For the most part - well, almost the WHOLE part, I leave Flipper's school life at school, and try not to interrogate her about her day, ask too many questions about what they did, who was nice/mean, and so on. She and her little friends are all about the invented, make-believe games with rules so elaborate and unfathomable that I fear Dungeons and Dragons will make some sort of comeback when she is 15. I tried not to listen to just what is taking place on her playground ... BUT ...

Here's what's going on at Flipper's school: Bear in mind, I am NOT making this up. Because there is no way I possibly could!!!!

"Puppies" this game has actually been in existence for three years at her school. Her nursery teacher actually banned it for a time. Why? Because she was tired of seeing small children crawl around on all fours, bark, debate endlessly of who got to be someone's "owner" and thereby pet them while they pretended to walk on leashes. Their obsession with this "game" hasn't waned, it has simply taken a back seat to the more exciting game of ...

"Army "- I must admit that this gave me pause. While I am not in favor in buying children toy assault rifles, I do feel as though adults should let them play without trying to micromanage HOW they play (as long as no one is crying). But still, I broke my rules about not interrogating Flipper in order to get a bigger picture of how five-year-olds play Army, especially five-year olds with no TV and no family members in the military. Here is the first sentence that came out of her mouth, "I'm the mommy horse." What?? You're playing World War I when infantry still existed?? Apparently her role in this "game" is to be the mommy horse in a "stable" while some little boy is her baby horse. (Note to self: never ask again).

I failed to reread my note to self and had to ask when the third game came to light: "Huggy Jail." Only kindergartners could successfully combine incarceration with warm-and-fuzzy feelings. So ... I had to ask. "Huggy Jail" is a modified version of Tag; when the designated "It" tags another kid, they both scream, "Miss me, miss me, now you've gotta kiss me!!" Slightly alarmed, I asked ARE YOU KISSING EACH OTHER??? The answer was no. They are HUGGING each other until one begs for mercy. No idea how-or why- "jail" comes into play here. Perhaps the hug stands in for a "get out of jail free" card.

I have no doubt the kids are learning some sort of valuable life lessons about sharing, taking turns, pretending, making your real surroundings more exciting...and I have no idea what I am learning.

Maybe how to stay out of jail?

Leigh appears Fridays on TriangleMom2Mom. Read more about Leigh on her blog Flipper and Me.