikey asked what she had planned for the rest of the day, she tried her best to shock him.
Willow:
Mikey: "You can -"
Willow: "And then we'll have to gut them. Do you think you could be in charge of that?"
Mikey: "Uh... I... uh..."
Willow: "Gotcha! Mikey, you should see the look on your face."
"Well, I was thinking of teaching you how to catch a fish with your bare hands."
Mikey: "You can -"
Willow: "And then we'll have to gut them. Do you think you could be in charge of that?"
Mikey: "Uh... I... uh..."
Willow: "Gotcha! Mikey, you should see the look on your face."
"Well, I was thinking of teaching you how to catch a fish with your bare hands."
While he was still trying get over the surprise that someone had pulled one over on him, Willow left Mikey to go check in with everyone else. Her love of the outdoors bubbled up into an excitement that seemed to grow in intensity with each passing minute.
When she reached Free-Jon and Emelia's little patch of grass, Willow found out that she might have met her match. She's not the only Sim filled with excitement and buzzing with energy.
If you thought Willow's enthusiasm had reached it's peak; you thought wrong. Maybe she found a way to bottle some of Free-Jon's energy. I think her excitement has doubled.
Willow: "Isn't this little spot in the park just beautiful Isn't this whole day, this whole world, just GGGGGGRREAT?!!!"
Always a good sport, JRose didn't let on if she thought Willow's fervor was a little over the top.
JRose: "Well at first I was a little nervous about heading out with so many new people...
Always a good sport, JRose didn't let on if she thought Willow's fervor was a little over the top.
JRose: "Well at first I was a little nervous about heading out with so many new people...
JRose: "And I thought On one hand I might get a little tense being in a crowd...
JRose: "But on the other I'm sure I'll enjoy this session. Because everyone has been really nice so far, plus I just knew I'd find something to love about the wilderness. There's so much to enjoy, even just by gazing at the world."
Willow: "Ohmigosh! You're so right! There's so much to love. And I'm so happy that I'm getting to share that with everyone today!!!"
Willow: "Ohmigosh! You're so right! There's so much to love. And I'm so happy that I'm getting to share that with everyone today!!!"
Willow: "ALRIGHTY, everybody. That wraps it up for here. Let's all hop on the loading screen again and head over to Oasis Springs."
***Thanks go out to CathyTea and JordanNichole for writing lines for their Sims featured in this chapter.***