Dog day afternoon: Nicole Richie has her hands full as she juggles her two children with dog Iro on lunch date

Many mothers could be forgiven for dreading bringing their children to lunch at a restaurant.
However, Nicole Richie showed she isn't afraid of juggling as she brought both her dog and two kids out for a meal on Wednesday.
The socialite, 32, didn't seem too overwhelmed by the situation and casually strolled along as her daughter Harlow, five, and son Sparrow, four.

That's quite a handful: Nicole Richie walks her dog Iro after lunching with her children Harlow and Sparrow in Studio City on Wednesday

The fashion designer had stopped at Mexican restaurant Loteria Grill for lunch with her children, although where the dog remained during the chow down is anyone's guess.

As Nicole took charge of the dog, her well-behaved children stayed close to their mother.
All the family were dressed casually for their laidback lunch, with Nicole showing off her slim frame in a pair of ripped shorts and white T-shirt.

Mommy's little superhero: Nicole's son Sparrow had some facepaint on and a Superman logo T-shirt

Son Sparrow was dressed like a little superhero with a Superman T-shirt one and facepaint on, while sister Harlow wore a pink dress.
Missing out on the day out was her husband Joel Madden, who is a judge on the Voice Australia.
Recently it was claimed Nicole was reluctant for Joel to sign up for another series on the show, because it keeps him away from the family - or she has to spend time in Australia, away from her business enterprises.

Pretty in pink: Little Harlow was wearing a pink leotard

A source told Nine MSN: 'Nicole is ramping up her showbiz career after putting it on pause a few years ago. She's pumping up a comedy career after her new and much buzzed AOL web series called Candidly Nicole.
'Nicole is now being flooded with movie offers as well as being courted by a TV network to star in her own sitcom pilot series.
'If all these projects take off, Nicole is telling Joel he'll have to opt out of The Voice in order to take over parental duties.
'Nicole has put her career on hold for long enough and is loving the limelight so much right now that she told Joel they might have a big decision to make soon regarding his heading back to Australia.'