Bad Logic of Santa

Call me a crazy, a scrooge, whatever but the whole Santa thing just isn't for me. Because I don't want to lie to my kids or give some made up dude credit for the presents I bought, I choose to tell my kids that Santa is not real and just stick to the true meaning of Christmas. My fear is that one day after dreaming up and playing out Santa, I will be asked by my kids "So is God/Jesus fake too"? That is not a risk I'm willing to take, even for fun.

This month Theo and I started a conversation about Santa. To my delight it has been hilarious. We've come up with a list of items that just flat out bring justice to the bad logic of Santa. So here it goes...

The Bad Logic of Santa

1. Reindeer's don't fly or have red glowing noses.

2. How can a fat guy go down a chimney (let alone anyone?

3. How does Santa know if people are being good or not (he's not God)?

4. How can Santa travel in one day around the whole world, its impossible?

5. How can Santa eat cookies at every house and not get sick?

6. How does Santa get funding to buy presents & pay elves?

7. How come Santa never died, he's old?

8. Could you really fit a present for every kid in the world, in a sleigh?

9. Elves are not real?

10. What the heck does Santa do the other 11 months out of the year?

If you can answer these questions logically for me or provide evidence to prove me wrong, please do. I'm all for having fun but I hope that as much effort as you put into the story of Santa on Christmas you put that much or more into telling the story of Jesus. Bah, humbug!

Count Down

This year we are trying something new for our count down to Christmas. In the past we've done small gifts each day until Christmas. I wanted get a way from that for a couple of reasons; 1. I don't like all the extra junk 2. I don't like encouraging the "what am I getting" attitude.

This year we are doing more of a reflection on Christmas with a line up of stories. Each day has either a Christmas story, bible story or Christmas poem that we will read each night. Theo seems pretty pumped about it, this might be the start of a new tradition.

Grilled Chicken Sandwich

Ingredients

• Chicken Breast




• Olive Oil




• Spices (I use garlic salt, thyme & paprika)




• Whole wheat bun




• Cheese




• Tomatoes




• Spinach Leaves




• Condiments (we like to use chipolte ranch dressing)

Put your chicken breast in a zip lock bag, drizzle with Olive oil. Seal bag and pound chicken flat (I use a rolling pin), then spice it up. Put chicken on the grill for about 7 min per side. Grill bun. Add chicken, cheese, tomatoes, spinach leaves and condiments to the bun.

Quick, healthy dinner, Fredricks style.

Cone Cakes

Last year at Christmas my sister and I thought it would be a good idea to make cake balls during our annual cookie making day. After that day, I said that I would never make them again. The process was way too time consuming and not so rewarding for me. Since then a little idea has been brewing in my head.

I've loved cone cakes since I was a kid, so I came up with a little twist. Make the inside just like a cake ball and dip it just like a cake ball but it will be way quicker and much more rewarding. Now this I can handle. I got my first customer too, my sister wants these at her wedding, so I guess my little experiment went over well.

Herman

When I was a kid, every Halloween my BFF and I would decorate her house and build our friend Herman. This was the first Halloween that Theo and I build our own Herman. We've had him around for the last couple weeks and its been really nice. He's low maintenance, positive, good company and a great listener. My kind of people. I might just keep him around all year long.

This is me and Amber with Herman, we were probably in junior high here. I don't know why we had to dress up like old ladies, its was just the thing to do. I have a feeling that Theo and I will be building our friend every Halloween. It gives me a great excuse to have my friend around again. Happy Halloween Herman.

1 Year Old

Just one year ago we added a beautiful daughter to our family. She has been an awesome addition and has brought a completeness to our family.

One of the things we've wanted to give our kids a verse. We gave Theo his early on and Jacob knew exactly what he wanted to give him (Proverbs 2:1-9). For Cadence, a verse took us a little more thought, it seems a bit more of a challenge to raise a daughter and I think that the both of us wanted her verse to be one to reveal beauty and character in her, so today for her birthday...

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12: 1-2

Happy Birthday Cadence Lucy Michelle, we are committed to tackling the challenge of raising you. You are an amazing girl, we love you.

Keep It Forever

I hate clutter, but I love my son, so when he started bringing home a bunch of paperwork from preschool, it was all so special and I couldn't just toss like I normally do. After a pile started to build and I could no longer fit another piece of it on the fridge, I remember something I saw a long time ago.

