L., yes this can be very hard, you cannot expect a child to want to play by himself us humans are social creatures, he wants your attention, sit down with him and play you need to play with the toys, or feed his imagination, with an imaginary freind, or pet, you have to start it, its ok to do this, it feeds their little minds, to get him to clean up he might never do that, ahhaha however singing songs about cleaning up may help, barney has one, i used to sing it to my boys, when we all were cleaning together, maybe you have to get creative when it ocmes to cleaning, like put the things you want him to do on a peice of paper, and have him draw them out of a bowl, like pick up 10 toys, and count them as he does, also put in the bowl, things like get a snack, or a drink, just have fun with it, the toothpaste thing , you need to lock such things and toddler proof your home, if you read the toothpaste label it says to contact poison control if the normal use is swallowed, im sure he is ok, but it would be smart to call, just in case he gets sick, too much flouride can make one puke, so just so you know, why he might get sick, i'd call. any way , enjoy your active child, they will bring you much happiness, sometimes dont fret over cleaning things and spend time with him and his brother, and or make a day and have the little one watched and take him shopping or spend the day with him, he sounds like he loves to be social, and enjoys others, its not a bad thing, find the good in it, and it will also find you , D. s