Happy 4th!

We had a really nice weekend.  We were lazy on Saturday, I dragged myself from bed to go to synagogue, then I relaxed around the pool for a bit.  Sunday it was really rainy (read pouring most of the day) and we were pretty nervous our annual tradition of going to the Kensico Dam for fireworks would be rained out. But, the sun will come out tomorrow by nightfall. So we were off to the dam! 

The dam is right off the center of the county. They built the 9/11 memorial on the exact center of the county and it's always nice to walk around it each year and remember those who died on 9/11. And to remember the freedoms that we are so privileged to enjoy in this country. Not to mention the memorial is simply stunning. 

 What I love each year about fireworks at the dam is that you see people of every race, ethnicity, and religions. And it makes you realize, that on July 4th, we forget color and beliefs and political party and all celebrate the birth of our country. It's what America is all about. Celebrating that we live here in this country because we have the freedom to make choices, and celebrate as we wish, and be who we are free from persecution.

 Then, after night falls, they launch fireworks in front of the dam.  The dam wall acts as an amplifier and you really hear and feel the fireworks.  This year's show was AWESOME! It had to be over 20 minutes and they had some amazing fireworks.  There were some really new and interesting ones and they had a nice mix of low ones and high up ones.  The whole crowd was ooh-ing and ahh-ing!

My camp was open on the 4th. And I actually didn't mind all that much.  Only 3 of my campers came, and then one left around noon, so we spent the rest of the day with 2 campers (counselors outnumbered campers 4:2!). We spent close to two hours in the pool in the afternoon, first swimming and then for counselor pool olympics.

I competed in the relay races. First jumping in and swimming to the shallow end and back, then swimming a lap with noodles at our feet and arms (harder than it sounds), and then while wearing a sopping wet t-shirt (insanely hard!). It was a fun way to spend the day and a really great way to stay cool.

Then we decided to be lazy and stay in and get front row seats to two amazing firework shows, the one in NY and the one in Boston. Next year I am hoping for watching the Boston show in person!