BB, the only dumb ?s are the ones not asked. IMHO aeration is essential. Two yrs ago we had heavy snow cover from Nov till Apr I had my son go to my property several times and run the shallow diffuser overnight. Each time he did he said it opened a hole about 10'X30' I am sure that had that not been done I would have at least lost all the big fish if not all fish completely. Also aerating surely gives a pond better quality water. Ya can have a fish kill in the summer if it's pretty hot and gets a heavy overcast for 3 or 4 days. Other than the original cost, I believe my aeration system was my best $ spent.
Your wife can have her wrap around effect with a 1/2 acre pond and then you can have two other 1/4 acre ponds ta play with. Same amount of dirt.

Do nature a favor, spay/neuter your pets and any weird friends or relatives.