Choosy Moms Choose Jif… and Fun Festivals

For as long as I can remember, I have liked peanut butter.

Actually not liked… loved.

I ate Jif peanut butter and jelly sandwiches nearly every day of my childhood. Give me a choice of a candy and its peanut butter cups every time. Peanut butter cheese cake. Peanut butter anything.

Love, love, love.

When I started at my first job out of college, I worked with nine other women – all who loved peanut butter.

We kept a large, restaurant-sized can of Jif peanut butter on the shelf next to the microwave. It was the communal snack. We would grab a spoon from the drawer and eat a scoop – the perfect pick me up.

Needless to say, when Jif contacted me that they were coming to Nashville to have their “Peanut Butter Happy” experience be at the Tomato Art Fest, I immediately said “I will be there!”

It was especially perfect because we are still hard at work on our summer bucket list and a parade and a festival/fair were on the list. Also, Matthew had a bunch of yard work to do, and I thought it would be nice to get some quality mommy time with the kids.

I should note that Tomato Art Fest is a hugely popular summer festival in Nashville. Activities include a parade, artisans, food trucks, a kids’ area and more. We have never attended, so Jif being there was the perfect excuse to check it out.

Lots of people dress up in tomato gear, so I had to make the kids some felt tomato accessories to wear for the festival. I literally whipped them up the morning of the festival using some scrap felt and hot glue. Easy and fun! The kids were so delighted.

We had a blast.

The goal of the “Peanut Butter Happy” experience was to bring to life the happy feelings that people have when they enjoy peanut butter. The “Happy Place” was also the perfect way to  introduce Jif's new creamy, crunchy and chocolate peanut butter granola bars, which are now available at grocery stores nationwide.

Nashville was Jif's first stop. The experience was illuminated with 5,000 LED lights embedded into an 8-foot wall, and programmed with sensors that respond to movements and sounds. My kids thought it was magical the way our bodies appeared on the screen.

Check out the video below for our “Peanut Butter Happy” dance party. Nevermind that Elias thought it was hilarious to periodically smack my bottom while he jumped and danced around. What is it about little kids and bottoms?

Also, how many times can I use the word bottom in one blog post?

The bars are delicious and have a lot of protein in them. The perfect snack on the go. Of course, my kids liked the chocolate the best, but I preferred the crunchy option. I have a box in my desk at work- so yummy!

Definitely look for them the next time you are grocery shopping.

And if you are in St. Louis today, (August 12) head to the St. Louis Zoo to check out the Jif “Peanut Butter Happy” experience. Then, Friday and Saturday, Jif will be at the Frankfort Art Fair in Frankfurt, Michigan.

SO FUN!

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Jif, but my life-long love affair with peanut butter is all my own.