Nathaniel Day Activities

I had a very hard time on the first month anniversary of Nathaniel's death. I hadn't thought of anything to do that day to make it different. It was too overwhelming. It was a Thursday so we went to story time at the library like normal. I cried. We came home and I cried.  I don't remember what else I did that day. I just remember lots of tears.

I didn't want a repeat of that every month so I decided to start doing what I am calling "Nathaniel Days" so now on the 6th of the month Abby and I, and whoever else can join us, are going to do something fun to remember him. So far this has worked well. I have had something to look forward to on the 6th instead of just the reminder that he has been gone another month.

This is what we have done so far. You can click on each to go to the post about that month's activities.

2014
May - Chicago Botanic Gardens
June - Brookfield Zoo
July - Legoland
August - Camping in Indiana
September - Streetcar Day in Kenosha, WI
October - Apple Picking
November - Robot Factory
December - Adler Planetarium

2015
January - Snowshoeing and a Tea Party
February - Saw a Play
March - Watched a Movie
April - Decorated His Grave
May - Went on a Hike
June - Family Hike and Kenosha Harbor Market
July - Bookworm Gardens in Sheboygan, WI
August - Fairytale Kid's Area at Waukegan Library
September - Volo Car Museum
October - Kohl Children's Museum
November - Packed Meals at Feed My Starving Children
December - Chicago Botanic Gardens

2016
January - Swam at the RecPlex in Pleasant Prairie, WI
February - Packed Meals at Feed My Starving Children
March - Went out to dinner as a family
April - Prairie Grass Nature Museum
May - Saw Lighthouses in Kenosha, WI
June - Had a Picnic Dinner at His Grave and Went out for Ice Cream
July - Watched a Movie at a Theater
August - Cupcakes and A Kid's Concert at Ravinia Park
September - Went on a Bike Ride
October - Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago
November - Chicago Botanic Gardens
December - Decorated Nathaniel's Grave for Christmas/Ornament Making at the Hospital

2017
January - Played at Hippo Campus
February - Racine Zoo
March - Kohl Children's Museum
April - Walk in a forest preserve
May -
June - Discovery World in Milwaukee, WI
July - Concert at the Chicago Botanic Gardens
August - Family Trip to IKEA and Half Birthday Cupcakes
September - Volunteered at Bernie's Book Bank
October - Apple picking
November - Packed shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child
December - Decorated Nathaniel's Tree

2018
January - Snowshoeing as a family
February - Lego build at the Lego store
March - Hike at Pringle Nature Center in Kenosha, WI
April - Dinner at a restaurant
May - Picnic at the park
June - Farmer's market and dinner at a restaurant
July - Family trip to Brookfield Zoo
August - Made and ate half birthday cupcakes
September -
October - Stirling Hall Art Center open house
November -
December - Decorated Nathaniel's Tree

2019
January - Living room picnic and movie
February - Made and ate birthday cake
March - Skiing and a concert
April - Dinner at a restaurant
May -
June -
July -
August -
September -
October -
November -
December -