I started a thread when my son was 14mo asking about early signs giftedness. I've linked it below because the answers the community generated were superb. (Thanks again everyone!)

http://giftedissues.davidsongifted....5218/Feedback_please_Is_this_normal.html

Re: water tables, I've always just pulled a chair up to our kitchen sink or pedestal basin in the powder room. This saves us space and money in our condo, and it reduces the risk that my wood floors get destroyed...! Obviously this requires parental supervision, but DS is one of those children who learns interpersonally, so I wouldn't have been off the hook if it was set on the floor.

Here's a thread I stared recently on toddler media that have been hits in our house. Maybe you'll find some of the ideas helpful, since our sons are only a few months apart in age:

http://giftedissues.davidsongifted.org/BB/ubbthreads.php/topics/154238/Favourite_toddler_media.html

What is to give light must endure burning.