Babysitting duty yesterday,

as Nate and Laura took in a Mark Cohen concert at the Botanical Garden ampitheater. Had a great time playing with Piper in the sandbox, on the swing and in her play room when we weren't practicing the new 'walking' thing. Then it was on to dinner and spoon practice, followed by more playtime, a walk outside, a bath with lots of toys, and bedtime stories with a bottle to finish off the day. Pretty tough duty for Oma and grampa. On the way down the canyon, around midnight, near the school where Kari teaches, saw a large black bear on the edge of road, with a very healthy, shiny black coat. Hadn't seen a wild bear for many years. Can understand why the kids at Kari's school sometimes have 'indoor recess' when one of the parents call in a 'critter alert', but it's usually a mountain lion, not a bear. Coal Creek Canyon, a real pretty part of the world, where the kids live and work.