Work continues at the new house, and I’m pleased to report that things are moving along nicely.

I sent thing1 over to supervise the contractors and workers. He has always been dependable when it comes to managing projects, keeping people on task, and making sure things get done the way I want them done. With multiple crews coming and going, I needed someone there who could answer questions, keep an eye on progress, and make sure nobody started making decisions without my approval.

Meanwhile, the other three boys have been busy packing.

And I have to admit, I enjoy watching them work.

Moving is exhausting. There are boxes everywhere, furniture being shifted, closets being emptied, and endless trips up and down stairs. By the end of the day they’re sweaty, tired, and sore, which I find oddly satisfying. There’s something about seeing a hardworking boy earn his dinner through honest labor.

Of course, I couldn’t resist making things a little more interesting for scrappy.

The boy had been assigned most of the heavy lifting, carrying boxes, moving furniture, and handling the more physical jobs. Since he was already getting such a workout, I decided he could use a little extra challenge. For about ninety minutes of the afternoon, I had him wear a plug while he worked.

Nothing dramatic. Just enough to keep him aware of it.

The amusing part wasn’t the physical challenge. It was watching him try to focus on his work while constantly being reminded that I had given him an additional task. Every time he bent over to pick up a box or carried something across the room, he knew exactly why he was feeling a little uncomfortable.

The other boys figured out what was going on almost immediately, which naturally led to plenty of teasing at his expense.

To his credit, scrappy kept working and got the job done.

The move is still going to be a tremendous amount of work, but seeing the boys throw themselves into it has been rewarding. Every day the new place feels a little more like ours.

And every day I find new ways to keep the boys motivated.