Mommy Monday

It's a rainy, dreary afternoon here.  Jesse had off from school today.  After a morning at McDonald's Playland, the older kids I played a few games of UNO.  It is a lot of fun now that they are old enough to play games (real games, not Candyland).  I love playing games, it is something that is an easy way for me to engage the kids.  But play in general is hard for me.  I have been convicted over the years about not getting down on the floor and playing with my kids enough.  I often need to physically pull myself away from my agenda and engage them.  Isn't funny how hard it is for us grownups to play?  I would think we would jump at the chance to stop life and be a child again.  I used to play house by the hours when I was a kid but not when Karis asks me to play house with her, I hesitate and I stall, I don't know quite what to do.  Most of the time I can divert her attention- a tea party game, setting up her doll house, playing babies, these things are a lot easier for me.  Some things I enjoy doing with Silas right now are sitting on the floor with him and pushing cars back and forth, setting up train tracks and pushing the trains around.  With Jesse, I like to play chess (when the other kids are occupied), build Legos.  I have learned over the years that it doens't have to be elaborate play, they really just want my attention.
I am trying to work at losing my inhibitions and my to do list and engage more.  Sometimes I think it is just a matter of poor time management and mis-ordered priorities.  I am trying to be better at both of these things, I am thankful that because of God's grace, it is never too late!

What are some ways you play with your kids? 
What is hard about playing for you?