I have never spent a night away from Ava. There's never been a need. I've preferred to be the last person she sees at night and the first person she sees in the morning.

In just over three years, we've managed that with minimal ease. For consistency and security, it's really suited Ava. Then when our friends Max and Mark announced their wedding plans - a fabulously stylish evening ceremony yesterday at Vale Royal Abbey, I called on the most fabulous, trustworthy, loving babysitter I know.

Enter Nicky B.

Nicky and her eleven year old daughter Lois have known Ava since she was a baby. Ava adores them both in equal measures; she follows Lo like she's her shadow and is utterly besotted with Nicky. So Team B picked up Ava yesterday lunchtime, along with her overnight bag and backpack (packed with the essentials: lipbalm, 'Charlotte's Web' and a pack of tissues). Within five minutes, the house was far too quiet: getting ready for the wedding was uninterrupted by offers of cups of 'air-tea' and our dogs wandered around aimlessly, no doubt wondering where their best friend was.

Any thoughts that Ava would be unsettled evaporated with the receipt of this texted picture:

She'd only gone and plonked herself down herself down behind Lo's Christmas drums!

The girls went swimming, which Ava loved - pretending she was a fish while Lo was the shark. I can imagine the squeals!

When they got back to Nicky's house, Ava got a lesson in i-pad use:

Ava played with Lo's Silvercross prams, complete with Lo's Annabel doll (and I hear Louis the kitten also snuck in for a ride!):

Swiftly followed by some obligatory colouring in...how cosy does this scene look?

After a nap and a lush-sounding dinner of homemade lasagne and salad which Ava tucked into with gusto, she was treated to an indulgent manicure:

But not just any ordinary manicure.
Setting the style gauntlet for Spring/Summer '12 - 'The Ladybird'

The evening was rounded off with yet another viewing of 'Elf' (which she only got on the 22nd - we're now into double digit viewings), before being tucked up in Nicky's bed with Lo for the night...trusty new Hatley wellies by her side...


As Dave and I pulled up Chez Nicky this morning, we could hear Lo and Ava charging round. I'd missed my little lady loads.

Nick, you are our diamond. Big love to you and your infamous Lo. XXX