Milk + Bookies Celebration at Dylan's Candy Bar

When I received the golden ticket to the NYC celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Roald Dahl book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, I knew that Aiden and I had to jump on it! After all, the event was hosted at one of our favorite sweet spots -- Dylan's Candy Bar.

And the event, which took place on January 31st, was hosted by Milk + Bookies, a nationwide charitable organization that not only inspires children to give back, but also provides opportunities for children to raise book donations and give back to their peers who do not have access to books of their own.

As an educator, mom, and someone who loves getting lost in a good book, I'm all for the mission of Milk + Bookies!

Plotting and Planning

Chocolate-covered marshmallow -- the first of many!

At the NYC celebration, Aiden and I donated both new and gently used books, hung out with Willy Wonka himself, and ate lots of chocolate-covered... everything. (Note to self: chocolate fountains are dangerous.)


Check out this photo where Aiden's mouth was quite literally stuffed with chocolate-covered marshmallows:

The kid also participated in the bubble-blowing contest and got to chew bubble gum for the first -- and last! -- time. #JustSaying #TotalPartyPooper #DontJudgeMe

At some point during the event, there were celebrity readings of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Although I spent most of my time chasing Aiden away from the chocolate fountain, I did manage to have him sit still long enough to snap this picture of Michael Kelly from House of Cards:

And I did manage to blow a bubble big enough to *almost* win the bubble gum contest.

Shrugs.

Then this happened:

Yep. That's Aiden. At the bar. Drunk off of sweet things and sugary things and marshmallow-y things. (But, hey... #YOLO.)

I'm so happy we braved the cold, got out of the house, and celebrated a lovely book with an amazing organization. As Aiden said, "It was the best day ever!"

I second that. And the way he crashed and burned once we got home, totally proves it.

Thanks to Milks + Bookies and Dylan's Candy Bar for hosting such a fun-filled and sweet event. (Pun intended.)

Visit the Milks + Bookies website to learn more about the organization and how you can donate new or gently used books to children in need.

{Disclaimer: I received an invitation to the event. All opinions expressed herein are my own.}