So, one day while he was at school, I lined up all his school work and took a picture of it, then thew it away. This worked perfect! I got rid of the clutter and it still gave me an awesome way to keep the memories. And if he asks what happened to all his stuff, BAM, I still have it.

Lucha Libre Taco Shop

We celebrated our Anniversary with a date in San Diego.

We eat dinner at Lucha Libre Taco Shop, Jacob had the Surfin California burrito and I had the Tap Out with Chicken and Fries. Thanks to my boy Adam Richman (Man Vs Food) this was another good find that certainly delivered.

Real Men Do Cry

I don't cry that often. In fact, I think I could probably count the times I've cried in the last ten years on my fingers. Not that I think men or adults should not cry I just don't that often, but I cried eight years ago today. It was when Melody walked down the isle to be married to me. It was and is the happiest day of my life by far and I'm am thankful for every one with her since. God has given me a great treasure in her.

I love you, Melody. Happy 8th!!!

11 Months

Our baby girl is almost 1! I can't believe it. She is trailing along the furniture, getting ready to walk. And let me say her vocab. is much more then her brothers at this age. Her new word this week is uh-oh.

Rainbows - Living Up To The Hipe

You know how when you hear some one talk something up but you're really thinking... ya, right! Well that's how Jacob and I felt about our "flip flop friends". These people talked about how they loved, their flip flops, flip flops are the best... yada, yada, yada. Well the flip flops they were referring to were not your ordinary flip flops, they are RAINBOWS.

Neither of us were flip flop people, we're more of the tennis shoe crowd but on vacation a few years ago in San Clemente (Rainbow Country,) Jacob decides to use some of his "free money" to buy him self and Theo a pair. After his first few wears Jacob cursed the name of rainbow but stuck it out. After his rainbows broke in, he was in heaven and now says they are his most comfortable shoe EVER.



After hearing Jacob sing their praises, I requested a pair for my birthday this year. Now after 2 months and a little discomfort, I too am singing their praises. I've never owned a pair of flip flops like this and the best part about it is they have a life time guarantee.



Now I think, we have to admit that we are part of the "flip flop" crowd, these babies really live up to the hipe.

Hair Today Gone Tomorrow

Theo made a BIG decision to cut off all his hair.

This was after years of saying how he was going to grow it out so that he could put it in a pony tail. He was talking about doing that since he was 2 years old and wanted to be like Hellboy. His hair was almost long enough to swipe behind his ears.

Jacob was cutting his own hair and Theo had been talking about getting a trim to get his bangs out of his eyes. He said he wanted it short like Dada. Jacob kept asking "are you sure you want it all cut off". So he just cut an inch or so off first but Theo wanted him to use the clippers and go all the way.

I was ready for a change too and encouraged him to do so but after those beautiful locks came off I lost it. Its weird how a hair cut can dramatically change someones look. I wasn't ready for that to happen to my little boy.

A little while after his hair cut he said he didn't like it was ready for his hair to grow back. And good thing for the both of us, its just hair and it will grow back but how surprised he was to see his new look.

Open, Open, Open

When Cadence was born she had clogged tear ducts. This meant that her tears did not drain properly and she constantly had eye infections. We talked to the doctor several times about the possibility of surgery if they did not clear up. It was always work to keep her eyes looking good; drops, message and constant wiping.

We would always pray for her and just hope that one morning we would wake up and there would be no more goop. We'll on 8-12-11 that happened. She woke up that day and her eyes were completely clear for the first time ever! So after a week of waking up with clear eyes I think its safe to say that her tear ducts are now OPEN.

What a relief it is to know that our baby girl will not have to have surgery. Praise the Lord.

10 Months Old

My girl is getting older and stronger. She is taking off everywhere, pulling her self up on everything and getting her self into trouble. This week her favorite bad things to do are play in the electrical outlets and stick her arm in the toilet. Got to love a woman who wants to explor.

Proud of Melody and Thank You Mike

I'm very proud of my great wife. Today at church my Father-in-law, Mike Duran, preached on the importance of both faith and reason in the Christian's life. After church Melody told me that she felt challenged by the sermon as someone who tends to lean too much on faith without reason. So when I came home from my softball game tonight and she was reading CS Lewis' "Mere Christianity." I love how Melody acts so quickly when she feels dirrected by God. She is truley a Godly Woman. So I'm grateful for you and proud of you! And I'm thankful for Mike's message and his raising of Melody. You and Lisa have done a great job!

