Spider-Bots

If you type "Cassidy" into Google, the first option comes up as Cassidy Preschool... pretty neat. Maybe it's just an anomaly with my computer being infested with Cassidy stuff, but none the less, it was worth waking up the wife to tell her.

The in-laws have been in town for a few days, fresh off a cruise from Mexico. They leave tomorrow. Luckily, they love working on Cassidy, so some finances were done, some cabinets were drilled, some latches were installed, some toilets were fiddled with, some new furniture was assembled, some shelves were clicked in, a few cinnamon buns were had, etc.

We finally broke down and bought drawer pulls for the kitchen cabinets. It wasn't like we were thinking about doing without, but much more of a "Hey wifey, we still don't have drawer pulls and I'm sure as hell not picking them out." To which the boss replied, "Too bad. Pick some." Thus, brand new knobs. I think I did alright.

We got the lower parking lot fence installed today as well. Soon enough we'll be able to open up the playground and have all the dads cooking pancakes in their pajamas.

The parent committees are coming along well I hear. Thank you parents. There's a pretty huge surprise for our benefit... details to come, but I promise you'll be like "whaaaaaaat?"

I did overhear Crystal talking about not being afraid to be shameless to any parent about any and all connections to the Steelers. I think she just found out one of you has a sister who knows blah blah blah with the Steelers. So, I'm being shameless for her. I think I owe her cotton for our 2nd anniversary, right? Any Steeler cotton out there with Hines Ward's tears on it?

The Metaphor

First off, Tuesday night was a blast. We had our Back To School Night at Cassidy and parents came to learn more about their teachers, the classrooms, and got a chance to see what's in store for the year. The best part about the entire night (well, besides my friend bringing me Chik-Fil-A from Irvine) was seeing how seriously everyone was taking the classroom projects. It's fun to watch completely grown up people with Elmer's Glue, cotton balls, pipe cleaners, and construction paper. The kids loved their little surprises the next day.

Today was our final final final inspection from Santa Monica and it went well. We had to wait because they threw an ADA sink at us in the 11th hour... boy is it a beauty. Not so much because the actual sink is all that beautiful (it's simply stainless steel with a chrome faucet... much like in your grandfathers basement next to the gin), but the metaphor of the sink... ah yes, there it is. Finality. Inspectionous Overous. No more Tum Ta Tum Tum Tuuuuums.

Yesterday I hung some cool little carpet rugs from the ceiling to scare off the sounds that bounce down our hallway. Parents, if you're reading this... shhhhhhhhh... preschool in session. We'll see what silence they bring.

There is a 4th plane in my car just waiting to be assembled and hung in the Raspberry room. I guess if you're not going to Cassidy, you have no idea what that means... hmmm, all the more reason to be going to Cassidy. You're reading this blog. You know you wanna.

We finally got our cameras for each classroom (no, not the ones where you guys can watch your children online). You may be saying to yourself, "Self, I wonder why it took so long for Cassidy to get their cameras." Well, just know it was ALL my fault. I like deals so I waited and waited and none were to be had. I broke down.

Thanks for all of your good words with Cassidy. It's so great to know what we've worked so hard to get open is now providing happiness for not only the kids, but the families, too.

On a very personal note, Crys and I cooked for the first time in what would seem to be months. Chill night with Curb and House, topped off with a little NFL and Top Gear. Does it get any better?

The List

I just made my list for tomorrow. Honestly it's been a while (say a month maybe) since I made myself a list. I'll be the first to tell you I forget everything... except random numbers and facts about electronics and old cars. Everything else... gone. Anyway, the last list I made was more about construction. Call Joe about the tile, email Steve about the sign, call Bruce about the countertops, ask about patching the Blueberry wall, etc. My list now, much like this blog, has evolved. There's like 3 construction things on it and the rest are fun things. Build the last airplane, call back the newspaper who wants to do a story on us, send the pics from ABC being there today, etc. I love it. My point is, the tide is turning. As much as we're still non-stop, we're getting a chance to breathe and enjoy what we've created.

Crys has been doing parent coffees with the different rooms and organizing committees for our activities throughout the year. It's pretty neat seeing how excited everyone is to help get Cassidy going. There are lots of ways to help, so if you're reading this and have questions, please contact us.

