This holiday season, we have  been to some amazing family events in the Metro Vancouver area including Max & Ruby in the Nutcracker Suite.

My husband was (secretly) thrilled to learn that I had received tickets to Max & Ruby and that we would be attending the show on his birthday at the Bell Performing Arts Center in Surrey. We had a birthday coupon for Vera’s Burger shack and found one nearby the center, so headed over there for a casual dinner before the show. My little monkey was being a little monkey and long story short, I carried him out of the restaurant and put him in the van when it was time to leave. When I pulled him out of the car seat to go into the Center, we learned he had left the restaurant with only one fireman rain boot. We were flummoxed (I never use this word, but it fits the situation perfectly). Hubby headed back to the restaurant to seek out the missing boot while I walked, carried, and one foot hopped the boy inside.

And how was the show you might ask? In two words, really wonderful. I was pleasantly surprised at how well the dancing and story held the attention of my erstwhile 4-year-old. I felt gratified to expose my child to an artistic and cultural event that he could relate to and appreciate. The ballet was beautiful and the story familiar – it was a great way to start off the Christmas season. I would say that my four year old enjoyed the robots and the Russian dancer the most. My husband, well, let’s just say he prefers going to a hockey game…but was a good sport about going with us. I just checked the Max and Ruby in the Nutcracker Suite tour and they have upcoming shows in the Ontario and New York area so if you are out east looking for a way to warm up in a cold winter, I highly recommend getting tickets.