Big Day of Firsts

Today was a big day of firsts for our family. It was Theo's first day of Preschool and his first day of T-Ball practice. It was also Jacobs first day being a coach.

I didn't actually get a picture of the practice because it was my first day being a team mom.

Got to love the firsts but glad to get them over with too.

Old Bike New Bike

Jacob and I both have great childhood memories of riding bikes and doing things outdoors. We've talked about getting Theo a bike for a while now but he just didn't seem quite ready and wasn't interest.

He recently got out his little plastic bike that he got for his 1st birthday (the one that Cady is on) and was determined that he was going to conquer riding it. He succeeded and in about 2 weeks time he was kicking butt. We decided it was time to convert him to a "real" bike. We found this budget friendly bike on craigs list ($15 for the bike and helmet), as a gift for becoming a big boy and starting preschool.

Now the little plastic bike has been passed down to his sister. He is on to conquer another bike. Go Theo!

9 Months

We have quickly gotten to yet another milestone, 9 months. Her nickname lately is "wild woman". She does not sit still and in the last few days she has really shown it. She has started to crawl, pulling her self up on everything and busted her eye lid open doing it. Here we go!

San Mateo Camp Trip

Just got home from a fun camp trip with our friend the Pierce's in San Mateo.

Like Father, Like Son and Daughter


Here's my first post on our family blog (I think?). Anyways, there are two things that my kids and I have started to do together that I did with my Dad and Grandpa.



Dodgers Games: I was 5 years old when I went to my first Dodgers game with my Grandpa Barry. I fell in love with baseball and the Dodgers and we have been to a game every year since. This year was our 29th! So when Theo was a born, five months later I took him to his first game and he's been every year since. Yesterday was was our trip for this year and it was Cady's first game. Grandpa Barry was there as well as a bunch of other family. Theo sat through the whole game and even watched some of it. Cady spent most of the night walking laps with mom. The Dodgers lost to the Mets but we got to see 4th of July fireworks!





The Hardware Store: The joy of going to the hardware store I learned from my dad. I'm not sure why I liked when I was little, but I know why I like it now. It's a work, hobby and toy store all rolled into one! When I first took Theo I thought he was going to get fussy quickly and wan to leave he proved me wrong. Then when Cady loved it I knew we had something going. I know they like it in part because Home Depot has the race car carts, but what ever the reason, the hardware store is the one store that they are both bummed to leave. I am too. This picture is from our quick trip tonight!

Pet Peeves

A few months ago at bible study we played a game and one of the questions was to name your pet peeves. It kind of got me stumped because I have so many, it was hard to name them on the spot. Since then, I've be compiling a list of pet peeves, there's kind of a lot to share; so here's my short list of pet peeves.

Melody's Pet Peeve's

• 
  
  Slow - to leave an event, slow walking in front of me, slow merging cars, slow workers


• 
  
  Waiting - in general just waiting for things and for people, time wasters


• 
  
  Things that are not put back where they belong


• 
  
  When someone leaves you a voicemail and says their call back number really fast


• 
  
  Long winded explanations


• 
  
  Driving - people that don't know the rules at a 4 way stop, motorcycles that weave through traffic with there dumb Mohawk helmets


• 
  
  The way someones hearing shuts off when they use a mechanical device


• 
  
  Annoying Sounds - snoring, ticking, dog licking, loud eating sounds and loud breathing while eating


• 
  
  Long pauses during prayer time at bible study


• 
  
  Parties/Events - party invites, parties to go to, baby shower parties


• 
  
  Lights left on in rooms that no ones in


• 
  
  When people don't take down their yard sale signs


• 
  
  Over simulation (TV on, computer on, music on - all at the same time)


• 
  
  People who answer or talk on a cell phone while at a register at a store

Okay, I'll stop there but the list goes on. Maybe you can agree with some of these and maybe you think I'm crazy. I'd like to know your unusual pet peeves.

Tribute to Michael Jackson

We started listing to Michael Jackson a lot just after he died, 2 years ago. Theo became a big fan and loves to dance to his music. I pieced together some of the short clips of Theo dancing to his favorite Michael Jackson song "Bad".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUHJHUaJbvw

Going Home

Victor went home to China on Saturday night. We were sad for him to go home but excited for him to see his parents again. We'll miss you.

Hanging out with the crazy kids one last time.

Cleaning up and organizing the bedroom.

Spending money for back home.

