Quasi-Monday Donuts

I had a project today. Turns out the people who installed the music system kinda directed some of the speakers to the sky. Thing is, not many of our kids sit on the ceiling, so a lot of sound was being wasted. Time to pull the big ladder out and feel like a man for once... drill, screws, hammer, and all. Problem solved. I have brought the music back to the people.

Experimented again today with the music channels. A song came on that inspired an Otis Redding station to be created... man is it good. It must be noted that I sorta have what the doctors call a musical attention deficit disorder (thanks to the iPod) so I'm sure there will be lots of changing to come. The fine line is finding a genre that, for the most part, uses friendly language to convey their point. Kanye didn't make the cut.

We had new water spigots installed today for the playground. After talking to Crys for nearly a half hour about placement, they flubbed anyway. I think they're coming out soon to move it back where it belongs.

Michelle and Mia took the time to do a little gardening out back. It looks amazing. Thanks so much. I can't promise Cassius and Kipi won't eat what is both above and below the ground, but it's very nice right now. Again, thank you.

Kellie, your lunch today was great. You're so thoughtful and amazing for thinking of the teachers like you do. While I must say you keep putting my quasi-Monday donuts to shame, having the teachers realize someone loves them more than me (I know, how is that possible?) is liberating. Maybe they'll start asking you to fix things when they break now.

My eyes are crossing. Goodnight.

4:15 Yawn

I can say without question, California is where I'm supposed to be. Not that I'm basing my entire thinking on the rest of the country buried in snow... but it does help my case. I think I've said it on here before that I love rain storms. In Georgia, I was reminded of the fact that while I do love the rain, I'm not so fond of it when it's accompanied by 20 degree weather. I do think everyone should live in California, though... I guess so do a lot of other people. Good to get away for a bit... really good to be back. Yawning at 4:15pm PST has never felt better.

One thing I did forget about family in the South is that they always believe you've got to be hungry. My mental downfall is such that I listen and believe right along with them. I'm having to make a concerted effort now to listen to my belly again.

For those of you who are longing to shove the Super Bowl in my face, I'm really okay... one of our parents donated 2 months worth of sports-therapy, so no biggy. On Friday, Dazzling Donna Holleran offered me Super Bowl tickets. Too bad I was traveling. Thanks D.

Our architectural plans that everyone is signing is about to be framed forever. If you haven't signed it, please do.

Today was our first day with the Patsy Cline Pandora station. It slipped up a couple of times, but for the most part was kinda cool.

I really missed you guys.

The Bail Bonds Calendar

I sit here writing you from my Nana's living room in Atlanta, literally stealing (maybe sharing) the internet with a very unsuspecting neighbor... and so goes the neighborhood.

I came here just to hang out after a rough year for her, but we ended up going to Indiana where my Deeda (code for grandfather) was from. I got to see cousins I hadn't seen since I was 3, and some I didn't know I had. I would have to say one of the coolest things up there was seeing my last name, spelled correctly, on a bail bonds calendar. Well, and Colts stuff everywhere. Aaaaaand a breakfast place that, no kidding, served every plate with about 2 and a half pounds of bacon.

Before the trip, I was the brunt of forceful persuasion by my dad, to go see Biltz graveyards while I was up there. He's kind of a genealogy buff and had traced us back to several families from the early 1800's around Warsaw, Indiana. Again, cool to see my name spelled correctly on something, but I don't get along real well with dead people. I took a photo of the tombstone and emailed it to him with nothing but the subject line saying "proof"... sorry dad.

The trip up and back flew by. I got a chance to talk to my grandmother probably more than I ever have. She's a special lady... opinionated as all get-out, but I'm proud to call her my Nana. We did have a great time together. She's even giving me a few things to put in her room at Cassidy (the Blackberry room). On a side note: In true Georgia fashion and terribly inappropriate for a preschool blog (other than Cassidy's), I'm teaching her how to shoot a shotgun and revolver tomorrow... she's 82.

On the trip she got me into Patsy Cline and I even created a Pandora station for Cassidy. I would liken training a Pandora station to maybe raising a teenage daughter. At first, things are going well with Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, and Hank Williams (the early teens), and then they test their limits with Leann Rimes or Dierks Bentley while sneaking out of the house to kiss a boy. I would get it in line with the thumbs down feature, stop for gas, be gone for maybe 4 minutes, and all hell would have broken loose with Toby Keith. I think I've finally got it ready for the Cassidy playlist now. If you ever come in and hear Brad Paisley, don't judge me.

Leslye, in the past 3 days, I have eaten enough Chick Fil-A to last us both a month.

This week was our new Toddler Queen's first week. She's already getting some great feedback, too. We're really excited to share her with our community and welcome her to the family. She'll be available to autograph your kid starting next week... not really. Unless you want it... which would be kinda awkward.

I'm here for a little bit, but back in LA on Saturday. I miss the kids. See you soon.

