Dear Seb and Olivia,

Your mum is lovely!!  I met Charlotte when I first moved to Portishead almost one and a half years ago.  She was so friendly and warm to me and included me in everything from the outset.  I was worried about moving to Portishead and making new friends and Charlotte, together with Sarah, Jude, Ruth and Helen made it a really nice move for me.

Charlotte and Chris were going out to dinner at their neighbours one night and I came over to babysit.  This is the first time I’d seen your house and I was blown away by it (and very nervous about spilling something) but like Ruth said, Charlotte’s normal – no airs and graces.  Your dad made me laugh, he was worried that they didn’t have any wine to leave me and after searching every cupboard, he had his shoes on and was all ready to go off to the shops to buy me a bottle even though they were now late and as I pointed out, I didn’t want to be drunk in charge of children, that I had to actually command him to leave the house immediately and go to the dinner party.  Charlotte ended up opening the bottle they were taking to their neighbours and pouring me a glass (sorry neighbours) – she didn’t realise my fear of spilling something – everything’s white!!

After about an hour, I heard a little whimper at the top of the stairs and there were you Seb, all warm with bed hair sticking up – very cute! I asked you if you were ok but I don’t think you were actually awake and you put your arms out for me to pick you up.  Now Seb, you don’t know my girls very well yet but they are younger than you and much much smaller!! I managed to pick you up and you were so adorable and snuggly and I carried you back to bed and when I put you down, you straight away reached up and started twirling my hair round your fingers.  I let you play with my hair for a bit and then gave you a kiss and you drifted off.

When Charlotte came home, I told her you woke up and I had to put you back to bed and straight away she asked if you’d played with my hair and I asked her how she knew.  She said that is what you do to her all the time and in your sleepy state, you thought I was your mummy.  You have a lovely mummy Seb and Olivia who loves you both very very much.  By the way – I didn’t spill any red wine on the carpet!!

Another memory I wanted to share with you is of your dad.  He brought you two to Daisy’s party last year and you were both feeling a bit clingy that day.  I was struck at how patient and loving he was to you both and how he didn’t get cross.  Olivia, I think he carried you for the whole party and Seb, you were hanging off the other arm.  I tried to distract you Seb but you weren’t in the mood (I told you a very funny story actually and you didn’t even laugh!).  I’m not that patient and would have got cross with Innis and Merrin for hanging off me the whole time but your dad just did his best and tried to make sure you had fun.

Sami xxxxxxxxx