Toddler play area

While Grandma and Grandpa were here, we ran to Eden Prairie Mall to pick out some new shoes for Esme at Scheels where we had a gift card.  I remember that Kirsten said they have a really good "toddler" play area there, so we decided to check it out.

I didn't see any signs about shoes or socks or anything.  Some kids were barefoot, some had shoes and some had socks.  So I took Esme's shoes off, but she was having a hard time standing on anything because it's all so slippery.  I decided to let her go barefoot.  That way she could climb up on the slides and steps without sliding.  Especially since there were so many other kids around.  The only bad part about that is when she has bare feet, she doesn't slide down the fastest.

Every once in awhile, she would lift up her feet and then she would slide really fast.  She loved it!!!

BTW, even though the equipment looks really hard like fiberglass or something, it's actually pretty soft and forgiving.  So falling isn't as big of a deal.

One time that she tried climbing up the slide, she got to the top and tripped a bit before she could turn around.  She fell and landed on her bum and slid BACKWARDS down the slide really fast.  I thought it would scare her, but she laughed and laughed and clapped!  This is a bad picture, but this was her when she stood up!

Gotta love the look on her face!!!