Carter's First Movie Experience

My dad mentioned that he wanted to take Carter to the movies when we were visiting last weekend. I told him I didn't think it was a good idea. Until today, I hadn't taken Carter to a movie theater because I didn't think his attention span would allow him to sit still for 90 minutes in a dark room (Mickey Mouse Clubhouse excluded). Due to a unique set of circumstances, I decided to test that theory today. 

I went to pick up my niece and nephew around 2:30 pm today for a 2-day sleepover. Carter was scheduled for a haircut at 4:30 pm (Jimmy has been fired as the barber) so I proposed that the youngsters go to see Spiderman at 3:30 pm and I come and pick them up when the movie ended at 6 pm. Great plan, except that I still had time to kill before Carter's haircut. I decided that we would watch the Disney movie "Brave" for an hour and then leave for the haircut. I really would have preferred Madagascar or Ice Age because I think the animal characters would have a better chance at piquing his interest. However, the timing wasn't right for those movies so we had to go with what was playing.

We arrived at the theater at 3 pm and Spiderman didn't start until 3:30 pm so initially all four of us started watching "Brave". Carter started off well. He was laughing and pointing at the screen and calling out "trees" and "horsey" (very loud I might add). Then he started taking turns climbing into my seat and then climbing into my niece's seat. Then he turned around in his seat, stood up, and started waving at the people behind him. I still thought we would make it through our planned hour...that is, until my niece and nephew excused themselves to head over to Spidey. As soon as they left, Carter looked at me like "what's going on" and began whining "I wanna go too." Now, I'm that parent everyone is wishing would get up and remove her child from the theater. Well, I obliged; but only after he started throwing his "GiGi Bear" on the floor and yelling out "Noooooo" every time I picked it up. Unfortunately, in my effort to leave quickly and quietly, I forgot my purse and had to go back and get it. I was kind of bummed because the movie was actually good and I wanted to stay and watch it. Guess I'll just have to add it to my Netflix queue.

After we left the theater, we headed over to the children's play area in the mall to pass the remaining 20 minutes before heading to his haircut appointment. This was a much better option and the one I should have chosen from the start. Oh well...at least I now know for sure that he is not ready for the movie theater. I'll try again in a few months.