rivka

for #2, i'd look at this as the development of a sense of humor -- Alex has made a joke here - utilizing the idea of surprise and theory of mind --it's the unexpected aspect of something - the surprise - that makes us laugh. and she was trying (not consciously perhaps) to get you to laugh -- or she had some idea that what she did, which she thought was funny )what a concept -- funny) would cause the same reaction in you. now that is really very advanced -- i don't mean for her age, but as a quality that sets humans apart from other animals!

(I've been reading your journal for a while but don't think I've ever commented. I was so overwhelmed by taking care of my own three kids that I rarely wrote anything down about their antics or development; reading about Alex triggers waves of memories of things forgotten but I'm oh so happy to be reminded of them.