#bankgen4

[mysimsloveaffair]

Figuring out the age of Sims in the Sims 4 is tough. Sims don’t have a set ‘birthday,’ and they age up based on life stages, making it hard for legacy players and storytellers to narrow down exactly what ‘age’ a sim is. Let’s face it: there’s a big difference between a child who is five years old and one who is twelve.

I’ve been a legacy/storyteller for years. Previously, I relied on the in-game ‘normal’ life span for my sims. However, I often felt rushed to get my sims married and have children. This was to avoid the problem of my elder sims dying off before meeting their grandchildren. This issue became even worse when the Discover University Expansion was introduced. If I want to send my sims to college, it takes up even more of their young adult years. Consequently, the marriage/child ‘rush’ becomes a bigger issue.

Eventually, I turned to the MC Command Center mod to solve this by creating my own age ranges, giving each life stage ample time to pursue their goals, develop as characters, and later find someone to spend their lives with. With some tweaking over the years, I came up with the life stage breakdowns you see above. I tried matching the number of sim days in each life stage with an ‘age’ that matches what we’re used to in the real world. I am sharing this because it might be helpful for anyone else who is struggling to ‘age’ their sims. And while it’s not perfect, it could be a good starting point, and I hope it helps!

A large/printable version of this graphic is available on my website here: My Sims 4 Lifespan**

**Link takes you to my WordPress website

Thanks to @storiesbyjes2g, as always, for her feedback!

#sims #sims 4 #TS4 gameplay #TS4 legacy #black simblr #brindleton bay #banks fam #bankgen4 #replies #diego2memphis #who is diego2memphis #tags

[mysimsloveaffair]

Sims 4 World Map

I’ve fallen in love with several Sims 4 Maps over the years, each created by creators who ingeniously combined all of the worlds in the game into one cohesive map. It’s a valuable tool for storytellers, helping them to picture where each town is in relation to the others. But my favorite maps have not been updated in years, so I figured it was time to create my own.

This is my version of the Sims 4 world. I picture the Sims 4 world being reasonably small, with most of the cities/towns being accessible by car, train, or bus…unless separated by water and not connected by a bridge. This map is not based on real-world geography. However, I did consider which real-life city/town/country the worlds were based on (or influenced by) before deciding where to place them.

Special thanks to my friends, storiesbyjes2g, ladybugsimblr, and igglemouse, for providing invaluable feedback to help me get this right! All of these talented ladies are worth a follow!

Large/printable versions of the map are available on my website, here: Sims 4 World Map**

**Link takes you to my WordPress website

#sims #sims 4 #TS4 gameplay #TS4 legacy #black simblr #banks fam #bankgen4 #replies #diego2memphis #who is diego2memphis #tags

[mysimsloveaffair]

(っ◔◡◔)っ ♥ LOVE IS…

I was tagged by @budgie2budgie. Thanks so much; this was a lot of fun!

Song lyrics: Grow by Samm Henshaw

I'm tagging @storiesbyjes2g | @ladybugsimblr | @bridgeportbritt | @happy-lemon | @anamoon63 | @treason-and-plot | @nikatyler | @igglemouse | @anotherplumbob | @therichantsim​ | @shesthespinstersimmer​

Feel free to ignore!

#sims #sims 4 #TS4 gameplay #TS4 legacy #black simblr #brindleton bay #banks fam #bankgen4 #replies #diego2memphis #who is diego2memphis #tags #minor spoiler

[mysimsloveaffair]

We step out on the red carpet to take some selfies. Maia is gorgeous, and I need proof that I’m lucky enough to be here with her. 

#banks day 16.4 #sims #sims 4 #TS4 gameplay #TS4 legacy #black simblr #brindleton bay #banks fam #bankgen4 #that first picture is my fav #😍

[mysimsloveaffair]

Clyde: A baby what?

I’m glad I can’t hear Clyde’s response, but I can imagine what he says based on Maia’s reply.

Maia: A baby, a sim baby – you will be a grandfather soon.

Clyde: So, when’s the wedding?

Maia: We’re not getting married. Not yet, anyway.

Clyde: In other words, he hasn’t asked.

Maia: We’re talking about it.

Clyde: Put him on the phone!

Maia: I’ll put you on speaker.

Maia presses the speaker button, and I can suddenly hear Clyde clearly in the middle of his complaints. The loud voice on the phone scares Luna so much that she jumps off the couch and runs away. I think about doing the same.

Clyde: *on speaker* - don’t want to be on speaker! I want to talk to him in private.

Maia: So you can threaten him? No father. That’s not how it’s going to go. We’re a couple, and we’re in love. We’re having a baby together. So, you’re talking to both of us or neither of us.

