Finding Joy in Playing

I think one of my biggest concerns as Elyse continues to grow, is finding a good balance between playing with her and being productive around the house.  I'm not a natural "player".  I'm not a teacher.  I didn't grow up babysitting kids.  I don't have a naturally creative mind that dreams up crazy, exciting activities.  So the whole idea of playing with a small child is incredibly foreign to me, and more than once the little bit, ummm...or a lot, of anxiety has driven me to Pinterest searching for new activities for Elyse.  

I have my Wednesdays & Thursdays at home with Elyse, but many times those days include errands to run or appointments to meet or chores to do around the house.  As much as I hate to admit it, sometimes the playing part of being a mom kind of gets pushed to the back.  

I aspire to be like those moms who appear to be such "fun" moms because they come up with such fun playtime activities.  Or those moms who just let go and leave the load of laundry laying on the chair for an extra couple of hours or even extra days just because they are too busy "playing" with their kids.  But I'm realizing that it's not all about fun new activities.  It's just about being there, relaxing, and finding joy in the little things that bring her joy.  

I want to let go and let Elyse have a blast with painting, knowing that it's washable paint & will clean up so easily.  I want to just sit in the floor with her and watch as she moves from toy to toy...not truly engaging her at all moments, but simply just BEING there.  With no phone, no laptop, no television, no iPad, nothing but me and her.  I want to find that place where I'm finding the JOY in playing with her, instead of worrying about what's next on my to-do list and always counting down the minutes until naptime.  

And I'm getting there.  As I type this, there is a load of her laundry sitting in a chair that has been there since Sunday night, toys are filling the living room floor and I expect that the mess will get continuously worse as we got through the day.  Or at least I hope that's the case.  

Elyse won't be a little girl for long.  I mean it was only a few months ago that I was saying...Elyse won't be a baby for long, and she's already quickly moved from a baby to a full-blown toddler.  And so I want to treasure and find the joy in these simple moments when we can just sit and play, those times when she brings me Peek-A-Who for the 15th time in an hour to read, those times when she pulls all the hangers off the chair and brings them to me a few at a time...saying Thank You every time she hands few a few, those times when she walks around with a wet washcloth in her mouth because there is apparently there is something SO fascinating about a wet rag.  

I want to find the joy in the little things, and not be so worried about the little things that don't get done while I'm truly enjoying the childhood of my little girl.  

Today I'm linking up with Kelly's Korner, Blue Eyed Bride, Life in the Green House and Lil Light O' Mine for the Build 'Em Up Series.