I want to share a couple of video clips which I located on YouTube...they are from a Public Television show that I have seen many Decembers over, titled, "Rick Steve's Christmas in Europe." These two clips share my favorite parts of the show.  I love the peacefulness, the simplicity, and the picture of the family generations coming together.  I hope you enjoy it, too!

Rick Steve's Christmas in Europe ~ Part 9

Rick Steve's Christmas in Europe ~ Part 10

May God bless you and your families as you focus on the beauty of God's plan for His children, and all that "Emmanuel" means to you.

~Lori

I had planed on schooling this week. At least getting some Math done and some reading. The kids are so distracted by the tree and the presents that its just to much trouble to fight for their focus. Instead I think I'll work on revising my lesson plan for the rest of the school year and start working on ideas for projects my kids can do for our upcoming Science Fair in the Spring.

Recycler got Tom Sawyer  at our COOP's Christmas party and we're going to start reading it this afternoon. Maybe just a chapter or two each day through the end of the year. Princess got The Children's Book of Virtues and she read me "The Little Red Hen" today. Monkey fell in love with her book Moonbeam Bear. She's still having some trouble with Phonics but she really wants to learn how to read so I think this book just might do the trick.

I'm also going to take this down time to really re-organize a few rooms and see if I can't declutter our lives a bit. I'd hold a yard sale if it wasn't such a hassle to put together. That's okay, I know of a wonderful ministry that is always in need of donations.