Thankful For... Dinner!

I thought I'd add that image to this post for all of you who feel the need to comment, "Awww, Bambi!"

But before you feel too bad for the pretty deer, consider the number of car/deer crashes that happen every year and the massive amount of property damage and personal injury they cause. Yes, I know, it's our "urban sprawl" that is pushing them into areas they don't usually inhabit... blah blah blah. Regardless of why they're there, they cause problems. On to the story.

Tonight was the kids (well, and really my) first experience with a venison roast. I've had deer brats (thanks Schnick) in the past, but I've never had just plain old deer. Luckily, this particular roast was completely prepared by someone other than me - as I have no idea how to make venison roast not taste gamey...

Another cool little factoid is that this was the preparer's first attempt at actually butchering said deer himself too. But that's a whole 'nuther story. Yoy.

So I told the kids what they were going to be eating, and surprisingly there was no protest. The thing sat in the crock pot for a good long time, and when it was dinner time, I was surprised at how lean and tender the meat was. The kids hesitatingly took their first bite, but after the first taste, devoured the entire plateful. I have to say, it was pretty darn good. I was pretty proud of them for being open minded and trying something new.

So not only was is so tasty, it was kind of cool to be eating wild game with some healthy fresh veggies on a cold and icy Thanksgiving Eve. And with Thanksgiving still being my favorite holiday, things are so just right. Cheers to warm and fuzzy feelings... :)

Fire Tower Expedition

Ever since we went camping last summer the kids have been gnawing at me to take them back to the campground to return to the fire tower there. When we went camping, it rained in the morning and brought out so many mosquitoes, I was pretty sure they'd just carry us away if we attempted anything resembling hiking and/or fire tower climbing.

So we bypassed the fire tower experience, much to the dismay of my company.

This weekend was probably one of the last of the nice ones we'll have for the year, so I decided to suit up and take the gang back today. We climbed to the top and back down not once, but twice. I'm pretty sure I about fell down the stairs the second time my legs were so weary from the 115 or so *very* steep stairs. Didn't help I had to carry Jade halfway down the first time either (sigh).

After the trek, we did some additional hiking, playground playing, and outhouse visiting (double sigh). But we all made it home alive, and I even got the boogers to cooperate long enough to get a couple of cute pics ;)

Ninjas

Vincent's been involved in Taekwando for about a year now. He's improved so much, and I've noticed a big improvement in his self confidence and behavior since he's started. His coordination and balance has improved too and he has good role models to look up to in his class. He's learning personal achievement, self discipline, perseverence, and the value of hard work for reward. Jade and I have spent many many hours watching him - and she's been asking for months to join too.

Today I let her, and she was stoked. She entered her first "Tiny Tigers" class full of gusto. She did so well and picked up on what she was supposed to do so quickly. She had great focus, followed the rules, and did a fantastic job. She was so tickled about her new uniform and how she did that she insisted on calling Auntie and Grandma right then and there to tell them about it before we could even leave for home.

Here's to hoping eventually I'll have two black belts, who can use the skills and values they're learning today to better themselves as adults (helps the resume too!)

Good job guys!