I have a concern. Mila, my five-year old, is going through a phase. Not long ago, while we were working on her spotlight poster of favorites for school, I asked her if she wanted me to include a picture of her from Halloween because she loves it so much.
She replied, "Mom, I loved Halloween when I was a little girl. Now that I'm older, I love Christmas because it's Jesus' birthday."
"How precious," I thought, as I patted myself on the back for being such a good parent. (Hey, give me a break, I can't feel totally insecure and frustrated all the time.)
Now, by itself, the above incident should indeed be classified as one of those moments I "have to write down." However, put alongside the following incidents, I no doubt feel you will share my concern.
1) So, a few weeks went by and my friend Rachel and I were out walking with our kids. Rachel casually asked Mila what she wanted to be for Halloween.
Mila said, "Well, I really don't want to say because people might laugh at me."
I said, "Mila, you should probably tell me so I can assemble your costume."
"OK...I'm going to be the Holy Ghost."
As I struggled to contort my face to have a perfectly normal look of curiosity on it, I asked, "Why do you want to be that?"
"Well, I just really want to tell people what these holidays are really about!"
2) The next day was a Saturday and we were just driving in the car, going nowhere interesting.
"Mom, are you thinking about the Last Supper?"
"Um, no..."
"On Saturdays, you should think about the Last Supper, so you better start."
3) The next day, Sunday, we were getting ready for church at noon and I was getting the kids snacks. I asked Mila what she wanted.
"Just bread and water."
"Are you sure? I'm cutting up an apple."
"I'm sure, I only want bread and water."
I didn't even catch on until she was eating her bread and water and smiling secretly. I should have known!
4) We were watching Prince of Egypt (Mila's choice) and during the opening sequence, Mila started to "pretend" cry.
"Oh you guys, I'm just so happy because this movie is about Jesus."
"It's about Moses."
(Pause in crying as she thinks) "He knew Jesus."
So there. I rest my case. My daughter is either a full-blown religious freak, or this is just some "thing" all kids go through. She's my oldest, so I have no idea! Parents, help me out here. Is this normal, or should I start swearing more to balance the equation?
You know, truth be told, I'm not too worried...yet. She still laughs way too hard at poo jokes.