Traveling with Children

Now that we are in the midst of the Holiday Season, chances are you'll be traveling with your kids to visit family! Whether across the Island, inter-island, or in a big jet-plane, here are some handy tips to keep the kids (and those traveling with you!) happy and occupied during the journey!

Plan Outfits Carefully

Everyone knows what a hassle security can be to go through, but it doesn’t have to be the nightmare before Christmas! Comfortable clothes and slip-on shoes will do wonders for speeding up the security process. Layered outfits are also recommended while travelling, as airplanes tend to be totally unpredictable when it comes to temperature. Some are hot, some are cold, but if the kids are wearing a t-shirt but have a jacket as well, they will be comfortable either way. And don’t forget socks for cold toesies!

Ziplock Bags and Wet Wipes

These are probably few things as essential to bring while traveling as ziplock bags and wet wipes. The possibilities are endless-- put all your small items from pockets in while going through security, pack changes of baby clothes and diapers, sippy cups, snacks to name a few. And same with wet-wipes-- you’ll never know when a spill or accident may occur, so having wet wipes on hand is a quick and easy fix. Plus, wet-wipes are perfect for freshening up on long travel stints.

Toys and Games
Keep the kids occupied during long trips by packing their favorite toy or game, or even throwing in something exciting and new! Word games for older children, crayons for younger kids, maybe even a DVD or two will work wonders to keep your children occupied on long journeys!

Food Allergies: Knowledge is Power

It is very important to know the common symptoms of food allergies, not just for the safety of your own children, but for their friends as well--if little Johnny is allergic to peanuts and grabs a cookie off your counter, that could mean a surprise trip to the hospital, something better avoided by simple knowledge.

Some of the most common foods that cause allergies are peanuts, fish, wheat, soy, milk, and shellfish, Learning to recognize an allergic reaction will allow you to help your child get the proper medical care in a timely manner should a reaction occur.

Allergic food reactions will vary depending on the person, and can vary dramatically, ranging from a mild case of hives to so severe it causes problems breathing.

Food allergy reactions can affect any of the four following areas of the body, with skin reactions being the most common:

• Skin: often you will see itchy, red bumps. These hives typically can be treated by a simple cream. Eczema, redness and swelling or itching are often common.
• Gastrointestinal Tract: Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are all common.
• Respiratory track: Runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath.
• Cardiovascular system: this is by far the most dangerous, and can cause lightheadedness or fainting or worse

Once diagnosed with a food allergy, your child will need to avoid certain foods, and keep medication on hand in case of a breakout. You should teach your child to always ask about ingredients when trying new foods or going out to eat, especially for more severe allergic cases.

Additionally, create a food allergy emergency plan to give to their school, and any childcare providers or extracurricular activities.

Fall into Fun

Sometimes it is hard to remember that most of the world has quite dramatic seasons with our perennial good weather, but yesterday, September 22, marked the beginning of fall. In honor of the season, here are a few fun craft ideas to get into the fall spirit! 

Edible Fall Foliage

Do your kids love to play with their food? This will give them a creative reason to do so! 

Start by gathering pretzels and various kinds of cherry tomatoes. Have your child arrange them in different ways to resemble a tree with it's foliage changing colors. Fun for the kids, and at the end they will have a healthy snack to feast on! 

Carrots, peppers, and asparagus also work well for this craft! 

These Craft-Stick Scarecrows were borrowed from LittleFamilyFun.com--- they are not only easy to make, but super cute! Here's what you will need:

• craft sticks
• felt
• googly eyes
• tacky glue
• cardstock
• marker

To make them, cut out the hat, hair, and nose from the felt in different colors for a nice contrast. 

Cut a square out from the cardstock to glue the sticks onto. 

This will keep them sturdy and locked together. 

Glue the hair on first, and then the hat. Lastly, glue on the googly eyes and nose, and draw a mouth on with the marker. 

Paper Bag Fall Tree

Borrowed from pikadillycharm.blogspot.com, this festive tree will add a hint of fall to any room. 

You will need: 

-brown paper bags

-scissors

-glue

-paper (in fall colors)

To make the tree, cut the bag into half inch strips. Start at the opening and cut halfway down the bag. Open the bag and stand it up.

Hold the base of the bag with one hand and twist the middle of the bag to create the trunk of the tree.

Twist two of the bag strips together to create branches. 

Rip strips of colored paper into tiny pieces and glue them all over the branches of the tree. Enjoy your new tree! 

Should your child have a cell phone?

Now that school is back in session, if your child doesn't already have a cell-phone, he is probably asking for one. Everyone else may have one, but does that mean your child should as well? Possibly.

Here are three reasons your child should have a cell-phone:

Emergencies: If there is an emergency and your child needs to get a hold of you, or you need to get a hold of your child, having a cell phone on hand is the easiest way to ensure you are able to contact each other when needed. Be sure to have emergency numbers on speed dial on your child's phone, and talk to them about when the appropriate times to use these numbers are.

