This means, on the average Saturday morning, I have just under a half hour to get myself together just enough to make myself presentable to the world. (Clean sweatpants and a mismatched shirt totally counts.)

Freshly cleansed, I pulled back the shower curtain and wrapped a fluffy towel around myself. Simultaneously, the bathroom door slid open. A three-foot tall 3-year-old stood determinedly centered in the doorframe.

“I need more Mickey,” Destroy calmly informed me, wielding a tiny remote to punctuate his point.

Apparently I mistimed my morning. And the kids haven’t quite mastered the Apple TV, although they’re quite adept at lobbing demands via possession of the remote.

When you’re 3, your television viewing options are limited.

We are a Disney family. (I did grow up a SoCal Disney girl after all.) So there are a set number of movies that are watched repeatedly. And I do mean repeatedly.

Finding Nemo, Cinderella, Robin Hood, Toy Story, Peter Pan – all available for purchase via iTunes. These are classics. Sure, you can rent plenty of movies to avoid the sticky seats in a theatre and enjoy a movie with a nice glass of pinot from your couch thanks to Apple TV and iTuens, but when it’s the 873 viewing request – trust me, you’re going to want to own that puppy (or other animated animal).

We’ve managed to eschew such horrors as Caillou – but we do take in the occasional Sesame Street (brought to you by the letters PBS, which is a handy little option on Apple TV). Of course, the icon currently getting worn out is Disney Jr. – home of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

It’s right below my personal favorite icon – Netflix. The ease of ability to stream full seasons back to back to back allows adults to rival the TechTots desire to binge watch. Hulu Plus allows the same delightful escape from reality if that’s more your bag. (No comment from me, never used it.)

Diverse enough even to make one seriously consider cutting the cable cord. Yeah – I said it. If only there was a good solution to the sports issue. Granted ESPN, MLB.TV, NBA.com League Pass, NHL Game Center and MLS Live are all available, but I’m not dedicated enough to all of them and the TechTots are still exploring their talents (i.e. learn how to not just let a spherical object bounce off their head).

Last week Silicon Valley (and a whole host of electronic and technology companies from around the globe) took Vegas by storm at the Consumer Electronics Show, where firms converge to host previews of products and announce new gizmos and gadgets. This is where HDTV first made its foray into the public consciousness; this year curved 4k TVs had their moment in the sun (along with all the wearable gizmos and Internet of Things).

Apple, per their standard, was conspicuously absent. (Since the days of Jobs, Apple has held their own product events, but back to TV). Some say Apple TV is merely a side project for Apple (or worse – destined for the deadpool). Yet with its diversity of available content and ability to play content from iDevices via AirPlay through a linked iTunes account makes for some fabulously diverse streaming (pun totally intended because my last name is Stream – yes, seriously) in the TechMom household.

Now lest you think iOS technology has overtaken actual parenting in the TechMom household, without missing a beat (pun totally intended) we’ve got iTunes tuneage and a discotheque of rockin’ out TechTots.

Does this post seem a bit like a commercial for Apple TV?

1. NEW SHINY TOY!
2. Do not kill off my $99 (flat rate) box.
3. The lesson I’ve learned loud and clear – whoever’s grasping that little silver remote is in charge.

So with that, TechMom’s house is in need of more Mickey…