Since we had been to Orlando and Disney in the past, we decided to spend our 2020 Spring Break in Tampa. Joe and Pam Eng were kind enough to let us use their beautiful home on the bay. We debated for a second about whether or not to go when the world began to shut down due to COVID but we thought 'better to be in FL than NY in our tiny apartment!'
The airport was very clean and welcoming, we already felt like home!
Pam and Joe's waterfront home (newly renovated) had a pool table at the center, a massive fish tank (we helped feed the fish) and a Koi pond in the front of the house.
And a beautiful Pool perfectly situated on the canal for amazing sunsets...
Our vacation began with lots of swimming, as other activities became unavailable... but that is what we came for...
Daddy and Brooklyn
Canoeing with Dad on the canal...so fun!
Brooklyn slept in Hannahs closet, mostly full of beautiful shoes. We may have found her trying them on after a nap one day... caught red handed!!!
We had a lovely visit to the white sand of siesta keys on the gulf side....
An absolute oasis from our tiny NYC apartment...
A Sunday walk on the pier with my boys...
Eventually Pam and Joe returned to their home as the world locked down. Rather than return to NYC where all playgrounds were locked and a grocery visit may be a 2+ hr line we opted to stay in Florida with no change fee flights for our return trip. We had no departure date, and that seemed just fine...
Luckily for us as the theme parks (Disney and Universal) closed down one by one the prices of vacation rentals steadily dropped day by day, as well as rental car prices and gas....
We found a 4 bdrm/3 bath condo for a fraction of what we pay for NYC rent and tacked 2.5 more weeks to the fun...
Although we were not as close to the beach we found a home with a little private pool, which was a lifesaver while community pools were all closed... Brooklyn fell in this pool by accident while pushing shells around in the little stroller. Bridger saved her, way to go Bro!!!
We bought Brooklyn a little boat, because she didn't like getting in the cold water...
Bronxton started to learn to swim more confidently in this little lap pool after dad threw him in enough times.
Home schooling (virtual schooling) commenced in this townhome. Thank goodness the dollar store was considered essential and stayed open for our supplies!!!
Bronxton read his very first book all the way through...Three Billy Goats Gruff...
And he wrote a manual 'How to Make Stripes' - it was hard work for a 5 yr old...
Brooklyn LOVES yahtzee...especially rolling the dice.
And Brooklyn with her underwear obsession, finding her brothers and putting it on...
Lest you never forget how cheap gas could be... Thank you Joe Biden for doubling or tripling the cost of EVERYTHING just 2-3 years later....
While in house 2, we spent time with E'lle and TJ, they came for BBQ and spent the day at Old Town amusement park (the only one still open in town). The kids got in some old fashioned amusement rides,. It's no Disney but they pretty much had the place to themselves, pretty awesome!
On the roller coaster as the only riders....
And again, no one to share with...
At E'lles beautiful apartment....
And snuck in a visit to the beach on the other side East coast, Cape Canaveral for our very first rocket launch (who knew it would soon become our home)
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