Five random things my toddler is obsessed with

When I was pregnant, I envisaged all the toys our baby would have. Wooden, organic, ergonomic and tastefully painted, they’d all be from Sweden or somewhere similarly stylish.

Then I had the baby and we quickly realised that what babies are actually fond of is anything brightly coloured and made of plastic. Especially if it makes plays a tune. One that goes round and round and sticks in your sleep-deprived head for months.

And then further along the line, it became clear that what they really like to play with a lot of the time are not toys, but things around our house. Completely odd things. It really makes you think; did you need to spend any money in the first place?

So here’s the the top five random things she is currently obsessed with, the toddler edition:

1. Baby wipes: her attraction to other things has been fleeting – see also the Sky TV Box – but her love for baby wipes endures. I don’t know what it is about them – the never ending supply, the crisp white forbidden lure? But they are the Holy Grail of inappropriate playthings. The amount of times I’ve mistakenly left the packet within reach and found that she’s proudly emptied it within seconds…
2. iPad: In the face of 5am wake-ups and the tantilsing hope of just a couple more minutes of sleep, we bought out the big guns; Peppa Pig on YouTube. She’s now fascinated with the iPad – or, as she calls it, “iPaaaah”, and has picked up how to use it on her own with scary speed
3. Cushions: A new entry on the list, she’ll move them from one end of the sofa to the other, sit on them, then move them back. Or pile them up on the floor and build a den. It’s all about making order and systems. And soft, cushiony comfort
4. Fly swatter: We have a fly swatter, who knew? Eliza found this when rifling through a cupboard and has had it in her possession ever since
5. Keys*: I thought at first this was related to teething and the soothing properties of cold metal on sore gums. But no. If she’s teetering on the brink of a tantrum, giving her keys to play with will instantly switch her out of it. Her new game now is to sit and try to use them to open the lower lock on our front door. Hours and hours of fun; who are we to stand in her way?

*Not to be confused with another great love, cheese

Toddlers are funny creatures, aren’t they? It’s such a brilliant age though, I could watch her for hours. What’s the oddest thing yours loves?