10/19/2009

Please do not bring imaginary pets to class.


My almost 4 year old daughter and my niece go to ballet class together. Every Monday my Sister and I take turns driving these little 40 year old women trapped in 3 year old bodies to class. This week was my turn. This is how pick up went.

Dance teacher tells me, " I am thinking about separating those two from each other in class."

I am not surprised but I ask, "Really, why is that?"

Hesitantly, dance teacher says with a lowered voice, " Well, does your niece have an imaginary friend? Like a little animal?"

"Yes, she does." I reply, not worried because almost all my kids have had one. I am quite familiar with this little friend. "Was she talking about a little squirrel?"

Dance teacher again, "Thats the one! Well, the problem is that she makes your daughter babysit the 'squirrel' during class. So when it is Storie's turn to dance she tries to carefully hold the 'squirrel' and do her pirouettes."

I am now snorting my diet lemonade from my nose picturing my daughter trying to carefully watch an imaginary pet and dance at the same time.

" I tried to tell Storie to set the 'squirrel' down and get him after class, but your niece was yelling at her that he would get away. I think I need to separate them." the Dance teacher explained.

"I'll take care of it." I assured her. So we got in the car and I explained that dance class is not the place for pets and that the 'squirrel' will have to stay in the car.

My niece was thrilled! "Oh good, Storie was doing a bad job, now YOU can watch him!"

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14 comments:

Keri Lyn @ She Saved said...

ok...so am I doing something wrong? Neither of my kids have imaginary friend and/or animals!? I had like a whole imaginary stable full of horses, chipmunks, mice, squirrels...you name it.
I need to get on this. Imaginary animals would be so much cheaper, cleaner, easier than the REAL ones we seem to be aquiring!
I love your blog, I just found it and linked back to you on the Gap post. Do you have a button?
Wonderful and unique blog!!
(*and I think that you are very lukcy to only be tending a little squirrel... I had a whole herd of horses that actually became quite a headache at school (apparently they were taking up way too many stalls in the girls bathroom - and I was making way too many trips to the bathroom to look after them. I still remember sitting in the office trying to explain this to my second grade teacher and my parents. What isn't to get people? Horses are a lot of work!!?) If you can't tell, I loved this post, thanks for sharing!!

Mountain Birdie said...

Tiffany, I am really sorry. Sierra didn't say anything about Risu this morning... Poor Storie.

The Mom said...

I think it is hilarious!

Elise said...

That IS the funniest thing I ever heard!!! Boy I hope you take good care of the squuirrel!!! I almost spit my coffee out. And Bless Storie for trying SO hard to take good care of mr squirrel!

Funky Frog Designs said...

That's awesome.

Beth said...

Oh, how cute! I tell my 4 yr old all the time she is a little old lady trapped in a little persons body! LOL

Pam (meanestmother) said...

This is hillarious!! My oldest daughter had two imaginary friends Hattie & Ferdie. They were with us for a while. It gave her someone at the time to play with. After more siblings came along there wasn't the need any longer. What memories!

Jenna said...

I love this story!

Kimber said...

Too funny! I had to call Steve at work and read it to him :)

MoodyMommy said...

My son has had a BLUE Dragon living on our roof for sometime now. When ever their is a food Cole doesn't want to eat he says " Ohhh, that is for Blue. He gets hungry and needs the French Fries!" I crack up laughing.

Sylvia said...

Tiffany! I'm afraid I have a classic "listening but not hearing" disorder. I was standing right there for this WHOLE conversation and didn't HEAR how hilarious it was! I read this today and laughed so hard. I'm not sure what I was thinking about but that is too funny. Sierra and Storie are so fabulous.

I'd better practice living in the moment.

Anne said...

That's too funny!!! And I loved your other post about her also - that is one funny kid!

Jen said...

Love, love, love this story. When I told my husband, his response was: "The teacher wasn't very creative. I would have brought a basket to class the next time and told the girls that the squirrel could nap in the basket while we did our lesson." Of course, he has taught karate for small kids for a long time and thinks much like a kid.

A Musing Mom (Taylorclan6) said...

Are you telling me that you don't purposely bring a child along while you shop so you don't look crazy while you talk to the ice cream?!

"You are not on sale. But your neighbor here is. Oh! I found a coupon! What kind will we eat?"

Don't try to tell me you don't do it.