Arkansas: “Hey Cali, sit down so we can talk.

Cali: “Sure mom, what about? If this is about Santa Monica I want you and daddy to know that I promise to take great care of her. Thank you thank you thank you again, and daddy, for getting me the horse for my birthday. I’ve dreamed of having my very own horse.”

Arkansas: “You’re welcome honey. Your dad and I knew how much you’ve wanted a horse. We feel that you’re now of age and responsible enough to have your own pet.”

Cali: “I won’t let y’all down. So what do you want to talk about mom?”

Arkansas: “Well, you see that book there? I’ve been writing in it since I was a little older than you.”

Cali: “Like a Diary?”

Arkansas: “YES! exactly like a diary, however I’ve named her Pandora.”

Cali: Oh your diary has a name. That’s cool. Mom why are you telling me about your diary? Is something wrong? Are you sick? What’s going on”

Arkansas: “Haha, No Cali I’m not sick. I’m telling you about her, because I would like you to have my diary. Not only would I like for you to have my diary, I would like you to keep one of your own. Chronicle your life. I’d like for you to be my heir. When your father and I move on, I want you to have this house and our possessions. I would love if you kept on the State name and legacy.”

Cali: ” Whoa, Why me and not Rado?”

Arkansas: “No particular reason Cali, I just think I would like to leave everything to you. Conn already has a wife, his own home, and children. Rado is a loner, loves the outdoors and has expressed the desire to live alone in a cabin in the woods. Who else is left but you?”

Cali: “Ok, I think I see. So you want me to write in this journal every day?”

Arkansas: “Sims Heaven no! I think I write in it every couple of months, sometimes years even go by before I have enough free time to write down what has happened with myself and the family. You write at your own pace Cali.”

Cali: “Oh that’s good because I was thinking this is a lot of work.”

Arkansas: “Oh Cali. Really I think you will like doing this. It’s always fun to look back, and review things you done in life; look back on how things in the family have changed. This is also a great way to keep track of who IS family. I mean generations from now, how will you know who your children’s 2nd, and 3rd cousins are and your own for that matter?”

Cali: “Can I look at the book mom?”

Arkansas: “Sure honey.”

Cali: “Wow, you even have pictures! Aww there’s Grandpa and Grandma.”

Cali: ” I don’t even remember uncle Jasper.”

Now this is what i’ve been waiting for.

Cali: “Look mom, that’s when you made daddy real!”

Cali: “Wow, Uncle A and Aunt Mariah’s wedding was truly beautiful. Mark looks so cute in his lil’ hat. That dress you’re wearing mom is beautiful. Do you still have it?”

Arkansas: “Yes, it’s in my closet somewhere.”

Cali: “Sweet, so that means it’s mine.”

Arkansas: “Um no it doesn’t. It means it’s yours to borrow.”

Cali: “Same thing mom. Seriously, Conn and Cosmo got to do everything! Me and Rado have been nowhere. Being firstborn has it’s privileges.”

Cali: “Aww I wish Rado and I could have been at you and daddy’s wedding mom. It looks like it was so much fun. I’ve looked at that photo album too numerous to count. I love the pictures from that trip.”

Cali: “Is this when I came home from hospital mom?”

Arkansas: “Yes. You were the sweetest baby ever.”

Cali: “Don’t forget the cutest baby ever! Rado is 3rd cute, following me and Conn of course. I wish I had Rado’s coloring though. He got everything, you do know that right mom? He’s brown like you, he has dad’s eyes AND can turn into toy form. All I got was dad’s eyes and hair color. No fair.”

Arkansas: “Contrary to popular belief Cali, you cannot custom build children! At the end of the day, none of you look like me. I carried you, and all of you take after your respective fathers. Who really got the short end of the stick? Hmm?”

Cali: “ME, mom; me. By the way I think I’m going to get married at the courthouse just like Conn and Cosmo. As pretty as Aunt Arkansas, Uncle A’s, and your wedding was mom, it also looks like it was a lot of work. I like the simplicity of Conn’s wedding.”

Arkansas: “Ugh, your dad and I hated that Conn got married at the courthouse. Personally I’d dreamed of this elaborate wedding for him and Cosmo and my heart broke when they chose to get married at the courthouse. However I respected their decision, and if that’s what you chose to do Cali, which I hope is no time soon, your father and I will be just as happy.”

Cali: “No mom I’m not getting married anytime soon. I don’t even have a boyfriend!”

Arkansas: “It’s not from lack of trying I’m sure. Don’t think for one minute I haven’t seen how both you AND your cousin River eye Ethan?”

Cali: “Really mom? Really?” Anyway. This is really cool. I didn’t even know you were doing something like this; keeping a journal of the family. I think… I think I’d like to continue this tradition. Thank you for asking me to be your heir and continue the State Legacy. I love you mom.”

Arkansas: “I love you Cali with all my heart.”

Cali: “Mom, off topic but don’t you think it’s tacky to keep the Gift Giving Day decorations up all year long? I mean take the mistletoe for example.”

Arkansas: “Not now Cali. Don’t spoil the moment.”

Cali: “It was just a question. I love you mom.”

Arkansas: “I love you more.”