Life as a dad has its share of ups and downs. The ups far outweigh the downs and honestly, the downs make those smile-making, laugh-inducing moments all that much better. There have been so many moments, especially recently that I could categorize as my favorite moments as a father that it’s hard to pick just one to talk about. I mean, honestly, the majority of my posts are about those moments. If you want to read about them, I’ve got three-and-a-half years worth of posts for you to read!

Lately, though, it’s the little moments that have brought a smile to my face. Watching Sophia learn and excel at gymnastics on a weekly basis. Watching her go from not knowing how to do a front roll to rolling ALL OVER THE HOUSE brings me immense joy. Watching Maddie learn how to crawl and now move at the speed of light around the house is amazing. I fear that, soon enough, the gates will not be able to hold her back.

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Last week, Sophia and I were playing in the basement. What were we doing? Throwing a gigantic stability ball around/at each other. Tossing each other in the air onto the couch(ok, perhaps I launched myself while she thought she was doing it), and just acting like goofs. It’s what we do, it’s what makes us laugh, it’s what makes our relationship so great. Soon, Maddie going to join in on that fun and I honestly cannot wait. It will take me back to my days of getting piled on top of by my little cousins. Only now, it’ll be “pile on daddy!!!”

Doing stupid things that will make both Sophia and Maddie laugh brings me so much joy. Even if that comes at my own expense. Letting them push me around, shove my face back and forth and act (right, I’m acting…) as if I’m hurt or they’re super strong is one of those things that I look at and say to myself, that RIGHT THERE is the Power of Dad. My girls are my life. People ask me if I miss free time or if I miss the freedom of being able to go out on a whim or just do something without having to think of babysitters, or packing a diaper bag. My answer, typically, is no. While every now and then getting away is needed, even for a night, my kids are my life and I wouldn’t change that for all the money in the world.

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On the topic of dads and fatherhood, in general, I’ve talked and written a great deal about the way fathers are viewed by society. A lot of times we’re viewed as the lesser of the parents, when in most instances, that isn’t the case. I’ve talked about dads getting a bad wrap in advertising. Well, now I’m gonna talk about an instance where a brand just gets it.

Oral-B is celebrating the little moments that power the biggest smiles in our lives this Father’s Day. They’ve launched an amazing campaign called #PowerofDad. This video shows exactly what fatherhood is about. It brings so many smiles to my face, I can’t even tell you.

Oral-B is has also partnered with March of Dimes–a leading organization for healthy, happy families–that celebrates both mothers and fathers every day for the #powerofdad campaign. They’ve also teamed up with the members of “Football’s First Family”, New York Giants’ quarterback Eli Manning, his father Archie, and his daughter Ava to help celebrate fatherhood’s little moments.

While the video gives a nod to amazing fathers across the globe, it also shows off the power of a smile. A smile, in any moment, can lift the spirits of a person. You could be down in the dumps, have someone smile at you, and your day is immediately better. You can’t have an amazing smile without an amazing toothbrush. Oral-B recently released their 7000 BLACK advanced power toothbrush. It does more than just get the job done.

A few cool facts about the Oral-B 7000 BLACK power toothbrush:

• Oral-B’s signature oscillating, rotating and pulsating technology provides a superior tooth-by-tooth clean to remove up to two times more plaque than a regular manual toothbrush.
• Features 8,800 oscillations per minute and 40,000 pulsations per minute to create shearing forces for excellent cleaning efficacy.
• Six modes for a more personalized brushing experience including an extra “Tongue Cleaner Mode” along with standard Daily Clean, Deep Clean, Sensitive, Whitening, and Massage modes.

As part of their commitment to helping dads everywhere have “The Smile That Makes The Dad”, they are offering you a chance to give the special dads in your life the gift of a beautiful, healthy smile for Father’s Day with an Oral-B power brush coupon for $7 off!

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Like I said, there are times when a brand just understands what fatherhood is all about and how it should not only be promoted, but that it should be celebrated. I’m proud to have the opportunity to work with Oral-B in helping to spread the #powerofdad message.

What are the moments that make you smile as a dad? What are your #powerofdad moments? I want to hear what puts a smile on your face and makes you laugh with your kids!

Disclosure: I partnered with Oral-B and Life of Dad, LLC for the #PowerofDad Father’s Day promotion and was compensated for my involvement