Um... Success

Funny that a party-book party would make it so necessary to write a blog...

It's 3:23am and our Chick-Fil-A party just officially ended. As an amazing collective, we killed 1000 chicken nuggets. Yeah we did. The service staff even ended up in the pool... fully clothed. We also came very close to taking a helicopter to Vegas, but all the pilots we called were sleeping. I won't mention your name "Cassidy Dad", but it's the thought that counts. Just another Cassidy party, right?

Fun night. Fun people. Thanks so much for coming. Crystal and I had a blast.

Pirate Typing

So, it's 2:19am. A very tired part of me wants to crawl into bed, letting the braised rib mashed potatoes fill my dreams with pink lighting and children's artwork. Another part of me... the one typing with one eye closed at this very moment... wants to battle through jumping sheep long enough to get through this.

Tonight was... well, amazing. I think Crys and I always knew that as a business, we would be successful. What we never counted on (or could have ever imagined) is the community that you all have built around Cassidy. It's really unbelievable to just sit back and watch. Aside from the fact that someone had the vision for our tastes enough to order fried chicken and waffles as an appetizer, the friendships that we've created with our families literally leaves me speechless. Honestly, I've been trying to write this paragraph for nearly 15 minutes. Listen, I'm not going to lie, it might because I'm currently on the brink of a food coma and my right arm is tingling... and my other eye is starting to shut. With that said, thanks to everyone who could make it tonight. I'm not sure how much we raised, but I'm sure it was a success. I'll post numbers as soon as a few of the parents recover. Again, I can't say this enough, I'm so honored to be a part of this community. It's so much bigger than Crys and me, and we couldn't be more lucky to be involved.

On a sad note, we had to leave the Giving Tree on Pico. It was so beautiful that it wouldn't fit into any of the transport cars we had. I was offered $20 to put it in the turning lane. Luckily the dad who offered wasn't the designated driver. I almost did it, too. Hey, $20 would buy us fruit for a day... not that that particular $20 would have made into the fruit pot.

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there. I know a few. Other eye shutting completely. Not even sure what I'm typing anymore. This is where my freshman typing class pays off. Goodnight.

Saturday Stuff

So, if you haven't figured it out yet, there's a little shindig (not the spazmatronic dance type that's in the urban dictionary) going on this Saturday night. It's our annual fundraiser being held at the Mark for Events. If you can't make it, think about sponsoring a teacher. Tickets are being sold every morning by really cool moms... and Helen (who's still a really cool mom). If you can make it... great, see you there.

There are some great raffle items as well. Students projects and canvases will also be displayed on Saturday with the backdrop of amazing music and dancing and food and adult beverages. Who doesn't like kid's art with alcohol? Not me.

Thanks to everyone who's already donated to the giving tree and/or bought tickets to the event.

On a very cool note, we now have a Weezer signed guitar to display at Cassidy forever and ever and ever. Forever ever, ever ever? Yes, forever ever. We'll also be finally framing the blueprints that I had intended on framing about November of 2009. With that said, if any of you first-yearers (2009-2010 families) are still around and haven't signed that thing, do tell... and then sign it... please... only if you want...

Have a great rest of your week. Hope to see you Saturday.

Off the Top of My Head

At some point, it just becomes comical right? January 3rd... I mean, really? I feel like we've graduated 4 or 5 classes since then. We've possibly even opened another school in Malibu, branched out into Brazil, had our 10 year reunion, and finally got on Oprah's network since then (we haven't... just sayin'). Part embarrassment, part guilt, and a dash of persuasion has me smack in the middle of Cassidy's latest blog entry. I'm back... for now. No promises... just really really really good intentions.

