I'm another one that has a strict bedtime routine at night, but only a loose routine during the day. I've done it this way since Nina was born, and it works for us.

amberj - if we have plans to go out, I usually bath the girls before going and get them dressed in their pj's. That way when we get home, the girls can go straight to sleep. And Emily will usually just sleep in the pram while we're out.