Graduation Party

Jessica decided to have her graduation lunch at Benihana's. Here she is with Kelsey, Nicole and Brendan. Her friend Gabby decided to have her party here too!

It was the first time to Benihana's for Grandpoppy and Grandmommy who both enjoyed the meal.

Later, the rest of the family came to our house for cupcakes and snacks.

Best Friends and Seventh Graders

Jessica and Kaitlyn pose for the first time together as seventh graders. Kaitlyn won many awards at graduation. She is a great friend and since Jess finally got her cell phone as her graduation gift the texts have been flying.

Graduation

On June 25th, Jessica graduated from Floral Park-Bellerose School. She won the award for the highest average in reading which was a great achievement.

At the ceremony, awards are given, the band and orchestra play a song and the class sings a song. This year's song was Breaking Free from High School Musical.

Afterwards, a reception follows in the gym which is still decorated from the dance.

Here Jessica is with Grandmom Lillian, Grandpoppy, Grandmommy and Aunt Hilda along with Jim and I. Nicole was still in school as siblings in school cannot attend the ceremony.

Elvis and Neil

The dance had funny cutouts to take pictures behind. Jess and Kiera decided to be Elvis and Neil Armstrong.

Also, this year the school hired a digital photography company to take pictures of the kids with their friends and teachers and then had an assortment of frames to display each.

Sixth Grade Dance

Every year the sixth grade has a dance on the Friday before graduation. The class votes on a theme, Retro this year, and the parents decorate the gym to match the theme. Our gym had records on the walls, old fashioned cardboard cars to take pictures in and a time machine to enter the gym in.

I was lucky to work the dance and the rest of the parents could attend for the last thirty minutes. All of the sixth grade teachers attended the dance as well.

This is Jess with her friends Carolyn, Gabby, Katie, Cassidy and Kiera. They had a great time dancing and goofing off.

How Time Flies

So we are almost at the end of the school year. It will be a long few days to go. My girls still have tests and homework this week while many of their friends are hanging out these last few days. This is their parent's fault as we like strong teachers. (They do not know we request the tough ones.:))

For Jess, it means the last few days in elementary school as she moves to the Junior/Senior High in the fall. There are so many teachers who have gotten her this far that it will be hard to say goodbye and hello to new friends next year. It is like kindergarten all over again. But first is the dance and then graduation.

For Nicole, it means not having a sister to worry about at school. Nicole is an amazing young lady who has a heart of gold and never leaves her sister behind no matter what. I hope her teacher next year continues to push her they way this year's teacher did.

For Jim and I, it means a new world of cell phones and continuing to let go a little to our girls. Both will be walking to and from school with friends next year but they still get 10 weeks of summer fun. Some will be at camp. Some with be at dance. Some will be at the pool. Some will be with us on vacation.

I hope the some will have more smile than tears.

Jess Bridges to Cadets

Jessica bridged to Cadets tonight. Here she is reading what Girl Scouts mean to her. She leaves behind two awesome leaders that wanted to hold her back a year because they loved her so!

Next year will be a new adventure with a new group of girls.

Nurse Kelsey to the Rescue

Kelsey thought all Uncle Jimmy's foot needed was a Dora the Explorer band aid. It must have worked because his foot reduced significantly overnight.

I see medical school in her future!

Coley and Kelsey

Luckily for the kids, Rick has a pool. Here Nicole and her mini me, Kelsey, have fun in the pool.

Kelsey likes to think she is a big kid and luckily her older cousins like having her to play with.

Happy Father's Day

Yesterday was Father's Day. We celebrated on Saturday with dinner at Houlihan's and then we watched Hairspray.

On Sunday, we gave Jim breakfast in bed. This is a photo of Jess which was taken in the afterschool program. Her teacher took the picture, enlarged it and then Jess picked out a frame and personalized it.

He then relaxed for a little bit before we headed to Rick and Erin's for a barbecque with the family.

Jim's Boo Boo

So while Jess and I are on our trip, Jim and Nicole were having a little quality time. They went to her lacrosse game on Saturday and went to Jim's softball game on Sunday morning. Nicole usually goes to softball because she likes to harass one of Jim's friends, Tom King.

So while he was attempting to slide into third base, the base won and Jim broke his ankle. He collect Nicole, dropped her off at his mom's and went to his hospital for x-rays. He did happen to call and tell me there was no need to come home early.:)

He really chipped the little bone that sticks out on his left foot. The orthopedist put him in a walking cast and told him to come back in two weeks.

Our friends, the Schelecthers, picked us up after the trip, took him and Nicole dinner and bought us food for the next morning.

Our friend, Tracy, made us dinner Monday night which was delicious.

Thanks to everyone who helped Jim and I out! We are truly blessed!

Finally Heading Home

Jess is ready for the drive back to NY. We watched Hairspray, Enchanted and National Treasure during our bus rides.

We had a great two days and have decided to visit Baltimore to see the state sport, jousting, in action on Saturday nights.

Junior Troop 1003 or 04

On Sunday, we headed to Baltimore for the day. First we went to the National Aquarium. Here the troop is in front of bubbles. We then saw the dolphin show.

After lunch, we took the Duck Tour which I would highly recommend if you get a chance.

Jess was disappointed we did not get to visit the largest Barnes and Nobles which is located at the Inner Habor.

I have a dream...

Jessica is standing on the spot where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his infamous I Have a Dream speech. A little known fact is that he did not have those inspiring words written in the speech but added them during it.

I have a dream that all children have loving parents, food in their bellies and no hardships at all.

The Wall

My dad's cousin, John Dennis Donovan, died in Vietnam. Everytime we go to DC, I like to visit his name and say a prayer. Jessica gets so emotional when we visit.

I am grateful to all the men and women who have given their lives for freedom, and the ones who continue the battle now.

They are the greatest Americans!

White House

Jessica and Kaitlyn are standing outside the White House. Jess is confident Kaitlyn will be the first female President and her the Chief of Staff.

Hopefully, they will let their moms on the other side of the gate!

Washington DC

Jessica and I spent Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8 in Washington, DC and Baltimore with her Girl Scout troop. It was almost 100 degrees but we saw many things and had a great trip.

This is us in front of the Capitol.

Third Place in the Sixth Grade Wheelbarrel Race

Jess and Kiera came in third place in the Wheel Barrel race! They are in the middle in red.

Third Place in the Fourth Grade Relay

Matt, Sam, Carroll and Nicole won third place for the Fourth Grade Relay!

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.