Team Newsom

Team Oerzen

Train Float

This is the team who built the train station float.

Matt, Emma, Sarah and Nicole

Team Oerzen

Evan, Sarah and Nicole pull their float

Team Newsom

Mrs. R., Jasmine, Jess and Mrs. Newsom pull the float.

Olympic Day 2008

Every year our school has Olympic Day. This includes not only sporting events but contest such as spelling, class banners, uniforms and the all important float.

The school holds a parade on the streets around the school which brings everyone out to watch. Then they head to the back fields for the games. Finally, it is indoors to pick a winner. It was the first year I got to watch most of the events which was a lot of fun.

This year Jess and Nicole were a part of the float team for their class.

This is Jessica's float which won third place. Special Thanks to Jep for providing real fire equipment and hats for the class!

Jessica Wins Another Essay Contest

Jessica won an essay contest on the person who has been special to her. She picked Mrs. Vecchione her teacher since first grade.

Here is the essay:

Mrs. Vecchione made a difference in my life by introducing me to Lunch Bunch. I will never forget that first day in first grade. I discovered I did not like the cafeteria, and I would not eat my lunch. Then Mrs. G. told me about Lunch Bunch and how I would eat in Mrs. Vecchione’s room. I was so happy.

But the first day I was going to Lunch Bunch, I was nervous. I hunkered down by the trash can to wait. To my relief, Mrs. Vecchione arrived and took me to her classroom. I discovered I liked it much better then the cafeteria and ate lunch for the first time in a few days. Lunch Bunch became more then just a place to eat. To me, it became a place for friends and a second home.

The lessons I learned are that Mrs. Vecchione is the nicest person in the universe. You should not be afraid of new experiences because someone will guide you through them. Teachers are our friends.

Mrs. Vecchione was the difference in my life by making me feel at ease and more confident about myself. Without Lunch Bunch, I would have been slowly starving myself. I feel blessed to know Mrs. Vecchione.

Softball

Once again, Nicole played softball in the town. Here she is on first with her best bud, Brigid, on the mound.

It is hard to cheer for only your child when you know all the girls on the other team as well.

Team Jessica

Jessica attended the wedding shower of one of her teachers, Ms. Murray. Here Jessica along with Mrs. Vecchione and Ms. Terranova are part of the team that worked with Jess in second grade. They were truly the best group of women to have Jess work with that year. They helped to give Jess the foundation which is paying off now.

We like to think these ladies are more than just teachers-they are our special angels and family!

Breakfast Bunch Ladies

Jessica has had the privilege of being a member of a special group of children who meet in the mornings before school called Breakfast Club.

Jess is the last of the founding group of children and her friends Victoria and Britt came to surprise Ms. Murray for her wedding shower. The girls baked the cookies with Mrs. Vecchione the day before and have a good time together.

Britt is going to be a Junior and Victoria will be in 8th grade.

Ms. Murray will be getting married in Annapolis at the Navy Chapel to Dennis on August 2.

Immigration Play

Nicole's class is studying immigration in school and they put on a play about coming to America through Ellis Island. Nicole played a Russian mom who came over with her family. The family had to stay at Ellis Island until they had money for a train ticket to move to their new home.

Nicole thought is was funny that her daughter was her friend Emma.

Memorial Day Parade

Every year our town has a Memorial Day Parade. This year Nicole marched with her Junior troop.

Afterwards, we had dinner with our friends, the Schlecters.

A Day at the Botanical Gardens

On Thursday my class went to the Botanical Gardens. We went to a classroom and learned about the rainforest. We got to study plants. We got to plant a polka dot plant.

These are Carroll, Kim, Anusha, and Emma from my class.

Guest Blogger-Nicole

Centennial Essay

Jessica was the big winner for the sixth grade for her essay on why she loves Floral Park. She got to read her essay at a village meeting. She received an award and gift.

Oppa's Crew

Jess, Nicole, Brendan and Kelsey say cheese aboard Oppa's Crew. This is Rick and Erin's boat which is docked in Freeport. Hopefully we will spend many days in the sun smiling and fishing.

