1:

Woody knew it was perfect from the moment he laid eyes on it.

It had been a Friday in mid-October when he and Buzz had gotten wind of Mom's plans for a weekend yard sale. A quick role call determined that no one was missing yet but just to be sure the Cowboy had ventured downstairs to see what he could find out.

He found the box marked "Yard Sale" on the kitchen table and as he dug through it, it seemed there was nothing out of the ordinary inside. It was only when he moved aside a few glass jars that he saw it. It was a hardcover red and black book, the paper jacket torn at the edges and the spine cracked.

It was the title though that caught Woody's attention: Poetic Gems. He smiled as he picked it up. He definitely knew someone who enjoyed poetry…

A faint scuffing noise almost sent his voice box leaping into his throat. Was Mom back already? She had only left for the hardware store with the kids ten minutes ago! Surely they couldn't be…

Peeking cautiously over the edge of the box, he breathed a sigh of relief. Buster was sitting under the table, looking up at him. Woody wiped his brow. "You nearly scared the snake outta my boot, Boy." Climbing out of the carton, book under arm, the Cowboy leapt off the tabletop and landed in the dog's soft fur. "Come on, Buster. Let's head upstairs."

As he rode Buster out of the kitchen and to his destination, Woody couldn't believe his luck. It was so hard finding presents and now the perfect one had just fallen into his lap. He only wished he didn't have to wait a month…

For the rest of October and half of November, Woody hid the book in Andy's closet. Finally the fifteenth arrived and with it came a cold, cloudy morning. Andy mumbled and groaned but finally dragged himself from his warm bed out the bedroom door.

As soon as he was gone, Woody came to life. Quickly he climbed down the comforter and headed to the closet.

Jessie, who woke up every morning as easily as if she'd had five cups of espresso, was practicing a yoga move she'd seen Mom attempt (and fail) when Woody walked out of the closet, book in hands. "What'cha doin'?" she asked.

He eyed her as she balanced to one side with her foot behind her neck. "Uh, you first."

"Destroyin' the universe."

"I beg pardon?"

Jessie unwrapped her leg and straightened up. "That's what it's called. 'The Destroyer of the Universe' pose. Though I suppose it is easier if you're boneless." She tapped the book. "Now you."

Woody held the book protectively. "It's just a present for someone."

Jessie grinned shrewdly. "Oh, and would that someone happen to be a special someone? And does that special someone happen to have a birthday today?"

"Knock it off, Jess. You know she does."

Jessie reached for the book. "Looky looky, let me see the booky…" Woody held it away. "Come on, lemme see!"

"It's a book of poems."

"Just let me look at it…" Woody placed his hand on her forehead and pushed her away. "What gives?"

"You can't read a book before you give it to somebody as a present!"

"Why not?"

"It's rude!"

Jessie crossed her arms. "I've never heard that."

"That's because you learned all your manners in a barn…Ow!" Woody rubbed his shoulder where she had pinched him.

"So I suppose you haven't read any of it?"

"Not a word," he answered. As he stared at the cover, a smile began to play over his face. "No, the first one who gets to read it is Bo…"

"Well, Andy'll be finishin' breakfast soon and then he'll leave for school. I mean after he gets dressed, makes his bed, brushes his teeth…Hey, where are ya goin'?" Jessie called. Woody was walking to the door.

"I'm going to give Bo her birthday present!"

"But Andy ain't even left yet! He could be back up here any minute!"

"Then I better hurry!"

Jessie stared after her brother. "That girl's got his head more turned than an owl with vertigo." She looked behind her. Buzz Lightyear had apparently just woken up and was taking a morning stroll. "You!" she shouted as she pointed at him.

"Me?" he answered, startled.

"You ever attempt a One Legged King Pigeon Pose?"

"I can't say that I have," he answered. "Especially since I don't know what that is…"

"Well today's the day you learn, Partner!" She grabbed his hand and began to drag him to the center of the room. "Let's Yoga!"