For his second birthday, the Bub received a multi-function kitchen. Graciously, Nana and Zayde purchased a small one in consideration of the size of our apartment. But it packs a wallop: 2 burners, a sink, an oven, a microwave and a washing machine. Needless to say, it is a favored toy and he plays with almost daily. Of course, he spent only a week or two cooking with it. Since then, it's been all about the washing machine.
Let me just muse for a minute on toddler expropriation. Shoes as storage closets, trampoline as playhouse, calculator/pencil case/teether as cell phone, potty as cave, drying rack as panda house, the list goes on. Recently Aunt Carrie-- oops, I mean Taylor-- sent a gift of an extra-large dinosaur pop-up book. But to Sasha, the book is a book of tunnels. All his pretend people burrow their way through the book, into and underneath the 3D dinosaurs, occasionally ripping pieces but in no way diminishing his enjoyment. Human imagination is so much more relevant than manufacturers' intent. And who knew a washing machine did more than wash clothes?
When Nana and Zayde visited us upon returning from Hong Kong, Sasha wanted to cook them a meal. The menu was ambitious, consisting of fruits and vegetables, bread and beans and pasta and other assorted delicacies. He brought out each item of food, offered it, then announced, "Oh. It's dirty. I have to put it in the washing machine." I believe he went through his entire cupboard of foodstuffs (thanks, Aunts Alice, Margot and Wendy!), but alas, every piece was dirty and in need of washing. Their plates remained empty while washing machine got all of the promised meal.
Then there's the Washing Machine Exit. If he's had enough of playing with one set of toys and he's ready to move on to something else, he'll transition via W.M.E. For example, Woody and Buzz will be having a great time flying around and having adventures when he'll suddenly suggest that they fly into the washing machine. He removes the sink and stuffs them into the hole that leads directly into the washing machine and voila! out of sight, out of mind. Sasha is free to pick up different toy.
Other times, however, there is no fade, only repetition of the cycle. Put toys in, open door, and let them all cascade out onto the floor, and repeat. Every toy gets put into rotation and sometimes the entire toy box gets shoved in at once. Sometimes they're pursued by a T-Rex who follows them into the hole, then the door opens and the chase begins anew. I cannot understand why it doesn't get boring.
The kitchen usually sits in a corner, and one time I turned it the other way around to see if he would cook instead of "wash." He flipped out and demanded I turn it back RIGHT NOW.
