those damn iPads

​I swear, I really HATE how dependent my boys are on ipads, but man, those things are the best nannies when I need my quiet. Therefore, I cannot have anyone, but me, to blame for when my boys turn into evil little brats after they’ve fried their brains.
 
We went to Seattle yesterday for purely business, as I had 5 photo sessions booked there. It was 3.5 hours each way from Seaside to Seattle. iPad was their company when I drove and even when I took photos. Safe to say, spawns at their worst emerged when we were nearly done with the day. My children turned into 110% pure assholes that I was in tears when we finally arrived home. 

this was after I dragged them out of the car, yelling at them while I was at it (they were too glued to their iPads, not giving a fuck about the troll statue) PC: a nice stranger

one out of 3 kids managed to show interest, however brief.

exhausted me, seriously. the driving and the frustration really did a toll. PC: Eitan

This morning, when waking up, not even 30 minutes into the day, at 8am thank you very much, one of my kids came to me crying and blubbering about God knows what… I don’t even remember because frankly, I didn’t have my coffee yet. I got out of bed and told all three of them to GET OUT. I made them sit outside in our mini patio (it was finally sunny and beautiful, warm even). I kept them OUT as I cooked breakfast, swept the floor, cleaned the table and tidied up all the blankets and pillows.

booted out

Then as soon as breakfast was on the table, I let them in and told them that I was gonna sit outside with my breakfast and my cup of coffee and to NOT come out with me.
 
That’s how fed up I was. I ate and sipped my java in the wee hours while surrounded by tall trees and warm sunshine (sans kids)… then I thought to myself, “I’m the asshole here.”
 
I think after that outburst from all of us, we developed a sense of solidarity that we needed something normal. We decided to go shopping at a cute downtown named Astoria.  We spent most of our time at two different bookstores, at a Japanese restaurant (Tora Sushi, go there if you ever want to taste Philadelphia Crunchy Roll!!!). We went to Goodwill to get some clothes and swimming toys and when all that was done, we got home to go swimming, had dinner and watched the original Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory. ​

us at Tora Sushi, a happy family

oisin has been a bookworm ALL day.

after swimming, we headed for our site and Eitan noticed this. He asked me to stop and take photos of him, specifically of him walking in between the sunshine.

watching Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory

when the movie was done, they all went and got their books. the night ended peacefully.

​We spent the ENTIRE day without iPad and we totally forgot about it until Aidan climbed into his bed and noticed three dead iPads sitting there. He picked up his and said, “can you charge it so it’d be ready for the road tomorrow?”
 
I replied, “how about no iPads tomorrow as well?”
 
**deadpan look**
 
Welp, I tried. 

I ended the night not being an asshole. pc: oisin k