As you all know by now, we are majorly an 'animal' family. We have pets, love animals, but do eat meat. I try to instill respect for the animals that die so we can eat. And it's better to die than suffer to death...so if you accidentally step on an ant and it's wiggling all over suffering, kill it, put it out of it's misery, give it peace.

Ok, so right or wrong that's the type of beliefs I have and instilled in my kids.

I took the kids to Devil's Lake, it's just beautiful, real clean as far as I know. Gas engines for boats are not even allowed, you have to paddle or use an electric trolling motor. We snorkel there all day, and build sand castles. We see tons of fishes, the kids and I go to the middle of the lake for hours and snorkel. I bring an inflatible boat for taking a break or just hanging off of into the water and talking about what we're seeing. I pack lunch and snacks for the day....

....but the memory of this 'paradise' pales, compared to what Vincent said to me. He was building a sand castle near Carmen and I, we were having our snack on the beach. He comes up to us

Vince: Mom, guess what? I found some little fish, they were suffering.

Me: Awww, so what did you do? Did you have to kill them?

Vince (very casually): No, I had to eat them.



I'm not clear why that seemed like the right thing to do to him. I was totally speechless - emotionally teetering between calling 911 and laughing my butt off.

Ooohhh Vincent! I just love you baby, you are a trip.

Anyone else got some memorable summer moments to share?

Mili

Perhaps not memorable like a possum snuck in my car and jumped on my lap whilst driving 70 on the expressway ... so I had to eat him memorable... but.....

My dd had a full time job all summer as a junior counselor (with pay mind you)
Great experience for her, even though she hated me for making her do it.

I got to see a few concerts, CSNY's "Freedom of speech" concert being the most memorable and favorite of the lot.

.......ah yes! CSNY... not for the bush fans....
Wish you were there... you would have loved it.

The kid held out for the mula. A buck and a quarter an hour, full time. She pulled in about 160 in tips too...

Our memorable event (or at least my memorable summer event) - going to the county fair and having Andrew talk me into going on the Viking Ship ride with him (last year he was a wimpy boy who wouldn't go on the 'scary' rides), and he went gleefully on the Scrambler, and the ferris wheel! He even went on the Rotor (that wheel centrifuge that spins and squishes you against the wall) with DH!!!

Patrick throught that everything was too scary for him, so he did the Scrambler, the ferris wheel, and the giant slide, along with a bouncy climbing maze (twice, by himself).

What fun to watch the kids howl with glee on the rides that I loved as a kid! Almost worth the huge pile of $$$ we paid for the rides.

Kim

When ya coming back? This time I know just the places to take you! Woops, and I still owe you something via snailmail... ... it's coming!

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Keg, are you saying you really had a possum jump on your lap while you were driving? I'm not sure whether to freak out or not.

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Kim, cool about the fair and rides...I hear ya about the $$$ though!

why yes Moldy dang it!... a possum jumped on my lap whilst driving on the expressway and I ate him in one fell swoop ;-)

Chewy little bastard.

Oh, I've missed you guys SO much!!!!

I've heard that possum is really good with a chipolte/raspberry marinade! Maybe we should do a long-distance cookout for Labor Day?

Kim

Tell Peta to sharpen her thistle grubber!!!

(....ok, sighhhh, and even though I swore I would never admit it, I still have no idea weather the possum thing is true or not, cause I know no way anyone - barring Vincent - would eat a live possum, especially in one bite)

(but I'm not admitting that)