Cultivating a Heart That Overflows with Joy

Hey there, dear friends!

As we flip the calendar pages and our homeschool rooms fill with the familiar hum of textbooks, lessons, and busy schedules, it is so easy for our days to get crowded. If we aren’t careful, the daily grind can slowly turn our family’s conversations away from joy and head-first into a cycle of simple routine—or worse, a bit of daily grumbling.

I don’t want a home that just marks tasks off a checklist. I want a home where peace lives. That is why I am so incredibly excited to share our brand-new family project with you: The Abounding Heart: A 31-Day Family Devotional Journey.

This 31-day study is crafted explicitly for families with preteens and teens to help shift our focus off what the world says we lack, and place it firmly on the incredible wealth of God’s goodness. Divided into five weekly themes, each day provides a foundational King James Version verse, an intentional discussion question to spark real conversations with your older kids, a practical daily application task, and a brief family prayer to wrap up your time together.

To make sure these structural lessons really stick, we have also woven in traditional hymn suggestions for your morning basket and weekly hands-on object lessons using quick, ordinary household items (wait until you see The Filter Test and The Lemon Test!).

Our goal this month isn’t just a temporary attitude adjustment. It is to build a lifestyle where our faith is deeply rooted, so that thankfulness naturally overflows into everything we do.

Ready to start abounding in gratitude together? You can grab your copy of the study guide below to print out and slip straight into your family’s daily binder. Let’s cultivate hearts that overflow with His praise—one beautiful day at a time!

May GOD Bless You!

Continue reading “Cultivating a Heart That Overflows with Joy” →

Day 26 — Turn Hearts Toward One Another

Scripture — Malachi 4:6 KJV

“And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers…”

Continue reading “Day 26 — Turn Hearts Toward One Another” →

How to Host a Magical Polar Express Party at Home (Plus Our Complete Planning Bundle!)

All Aboard! How to Host a Magical Polar Express Party at Home

Simple ideas, sweet traditions, and one complete planning bundle to help you create special memories your family will treasure.

There’s something magical about Christmas through the eyes of a child.

The excitement of wearing pajamas to a party, receiving a golden ticket, enjoying a cup of hot chocolate, and settling in for a special movie can turn an ordinary evening into a memory that lasts for years.

Over the years, our family has enjoyed creating our own Polar Express celebrations. We’ve welcomed little passengers aboard, decorated graham-cracker trains, played games, enjoyed delicious treats, and gathered together for a cozy movie night.

And while those celebrations have been filled with special touches, I’ve learned something important along the way.

You don’t have to spend a fortune or plan an elaborate event to create magical memories.

You just need a little creativity, some simple preparations, and the people you love.

That’s why I’ve put together our Pollywog’s Place Polar Express Planning Pack, a complete printable party bundle inspired by our family’s celebrations.

But first, let me share some of our favorite ideas for hosting your own magical evening!

You can see some of our previous posts HERE.

Screenshot
Continue reading “How to Host a Magical Polar Express Party at Home (Plus Our Complete Planning Bundle!)” →

Day 25 — Rebuild Trust Slowly

Scripture — Ephesians 4:15 KJV

“But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”

Continue reading “Day 25 — Rebuild Trust Slowly” →

A Shepherd’s Dinner Guide

Hi friends! 

As we prepare our hearts and homes for the winter season, I am always on the lookout for simple traditions that bring the accounts of Scripture to life for our children. If you are looking for a beautiful, low-stress way to experience the humility of the first Christmas night, I can’t wait for you to try hosting a Shepherd’s Dinner. We’ve done this for a couple of years and it is so amazing!

The idea is incredibly simple: you turn down the house lights, gather on the living room floor with your favorite cozy blankets, build a “campfire” out of fairy lights or candles, and share a rustic meal together. It is a beautiful way to step into the boots of the humble shepherds who were the very first to hear the good news of our Savior’s birth! 

Our First Shepherd’s Dinner

To help your family build this memory with ease, I have put together a complete Shepherd’s Dinner Guide as an optional bonus inside our new free study bundle. Here is a quick look at what I’ve prepped for you: 

  • A Simple Hostess Guide: Easy tips on setting a peaceful, candlelit field atmosphere on your floor. 
  • Wholesome Menu Ideas: Quick, finger-food concepts (pork and shellfish free!) to create an abundant “Vigil Board” or shepherd’s charcuterie platter. 
  • Interactive Discussion Script: Heartfelt questions to ask the kids while you eat, leading right into a cozy family reading of Luke 2. 
  • Printable Keepsakes: A beautiful printable invitation with blank fields to customize your night, plus a family reflection sheet to record your favorite memories! 
Continue reading “A Shepherd’s Dinner Guide” →