Keeping a toddler entertained. Inside.

First of all, this saved my sanity yesterday.  I am still on the lookout for more things to do.  I have asked some friends, and I have thought of a few things myself as well.  Here's our problem: I have one toddler.  One.  Tree is excellent at playing with him, but I find myself wanting to do dishes or laundry instead.  I know, I know, I know, these are precious years bla bla bla.  But honestly?  It kind of feels like it did when Sprout was a newborn.  Everyone told me to soak up that time and really enjoy it.  Well, constant battles with thrush and mastitis and nasty sleep deprivation are just not conducive to enjoyment.  He was a shrieking, pooping, eating machine.  Not exactly enjoyable.  It wasn't all bad, but it was a difficult time to which I would not want to return.  So anyway.
I am trying to find ways to enjoy the toddler years.  There is much more to enjoy, but playing toddler games does not come naturally or easily to me, so I'm looking for help.

What we did yesterday:
-made bean bags out of socks and dried beans.  then threw them around at stuff and into bowls.
-made the living room into an obstacle course
-sprinkled baking soda scented with lavender essential oil all over the living room (yeah... eventually I'll vacuum it up, too)


The days are still hot here in the desert, and going out in 100 degree weather is too draining for everyone involved.  I do not want to even think about how much TV we have watched.  I still cling to the ideal of NOT using the TV as a babysitter.  And as I write this, Sprout is watching Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (his choice).

Here are some ideas other people came up with:

-finger painting/body art with pudding
-forts (we've done this, though really Sprout just likes to tear them apart)
-puppets
-bubble baths
-yoga videos (we've also done this, with some hilarious results)
-cornstarch and water goop
-dance parties (we've done this, but it's kind of exhausting lol)