My love for Maia grows in this moment.

#banks day 25.4 #sims #sims 4 #TS4 gameplay #TS4 legacy #black simblr #brindleton bay #banks fam #bankgen4

[mysimsloveaffair]

Wade: As you can see, this place only has one bedroom. So we’ll have to move soon.

Clyde walks over and sits down next to me on the bed.

Clyde: Okay, I’m listening.

Wade: I’d like for us to relocate to San Sequoia.

Clyde’s eyes grow big and fill with a glimmer of kindness and gratitude.

Clyde: You want to bring my baby girl back home?

Wade: Yes, sir. That’s the plan, but I need help finding a place as soon as possible.

Clyde: Say no more! I got you.

Clyde pulls out his phone and begins scrolling.

Clyde: I’ll text my friend, Ole Hooknose Charlie! He knows every empty crib in the city.

That’s great news!

Wade: Oh, nice! Is Charlie a real estate agent?

Clyde: A real estate agent? *scoffs* Hell no. He’s a professional squatter.

All my hope dissipates instantly.

Wade: I’m sorry - a professional what?

#banks day 27.4 #sims #sims 4 #TS4 gameplay #TS4 legacy #black simblr #brindleton bay #banks fam #bankgen4

[mysimsloveaffair]

Wade: So, do you ride the train often?

Maia: Actually, yes. It was always my father's preferred way to travel, and now I prefer it too.

Wade: This is my first time on a train.

Maia: Really? You've been missing out. If the windows weren't iced over from the cold - you'd get to see how beautiful the scenery is.

Wade: I'll take your word for it.

I prefer the scenery in front of me, but I keep that thought to myself. I realize I don't know as much about Maia as I'd like - it's time to ask some questions.

Wade: What do you do when you're not collecting frogs and speaking at the museum?

Maia: A lot of things. I love to craft. I like to dance—

I unintentionally interrupt.

Wade: What's your favorite type of music to dance to?

Maia: Soul music

I'm more of a hip-hop person myself, but soul music is tolerable.

Wade: Cool. What else?

Maia: I'm a pretty good cook, and I love animals. Growing up on a farm like you did would be a dream.

Wade: I actually hated it.

Maia: Why?

Wade: There's never a break from farm life. It didn't matter what was going on in my life - my birthday, a holiday, a death in the family...whatever - there were always more animal chores. And I felt like I was always dirty. I could never keep a clean pair of sneaks after cleaning the cow stable and gathering chicken eggs.

Maia: Well, animals can't care for themselves.

Wade: True, but I'd prefer someone else do it.

She chuckles as if I'm joking.

(Note: Deco sims were created by super talented xldkx. They can be found on the xldkx-cc page. Although designed for airplane scenes, they worked well for my train set.)

#banks day 16.4 #sims #sims 4 #TS4 gameplay #TS4 legacy #black simblr #brindleton bay #banks fam #bankgen4

[mysimsloveaffair]

Back at home -

Maia: That was fun.

Wade: It would have been if we weren’t freezing our butts off. We seriously need to consider relocating to someplace warmer.

I’ve said more than Maia probably wants to hear right now, but that’s how I feel, and we’ll have to talk about it sooner or later. But for now, Maia retreats to the bedroom after changing into more comfortable clothes.

I sit at my computer to upload another video and realize I’ve completed the “Friend of the World’ aspiration. Now that my popularity has grown, I can make it pay off and begin securing our family’s financial future.  

#banks day 25.4 #sims #sims 4 #TS4 gameplay #TS4 legacy #black simblr #brindleton bay #banks fam #bankgen4

[mysimsloveaffair]

Our party guests have been generous in providing everything the baby will need. I suspect my parents are responsible for purchasing a good chuck of it. Maia and I are directed to the gift table to open our gifts. My cousin Terra comes over with yet another gift. I can tell that Maia is almost overwhelmed by all the love everyone has shown her. She deserves it.

(Full post available to read on my website)

#banks day 26.4 #sims #sims 4 #TS4 gameplay #TS4 legacy #black simblr #brindleton bay #banks fam #bankgen4

[mysimsloveaffair]

Maia suddenly gets up from the bed, and I immediately think it’s because of what we’ve been discussing. Maybe it has upset her.

Wade: Maia, we can find a place here. We don’t have to —

Maia: Dub! The baby is coming!

Wade: What? Right now!

Maia: *urgent tone* Right now!

I get up to assist, but Maia doesn’t need me. After a few pushes, our baby is born.

Maia: Dub! It’s a girl.

My heart begins to melt instantly. I’m officially a girl dad!

