Category: Bits and Pieces

Fall and Christmas

~ Casey Mastrianna ~ Leave a comment

Christmas pretty much began back on October 31, when, for the first time, James and I became avid Hallmark Christmas movie watchers. We didn’t see it coming, but we didn’t see anything this year coming, so we went with it, and we are hooked. Nothing like a predictable love story a la Lacey Chabert to wind ya down at night! In my apparent evolution into tried and true grandma, I’ve also become wildly enthralled by going to bed early. It’s almost exciting. And with Jordan on a steady diet of 530am wake ups with full energy, ready to climb on tables, which he does, it’s become necessary. But however offensive that hour has been, when I’ve had enough sleep, it’s the sweetest hour. And possibly the quietest. Which is somewhat of an unusual experience with four babes 6 and under.

My hands down 2020 must haves have been an exorbitant amount of coffee and popcorn. What are yours?? Coffee is great for kick starting my morning, an afternoon pep and summed up with a nice evening jolt. Truly it’s a massive problem, I will need a proper detox someday and look forward to functioning normally again. Popcorn can be utilized likewise. With all the popcorn and coffee, I did find I was much too busy for frivolous things like social media so I took a nice 6 month break. But really though, I needed a break. In its place, I did some online learning, listened to a ton of podcasts, and I maybe have a masters now, heh. It’s been nice, so freeing as they say. I’m often inching closer to throwing my iPhone in the ocean (or somewhere more eco friendly) and doing away with the whole thing, unplugging completely, writing letters, using a day planner and keeping a diary..

Had you heard the royals do this? I’ve watched the Crown and many documentaries over the years, but the members of the royal family are often keeping a diary, making entries daily! They are later submitted to the Queen’s archive and accessed for certain purposes. I stopped journaling when I grew out of my Lisa Frank stage, but I’m sure it’d be gold to go through now. I may need another fluorescent furry lock and key diary again someday soon.. recommendations welcome.

Back to Christmas. The kids enjoyed the advent season this year, however strange it was. I’ve noticed that a lot of life has been increasingly low key for us with the way things currently are. The typical pandemic outing has become so difficult to navigate with littles. We’ve been home so much, trying to explore new corners of our house and yard, hoping it’ll feel fun and different day to day. Some days feel a bit boring in comparison to only one year ago, when day trips, eating out and going to the park were so normal. Parties, date nights out with friends, feast days at church, grocery trips with the whole family, or just the normal beach walk and stopping to see whatever familiar face. Remember that? It’s not that any of this is impossible now, it’s just all so different. The kids are aware of it too, and they know how much work it is and how unique it is to just freely spend time with others in this current time. I found myself laying low this Christmas and hanging on for a more communal holiday season in the future.

So here are a few snaps of the last month or so. Everyone is growing and sprouting unnecessarily fast and we have another year of birthdays about to unload which I will gawk at constantly—how are you 7!? 5?! 4?! 2?! That’s what is about to happen my friends. Wild.

I hope you are safe out there, healthy and enjoying yourself endlessly this holiday season. Or as much as you can. And I hope you enjoy your last few days of this 2020 year. I am rolling the dice and praying this next one is a wee bit better. ❤️

Summertime, 2020 style

~ Casey Mastrianna ~ Leave a comment

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Well! Summer of 2020, and here we all are, living through strange, unbelievable days. This year did not have me holding my breath right from the get go, and though I didn’t declare any particularly aspirational goals this year, rest assured I’ve accomplished nothing. I am mostly pleased to get a proper shower, ‘specially one of the long, purely and wholly uninterrupted, steamy ones where I emerge as Cinderella herself. It’s heavenly. Overall really, our summer is so out of step, as is our long list for sunny day outings.. we’re fairly entertained at home and at certain parks or outdoor areas but maintaining this over so many months is not easy. But we’re healthy, somewhat mentally stable, which I’m sure the kids would argue, and we still manage to have some fun 🙂 Continue reading “Summertime, 2020 style” →

Quarantine journal

~ Casey Mastrianna ~ Leave a comment

Captain’s log, day 35. I wonder how you all are hanging in there. It’s so funny how we’ve all acquired the same words for this era!—strange, bizarre, odd, are we ‘holding up’ or ‘hanging in’. Well, as much as is possible, we are all of these. It seems like the shelter in place began like a pioneer adventure and we found ourselves eager to test our home-steading (staying..) skills.

Continue reading “Quarantine journal” →

Merry Christmas Eve!

~ Casey Mastrianna ~ Leave a comment

Everything is set out—croissants for morning breakfast sandwiches, warm cookies on the stove, stacked up in plates and tupperware, waiting to be packed up in the morning for the family party. The bike and play kitchen have been assembled, mostly with ease except for my personal low moment, frustrated by my growing belly and shortness of breath trying to retrieve the screw I’d dropped on the ground for the fourth time (James stepped in valiantly to rescue me on that one).

We’ve watched some favorites as the nights gone on, Family Man, The Santa Clause and SNL best Christmas skits. I am thrilled and thankful in my Christmas Eve cocoon, filled with excitement for the kids and what the morning holds. At peace as the rain patters against the skylight and gutters gush outside our windows, and we look on at the sparkling lights and burning fire.

I have so much I am thankful for in this moment, and am struck by the beautiful hope, peace, reconciliation and love brought with this season.

O come, Desire of the nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind;
bid every strife and quarrel cease
and fill the world with heaven’s peace.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!

Snippets of Christmas

~ Casey Mastrianna ~ Leave a comment

This was such a fun day! We ventured out deep into the woods of Soquel (which is neither far nor woody..) to find a tree at a wild tree lot, and to our dismay, we found only the most gargantuan trees possible. So we stopped by another quaint little spot, off the beaten path called “home depót” 😉 And well, it worked for us so here we go, she’s up people!!

Christmastime been so fun this year, the kids’ excitement is through the roof and most especially, decorations. Although they mostly want to dig through boxes for possible toys. Or to “decorate” with one item and get their ever so prized hot chocolate.

There’s so much joy in it, counting down, lighting the Advent candles at church, preparing Continue reading “Snippets of Christmas” →

Bits and pieces

~ Casey Mastrianna ~ Leave a comment

I love September. I love the beginning of a new school year, and not just for the fresh stationery. Every year, I blog the same details about how I dream of returning to class with my bouquet of sharpened pencils, side ponytail and new set of used books, covered carefully with cut up brown paper bag! It never gets old.

We’ve spent the last couple of weeks adjusting out of summer into fall mode. Kids tired from new schedules, trying to stay on top of chores, school supplies, laundry, side projects and beyond! I suppose I just didn’t realize how much re-establishing would be required, the kids missed their summer daddy time and taking each day as it comes.

They’ve done so well at the same time. Being in preschool is hard work, following a teacher all day, learning so many new motor skills and social skills.. I’m acutely aware that it’s wise to let this all take its time, especially for our preschooler Luke, keep honest expectations and celebrate each milestone. Kate has been missing her brother but is pleased to lead around sweet little Emma. Continue reading “Bits and pieces” →