Friends

After walking through town, the group takes a break. Nicole and Jess are chilling with their friends-Melissa, Hannah, Emily, Caroline, Emma, Harry and Maggie. This is before we head out to celebrate Mr. Schlechterberry's birthday at Shea.

Centennial Day Parade-May 10, 2008

This year Floral Park celebrates turning 100. Part of the festivities was a parade through town. Many politicians, fire trucks and civic groups turned out to march. Nicole marched with her Girl Scout troop. Her troop leader, Mrs. Schlectherberry, said she waved like a queen. Perhaps it is watching all of the Disney parades?

Winner-again!

Jessica did it again! She entered an essay contest on why she loves living in Floral Park. It is our town's Centennial and she won for the sixth grade. Here is the award winning essay:

I love Floral Park because of its memories. My family’s memories travel all the way back to when my great grandparents’ raised my grandmother on Hemlock Street. I continue to make memories on Daisy Avenue.

Memories are the stories of the good and the bad times passed down from generation to generation. I enjoy hearing stories from my grandmother about what Floral Park looked like, how it changed and all that she can remember about it. My grandma talks about playing volleyball down at the park with her friends just like my mother used to. My grandma also talks about the shops that used to exist on Tulip Avenue. My grandma still drives by the house she grew up in to check on its condition.

My father tells stories about what Floral Park looked like, what he experienced and his fondest memories. A few of my father’s memories of growing up in Floral Park is when they filmed the Reebok commercial on Tulip Avenue, participating in the Sewanhaka High School homecoming parades, and he recalls with great joy jumping off the high dive board at the Floral park pool and wishes that it still existed.

Even now at my young age, I already have some cherished memories of Floral Park that I hope to pass on to my children. I love recalling the first time I dove off the diving board at the pool. I can not wait to tell my kids of my days at school, especially my class winning Olympic Day two years in a row. Even the lemonade stands that my friends and I made have been stored away in my head for future generations.

Memories have to be cherished. Memories are a piece of history in someone’s mind. Memories allow you the chance to recall good times and friends you had in Floral Park. My family has many memories of Floral Park. I look forward to adding to that list. Memories of Floral Park can last more than a lifetime.

A New Adventure-Scrabble Road Show

JetBlue University has a blog for the faculty. Today, one of my colleagues started a new blog talking about adventures. It has a picture of one of my favorite adventurers, Indiana Jones. In the blog, it mentions how playing Scrabble is not an adventure. Clearly, he never played with my friend Dawn.

Dawn is at her most competitive during a game of Scrabble. Many a nights her family and mine would get together. Some nights we would play Scrabble. Jim and Dawn would go crazy trying to win. Ray and I would just try to spell "it" and duck the fireworks between the other two. Luckily, our four children would be down in the basement without a care in the world.

Today we learned our friends, Dawn and Ray and their sons, Mark and Eric, would be starting a new adventure this summer in Chatham, NJ. While I will miss the traditions we had a neighbors and friends, I am excited for them. Ray will not have the terrible commute to NJ everyday and we now our the proud owners of a whole snowblower.

As for adventures, we will just take the Scrabble game over the bridge. Who knows-maybe I will win!

The Tower of Doom

This tower is where the best defenders would stand to have the most protection.

Where is Teddy Roosevelt?

One of the things Jess wanted to do in San Juan was charge up San Juan Hill like Teddy Roosevelt. This is her in El Morro on the cannonballs which would have rained down on the Roughriders. There is mention of the battle at this fort and the sister fort down the road-San Cristobal. However, TR is not mentioned anywhere!

Nicole took this shot.

Bio Bay

So after hiking five hours in the rainforest, we ate dinner and then went kayaking at night in the Bio Bay, Fajardo. This was truly an amazing experience. There are only five bio bays in the world of which three are in Puerto Rico. You kayak through mangrove trees in the dark to discover the glowing creatures when you paddle.

It was an amazing experience and the whole family would recommend this as a must see in PR.

