Of course a fortnight is a long time in a rainforest in Spring, but even so I am surprised at the fecundity of our leafette (late of New York) and her scabrous spouse.

Leafette in (now) trademark) pose with ROLAND supportive and unassertive in the background.

I’m guessing that ROLAND was overly affected (or infected?) by the obvious scepticism of his father-in-law.  He sought to impress FIL by his dedication to the task of producing grand-leaves. This is no mean feat, given the pre-occupation of his wife with retaining her figure and her social life.

He is a true professional at whatever he does. Which means expending minimum energy for maximum effect.

Strategic use of the calendar, accompanied by surprise attacks following administration of bubbly in copious quantities, has enabled ROLAND to father three little leaflings for the FIL to spoil.

From left to right: daughters #1 and 2 and the son.

The daughters are in their mother’s mould, into ornamentation. They are also natural poseurs. This gives ROLAND some compensation for the burdens of fatherhood.  He enters them frequently in Beautiful Baby competitions. They don’t win  but that’s not because of his photography.  Rather,  the regrettable backlash against the sexualisation of children deems their poses, learned at the breast (actually from the bottle) from their mother, causes competition judges to decline to short list them.

The son is a floppy baby who has inherited his father’s skin irritation and keeps the whole family awake most nights with his cries for relief from the itch. What more can I say?  Best ignore him, as they do.