For more than an hour tonight BOTH BOYS stayed focused and on task with boxing things to go to storage for the move.  We are purging a lot of stuff, too. 

I have been proud of the boys, because while it is very hard for kids (and adults) to purge things it is doubly moreso for a foster child.  When you move from home to home and your things dwindle with each move it is hard to get rid of those things you do have.  We have done a lot of talking about how clothes that don't fit can have memories with them, but if we take a picture of the clothing and put it in an album then someone else who NEEDS clothing can make use of it and we will still have the memory.

The boys have boxes of  "special stuff" they can put whatever they want into without question, but it has to be able to fit in the box.  I'm not a scrooge so it isn't like a necklace box...it's a fairly good sized tote.

They have done great.  They have been encouraging each other.  They made a sort of chant talking about "new family, new house, new life".  At one point Middle Boy said, "we don't need junky stuff anymore, because we have everything we need and a whole lot more".  I believe it was in reference to the ONE MILLION kid's meal toys Younger Boy has accumulated during his lifetime.  I am happy to say we are getting rid of them one by one.

Finally excitement is building for the move and they can see this will be a good thing.  For their whole lives moving has had a negative connotation.  I'm thrilled to help put a positive spin on it.

Praises for excitement and focused energy.