Stephen King's Pancakes

What a week. I would swear it's Tuesday, but I don't swear... on here anyway. I'll see how my memory goes...

The Strawberries made some popcorn... pretty much all week. They were excellent at sharing. For those of you concerned with the nutritional value of our popcorn, we use only the kind injected with all the vitamins and minerals you would expect from Orville. Ms. Robyn even has a popper just like the one my grandparents had when I was about 5.

I got a chance to play a bunch on the playground this week. What's unfortunate is dressing for the Valley chill in the morning and then wearing the same get-up for midday playtime outside.

I was fortunate enough to get a couple of slobbery kisses, a few tight little hugs, and I even made time for what is being referred to as the "tickle monster"... such an easy out with kids.

Last night we had our very first date night here at Cassidy. The teachers had asked all their kids out on a date for dinner and a movie. They all showed up in their pj's and had pizza and wine... no, wait, apple juice. Conveniently, the parents had time for their own date night if they wanted (wink, wink). HUGE success. Over half the school showed up and watched several Stephen King films.

Last night was also the meet-and-greet with our new Toddler teacher, Randi. Again, HUGE success. Ms. Carol will be transitioning into our Blackberry room with Ms. Tanya starting Monday.

Ms. Breck made sourdough pancakes today... from the mother (starter). Ms. Breck has been baking a lot lately and it's all from the mother. She killed her first mother... very sad news, but this one is doing fine so far. You actually have to feed and water it... just like having a kid I guess.

We've had several meetings going on about our benefit in May. Thanks for all of your help so far, parents. I know we're going to be doing a big drive soon for silent auction items, so be thinking of things you can get a hold of. Cindy Knight is our benefit chair and will be sending out emails soon. If you have ideas, you can contact her at cindy@cassidypreschool.com

I won't be here all of next week, so my blogs might be about Atlanta. Have a great weekend. I'm out.

Another Reminder

There's definitely something to be said for the end of football season. It means a sadness will cloud over us fans again until September. On the bright side (literally), I'll once more venture outside on Sundays. Except for one more. Donna, our Colts are in. Anyone who has extra Super Bowl tix with my name on them sittin' around, please let me know.

Crys and I braved Ikea again for more Toddler stuff. Even went to Cassidy to build everything... on our day off... it's like a magnet.

We just launched our new website on Friday. Go tell it on the mountain. We also posted a Haitian Relief page for those of you who would like to give, but haven't yet. The parents have also decided to put an American Red Cross donation center right outside of the office. While it's hard to think the Cassidy kids will understand what's going on with Haiti, this is a great chance to teach them about giving.

Yet another reminder... come put your John Hancock on our architectural plans.

Jamaica

Of all the music we've played to date, today was maybe the coolest. I created a Reggae playlist on Pandora and for most of the day, other than running through the rain, I thought I was in Jamaica. Every little thing... is gonna be all right.

The website is coming along. Lucky for me, I have a father-in-law copy-reader in Picksburgh who catches every mistake I make. I have also recently found that Crystal likes to change her mind about design... sometimes just because (I love you). In that, things are ever-changing. Still waiting on a few parents to give their blessing on some of the photos, too. If any of you know what Easter Eggs on a website are, there will be a few eventually.

One of the teachers made pesto pasta with pine nuts today (ha, that's fun to say). Props to Miss Ashlie. I have realized that being from the South has molded me into a love for food that goes beyond basic survival needs. I wouldn't go so far as to say I'm an emotional eater, but I usually cry a lot when something tastes good. That doesn't count, does it? It's not like I'm sad.

Catching Up

I guess the rain has made my blogging sense fade away. I got whipped into shape this morning by a mom looking for a recent entry. I sheepishly walked away to my computer...

So, I haven't lived in the South for about 9 years now. I can say that, without question, one of the things I miss the most is the rain. It's amusing to hear people complain about. The newscasters talk about "weird" weather, accidents go up ten-fold, and some of the smiles we used to get have turned to panicked faces. Aside from the wet socks and my old car's convertible top leaking, I say we've got it pretty good. Go on a hike in the next week... everything will be flourishing, green, and overgrown.

Just in case you're wondering about the status of my '65 Corvair (and I know most of you are), it's been on the road 3 times now. That's how I know the top leaks... ah, bitter sweet it is.

Please note: If you're reading this... and honestly, now I know you are... you need to come sign our architectural plans hanging across from the office. This includes parents, friends, other schools, nannies, grandparents, etc. I see a lot of only one parent when I know there are two of you for some. We're going to be framing it and hanging it on our walls forever.

Also, we're going to be launching a new website soon... maybe even very soon. You might have even seen it getting here. The idea is to start using photos of our kids on a few of the pages, too... some cute kids out there. Don't worry, we'll ask you first.

We've had a few of the local elementary schools come by this past week. We've been getting some pretty nice compliments, too. Thanks for that.

I'm going to go eat the rest of my turkey sandwich.