Communication: Chances are you aren't able to spend as much time with your child as you might like to, with work and school being what it is. Cell phones allow your child to communicate with you throughout the day and also provide an easy way to inform each other of changed plans or other things that come up. Whether informative or a simple I love you, being able to communicate with your child on a regular basis will bring your family closer together.

GPS: GPS tracking features are a great way to keep tabs on your child's whereabouts for their safety. The majority of cell phone providers have family locator options on their plans, allowing you to always know your child's GPS location.

Does this mean you should just give your child a phone? Not necessarily. Talk to them about your expectations for them in having a cell phone, such as tying an allowance to it, and restrictions such as how many texts they are allowed to send. You want the cell phone to be a tool for communication, not the only means they use to communicate. 

EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!!

Keiki Sitters is thrilled to announce that its sister company, Aloha Sitters, has received the prestigious 2013 Best of Honolulu Award in the Child Care Services classification. Aloha Sitters caters to hotel guests on the island of Oahu, offering visitors to the Island quality childcare services without the hassle of conducting their own interviews. Well trained sitters with extensive experience are available 24 hours a day to ensure visitors to Oahu get the most out of their vacation! 

Interested in our services, or know someone who is? Call 808-861-7294 to place a reservation. Aloha!

Here's How Keiki Sitters Can Help YOU This Summer

Chances are you have been spending some real quality time with your child this summer, which is fantastic! But, in the off-chance that you are ready for some good old "me time", let us explain how Keiki Sitters works and how we can help YOU this summer! 

Keiki Sitters is a Kama'aina service helping local families (you!) find local sitters. What does that mean for you? Well, our simple 3 step process breaks it down for you, allowing you to spend less time hunting for sitters by bringing highly qualified sitters right to you! 

Interested in how it works? Here goes! 

Step 1: Post a Job

Just fill out one simple form and your job will be posted on our site, KeikiSitters.com, and sitters who live close by will be alerted that a new job has posted in their area. Your job post is the place to let potential sitters know your rates, where you are located, how many and how old your children are, and any other details you find pertinent. 

Step 2: Sit Back and Relax

You will receive emails as sitters apply for your job, and you can choose the best fit for your family from among our hundreds of qualified and dedicated sitters. If you would rather actively search through our sitter database, you also have that option. 

Step 3: Check your Messages

Each sitter will send a message when they apply for your job, and you will be able to view their profile. Then all you need to do is contact your favorite sitters to arrange for an interview. We do ask that you write back to all sitters who apply, even if you do not plan to interview them. 

Interested? Head over to our website for our rates and further info! Aloha! 

Memorial Day 2013

Memorial Day plans abound with fun barbecues and family beach days, and there is no shortage of fun to be had in Hawaii. Here is a roundup of some of our favorites Memorial Day festivities:

15th Annual Lantern Floating Ceremony
May 27, 2013
Ala Moana Beach Park, Honolulu, Hawaii
6:00-7:30 pm.
Every year Ala Moana park fills ups with thousands of people for a beautiful and moving lantern floating ceremony. Right at sunset, more then 5,000 glowing lanterns light up the ocean at Magic Island. The lanterns are inscripted with messages to loved ones who have passed away, and prayers for a peaceful future.

Two Museums and a Royal Palace
The Bishop Museum, Honolulu Museum of Art, and Iolani Palace are offering a special deal on May 25 and 26 for just $10 admission to all three for local residents!

50th State Fair
May 24-27, various other dates
Aloha Stadium
4:00 p.m. to closing
Time for Ferris wheels and circus shows! Your children will love the games and rides provided, and you will love the price: cost is free for children under 40", and at most you will pay $5.

And let's not forget why we celebrate Memorial Day: Time for Kids offers this great explanation of the holiday:

"The holiday got started on May 30, 1868, when Union General John A. Logan declared the day an occasion to decorate the graves of Civil War soldiers. Twenty years later, the name was changed to Memorial Day. On May 11, 1950, Congress passed a resolution requesting that the President issue a proclamation calling on Americans to observe each Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace and designating a period on that day when the people of the United States might unite in prayer. President Richard M. Nixon declared Memorial Day a federal holiday in 1971. Memorial Day is now observed on the last Monday of May. It is an occasion to honor the men and women who died in all wars."

Time to Relax Moms!

You're a busy mom--chances are you run around all day taking care of your children, taking them to school, extracurricular activities, and play dates. You are a homemaker, a chef, a bookkeeper, a tutor, a chauffeur  a nurse, a peacemaker--I'm sure sometimes you think what DON'T you do. And so many of you amazing moms also work full-time, in addition to all these other duties.

Don't you think you deserve a break from all this? Well I've got some great news for you--there is a new service offered on Oahu that might just make your day a little better. Aloha Provisions saves you a trip  to the grocery store by taking online orders for groceries. Yes, you really can order your groceries from the comfort of your home (or the beach!) and not worry about dragging your kids around with you.

