Model worker

Cheeky monkey

Christmas come early

Rock chick

Full English Breakfast

Day Two

Daylight Robbery

Lining up to see Father Christmas

Still Day One of Saffron's arrival, almost eleven hours after touchdown, here she is snapped at Santaland, waiting in line to visit Father Christmas in his (gold-plated, diamond-encrusted) grotto. If you knew how much we forked out for Saffron to 'visit' Santa, you'll understand the bitter undertones of this entry.

Anyway, James and I tried to muster up as much enthusiasm as we humanly could as we waited in line after line for the grotto and rides, feign excitement and disbelief at the naughty elves, and shout out our scripted lines when instructed by Santa's helpers. Saffron seemed happy enough. Just as we were coming to terms with the money spent, thinking how lovely and magical a time Saffron must have had, as we were walking to catch the tube home, she suddenly declared - from out of nowhere - "That was not the real Father Christmas". We were stumped. Trying hard not to burst into tears, I asked her "Then who was it?". "Uncle Father Christmas, not real Father Christmas," came the knowing reply. For days afterwards, she was still telling complete strangers about her experience in Santaland, how she saw the "Uncle Father Christmas, not the real Father Christmas" and how she was "so scared of the small Father Christmas" (it was really an elve), complete with hand gestures.

Still, at least we came away with a lovely picture of us with (Uncle) Father Christmas in his grotto (for only 10 pounds extra).

When in London...

Little Fashionista

Barely an hour in London and already Saffron was showing us that she wouldn't have any problems fitting in here:
(A) Her choice of glittery high heels for a day out (London is a fashion capital after all) &
(B) Her choice of open-toed glittery high heels for a day out in winter (English women - for reasons unbeknownst to me - are known to walk aroung in midwinter sans tights, barelegged, mini-skirted).

Little Miss Bossy Boots Arrives in London

Just landed and already giving directions

One of the first things Saffron declared about London was "Eng-ger-lund is cold, right? Eng-ger-lund is so bright!". I understand the first part, but I'm not too sure how she arrived at the latter conclusion. We are in the beginning of winter and it starts getting dark here at about 3-4pm. But to be fair, the apartment we're in is very well lit. She also remembers that "Singapore is so hot, right?".

Thursday, 22 December 2005

Jetlagged but still beautiful

Being apart from Saffron for ten days in a row is no laughing matter and requires tremendous strength of mind to survive unscathed. Fortunately for me, I had endless property viewings and work to distract me. Living two minutes from Harrods (to the left) and Harvey Nics (to the right) helped too, I suppose. On some level. Still, I found myself waking up in the middle of the night trying to track her down in Singapore to have a quick chat. Turns out she was inviting a few lucky souls to follow her and daddy and mummy to England (or Eng-gur-land, as she says it). Even a taxi uncle who complimented her on her sweet singing got an invitation.

This is the first picture I snapped of Saffron shortly after 5am on 22 December, when she arrived in London with James. She was an angel on the flight and apparently left hundreds of little stickers all over the seats and cabin.

More leg room?

Saturday, 3 December 2005

Getting ready for The Big Move (again)

Little globetrotter pictured here after movers had been in to pack up our stuff for shipping to London. There's a picture of James carrying her at 5 weeks old, seated amongst our boxes at Cairnhill Rise just before we moved to Leigh. There's also a picture of James and her at 13 months old, smiling amongst more boxes at 22 Western Road in Leigh just before we moved back to Singapore. There's a theme surfacing here...

*evil laughter*

Rare footage of Saffron actually seated on the carousel horse.

Friday, 2 December 2005

Saffron, James and my little pony

Just as well I'm not a child photographer. Before I could even snap the picture, Saffron had run off to climb onto the carousel, leaving James, still just as happy to pose with My Little Pony anyway.

Sunday, 13 November 2005

Not so gentle reminders

Sunday, 13 November 2005

The Artist at work.

Because you have been so patient and faithful, here's a sneak preview of Gallery Minx's most recent acquisition. Titled 'Don't Forget Me' (Medium: Post-its), this provocative installation art piece succinctly conveys Man's natural yearning to be remembered and bitingly questions our continuing search for acceptance.

Saturday, 12 November 2005

The little tai-tai doing her weekly shop

Saturday, 12 November 2005

My Little Suzy Wong

Saturday, 12 November 2005

Princess Bride

Saturday, 12 November 2005

All is forgiven

Saturday, 12 November 2005

Anti-social behaviour

Saturday, 12 November 2005

Kiss me, you fool.

Don't say a word. What's a month or two between friends, right?

Saffron is pictured here resisting friendly kisses from Caitlin. She's beginning to do that more these days - resist kisses. Now that she has a mind of her own, it's only a matter of time before she yells at me to please stop bringing her daily packed lunches and tying her hair in pigtails, as she dashes off in tears to attend her afternoon lectures. It's a downward spiral, I tell you. We've really got to nip this problem in the bud. It's a toss up between using good old force or resorting to emotional blackmail. So the next time you see me smothering Saffron with kisses while pinning her arms to her sides (there's a technique to all this) and telling her how much I suffered at childbirth, you know where I'm coming from.