The perfect little helper

"Soos", says my grandson, handing them over whenever we mention the word "car".  He is quite the little talker now, albeit in two or three words.  But one word with the correct inflection accurately communicates exactly what he wants.  It's amazing to re-discover the miraculous way toddlers begin to grasp language.     

And don't mention the word "ice".  To him that's "ice cream" and there'll be no peace until he gets some, or is distracted.  "Moh" is "more", when wants either more food, or more of anything else -- such as tunnels, swings, his hat, water (yours, never his).......whatever.  "All done" comes out very clearly.  We also have "bony" for his bunny, but "bunny" for "Barney".  "Happy" is his toothbrush, a brilliant stroke by daughter, who translates perfectly as I get the hang of it all.  I am "ganda" for the moment, which captures perfectly either "grandma" or "grandpa".  Clever. 

When he wants help with something, or wants to show you something, he runs over and says "hand", while grasping it and leading you to wherever he wants you to go.  Yesterday it was to a little toddler "house" in a playground in Golden, B.C., where we had stopped for a breather and a snack.  When we got to the door, he literally pushed me in!  Quite the sight watching me stoop down to enter this tiny abode.  Once inside, we made mud pies at his insistence.       

He loves to tidy up, clean tables, collect everyone's luggage, open doors, push you out of them, unlock the car with keys, "talk" on any phone, use the computer, punch the converter, drive and just generally order us all around.  "No" and "yes" rule our worlds. 

But this weekend he was a real trooper, braving long drives stuck in a hot car seat and sleeping in a strange hotel room.  I think he is adorable and very hardy.