DC Metro Mom

I didn’t know what to expect when my friend said, “Let’s go to the farm museum!” What’s that? A farm with placards? Taxidermy cows and chickens? I had no idea. Is there manure involved? She described it as kind of a mini children’s museum. Today we went to the Heritage Farm Museum in Sterling, and I was pleasantly surprised. It’s like one big display room of a normal, adult museum that has quite a few hands-on elements for kids. It’s the perfect blend of children’s and adults’ museums. For DC moms, it’s about 40 minute drive, and of course less for most NOVA moms. We spent over an hour and a half inside and about 15 minutes on the big tractors out front with our almost-three year-olds. Here’s the lowdown:

Barn: Inside the barn, kids can not only milk a pretend cow (water comes out) and gather wooden eggs in baskets from a plastic hen house, but they can also dress the part. There are overalls and bonnets and such for children who want to look the part.

The first Christmas with a new baby is a magical time, like experiencing the joy and wonder of the holiday season for the first time.  The second Christmas? Not so much.  Last Christmas, Miss L was 18 months old and Christmas was...exhausting! Twenty minutes into unwrapping presents she went all grouchy pants and had to take a nap. 

But this year, Christmas is magical again! Miss L didn't really understand what was going on first Christmas (she was only six months old!) or her second Christmas. But this year is different. Christmas trees, holiday lights, candles, songs, COOKIES! Miss L is all over it. And that makes me really, really, really excited. Nothing like a child to make something seem brand new again.

There is one problem, however. My idea of beautiful holiday decorations are green fir garlands and red velvet bows, maybe a few strings of white lights. Classic. Miss L does not share my opinion. To a two-year-old, the gaudier the better.