The Halloween thoughts are already coming. One of the parents even brought pumpkins today. Yes, we're dressing up... and maybe even Trick-or-Treating (soy, organic, nut-free, environmentally friendly, low-fat, politically-correct candy of course).

The Strawberries did a little Guerilla Gardening today for ABC local news. I'll keep you all posted on when it should air.

My dogs have already turned in for the night... guess I should, too.

The Evolution of This Blog

To say it's been busy around our house would be a grand understatement. It's been non-stop, well except for Sunday football, since the doors opened. I feel like we're at Home Depot, Lowe's, Target, or IKEA every night. Don't mistake this for complaining though... I couldn't feel more proud of what we have right now. Even buying a gate latch, or rubber floor stoppers... it's just nice.

I felt a little lost once the construction was done. I didn't have much to say that you parents weren't already seeing. There are a few things left to finish, so the workers are coming after hours, but as you've seen, it's essentially done. What I'm realizing is that the people reading this blog (aside from my family and friends) are not only parents of Cassidy Kids, but also parents of future Cassidy Kids just peeking in. So, I'm figuring my target reading audience is evolving. Now, maybe just maybe, I'll have things to talk about again.

With that said, and from the astute advice of one of our parents (thanks Deena), this might just turn into up-and-comings for Cassidy. And with that said, ABC is coming to our school tomorrow (Sept. 30th) to do a story on Cassidy partnering with LA Guerilla Gardening. The Strawberries will be planting flowers in our flower bed behind the building starting at noon.

If any of you have ideas on how to get the word out about us, please let me know. I would imagine with the group of parents we have, there would be several options. This would be an amazing help across the board.

Wow Wow Wow

Nearly speechless... nearly. At the beginning, Cassidy was an idea. Crys and I talked about it and started seeking out information from different cities, different buildings, licensing, the State, paint colors, furniture, blah, blah. It was an idea. We started talking about it and financing came through within days... literally. It was now a potential concept. Crystal and her reputation with Brentwood fueled the fire and it quickly became a reality. She gave her year-and-a-half notice and we both started piling on the long nights doing more research, clipping pictures, etc. After finding this building, we hired an architect to pretty much make official what Crystal had already designed in her head. My point is that, for me, it was always just an idea. Then it was just plans on paper, then it was just a building, then it was just a building with toys in it. I didn't get it until today. It became so much more than I ever thought. The energy has changed. In just a day, the kids have brought Cassidy full circle. It's no longer just a building, just plans, or just an idea. The kids have changed it all and now it's perfect.

Mere Hours

I walked around the building tonight, video camera in hand, touring myself through the classrooms. It's like we're in the eye of the storm. So much has come before this day and so much will come after. Right now, it's just peaceful. It's only Crys, Miss Breck, and myself.

We cleaned up the odds and ends and finally got our trees placed... you'll see. We watered the plants, dusted, and cleaned the windows (well, Miss Breck did). There's so much of ourselves in Cassidy. I look around and still see ideas that Crys was talking about a year or two ago. The teachers are adding their own passion to their rooms and it has all come together nicely.

I got a ticket today shopping for twinkle lights... I hear that's good luck for opening a preschool. Know anyone who can make that disappear?

Right now, I hear crickets. I don't remember the last time I heard crickets in California. I'll see you soon!

One More Day

Beware: Stream of Consciousness Ahead

Our painters came in today touching up little areas. The phone guys were installing our stereo... sad that it won't be ready for Monday. Our burglar alarm is installed. I got a rundown of the fire alarm. Our trench drain in the parking lot is complete. Some bracing was added for the A/C guards on the roof. I hung some more lights around. Our drinking fountains were shipped today. We got our last computer set up and installed. The dogs spent the day with us and have been roaming around the school exploring it all. Crystal went shopping for curtains, mirrors, lights, etc. and the office is a war zone right now. Miss Ashlie and Miss Tanya put our art room together tonight and it ended up really nice. We all had dinner with wine and talked shop. Couldn't have been more perfect. Football tomorrow morning... more Cassidy tomorrow night. One more day.