free – Muddling Momma

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24
Mar
2016

Mood vs Manners Printable

One lesson my Momma taught me that has really stuck with me was this – just because I was having a bad day doesn’t mean everyone else should have to deal with it. Seriously, if you don’t learn any other life lesson, that is one that will get you through.

I remember telling her someone was mean or grumpy with me, and her response was always the same, “Maybe their underwear is too tight,” meaning maybe it isn’t all about me. Maybe they were having a bad day before they came in contact with me. But ultimately, it’s not my fault.

I have called customer service lines millions of times and sometimes, not all the time, I am met with someone who is having a bad day. Perhaps their underwear is on too tight. But guess what? Your mood should NOT dictate your manners. I don’t care if you are having a really bad day – either go be alone or mind your manners.

I am not perfect (spoiler alert) and sometimes need this reminder too, so I made a quick printable to hang in my office. I thought you guys might like it as well! It’s a simple reminder for kids AND adults.

Download it here!

10
Nov
2014

Been There Done That: Frying Pan Park

categories: Been There Done That

I can not sing Frying Pan Park’s praises loud enough. S. and I have been visiting since before Mike was born because it’s just a nice place to walk around and chat. It’s easy to forget this 107 acre farm is set in the middle of Herndon – a few blocks from Shoppers Food Warehouse, Golds Gym and Babies R Us.

Since Mike’s arrival, we’ve been twice. Once when he was a few weeks old, and then more recently. Both times we packed a picnic lunch, threw out our blanket and hung out in the sunshine before walking around. Food is allowed and encouraged. Every time we’ve been there the picnic tables are birthday party ready and kids are running around the grassy areas playing games. There is a lot of room to run without stepping on someone.

We went over to Kidwell Farm, which is home to goats, pigs, horses, cows, chickens, peacocks and the pardoned turkeys. Yes. The turkeys the President so kindly pardons on Thanksgiving lives our their golden years at Frying Pan Park. Everything is very spaced out with lots of room to walk with strollers. The barn even has step stools for the short kids and hand sanitizer for the parents. Feeling adventurous? They have daily cow milking!

Aside from living things to watch, there are plenty of replica buildings to explore – a cider press, smoke house and more. Swing by the garden too and see what is growing. The fun part of Frying Pan is it is a working farm, so what is being done there is being sold or used locally. Every so often we would get to the general store before the fresh eggs were sold.

Before you plan your trip, check out the birthing schedule and see what babies might be out and about! There are also a lot of events for all ages like riding lessons at the Equestrian Center, learning how the farm machines work and the 4-H Carnival and Fair.

On the other side of the parking lot is a working depression era carousel, a modern playground, wagon rides and a the general store.

Quick and Dirty:
Cost: Free! But the wagon and carousel ride are a small fee
Age Group? Fun for all ages
Parking? Plentiful in a dusty lot
Food Options? Pack a picnic or hit the small general store for bottled water or a Nutty Buddy.
Stroller Friendly? I am going to say yes. Wide walking paths of paved dirt
Changing Tables? Yep! In both men and women’s bathrooms
Safety: As safe as you can be on a working farm
See you there? For sure.

30
Jul
2014

Been There, Done That: Udvar Hazy Museum

categories: Been There Done That

One would think that living in the DC Metro Area we are ‘downtown’ on the weekends taking advantage of the free museums, live music, outside dining, and beautiful, historic monuments. Sadly, most people who don’t live IN Washington DC will tell you this is not true. Even before Mike arrived S. and I rarely made the trek downtown. The Metro, though convenient, is really a pain in the butt and, if I am being honest, the city is full of people. In the summers, it is swarming with tourists and the rest of the year it is full of field trips. There is hardly an ideal time to hit up the museums to avoid crowds. Also, S. and I both grew up within a two hour drive of the Smithsonian Institute, so we have seen it a hundred times thanks to those exciting field trips.

However, 10 minutes from our house is the Udvar Hazy Air and Space Museum. A taste of the Smithsonian without the Metro! We first visited when Mike was just a month old. We really wanted to get out of the house and practice maneuvering in the land of the living with an infant. We decided to go back again over the July 4th weekend – almost exactly a year later and had a fun time.

Like all the Smithsonian, UHASM is free admission – after you pay the $15 for parking. It’s about what it would cost for the metro ride downtown and the parking lot is huge, so we can overlook it. No food or drink, but they have a McDonald’s onsite, or you can indulge in space ice cream from the gift shop. We were able to bring in one sealed bottle of water and an empty sippy cup for Mike. There is also a lot of shade and picnic tables outside if you want to take a break for lunch.

The museum is a great size – you can walk the whole thing in about two hours. S. is a fan of space travel, I have no interest in anything air OR space related, but it’s a great walk and interesting none the less. They have a few cool features – an IMAX for the older bunch, an observation tower linked to Dulles Airport (no strollers allowed so be prepared to leave it in the ‘stroller parking lot’) and the restoration hanger where you can watch them work on old stuff during the week. According to their site, they also have learning labs and events.

As most people with a little one, we got there right as it opened to beat the crowds. It was July 4th weekend and though we weren’t the first ones there by any stretch, it didn’t feel crowded.

This time Mike was awake and a few times we let him out of the stroller to toddle around. He loved it! Since not many people were there, there was a lot of open space to run around. Most of the exhibits have interactive kiosks so he found that fascinating as well. Just keep an eye on the short kids. The exhibits have a small partition that Mike could have easily crawled under. There were plenty of big, clean bathrooms with a changing table in both men and women’s restrooms.

Udvar Hazy is a great, inexpensive stop for families with kids of all ages. The littlest of kids will sleep while you get some exercise in, the elementary school age will like the exhibits (or space ice cream) and watching the airplanes come in, the middlers and high schoolers will find the exhibits interesting and really like the IMAX.

You can do the whole thing in a couple hours and be home before nap time. When we were leaving the parking lot capacity had tripled, but there was no line at security.

Quick and Dirty:

Cost? Free, but parking is $15. Additional cost for simulators, IMAX and food

Age Group? Depends on the goal. Suitable for ALL ages

Parking? Plenty, $15

Food Options? Meh. McDonalds or space ice cream

Stroller Friendly? Yes, very. Wide walking paths, big bathrooms, elevators and ramps

Changing Tables? Yep, in both bathrooms

Safety: Debatable. Plenty of security and staff milling around, but the exhibits have open railings. So a little one could get curious and duck underneath.

See you there? Yep! It’s worth a once a year trip. Expect to find us when they open.