Piano Benches and Cameras... and a Cool Photo

If you haven't noticed by now, we're doing some pretty cool stuff in the yard. Part of the fundraiser money is going towards new toys, storage, some fencing, outdoor classroom centers, and shades for the playground.

We also just bought new cameras for the classrooms. Apart from not taking the best pics on the Westside, they strangely didn't work after being dropped and dunked in water. I know, right? Anyway, these new guys should do the trick. Blogs, here we come.

For all of you teachers who read this, and I know there are a few, I need to take your photo for the yearbook. You'd think I might just send an email or get up and go tell you, but laziness knows no bounds... plus, I'm already writing this... plus, you SHOULD be reading this, so if you DON'T know about the photos, then...

It is a little strange around here with fewer kids. I think I've probably mentioned that, but it's overly quiet sometimes.

I had to do some surgery on our piano bench. The kind of surgery that attracts the little eyes and prompts those cute "What doing?" questions. Same thing with our brand new toilet tank lid... "What doing?" "Why?" Yes, this is my job.

And check out this gem I found on one of my memory cards... crazy, right? This is standing in the Raspberry room looking into the Blackberry room.

Graduation to the Grown-Up Belt

Every once in a while it dawns on me that I might need my own blog. I feel like I have so many really really important things to talk about, much of which has nothing to do with Cassidy and thus gets forgotten and/or written about, reviewed, and then erased forever. For instance, the fact that I REALLY need to buy a grown-up belt. I am breaching my mid-thirties and I still have the cloth, 2 ring guy. I think it's time for a buckle and pin. I know, I know... what a shame this wasn't addressed sooner. I only have myself to blame for thinking a few of you might not be interested in my belt. For that, I apologize.

This past Saturday was our very first graduation ceremony. We even had fancy linens and white chairs, Queche and cream-puffs. The kids couldn't have been more cute with their self-made graduation hats. It was really neat to see all of the video and still cameras out... just like mom used to do. Next year, I'm thinking we maybe need Zach Galifianakis for our commencement speech. Maybe Bon Jovi, too. Think big, right?

Afterwards, we headed to a Cassidy grandparents house for what will HAVE to be tradition of pool, pizza, and ice-cream. Not knowing it was a pool party, we didn't come clothingly prepared... so Crys and I did what any self-respecting preschool owners would do. We jumped in with our clothes on. Miss Robyn even joined us... very possibly not on her own terms.

It was a great celebration and a nice way to say goodbye to our little ones. I really can't wait 'til they come back, when they're grown up, to say hey.

Thanks so much to the graduating families for being a part of our first year. Our families really do rock... and I'm not even being all that biased.

Dissertations on The A-Team

So much to say...

One of our last Party Book Parties is coming up this weekend. Check out the Party Book site for details. Should be a fun party. Some soccer, some wurst, some reisling, some beer.

Our Ice Cream Social is now a FREE event, so those of you who've paid already will be "sponsoring" the event. No, I'm kidding, we'll refund your tickets... if you're nice about it. It'll be our last big blowout party of the year. Kids, bring your parents. It's sometime in July, but we're finalizing the date... no matter what the website says. That website only got through 3rd grade, so it can't be trusted.

Big congrats to our very own Larry Kagan for his new pediatric center. I just went over to check it out... pretty amazing. I'm always a big fan of fellow entrepreneurs, so Larry holds a soft spot.

Our very own Miss Ashlie presented two dissertations regarding the appropriate measures to be taken while watering Tomatoes and whether Watermelon was a fruit or veggie. Very interesting to say the least. Either can be seen in the kitchen. She's also being published in the local edition of Wilshire Science News... granted that's our own paper.

It hit me pretty hard today of what the secondary consequences are to owning a preschool. It's the saying goodbye thing we're going to have to do every year. Today was the last day for a couple of our little berries... and it was very sad to see them go. I guess I'm going to have to get used to it... sad day. They should just stay. Am I being selfish?

Miss Randi got new cabinets today... I hear she's very excited. She's also getting a pretty swank couch on Monday, so you Beginner Berries will be sitting pretty... yup, literally.

Double date night with the A-Team tonight. Have a great weekend.