#banks day 27.4 #sims #sims 4 #TS4 gameplay #TS4 legacy #black simblr #brindleton bay #banks fam #bankgen4 #yay! team girl

[mysimsloveaffair]

Maia: We’ll update you on everything going on with us and the baby.

Clyde: No need. I’m coming out there to see for myself. I’ll take the train the day after tomorrow.

I cringe internally and pray that Maia says no, but she doesn’t.

Maia: Okay, father, that’s fine.

I figure I’d better speak up and say something.

Wade: Let us at least buy you a plane ticket.

Clyde: No way. I keep my feet firmly on the ground at all times.

I tried.

Maia: So we’ll see you soon?

Clyde: Very

Maia: Can’t wait

I can, but I add that to the collection of thoughts I keep to myself.

Clyde: Love you, Maia girl.

Maia: Love you too!

No love for me? Maybe that’ll come one day, but it might be way too much to ask at this point.

#banks day 25.4 #sims #sims 4 #TS4 gameplay #TS4 legacy #black simblr #brindleton bay #banks fam #bankgen4

[mysimsloveaffair]

Maia struggles to her feet, and I pull her into my arms.

Wade: What can I do for you, baby?

Maia: Nothing right now. I think I just need to go lie down for a bit.

Wade: Okay, I’ll go with you.

Maia: You can’t. My father will be here any minute. I need you to stay here and let him in.

Dammit! I forgot that Clyde is coming today. That’s the last thing I need. But welcoming him is part of being there for Maia, so I’ll do it.

Wade: Yeah, okay. I’ve got you.

Maia: Thanks. You can bring him up when he gets here.

The thought of bringing Clyde to our bedroom makes me clench my jaw involuntarily.

Wade: Will do!

Maia climbs the stairs, and I pull out my phone to text Ma.

Wade’s Text: Maia is in labor!

#banks day 27.4 #sims #sims 4 #TS4 gameplay #TS4 legacy #black simblr #brindleton bay #banks fam #bankgen4

[mysimsloveaffair]

Maia and Clyde hug…

Maia: It’s a girl! We named her Tambara Elise Banks.

Clyde: *emotional* She has your mother’s name.

Maia: Yes. Mother had her issues, but somebody should continue her legacy.

Clyde: I agree. I’m sure she’s smiling down on us right now.

Maia and Clyde return to the bedroom, but by then Tambara is sleeping.

Clyde: *to Maia* She looks like you did as a baby.

Maia: Do you want to hold your granddaughter?

Clyde: No, I don’t want to wake her.

Is that a smile I see on Clyde’s face?

#banks day 27.4 #sims #sims 4 #TS4 gameplay #TS4 legacy #black simblr #brindleton bay #banks fam #bankgen4

[mysimsloveaffair]

I’m sad to cut our trip short, but I’m also very concerned about Maia. We reenter the bedroom to pack our bags, which Maia retching almost the entire time. I suggest we go to the doctor again, but Maia insists on going home. Once we’ve packed, we call up a S-Uber and head home.

#banks day 23.4 #sims #sims 4 #TS4 gameplay #TS4 legacy #black simblr #brindleton bay #banks fam #bankgen4

[mysimsloveaffair]

Missing Maia’s warmness next to me in bed, I get up and find her sitting on the ground in the bathroom. Concerned, I hurry over to her.

Wade: Maia, baby - are you okay?

Maia: I lied to you, Dub. *tears* I’m sorry - you were right. I already knew I was pregnant. 

I don’t want to be right, but at least now we know. But confirming it doesn’t make it any less shocking. The devastation I hear in Maia’s voice threatens to knock me off balance. But somehow, I continue to stand, watching tears fall that are caused by me.  

#banks day 24.4 #sims #sims 4 #TS4 gameplay #TS4 legacy #black simblr #brindleton bay #banks fam #bankgen4 #unplanned pregnancy cw

[mysimsloveaffair]

I walk over to my cousins Terra and Bri.

Wade: Hey, y’all! Thanks so much for coming.

Terra: I wouldn’t miss it.

Brianna: Congrats, Dub  - I almost can’t believe you’re about to be a father.

Wade: Me neither. It’s all surreal. And I’m not sure I’m ready.

Terra: Is anyone ever ready?

Brianna: Right! I hope to know that feeling one day. By the way, I have someone that I want you to meet!

Wade: Yeah, okay. I’m looking forward to it.

As the rest of the guests arrive, I lead the way into the nicely decorated venue, wondering how Ma even found this place.

#banks day 26.4 #sims #sims 4 #TS4 gameplay #TS4 legacy #black simblr #brindleton bay #banks fam #bankgen4