Bithdays have always been a big deal in my family. We celebrate from the moment we wake up, until the moment we go to bed....and if it falls on a weekend...we celebrate all weekend long. I want to continue to make birthdays a special day, and one that goes beyond a simple birthday dinner. So last year Nick and I took the day off to spend with Asher and we too him to the zoo. That started a tradition for Nick and I to always take the day off to spend with Asher on his birthday. (Not sure what we will do as he gets older and probably will want to be at school on his birthday, but we will cross that bridge when we come to it).
After a relaxing morning at home (complete with 2 year photo shoot) and super long morning nap, we packed up the car and headed to the Yellow River Game Ranch in Lilburn. When you first walk in, there is a "old time country store" selling souvenirs and packages of food for all the animals. We stocked up on crackers and corn and made our way outside to the explore all the wildlife natural to Georgia. There was hardly anyone there and we practically had the place to ourselves. We let Asher out of his stroller to explore. At first he stayed right by our side a little unsure of all the animals roaming around freely. He kept shouting "BB Hick-In" (Baby Chicken) over and over, regardless of the animals that we saw.
After about 10 minutes, he got more comfortable and fed the baby animals. He was always checking to be sure that Daddy and I were close by. Some of the animals were kept in enclosures, still big enough for you to put your hand in and feed them. Any time we were at one of those, he would look at us as say "In". He just wanted to get in there and snuggle those furry little friends.
Throughout the mile path there are lots of different animals to see, pet and feed. I think that Asher enjoyed this trip a little more than the zoo just because he was able to get up close and personal with the animals, and wasn't looking at a vast spread of land with animals in the distance. We didn't capture pictures of all the animals but here are a handful. There were also black bears, deer, bunnies, donkeys, chickens, a variety of birds, buffalo, and even Groundhog "General Lee". I know there were more but cant think of them all off hand. The animals are so used to being fed that they hang out right up against their cage just waiting for little fingers to give them food. Animals like the black bears have a piece of PVC pipe from the outside of the enclosure right to the inside. Those animals just sit up against the cage with their mouths around the pipe waiting for food. Even the squirrels are so domesticated, that they come right up to you and take the food right out of your hands.
I love the feeling of his little hand holding mine. For a while he was very content holding our hands, sitting on nicks shoulders and exploring, while side by side with mommy and daddy. Then after about a half hour he felt comfortable enough to venture off on his own. I was so happy that there was no one there and we could just let him roam free and explore. He looks so grown up.
When we were all finished up, we washed our hands (a couple of times) and got a refreshing drink before heading back home. Asher enjoyed a juice box and then ultimately my coke on the way home. I typically would not have given him a coke, but it was his birthday AND it was in a glass bottle which means it just tastes better (and there was only a little left).
I am so happy that we got to the spend the day with Asher, doing something fun as a family while celebrating his birthday! I still am in denial that my little guy is TWO YEARS OLD.
Happy Birthday Asher. You are an incredible little boy who brings so much happiness to our lives. We are so proud of you and enjoyed every moment of watching you grow. Mommy and Daddy love you more than words can say!
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