Remember when little Rapunzel was locked in the bathroom tower?
Thankfully, the Great Knight was on hand to scale the ladder and rescue the frightened princess.
Today, the nefarious bathroom captured another young victim and there was no Great Knight or even a ladder to help the poor, distressed child.
So, I did what any good mama would do when a child is locked in her bathroom, I slipped a fruit strip under the door and dialed, “911.”
“911, emergency services, what is your emergency?”
“Um, there’s a little girl locked in my bathroom and she can’t turn the lock to get out.”
“(pause)”
“The bathroom’s on the second floor and there is no way to get the door open from the outside. My daughter locked herself in there before and my husband had to climb a ladder up to the window to get her out.”
“This has happened before?”
“Yes. Um, yeah. I always tell children not to lock the door, because it is so hard to unlock. My cousin’s daughters are visiting and I must have forgotten to tell her.”
“So she’s locked in the bathroom?”
“Yes. I was wondering if maybe the fire department could bring their ladder here and get her out.”
“You need the fire rescuer to climb up to your bathroom to rescue the child?”
“Yes.”
Surely, I’m not the only one that read stories about how firemen rescued cats out of trees. And if they can employ their ladders for cats in trees, it can’t be too far a stretch for them to aim that ladder at a window barring in a scared little girl.
Sure enough, the fire truck came and in just enough time for me to tuck away clutter, find my camera and hide our defective smoke detector. We are a safety first family.
Six fire fighters rushed up my stairs to assess the situation. They found one crying girl squarely locked in a bathroom and three other little girls coloring notes to slip under the door to her.
“Her name is Cate!” I yelled at them as they scampered back down the stairs to retrieve their ladder.
How many fire fighters does it take to climb a ladder?
Four.
Three to hold it and one to climb it.
Apparently they take safety a bit more seriously than HungryMan.
Which is probably why that lock is still on our door.
Safety aside, HungryMan and his fire fighter counterpart have the same through-the-window technique.
That’s if you don’t count the flip-flops.
“Hi Cate,” yelled the brave fire fighter. “I’m coming in this window and then I’m going to unlock the door for you.”
Hurray for the hero! She rescued a child and she didn’t even have to carry an ax or hose. Or face a cat with claws.
After little Cate was safe in her mama’s arms, Ava dispensed suckers to celebrate.
The same suckers that were thrown to her from a fire truck during a parade in front of our house.
Because everything in my home must have a poetic end.
Oh the drama at home while I’m at work.
WOW. I am SO glad that you had the foresight to take pictures and post them! You guys lead such an exciting life!
HI larious. Not to poor sweet damsel in distress, my kids would have been hysterical. But to your blog audience. Great pictures.
Now get a new lock
Oh the joys of old houses, huh?
That. Is. AWESOME.
Oh no! Poor Cate. I’m glad the firetruck came. I was afraid you were going to write that 911 wouldn’t help. Love the pictures.
I agree that having the wherewithal to take pictures during the crisis shows an amazing amount of cool-headedness on your part. And the irony of the suckers from the firetruck… you can’t make that stuff up.
GREAT post.
I am glad it was your house and not mine!!! What a dramatic day!
Rach, I have a friend who’s a leutenient at a fire house. I’m totally linking him to this post! :o)
I love you and can’t wait to see you dear heart! :o)
Ooo, we’re so glad Cate is safe and sound. Did she talk to the firefighter? You know this reminded me that I was once locked in a bathroom and the firemen had to come rescue me. No ladder though, they kicked in the door. I was 8 and at a little touristy shop in our town. I still get nervous when a lock seems a little sticky. I usually remember at that moment of nervousness that I’m in a stall and could just crawl under if need be.
Seriously, that is such an amazing story, history actually does repeat itself I guess? I am so glad the nice firemen were able to help, three cheers for the firemen!!
OH…what drama!! I can’t believe it! I am so glad that little Cate got out safely…what a scary adventure for her and just a plain old adventure for everyone else!
THAT.IS.Hilarious! I assume that happened AFTER Jeneva left?
Question #1: Why didn’t you head up the ladder and rescue the princess?
Question #2: Why do you keep your bathroom window unlocked, anyone could climb a ladder and get into your window. I’m worried for your safety….
Question #3: Why is poor Hungry Man the one folded up on the floor of the van? Did he have to ride like that the whole way? Its so unsafe, so uncomfortable. (this question is in reference to the 4 scoops post)
Next time (and it sounds like there will be a next time) I want to see pictures of you climbing the ladder. Now, I’m off to warn my children about your bathroom door.
Oh, this is one of those things where you are SO glad you have a blog!
My friend’s husband is a fireman. Believe me, they like these calls much better than the regular kind.