Egg-cellent surprise

Yesterday I had a student (going into 3rd grade in the fall) begin sharing about how he cooks breakfast. I, being a cynic, began to play off this talk and requested such a meal the next day. Many children have a tendency to show off. I (wrongly) assumed that this was one of those cases where the student was stretching the truth to boast about something in front of their class - trust me, it happens quite often. My speedy 8-second monologue went something like this:

Mrs. Woo: Oh, so you cook, now do you? Well, I like eggs! Mr. Tommy [TA for summer], how do you like your eggs? ... Okay, he likes his sunny side up. I like scrambled. Alright, breakfast tomorrow morning!

From now on, I'm going to be just a little bit more trusting of my students when they make bold statements about their abilities. Here's why:

The kid opens the door before I've done so myself. I'm about to tell his father that I usually don't do that for another 10 minutes when I see him holding 2 plates wrapped in foil. He puts them down on my front table and gives each one a pat. "This one's sunny side up, and this one's scrambled."

I was super surprised and laughed for a good 5 minutes because I couldn't believe that he actually made us breakfast. His dad even mentioned that he woke up early to make everything. Cute! Even the napkin was neatly and purposely folded, holding a plastic fork. Later I found a sausage in there too. I should have told him that Mr. Woo really likes breakfast foods and a lot of it...

The only problem? The kid kept asking me if I had eaten it yet. "No, I've been teaching your class all morning. I will definitely eat it though." My answer satisfied him for a few moments, but then he continued to ask me every 15 minutes. It wasn't until after recess that I could tell him that, yes, it was delicious and that he did a great job in not dropping any shells in there. (I was very careful with the first couple of bites.)

Smart, charming, and already cooking? Watch out America. I may have found a future Iron Chef!

Ice Breaker Contest Prizes

Back in prehistoric times, Mr. Woo won a brand-spankin' new (with engraving!) Bible. Some of you helped him get there.

Awww, he looks so happy! Wait... Husband, are you smelling this new Bible???

Yes, he definitely has his nose in the book (literally).

But what's in it for you, right? ;) This is what I wrote to our voters, and I quote:

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO VOTED

You are receiving this e-mail because you have voted in the Ice Breaker Contest!

Mr. Woo has chosen to receive a copy of the ESV Bible. As a token of appreciation to the participants, we would like to present to you your very own buttery new copy of the ESV Bible filled with weighty content. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of your prize. The holiday season is quite the busy one for this newlywed couple.

Thank you.

If you don't care to hear my excuses, skip to the next section. Otherwise, proceed. Yes, the holidays were a busy time of the year for the Woos. I began planning and making the first part of your prizes, but there were a couple of hiccups along the road. (1) Not all of what I ordered came the way it should have. I didn't want to go through the hassle of returning, reordering, etc. so the e-mailing/waiting ate up some time. (2) I left some supplies at school, and kept forgetting to bring it home. That's my bad. If it makes you feel better, I hardly bring home any work from school as well. (Don't worry, I do my work at school.)

So now I'm pleased to present to you your prize: your very own ESV Bible! Though the outer appearance is different from the one that Mr. Woo won... the inside is different as well. But yours comes practical in another way.

It has an eraser and a pencil sharpener! Pretty nifty, eh?

On a first come, first serve basis please come find me at church to claim your Bible. If you're out of the area and would like me to pass yours along to someone else to give to you, just shoot me an e-mail. Happy sharpening (pun intended)! :)