Two sisters try to hide their mischievous act — but their mom knew exactly what they were doing

It begins like any ordinary afternoon in a home where the clatter of toy blocks mixes and dolls dressing up would be common, and gets louder with the giggles of two young siblings. But tucked between these everyday sounds are the two adorable sisters, in crime, planning and plotting, a secret involving a crinkly packet of forbidden delight, a pack of chocolate chips.

The video uploaded to Instagram on @vanfam_partyof5 is an account managed by their mother, Stephanie VanArsdale. Everlee, the older sibling, appears to always have a knack for strategy. She is the kind who thinks fast, acts faster, and drags her little sister into conspiracies. On this particular day, she managed to get a packet of chocolate chips from the kitchen counter. The plan was simple: to sneak, eat, and deny. And as usual, little Emrie, the younger one, was roped in, equal parts partner in crime and innocent accomplice.

The funniest instance here is that Everlee, the elder one, who insists they haven’t eaten anything, has a smear of chocolate on her face that betrays her. And in perfect sync, both girls open their mouths wide to 'prove' their innocence, showing empty mouths as if that erases all evidence.“What’s going on?” the mother asks, stepping in, to which Emrie blurts out, “We don’t have anything." Everlee instinctively squeezed herself tighter against her sister, a human shield of sorts, hoping proximity would help them better. 

Emrie tried her best to act normal, to keep up with her sister’s elaborate mime of innocence. But she was caught, and honesty was practically stitched into her being. And when her mother asked her, “What are you hiding behind you?” Everlee shot her a look and kept telling her, "Don’t tell her," trying to shush her as much as she could. 

Social media, of course, had a field day with the adorable clip. "Next time, just ask if it tastes good. 100% of the time, the kid will say yes," wrote @cessna_195.

"Are you eating something? ‘No.’ Does it taste good? ‘Yes,’" they added, summing up toddler logic perfectly. @mikeyzdnb chiming in said,  "Well, we know which one we can't take to rob a bank just yet."@fulana noticed the giveaway, "The melted chocolate chip on her chin!" @mrs.valencia84 couldn't hold back, "Girl! You had the right to remain silent!" And @kim_dk put it best with a string of laughing emojis and the perfect observation, stating, "Babygirl is conflicted!"

Watching Everlee and Emerlee navigate their little chocolate-chip caper, it’s impossible not to notice how different they are, even in mischief, but they share an adorable relationship.  Everlee, the older one, is calculated, and Emrie, on the other hand, has her guilt written all over her face even as she tries to keep the secret. Most parents will agree, siblings often grow up with completely different temperaments, despite being raised under the same roof. According to Psychology Today, both conscious and unconscious factors shape these differences, from inborn personality traits and the way parents respond to each child. 

For more videos like these, you can follow @vanfam_partyof5 on Instagram!