Now I'll back up.

Shrove Tuesday, aka Mardi Gras, is a big deal at our church. We have a big bonfire for the burning of the palms the ashes from which are used for Ash Wednesday, the next day. After the bonfire, we eat a pancake feast to symbolize ridding the household of "luxuries" like sugar and fat, pointing to the austerity and asceticism of Lent.

Eli, of course, remembers the fire and the pancakes.

Note: He's sporting this year's "special hat" in these pictures. I'm wondering how many more years I have while he tolerates me making these things and putting them on his head. He is such a good sport.