That we are indeed living in the best of times may or may not be true.
Answer: Were.
Explanation: When its more than one, you use were is sentences like this, and was when its just one.
Answer:
The situational irony was that both of them were in acceptance and denial mode.
Explanation:
The aunt and the children were trying their best to remain in their position as far the situation persists. Since the entry of a housefly in the scene made the situation rather dramatic. The children seems to be quite aggressive in pestering with the housefly. However, the aunt wants to keep herself cool. She continues to persuade the children in her own way of not to distrub that poor creature in any way.
Step 1: Buy it
Step 2: Groom it
Step 3: Feed it
Step 4: Leave it alone until the next time you repeat these steps.