Four Buggies Worth

I have fond memories of toy shopping as a kid. I have no memories of toy shopping like I did this weekend... 4 heaping buggies full. Crys and I went shopping for the playground and came home with an entire FJ full of stuff. Did you know Tonka is making retro toys like we grew up with? Pretty great.

I'm not sure how it happened, but most of our toys are things that I not only would have played with as a kid, but are even things I would play with now... again, the Tonka trucks, basketball, Tinkertoys, and an arrangement of dinosaurs. So, if you catch me in the sandbox having built a full dirt bike track with a Tonka-Dozer, pay me no mind.

Still have a few auction items at the school. If you haven't gotten yours yet, please do.

Here's my Holler Out to Holloran. We just went to go see Baby Group for the first time. I'm not sure if you can just pop in and go see it, but it's adorable. Donna really is amazing and I'm not just saying that because she like the Colts... maybe a little.

A Day In the Life of a Preschool Owner: Episode 352 - The Bus and the Onion

Mr. Ryan told me today about his classroom sink. It was full of yellow water and backed up nearly to the top. I promptly forgot about it (not on purpose) and kept trying to figure out how in the world we were going to do the class shots. Lucky for me, a parent had a really good lens for my camera, so I climbed up on our really really tall ladder and, after a few minutes of berry wrangling, we got off a few shots. Though much to the dismay of several teachers and Crystal, one Raspberry laid face down for every one of the 53 shots I got... we tried... he was having none of it. Maybe it'll be funny to show his girlfriend when he's 17 and super duper dramatic about his curfew.

So, the day ended and teachers went home. Crys had to remind me about the sink. Oh yeah, I completely forgot. The water was still yellow and still right around the rim... the perfect job for our resident handy-guy. But, let's all be honest... I like fixing things. That's the "man" talking. Anyway, after giving it my plumber's best, still nothing. I got it apart enough to see something was lodged down there. The last time something was lodged, it was a tube of lipstick in a printer... I really couldn't wait to see what treat I was in for. After forking and knifing it for 5 minutes, I saw 2 little lights come on. What? Could it be? Yes, yes it was. The Big Blue Bus... oh, and an onion. Little lessons of life: Don't let kids wash their hands... ever.

Fire Sale

It's official... no matter what came out of my hands on here yesterday, the photos were actually hung today. We even have lots to replace the ones you parents take home. If you're a carpool parent, take a day and walk inside.

We're also "fire selling" a lot of the auction items that are still in Helen's office. One mom even overpaid us today because her deal was too good and she felt bad... thanks. Honestly, I don't get the reference. If things were burned in the fire, would you really want them? Am I missing something? I'm just saying it because that's what everyone is calling it. I have no use for a charred coffee table with 3 legs in my house. Is it because it's too hot of a deal? Anyway, feel free to come shopping... Helen's going crazy... well, more crazy.

I'm pretty sure it was that same mom who got us a sponsor for our ice cream social coming up. More info on that as we get closer.

The class photos are tomorrow, so make sure you're here... well, if you want.

On a nice little family note, we're hiring Randi's daughter to help out in the toddler room. Perfect fit.

We're off to the Determined to Succeed panel.

Lost & Found & Outgrown

Aside from the fact that one of our afternoon Blueberries grew 6 inches in about 4 days, I really haven't been able to tell how much our kids have grown. I was reminded today when I saw a parent shuffling through the Lost and Found. She saw a few things that were her kid's, but said they didn't fit anymore. I nearly didn't believe it and thought she must have been mistaken. I went back and started looking through old photographs of when they first came... uh, she was right. Our little ones have changed so much already. Of course I look at them as my own, so it was a slightly emotional stroll down memory lane. I think my tears damaged the "rrrrrr" key.

I got a chance to sit outside today and was actually commended by Miss Breck for sitting down and not throwing the kids all over the place. These days, the kids call me their "gross motor structure"... I'm paraphrasing. Anyway, I made a few cakes, some flowers, a strawberry muffin, and cookies... all from red play-doh.

REMEMBER - Class Photos are on Wednesday this week. It will be a group shot for the yearbook. Individual shots are just taken all the time and will probably show up in some form of something to let your family purchase... if that's not vague enough for you, just let me know. I have far less words to use.

Hope you had a great weekend. Oh yeah, the photos are starting to go up on the wall already. The donation box is right outside Helen's office. See what happens when you make goals and to-do lists?