I sent my 12 year old to a 6 hour marathon karate class today. Then I sent him to his father's. Of course, no chores got done and his room is a pit, but I am sane.

I would never bring my dog to someone else's house without explicit pre-approval. The only exception would be my sister's house, since our dogs are best friends and they all like my dog. Otherwise? No.

Barb, how about a timer?

Eh, maybe if they were younger. They're both old enough right now to resolve on their own and generally, Abby doesn't care. She's not as enthralled with playing for long periods of time like Nate. And like I said, if the argument gets to where it annoys me, I just turn the thing off and make them go read.

With respect to the dogs, I would never bring any of mine, but that's because they're all big. However, my in-laws, who have a small fourteen pound dog, take him many places. I don't think they'd bring him somewhere they knew he wouldn't be welcome.

Basically, I think it's a small dog owner thing.

javachik, I don't have anything vital on my iPod Touch and I don't use it a lot so I may not be much help, but here are my recs:

Stanza
Urbanspoon
Pandora
Public Radio
Remote
Flashlight
Google Earth
Units
iHandy Level
Distant Suns

Sudoku
Freecell
Flight Control
Bejeweled
Hearts
iChess
Peggle

Jesse, I love Clarks, but those shoes would probably rub the back of my heel.

Clarks changed the sandals I love, and now I'm unable to find new summer sandals.

Yeah, we'll see how the heels go. Today, my heels are one of the few places on my feet without pre-existing issues, and they felt good on my blister-y baby toes, so I'm hoping for the best....

We are back from a birthday outing.

Matilda: I want to go to the party!
JZ: We are the party.
Me: We're going to get mommy a treat.
Matilda: I don't want to go to the party.

JZ got all dressed up in a red dress and wore cute retro red shoes (with bows) and red lipstick and we wandered down to Haight Street.

We ate at Bia (where a bunch of Buffistas ate on the Sunday afternoon after the SF2F. smonster had the lamb burger there.) which has a backyard with tall trees and a breeze and the sun filtering down. Very pleasant place for a nap and Matilda did. JZ and I had a leisurely lunch al fresca (prawns with linguin for me, vegetarian moussaka for her) with wine and then sangria and finished with a small chocolate souffle.

Went next door to Booksmith afterwards and poked around while Matilda ran laps in the store. Then down to GG Park, and eventually the carousel. JZ was very sundazzled and sangria filled so she's zonked on the bed and Matilda is watching Gorillaz videos on TV. ("I want to watch the one with Noodle and the big head!")

I. am. so. tired. Just got home from bday party with Franny, which was lovely. DH is on his way home from another bday party for Isaac, after dropping Isaac off at his first sleep over. I fear this will end in a phone call at 11 pm, but for now I am happy. Sleep over.

Now I just need to find a way to arrange two sleep overs on the same night.

Thanks for the list, DCP.

Burrell, hope Isaac's night goes smoothly!

Now I just need to find a way to arrange two sleep overs on the same night.

This is so. very. key.