Sweets for my Sweets

I gave my kids a special treat this weekend and let them pick out a goody at a wonderful bakery. I treated myself as well and then sat back and watched the kids enjoy their goodies. Sam chose an eclair and held it gingerly with his fingers trying so hard not to get chocolate on his hand. He cautiously brought it to his mouth and took the most miniscule nibble. He then nibbled all the way around the eclair being careful to avoid the chocolate on top and not nibbling deep enough to reach the cream in the middle. Finally after all his careful work he offered it to his sister and licked his fingers clean of the last little remnants of chocolate and icing. Teresa's pick was a cannolli that had chocolate shavings and powdered sugar all over the top of it. She brought it right to her mouth and took a big bite. She continued attacking her treat pausing every now and again to lick her fingers. By the time she finished it there was cannolli cream all over her hands and her face. She wasn't quite done though. She used a sticky little finger to bring every last chocolate shaving and stray sugar to her mouth. Not a crumb or speck could be found on her dish when she finished. Katie picked some colorful sprinkled cookies in a variety of shapes. She bit her cookies into what she claimed were animal shapes and then proceeded to play with her new toys. The little cookie animals she created chatted with each other, played at an imaginary playground on the table and even got sent to timeout. When they were reduced to a pile of crumbs Kate announced she was done.
Something struck me as I watched them...in everything they do their essential being shines through. Sam approaches life cautiously and with an eye always on the lookout for possible problems. He is careful and methodical in everything he does. And he is generous to a fault. For Teresa life is messy and she takes big bites. She rarely hesitates and revels in new experiences. Life is a game for Katie. No matter where we are or what we have at our disposal Katie will find a way to make it fun. How amazing that a simple treat can reveal bits of who these little people are?