Go ahead and check out the website, www.alohaprovisions.com. And don't forget to use the extra time this gives you for some good old me time!

Crafty Easter Fun

Easter is right around the corner, and with it comes plenty of fun for the whole family! From Easter egg hunts to egg dyeing, Easter is the perfect time to bond with your children over cute crafts.

Here are some fun ideas taken from around the web:

Easter Bunny Flower Pot

Blogger behind the idea: Kids Fun Reviewed

Best for kids ages: 4 and up

Materials Needed: 4-6 inch clay flower pot, purple acrylic paint, paint brush, googly eyes, purple pom-pom (medium), lavender and pink cardstock, craft glue, plant or flower

Instructions: Paint the flower pot, and set it aside to dry. While the flower pot is drying, make a pair of bunny ears from the lavender card stock and two inside ears from the pink card stock. Then add the googly eyes, the pom-pom for a nose and use the permanent marker to make a mouth. Glue the ears to the front of the pot, add the plant and voila!

Egg Dyeing is also always a fun tradition, but the folks at Huffington Post have set the standard very high this year. Taking ideas from various crafters and bloggers, they have compiled 9 Egg-Dyeing Designs To Change It Up ThisYear. This is one of our favorites! 

If your sweet tooth starts calling, pull out the cookie sheets to make these adorable Funny Bunny Cookies, courtesy of Munchkin Munchies! 

We hope you have fun with these, and please let us know which one is your favorite!

Happy Aloha Friday!

Enjoy our picks for some fun weekend activities for the whole family!

Event	Date	Details	Cost	Location
Birthday Expo Hawaii	Sat February 9, 2013 10:00am to 5:00pm	Discover new birthday venues, activities, cakes, gifts and more for your keiki at the Birthday Expo Hawaii. 596-2999, birthdayexpohawaii.com	$5 adults; $1 (ages 7-17)	Neal S. Blaisdell Center 777 Ward Avenue Honolulu, HI 96814
Windward District Parent Child Fair	Sat February 9, 2013 10:00am to 1:30pm	Find out about early learning community programs and resources for your little ones. Bring the kids for hands-on activities. windwardmall.com	Free	Windward Mall Center Court 46-056 Kamehameha Hwy Kaneohe, HI 96744
A Taste of St. Patrick	Sat February 9, 2013 10:30am to 4:00pm	Head over to St. Patrick School campus for an early Mardi Gras celebration featuring food trucks and booths, amateur chefs, live entertainment, food demonstrations and a farmers' market. Bring the family for games, prizes and a kids zone. This event is a "scholarship for the kids."	Purchase scrips at school office	St. Patrick School campus 3320 Harding Avenue Honolulu, HI 96816
Ukulele Picnic in Hawaii	Sun Feb 10, 9:00am-7:00pm.	Enjoy live entertainment from Hawaii and Japan musicians, shop around for ukulele related merchandise and participate in an ukulele competition. The Ukulele Picnic in Hawaii is a family-friendly event that spreads the messages of "ohana," "peace" and "friendship. Free shuttle service from Waikiki to Kaka'ako Waterfront Park. International Ukulele Contest at the Hyatt from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Feb. 9 Ukulele Museum Benefit Concert at the Hilton from 5:30-9 p.m. on Feb. 9 Ukulele Picnic at Kaka'ako Waterfront Park from 9 a.m.-sunset on Feb. 10 ukulelepicnicinhawaii.org/en	Free admission to picnic; Tickets to concert cost $35 for general admission, $55 for reserved seating cocktail show and $100 for reserved seating dinner show.	Ukulele contest at Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa; Concert at Hilton Hawaiian Village's great lawn; Ukulele Picnic at Kaka’ako Waterfront Park Honolulu, HI 96813
Hawaii Watercolor Society: We Love Art	Sat February 9, 2013 11:00am to 3:00pm	Take the kids to create handmade Valentine's Day art. The Hawaii Watercolor Society painters will provide guidance to young artists.   586-9958, hawaii.gov/sfca.	Free	Hawaii State Art Museum 250 South Hotel Street Honolulu, HI

Healthy Children, Happy You

Flu season is upon us, and despite the beautiful weather Hawaii boasts even at this time of year, influenza outbreaks still occur. For children in particular, the flu is far more dangerous than the common cold. Nationwide, the 2013 flu season is shaping up to be one of the worst in the last decade, the Center for Disease Control reports, while in Hawaii, they “are actually reporting low or minimal levels of influenza.” That is good news, but precautions should still be taken to ensure your children remain healthy.

The CDC encourages you to take these simple steps to protect yourself and your family from the flu:

1. Get the flu vaccine. This is by far the best way to protect your children against influenza. “CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get a seasonal flu vaccine.”

2. Fight germs. Cover your cough and wash your hands often. Germs are everywhere, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't do our best to protect against them.

Is there anything you do in particular to keep your children healthy? Please share with us!