basic conversation

I am acquainted with some of the world's coolest teeny people.

Babysat Nathan this morning, while my sister was busy with making announcements to her students. He's so much fun! First we read books about numbers ("here are five balls! here are six cars! yay!"), then we found a drum kit and played with the fun pedals, and then we waved pencils around excitedly.

He's recently started talking, and has discovered the benefits of replying to questions. We've been having conversations like this:
"Oh, it's your bag! Do you want something in here?"
"Mmm."
"What do you want? The drink bottle? Do you want me to fill it up again?"
"Mmm."
"Okay - here you go. Say 'ta'."
"Ta."
"You're welcome."

So much easier than randomly guessing what he wants!

(Do you guys say 'ta', or is that just an Australian thing? Any specific words that get used for taking things from little kids?)