8mo Old

Web Sites You Should Visit

Here are some of our favorite web sites that you should visit.

All Recipes - Good for daily recipes that are never too complicated and always good

Netflix - Our Entertainment & Date Nights

Cool Math Games - Fun Brain Games for the whole family

Penzu - My online journal

Pandora - Good free music

Blessed To Be At Home

This month marks 3 years for me working at home. I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to do my job and be with my kids. It has been a fun and challenging time but I feel so lucky everyday.

Thank you especially to Mike & Irma Nunez. For letting me do my job from home so I can be with my kids. I know you may not always understand when I cry every time we talk about it but its just my response of how I feel. I am very thankful for you giving me this opportunity. Theo & Cady thank you too.

This Will Get In Your Head

I've been singing this for the last 5 days.

127 Hrs

Last week Theo & I watched the movie 127 Hours. I really wanted to see it because I remember hearing the story of Aron Ralston back in 2003 and one Christmas bought my Dad his autobiography, Between A Rock and A Hard Place.

The question I kept thinking was how do I gear my self up to watch this guy cut off his arm? I was also prepared to watch a boring movie considering that 3/4 of the movie is while Aron is trapped in a canyon.

It turned out that the movie was actually really good. I thought it was very well done. Even the cutting the arm off seen was done well and not too hard to watch.

If you get a chance check it out.

7 Months Old

I can't believe My Little Girl is growing up so fast and already 7 months old. Jacob played this song for us on the way home from the hospital with Cadence after she was born, I still cry every time I hear it.

Amazing Water

When Jacob and I started dating I was going through a period of life where I had head aches every day. I had seen the doctor and had been taking motrin constantly. It was so annoying. Jacob said something to me that changed my life, "How much water do you drink"? I drank water very little and thought it was funny that he said that.

Bound to try anything to relieve my head aches, I started drinking water every day. After a few days the head aches stopped. Its was amazing how much better I felt. It started a new way of life for me. Now I start each day with a big glass of water and drink tons of water through out the day.

I recently read about The Water Cure and can't agree with it more. One of the things the Dr. says to do is; take your weight, divide by 2 and convert that amount into ounces. That's the amount of water you should be drinking everyday. I recommend you do it! For me it was no problem but I am now an avid water drinker.

Thank you Jacob for getting me hooked on amazing water!

Flag Page

A few weeks ago Jacob and I went to a marriage seminar at church. One of the things they recommended for everyone to do is take a Flag Page test. So we did, here are the results;

Jacob
Talents: People, Task, Creation. Leading & Showman
Country: Peace
Soft/Hard: Soft
Flag: A. Creative, B. Inspirational, C. A Born Leader, D. Deep Thinker, E. Watch People

Melody
Talents: Task, Creation, Leading
Country: Control
Soft/Hard: Hard
Flag: A. Self Sufficient, B. Organized, C. Moves Quick to Action D. Independent, E. Economical

I have taken a few personality test & they all come out the same; but this is a good one for marriage. It was fun to take and talk about the way we work well together and why we operate the way we do in our relationship. The above probably doesn't make much since but if you want to take the time to check it out I think it is worth it.

Food Matters

I watched this documentary a few weeks ago, it has got me thinking. You view the entire film on Netflix instant play. It might just get you thinking too.

To Facebook or Not...

Jacob & I have had some pressure to join Facebook; or in my case, to rejoin Facebook. I signed up originally to find out what the whole craze was about but after being a member for a few months I canceled and moved on with my life. (In the words of Theo, "Not Impressed".)

People talk about Facebook like its the "cool kid" at school and you got to be their friend to be popular. I'm not into being popular or do something just because everyone else is doing it. I figure, I'm not a person who is going to be friends with a lot of people in my life and those that I do want to have a relationships with I will have no matter if I have a virtual relationship with or not.

One reason we would like to join Facebook is because we do have some friends who are not local that we would still like to keep in touch with and Facebook seems like a good place to do it. But that is still not a big motivating factor because we can still keep in touch with them other ways too.

Looking at pictures of and being friends with people online who you can be friends with in real life is just not enough for me to take the plunge. So we'll just sit back & relax with our blog and you can visit us here if you really want to have a virtual relationship with us.

Who knows maybe you'll see us pop up on Facebook some day but until then, the question for us still will be, to Facebook or not to Facebook...

