[jalapeno]

My DD figured out today how to open the safety gate. It wasn't just an accident - she did it several times on purpose. The first time she looked back at me and said "I did it Mama! I did it!". So proud of herself. She can also dis-assemble that plastic thingy that we have over our front door knob that's supposed to make it impossible for her to turn the doorknob and thereby open the front door at will. I keep the front door locked anyway and so far that's working. But the safety gate thing? Really? At 2 1/2 years old? Was I just naive to think I might have another year with those?

Of course it's not really DD I'm worried about. But if she opens a gate then her 18 and 14 month old brothers are free to roam about as well. Yeesh. Seems like every time I start to think I've got a handle on things, one of the kids develops some skill that requires a whole new level of parenting. How many levels are there exactly? Does anybody happen to know?

Ok, just wanted to spout off a little!!