Off the top of my head (in recap mode catching up the past few months in no particular order), we had a great Messy Art party. I think nearly everyone was covered in paint. For those of you who weren't, first of all shame on you. Secondly, don't wear your new outfit to the next Messy Art Party. We've had several amazing Party Book Parties... one of which just happens to not only be right up my alley, but also a close favorite... The Cigars and Tapas party. Betsy Brown Braun came to talk at our school. Lots of parents showed up... a hundred or so... and hopefully took some ideas away. I saw 127 Hours... super gross. Zac Levi came to our Tangled Party... the kids loved it. We got an iPad app through a rough testing phase finally. Fire extinguishers were inspected. Crystal did a ton to the outside playground. It's actually kinda beautiful. More trees, learning centers, another sandbox, plants, etc. Really proud of that vision. All my idea... not really. I went to the dentist... Mom, I know you're reading this. We just bought a pretty smokin' guitar for Rivers to sign and forever adorn our walls. And I started working with two of our parents on different projects... actually three now. Busy few months.

If you get some time, come check out the yard. No kidding. It's really amazing.

The kids are starting their class projects and class canvases for our benefit on May 7th. Tickets went on sale today. There will probably be a parent here everyday to sell admission tickets and raffle tickets. You can also sponsor a teacher if you want.

I think that's about it for now. Have a great week.

Happy New Year

Heeeeey, Happy New Year. Hope everyone had a good break this year... and last year. Crys and I had quite the adventure. Now, I don't mean to brag, but somehow with thousands of people getting stranded in airports, we ended up with 1st Class seats drinking wine and eating lasagna and chicken with rice... and it was the seats that lay down... alllll the way. Something's looking out for us... and it pays to be nice amongst a barrage of anger. But then we got snowed-in in New Mexico for and extra day. Against probably the better judgment of my mother (who might have had ulterior motives to see me for a few more days), I left in the middle of the frozen night with icy roads and lots of black ice. Even saw a few slippery accidents... luckily not us. A little homage to last year below... although not quite as cold.

This weekend is another last minute Party Book Party. We're having a private showing of Tangled in Culver City. Zachary Levi, the voice of Flynn Ryder, will be attending. Tickets are $25 for you and your child and $65 for any moms coming alone... yes, Zac is apparently very cute. This is closed to the public, so Cassidy families only. You can buy tickets in the office all this week. You must have a ticket to attend... no sneaking and crashing... there will be heavy security with tasers and stuff.

Glad to be back home. Glad to see your faces again soon. More photos to come soon, too.

The Humpty Dance Is Your Chance

So, I found a full level of our fountain full of sand today... a full level... the second one... crazy. It's like they're out to get me. Maybe give me a cold because there's not nearly as much sand during the warm days. Smart kids we're bringing up. As a matter of fact, I had a Raspberry ask me today what I was doing in his school. The nerve. Then he said, "This is my preschool, not yours." After showing him our business plan and explaining the dynamics of the investor's relationship to our ownership, he still wasn't convinced. He chased me from his room. I'll let him have it... for now.

If you haven't noticed, there are new photos in the hallways. We printed about 100, so your kid may not be in the first run. Rest assured they'll make it before the year is out. Some reeeeeally cute kids this year, too. Have a gander.

The small fountain is located near the outdoor art center now. I would have just set it all up myself, but flat squatting 300 pounds at an awkward Humpty Dance lean using my feet to push just about sent me to back rehab. So worth it to just walk away and let Crys handle it... and she gets a husband who can still stand upright.

Quick note: If you haven't listened (and/or created) the Otis Redding Pandora station, uh, please do so. It's amazing.

Not really liking these short days of sunlight... but I never have. I guess maybe I might when the kids come along. I would imagine the first few weeks they're just tricked into sleeping early. I can see how that might be nice, but in my kidlessness, the days are precious. With that said, there will be some outdoor lights installed soon. Not that you need to be playing at Cassidy in the middle of the night, but just in case you're leaving late some day... or you really need that midnight snack picnic in a sandbox one night.

If anyone wants those tree stumps in the parking lot, let me know. Free for the taking. As a matter of fact, if you have a third world country who would like an outdoor kitchen that has seen the wrath of Cassidy kids, rain, fountain water, and sand... also free for the taking. It lasted about a week... and again... only really suitable for children with no governmental health regulations in place.

Pretty Sweet Saturday Night

Headed out for some grilled cheese and beer... courtesy of the Cassidy Party Book. Thanks Cassidy Party Book.