The Rare Puerto Rican Parrot

We hiked for almost five hours in the rainforest and did not see one of the 47 wild Puerto Rican Parrots which live there. Besides the 47 in the wild, there are another 60 in an aviary in the rainforest.

However, we did find four in Old San Juan. This one is on top of El Morro Fort.

Top of the World

This is a picture from one of the observation towers. The white is from the underside of the leaves of the trees.

You can see the Atlantic Ocean in the background which is about 20 miles away.

La Mina

This is one of the larger waterfalls in the rainforest.
We hiked about 30 minutes uphill in the rainforest to find this spot.

As you can see, like any prepared family, the bathing suits were in the car and of course Jess and Nicole fell in.

It was a beautiful and relaxing spot.

El Yunque Rainforest

During spring break, we went to San Juan, Puerto Rico. We visited the El Yunque Rainforest which is the only tropical rainforest in the US.

This is Jim and Nicole at her favorite spot, Coco Falls.

The National Geographic Geography Bee

Jessica was one of only 100 students from NY to participate in the National Geographic Geography Bee State competition.

After she won the school Bee, she had to take a written test and it was submitted for scoring. She was one of the top 100 scorers and got to represent her school at the Bee. She was the first from her school or the district to get this far.

We journeyed to Albany on April 3 for the contest on April 4. She went off to her group to compete with other children who were mostly 7th and 8th graders. She answered 6 out of 8 questions correctly which is amazing in itself as the questions can range from anything on the globe and then some! They only put the students with perfect scores to the final round of 10.

We toured the museum and headed home for a victory party which Jim and Nicole decorated the house!

This is Jess in front of the sign marking the Bee!

The Bake Off

Nicole entered Aunt Hilda's famous 7 Up Cake recipe into her Girl Scout troops bake off. We had a lot of fun making this cake whose leavening agent is 7 Up. She was an excellent bundt pan greaser as nothing stuck to the sides and the cake released perfectly.

She came in fourth place and the cake was delicious!

The Chair

Jessica spent most of her weekend sitting in the massage chair reading.

When we could not find her, she would be in this spot with the massage feature going and reading a book.

I am surprised she did not ask to bring the chair home.

The Gang

Here is Nicole, Ryan and Jess with their loot. Once again there is more money and candy in the eggs than at a candy store.

Annual Easter Egg Hunt

As long as there is an Easter Egg Hunt, Nicole and Jess do not care where they spend Easter.

This year we were at my sister Kathy's new house in PA.

Nicole traded her treats for her cousin Ryan's money.

Easter Egg Dying

Jess and Nicole dye Easter eggs with Denise at her home. Not much trouble this year except we used more eggs than we wanted too.

Oh well-more deviled eggs this year!

Nicole wins Math award

Nicole received a perfect score on the NY State Standardized test. Here she is receiving her award.

Where we left off...

So it has been a while since I blogged. Things have been busy with the Choisez Family.

Jim is only a few short months from graduating from school. He is at the top of his class so all of Jessica's tutoring must be a help. :) Seriously, he has done it all on his own. He is registered for the Long Island Half Marathon in May and is looking for his next big race.

Jessica has been busy with the school play, Peter Pan. She was a part of the stage crew and was very helpful in getting the sets moved and helping the parents backstage with their cues. She also was a state finalist for the National Geographic Geography Bee-more to come on this.

Nicole has entered the crazy spring sport season. In addition to dance, she has lacrosse and spring soccer. She will add softball as soon as soccer is finished. She was recognized by the school district as having a perfect score on the NYS Math Test.

I have been busy with JetBlue. I was part of a team that ran a conference for JetBlue at West Point for three days. I also helped to put together the program for the play.

I will try to keep this up to date.

New Bird

Jess got a new bird after Fawkes passed away. The bird is a boy and Jess named him Indiana or Indy for short.

Geography Bee

These are the kids in the geography bee. Jess is the third to the right in the top row and won the whole shebang.

