Growing by steps and slides

I'd argue that, thanks to her brother, Ellie can hold her own digging in the sand. But she's an adventurous girl, and her attention soon turns to the playground equipment. At first she was holding my hand as I led her up the stairs and caught her at the bottom of the slide.
Whoo, that slide is fast!
Peekaboo, Mom -- just try to keep up! By morning's end, she had the routine down to a science as I sat on a park bench and watched her grow before my eyes:
First, climb the stairs. Use the railing so Mommy doesn't completely freak out. Or just so you can climb faster.
Take a break to steer the ship.
Run -- I have things to do!
The bridge and Elle's shoes didn't jive (too slippery), so she had a seat and slid across on her bottom. Whatever works!
And work, it did. Before I knew it, she was at the top of the slide...
Zooming on her way...
And ready to do it again! She also tackled the big kid slide, but I was in Mommy mode, a little to busy spotting her to hold the camera, too. Next time. ;)