Proud Mom Moment

Cadence's babbling is fun, especially when she is saying Mama. I know she doesn't know what it means yet but it sounds like sweet music to my ears. She has actually babbled Dada a few times too. Check it out

The Broken Yolk

China Syndrome

Jacob - eating the No Name, got to have a giant ice tea to go with it.

Jacob and I had a night away in San Diego for his cousins wedding.

I love to watch Man Vs. Food so I looked up one of his challenges in SD so we could go. My choice was The Broken Yolk where Adam took on the Cafe special. I didn't take that challenge but I had the China Syndrome, Jalapenos, Ortega chilies, green onions, jack cheese, topped with chili, it was A-Freakin-Mazing. It was an awesome experience, I suggest you take a visit.

6 Year Old Teenager

Today is Champ's 6th Birthday. Typically a dog will out grow the puppy stage by 2 years old. Champ has yet to mature. He is still as terrible as ever; really hyper, destroys things & runs away. We keep waiting for him to grow out of it but it has not happened yet.

So, as he gets older and does not grow up, I have come to the resolution that he is stuck in his teenage years. If this is any preview of what raising a teenager is like, we're in for it. Happy Birthday Boy!

6mo Old

My Cady girl is 6 months old. She is growing so fast. Currently she is rolling all over the house & rotating on her stomach. She reaches for everything and loves to have drinks of water out of my cup. She is babbling, smiling & laughing all the time. She still thinks her brother is the greatest thing ever.

$2 a day - Concluded

Yesterday was the last day of $2 a day, which concluded one week of eating meals that cost $2 or less. This challenge was a time to reflect on the lives of half the people in our world who live on $2 a day for their whole living expense.

Being consistently hungry was really hard. The first few days were the toughest but once you got used to the feeling of being hungry, it kept your expectations low. Being hungry helped me to evaluate my own eating habits but also to know how little you can survive on. Survival food is not that nutritious, my system was really backed up, if you know what I mean but I was able to eat enough to keep me going through my day. Although Theo rejoiced in the fact that we could not afford the eat vegetables all week, I valued how much nutrition plays a part in our life.

By the end of this week I've felt so bless to have the things I do (including food) and live where I do. We can not control the cards we are dealt in life, all we can do is make the best of what we have. I don't know how God will use this in my life but at least it has given me the realization of the world that we live in. I've been able to reflect on my own life and how much excess we have and how much I don't like it.

Today I was excited to get back to eating as normal again but as I sat down to eat, I did not want eat in gluttony and celebration, I wanted in eat in thankfulness and gratitude for what God has given me.

$2 a day - Day 5

Breakfast - 1 egg, 1 toast = 0.27

Snack - one banana .20

Dinner - Beans & Rice (2 cups of each) .08 per cup, per item = 0.32

Today is Day 5 of $2 per day. We've manage to eat less then $2 a day but have found our selves very hungry and sitting with a calculator adding up what we've eaten for the day trying to see if there's room for more.

With just two days left I am looking forward to this being over. But with that said; I wish that there was a way for people who really live this way to have it be over too.

$2 a day - Day 2

Our church has given us a challenge through E.L.I. called Love In Action, to live on $2 per day for food. Half of the worlds population does it everyday for their entire living expense. Our challenge is to spend $2 per day per person just for food, for one week.

Yesterday was the first day. As a family, $6 per day (not counting Theo & Cady). It was a slap in the face, we kept saying all day how hungry we were. Today is day 2. We had dinner with Jacobs parents for his Birthday, since this was a FREE meal, we did not have to tap in to our full fund today. We were looking forward to our dinner all day long and man did it feel nice to be full. Say tuned to see how we do.

It's Hard To...

When I was pregnant with Theo, my Mom once said to me, "its going to be hard to take a shower, so you'll have to put him in his bouncer seat in the bathroom with you". I thought she was weird and laughed at her, I really thought she was just exaggerating.

This picture describes life very well. After having an infant and a 4year old for the last 6 months, realize that my Mom was telling the truth. Here is my top ten list of things that are hard to do while having young kids.

Top ten things that are hard to do with young kids

1. Sleep

2. Spend time alone

3. Shower/Get Dressed/Get ready for day

4. Go to the bathroom - pee or poop!

5. Eat/Cook

6. Spend married time - date/sex/converse w/my husband

7. Clean

8. Watch something I want to/Read

9. Talk on the phone

10. Exercise

*There's nothing like a good challenge in life, to help you appreciate things! Sorry Mom, I take it all back.