All we want for Christmas is...

the Wii. Luckily, Santa secured us a Wii this year. Since it was the only item on their list, they were very happy to receive it.

Everyone here as well as Grandmommy, Grandpoppy and Brigid have created their Miis (mees) to play the games.

Jess is a wicked bowler and Nicole has a slice in golf. Of course, Nicole loves her Hannah Montana game and even had Grandpoppy learning the moves!

Trip to the Mission

Jessica's religion class, taught by my dear friend Tracy, wanted to visit with families who did not have as much as we do. All the children brought presents to the mission. In addition, they sung songs and helped served lunch.

Tracy organized the event and emphasized to our children how similiar we are all.

It was a great start to the week of Christmas.

Junior Holiday Party

Nicole's Junior troop put on a holiday show for the families. It was all about how different cultures and countries celebrate during December.

Here is their version of Rudolph. Nicole is in the back right and is Dasher.

Meeting Mickey

Part of my training was to do publicity shots and videos. Here I meet the mouse that started it all. I like this shot because Jim thought it was hysterical that I have all the professional equipment on site.

What else would you expect from Disney?

Christmas in Magic Kingdom

One of the benefits of my winning was having Jim, Jess and Nicole experience the Walt Disney World Resort at Christmas. I have to admit they look happy even after waking up at 4:00 am to take the 6:00 pm flight to Tampa, drive across the state and then go to Mickey's Christmas Party at 7:30!

It was a remarkable three days for the Three Calballeros as they like to call themselves now.

Lunch with Royalty

Disney rolled out the red carpet for us. Everytime we turned around we had another surprise. Here Brett, myself and Heather meet Princess Aurora during lunch at Cinderella's Royal Table. Afterwards, we got to visit Cinderella's suite. It was truly a place to stay and you have a butler on call for you.

So it begins

As you know, I won a contest with Disney which will have me providing travel tips to families visiting my favorite place.

Here are some of the people I have the pleasure of working with: Beatrice, Kim, Michelle, Heather, Laura, Darcie and Brett.

You can start emailing us at http://www.disneyworldmoms.com on January 7.

Dancing Elves

If you have not done this, you are missing out on some laughs. This is our family. Happy Holidays!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1343472773

Finally One Spot

After looking for a tree and wreathes for the houses, Jess, Brendan, Nicole and Kelsey get together for this shot. It is the only one we have of the four of them.

The day was a lot of fun - being cramped in the car for over an hour each way, freezing in the snow looking for a tree and chasing four children in 4 different directions is a tiring way to spend a Sunday.

However no major battles between spouses over which Christmas tree to pick - priceless!

Away in Jess and Brendan's Manger

Jess and Brendan wanted to know what it was like to sleep on branches like Baby Jesus. Plus they were tired from searching the hill for their trees.

The James Boys Moving Trees

Brendan James and Jimmy carry our tree down the hill. I am sure Rick would have liked the help with his tree even if it only lasted as it took me to snap this picture.

Kelsey's Tree

Kelsey liked this little tree. She may have to wait a few years before she gets to bring it home.

The Nichols Family Tree

This is the tree that will be residing with Kelsey, Erin, Brendan and Rick.

Brendan was happy to finally be able to pick the tree.

Rick was happy that the saw worked.

On Top of the Mountain

For the third year in a row, we have journeyed to Jones Family Farm in Connecticut to cut down our tree. This year we went with our cousins which was a lot of fun.

Brendan and Jess climbed a big rock in order to scout our trees.

Finally my Cupcake!

At the end of the party, she finally had her sixth and finally birthday cake.

Oh to be 9 again!

Too Many Chefs?

Chefs Kara, Nicole, Christine and Kaitlyn do not look happy. Maybe their dinner is burning?

Chefs in training

Chefs Caroline, Jessica, Olivia, Emma, Nicole and Hannah show us their creations.

Yum-o!

Cooking School 101

Nicole had a cooking birthday party this year. She and her friends decorated aprons and then made pizza and cupcakes.

Here Nicole, Meaghan and Brigid decorate their aprons.