Last night was a very unusual night. Daddy left for a trip out of the country, and the girls went for a sleepover at Alida's. That meant… I was SOLO! Just me! That never happens. I took advantage of the opportunity by having dinner with my friend Nancy. I then came home and fell asleep watching The Bachelor. Exciting night, huh? Allie woke me for a walk at 6:40 – so much for sleeping in.

I did make it to the gym this AM, then picked up the girls. We went to the store and bought two Webkinz – the great fad of 2005. A picked a panda bear – Fuzzy, and M picked a seal we named Cutie. Both animals have been registered as "Adopted" on Webkinz.com, and the girls have been playing games on the site, accumulating points that don't seem to appear anywhere or be worth much of anything. Great business model!

After buying the Webkinz, we went to Gemma's birthday party, which had a theme of Henna and Bollywood. (Welcome to multicultural Lafayette – tho Gemma is not Indian, she's half Chinese.) When I went to pick the girls up, M was in tears. A game of Simon Says did not go as she had wanted it to. It was very difficult to console her, and I felt very sad for her. I think she is tired from many nights sleeping away from her own bed.

Then the girls got haircuts, which USUALLY ends in tears, but which went very smoothly today. I told the stylist not to touch the girls' bangs at all, even a trim, which made things much better. (They are both growing out their bangs).

We are home now, just hanging out. I am going to unpack two nights' worth of sleepover stuff. Tonight I am going to a Lafayette fundraiser with a bunch of people I know, which should be fun. It is also two blocks away. Imogene is babysitting.

Daddy is in Saudi Arabia. Trying to ignore stories of unrest in the Middle East. He called tonight and the girls got to talk to him.

We are missing our fish too, which are still at Emily's house.