Took my sweet boy to the movies–his first movie ever–on New Year’s Day. I’d been given a Klout Perk that included two free tickets to see The Adventures of Tintin.

About Klout Perks a second… So far, I’m unimpressed with them, but that could be because my first one was Secret Clinical Strength. I mean, c’mon–how does a girl who is fairly vocal about her preference for natural, organic products land that perk?! There’s no way I’m rubbing that shiz on my pits. So I gave a few away (sorry, friends, I didn’t mean to insult you!) and stashed a few just in case I take up some extreme sport that makes me sweat profusely or this mild winter gets even milder. Also, the free movie tickets? They so did not work & my card ended up being charged twice. And to this day, I’m still waiting for a response from movietickets.com. Grrr.

Jax and I ripped open the giant box from Klout, skeptical that it contained merely some movie passes, and out came a stuffed Snowy (that’s Tintin’s dog, for you non-Tintin nerds). We were elated! Believe it or not, Jax is a huge Tintin & Snowy fan, thanks to my comics-nerd husband. Jax even got some Tintin books for Christmas.

Yes, while other kids are reading–wait, what do other 2-year-olds read???–my kid is reading Tintin. I guess it’s kind of cool.

On New Year’s Day, we figured it was an optimal time to take Jax to his first big-screen flick because it would be nearly empty. From what I hear, hungover revelers aren’t really into Tintin.

There were two other families in the theater. Score!

My husband and I agreed that if Jax wanted to leave, we’d leave, even if it were only a few minutes into the movie. In other words, we set our expectations low.

We nestled in, Jax with his M&Ms, peanut butter crackers, and chocolate milk, and me with my Pirate’s Booty and water. Like a terrible wife (or, optimistically, a focused mother with a goal to tackle), I didn’t pack my husband any snacks.

After 17 previews and all my snack was gone, Tintin finally started. Jax looked pretty into it.

See? Definitely into it. Snowy, too.

He lasted an hour! And have I mentioned this was his first experience at the movies?! And that Tintin was obviously age-inappropriate a few minutes into the movie?

My kid rules.

But wait. During the climax of the movie (read: a long, dragged out scene with lots of scary bad guys), he put his head on my chest and told me repeatedly that he wanted to go home. So I packed us up and told my husband we’re leaving.

And do you know what my dear husband said? He wanted to stay and watch Tintin! He really liked it! And could I take Jax out to the lobby for the next 40 minutes while he watched the end?

Umm, NO.

We left. The minute we stepped into the parking lot, Jax lost his cool & flipped out, wanting to go back in to watch Tintin again.

Like most parents who don’t have tons of experience with toddler tantrums, we went back inside.

Jax got upset and wanted to go home. Again. So we left. Again.

And then what do you think happened when we got out to the parking lot? Again. Only this time, much worse. My cute little movie lover turned into someone else’s bratty monster for the whole ride home.

But I’m not dwelling on that part now. Now, a few weeks later, I’m already looking forward to his next movie experience.

I’d love to hear about your child’s first movie! What was it? Did he/she make it to the end?