There are an unlimited number of incredible things that you
can only do in Southern California, (Disneyland
anyone?), though without a doubt my favorite chill-time activity is spending time
at the gorgeous beaches. You might be surprised to learn that growing up in the
Midwest I didn’t have a lot of high quality beach time. Of course I didn't have poor quality beach time either because there are no beaches there, or at least not the kind you’d
want to hang out on.
Over the last 14+ years I’ve been a regular at various beaches
throughout the LA area. For me it’s about the serene infinite rolling waves,
clear blue skies that seem to extend forever and, my favorite thing, the feel
of sand between my toes. Trying to describe the sensation, beyond terms like “perfection”,
would be like trying to explain music to a person born without the gift of hearing.
Spending time at the beach is pure magic and always brings a big smile to my
face.
Naturally, that passion is one that I was eager to instill
in my boys. We first took the Little Dude to Malibu when he was about 7 months
old and for the last 4 years, we’ve been summertime regulars. Adding his brother
to our beach-going clan last summer was a bonus for everyone and this year it’s
even better now that he can walk.
Looking for sand crabs, building sand castles and running
along the shoreline always makes my boys’ faces light up with pure bliss. It’s
hard to tell if their love of the beach is inherent or inherited, but really it
doesn’t matter. Their euphoria derived from running down the coast while pulling
10-foot-long strands of seaweed (in a game the Little Dude created, appropriately
titled “Seaweed”) would make even Oscar the Grouch smile from cheek to cheek. And
I’m man enough to admit that that can be me some of the time. Life is hard.
Parenting is harder. But my boys make all of it worthwhile, day in and day out.
The joy we share on our bi-weekly trips to Zuma and other
quiet spots on Highway 1, is a pleasure that I look forward to from the moment
we get home from our last visit until we arrive for our next. Knowing that I
now have the ultimate beach playmates, for whom this sandy retreat is second
nature, makes our outings so much more rewarding than I ever could have
imagined while growing up in my beach-less childhood. Even typing this warms my
heart, brings a smile to my face and makes me look forward to Sunday, our next
family beach outing.
With Father’s Day on the horizon, I’m partnering with Oral-B and Life
Of Dad as part of their #PowerOfDad campaign. They are celebrating
fatherhood’s little moments, as I’ve been doing on Instagram over the last few
weeks, and the dads that bring smiles to their families every day. Check out
this great video they made and share your favorite fatherhood moments, videos and pics on
Facebook/Twitter/Instagram with the #PowerOfDad hashtag.
In their
second year of this Father’s Day program, P&G Oral Care has partnered with
March of Dimes, a leading organization for healthy, happy families that
celebrates mothers and fathers every day.
P&G Oral
Care is also joining forces with members of “Football’s First Family,” New York
Giants’ quarterback Eli Manning, his father Archie and his daughter Ava – to
celebrate fatherhood’s little moments.
And because
things like gingivitis and plaque don’t make for good Father’s Day gifts, check
out the brand new Oral-B 7000 BLACK power toothbrush. It oscillates, rotates
and pulsates, which are 3 of the most important “-ates” in dental care today.
You’re
probably wondering by now how many oscillations and pulsations per minute the
Oral-B 7000 Black provides. If you guessed 8,800 & 40,000 respectively, you
are correct. And since you are supposed to brush for 2 minutes per session,
that’s 17,600 oscillations and EIGHTY THOUSAND pulsations per brush sesh. Your
teeth could be shining like Danny Torrance after you use this for a
while.
Plus, they
had me at “Tongue Cleaner Mode”.
And
if you click here, the kind folk at Oral-B want you save some dough on your
new brush with a coupon that will bring the price down. Your father would be
proud of this act of financial responsibility.
Disclosure: I partnered with Oral-B and Life of Dad, LLC for the #PowerofDad Father's Day promotion and was compensated for my involvement, though the truth is that I really do love the beach and tongue cleanliness.
Hey, I'm all about Instagram these days.
Come hang with me there: @DudeOfTheHouse
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