Mind your p’s and q’s

My grandson is eighteen months old. He doesn’t say much yet, although he doesn’t really need to say anything, he just smiles beatifically and points and gets pretty much whatever he wants. I’m trying to get him to use ‘ta’ at the moment, but maybe I’m being too ambitious? He can follow simple instructions, and his comprehension is amazing.

When I was about three, my mother tells me, I sat in my highchair and asked for cake.

Me: want cake.
Mum: and? (looking for a ‘please’)
Me: want cake.
Mum: and? (still looking for a ‘please’)

Me: … and nemolade.

I got both. Delivered with a smile and a kiss.