imaginary friends

Since turning three, Love Bug has been very into imaginary play. He is always pretending to do something. Anything from flying in the sky to doing tire changes on his riding toys. He now also has an imaginary friend. It is McQueen, the lead character from the movie "Cars". He is OBSESSED with the movie and now McQueen actually accompanies us on journeys. I don't mean a little toy version of McQueen. I mean "imaginary" McQueen.

If you listen o the Love Bug playing on his own you will hear him talking to his "friend", giving him trouble and generally just playing with him. McQueen apparently even came to the cottage with us the last time I took the kids up. We went out for an ice cream while at the cottage and I forgot to ensure that McQueen was in the car when we left. Love Bug told me that I forgot him, so my step-dad got out of the car (to where Love Bug was pointing) and "tried" to get him in. It didn't work. I got out and tried to get McQueen in and it didn't work. I then opened the window on the van and told "McQueen" to jump in. Nothing was working, so I left.

The Love Bug was devastated. I just wasn't sure how long we should keep trying to get an imaginary friend into the mini-van?!? I encourage his "friend" but it is so hard when you can't see it! I explained that the good news was that McQueen is a car and he knows the way to the cottage. Later that day McQueen came back...thank goodness!!!!!!!!!! And, he has gone on many more journeys with us since then. I really try hard now to ensure he makes it back into the van before we leave now!