Stuck.

Lexi has this little teaspoon set that she plays with in her little kitchen. There are three little measuring spoons, each a different size, attached together on a key ring. For the past two days, Lexi has been pretending that these are her "keys" and has been messing around with all of the old skeleton key holes on the doors, trying to lock them. None of the doors have the ability to lock without the old skeleton keys, which we have, but aren't really necessary since most of the keyholes were filled in a long time ago.

This morning, as she was playing with her "keys," I had a sudden thought that if Lexi happened to lock the one way lock in the bathroom, she would have to unlock it herself in order to get back out. In that second I realized that she might not be quite smart enough to put the two and two together (since she speaks like a five-year-old, but still definitely has two-year-old logic), but I let the thought go.

Literally not two minutes later, Lexi ran into the bathroom, shut the door, and turned the lock. The one-way lock, with the filled in keyhole.

The bathroom window was also locked from the inside, and my cell phone, which has been refusing to make or receive calls all week, of course wasn't working either.

I tried bribes, drawing picture diagrams, step-by-step verbal instructions, I tried EVERYTHING. Lexi cried and cried and due to sheer frustration and confusion, and because she is TWO, would not turn the lock. After a while, every time I even mentioned the word "doorknob" she would burst into a fresh set of tears and back away from the door. Fortunately, Lexi is easily distracted, and in-between crying bouts, she entertained herself with her bath toys and playing in the sink (welcome relief from all the fearful cries).

Suffice to say, an hour and a half later, Lexi was finally out of the bathroom and sobbing in my arms, thanks to our good friend, Nick (who also happens to be our housemate of last year and very handy with a drill). The lock is now removed forever, and all other doors appear to be safe as well.

If you know my daughter, you will understand why I never thought that lock would be a problem (and prior to today, we didn't realize that particular lock had been filled). Lexi is two and a half, but has the verbal capacity and diction of a five-year-old. She always speaks in full sentences, complete with almost perfect grammar, and asks questions, reasons, and even can tell stories as well as recount past events in chronological order. She is able to do things physically that most two-year-old's can't yet because of her coordination, and figures things out on her own on a daily basis. Her memory is impeccable and she is really really smart for a person that small.

But she is still two.

She throws tantrums like there's no tomorrow, will cry if you tell her "No," hits or bites if you take her toy, talks back, and has poor reasoning when it comes to not wanting to go to bed. She is obsessed with play dough, water, Curious George, and construction vehicles, and her favorite thing to do is put all of her toys (including Lyla) down for their "naps."

 And still, she is two. Which means that when she turns a lock, she apparently doesn't understand that you have to turn it the other way in order to get the door open.

We spent the remainder of the morning doing some "art therapy" (which was really just an excuse to paint dry noodles), reading library books, and recounting the story of how "Mister Nick opened the bathroom door and I got out!."

Moral of the story: I should always act on my premonitions. Also, never trust a two-year-old. EVER. I feel like I say this often...

Parenthood is certainly never boring. I'm so glad I have the best teammate and some truly great kids, as well as some invaluable friends. It also got me thinking that sometimes when we get into a situation voluntarily, and then realize how truly stuck we are, it sometimes takes more than a few loving people to get us out again. Even if I was the one who turned the lock in the first place, and like a two-year-old, can't turn it back again. I am so thankful to be the daughter of a persistent, faithful God, and be surrounded by a community of brothers and sisters who really know who to care for one another and practice it daily. We never have to be stuck for long.