Ella started School in September.  Catholic school. Which had me brushing up on all things papal so I didn't come off as a total atheist when she started asking questions.

I was born and raised Catholic, attending Sunday school, Catholic elementary and secondary schools, convinced that I would go to Hell for hitting my brother (not as big as deterrent as you would think), and knowing that God is always watching (cue showering in my bathing suit).

You would think with all those years under my belt, I would know all Catholic holidays, parables, and Bible passages.  You would be wrong.  Nonetheless, I want to answer Ella's questions, promote a loving and forgiving view of mankind, and have her know that Easter is about more than chocolate (it really is you know).

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent.  Lent is the forty day season of preparation for Easter.  Traditionally, Catholics give up something for Lent as a symbol of fasting and repentance (that about wraps up our Cathecism lesson for today).     

Ella's days at school have provided her with a lot of knowledge of this time in the liturgical calendar. And I'm glad.  I'm not sure I could pull off a full explanation.  Enter parenting a school ager.  It's really more of a fill in the blanks job.  So I asked Ella what she was planning on giving up for Lent.  After the ensuing tantrum and explanation that she did not in fact have to give away her most favored possessions, Ella decided she was going to give up suckers.  I was very proud of Ella for this decision.  Although she doesn't get them often, she loves suckers.

This conversation, of course, lead to the conversation of what I would be giving up for Lent.  We batted around a few ideas, and then Ella said 'Diet Coke'.  As I gasped for breath, as the very suggestion of this left me breathless, and I realized she was serious.  

Note:  Anyone who knows me knows I would choose Diet Coke over oxygen.

I recovered and suggested a few other possibilities, but Ella would not be deterred.  She felt that giving up Diet Coke would show Jesus just how much I love him, and that was important to her.  A lifetime in purgatory  is less daunting that disappointing my daughter.

So, thank you Catholic school system, for totally shooting a giant hole through my parenting theory of do as I say.  And for the record, that bunny is holding a Diet Coke under his trench for me.  In thirty nine more days.

Cheers Dirties