The Hawaiian Humane Society

Kathy and Kiwi

Always passionate about animals, the owner of Keiki Sitters, Kathy Kuster, recently added a new addition to her life: she adopted an eight-year-old toy Fox Terrier named Kiwi from the Hawaiian Humane Society.

"I recently took the dogs sailing, and Kiwi, who loves the ocean, ran right off the deck and jumped in the water," says Kathy. "Captain Dave had to jump overboard to help us lift her back into the boat!" Kathy's other dog, Ipo, a two-year-old Chihuahua, is terrified of the water and stayed safely on board.

Kathy is an ardent supporter of the Humane Society and recommends to families that they look there first, when choosing a new family pet.

In 1883 the Hawaiian Humane Society opened its doors to abused and abandoned animals. With a long history as advocates for our furry friends, the Humane Society champions humane animal laws and cares for upwards of 30,000 animals a year.

Serving as a community hub, the organization is dedicated to finding loving homes for animals and educating the public on how to properly care for their pets. The Humane Society offers a robust volunteer program (children as young as eight years old may volunteer with a responsible adult), stays active in the state legislature, hosts adoption programs and events, and has an island-friendly pet surrender policy.

Many are pleasantly surprised to learn that Keiki Sitters extends its services to care for dogs, cats, and the occasional goldfish. Pet owners may request a sitter to stop by or stay in the home with their animals. Additional services run the gamut from walking, grooming, socializing, feeding, and transporting. Want to schedule a pet or home sitter on Oahu? Call: 808-861-7294.

(Get to Know Us: Hawaiian Humane Society)

7 Valentine's Day Treats Not To Miss

Valentine's Day is upon us! Get inspired with our roundup of adorable treats for your keiki! 

Win over keiki hearts with pink-centered Woopie Pies or Raspberry Tarts:

 

The Mad Baker brings us her rendition of the macaroon that looks as sweet as it tastes:

Toaster pastry-inspired Heart Tarts are sure to be crowd pleasers:

Are you ready for this? Red Velvet Cheesecake Milkshake and Valentine's Day Confetti. Enough said. 

 

For emphasis, collect your cookies in a tin (from Tiny Pink Elephants):

May your Valentine's Day be full of the sweets, people, and keiki that you love!

Best Birthday Swag for Moms: 2012

There's nothing like free birthday swag to help a mama relax. No matter when your birthday is in 2012, bookmark this page and check back to make sure you're taking full advantage of your celebration month. Then, hire a sitter (ahem, may we recommend Keiki Sitters?), grab a girlfriend, and make an afternoon of it!

Though we do prefer the free stuff, Anthropologie sends out a 15% off coupon that can be used in their online store. Want more? Sign up for DSW's Member Rewards program and you'll get a $5 online credit for shoes on your special day. 

Become a member of Aveda.com and receive an exclusive offer or gift on your birthday each year. In previous years, this has been a full-sized product.

What's a birthday without ice cream? Baskin Robbins offers a free birthday scoop when you sign up for their mailing list; they'll send you the e-coupon five days before your birthday. 

Benihana spots you with a $30 gift certificate on your birthday. Sign up for The Chef's Table at least a week before your birthday to ensure you get the e-certificate on time.

Blank Angus, a cowboy's favorite steakhouse, ups the birthday ante by offering a free steak on your birthday with the purchase of an equally priced entree. It makes the drive to Pearl City worth it. 

At Buca di Beppo you'll receive a coupon for a free appetizer or specailty bread when you sign up for their e-club, and then on your birthday you'll get another coupon for a free dessert. 

Denny's gives you a free Grand Slam on the day of your birthday. You just need to show your drivers license; no need to sign up for anything. 

Join the IHOP Pancake Revolution (their online mailing list) and you'll recieve a free meal on your birthday (rumored to be the Rooty Tooty Fresh 'N Fruity breakfast: two eggs, bacon, sausage, and pancakes). 

Red Robin rewards birthday boys and girls with a free burger by signing up for their mailing list. 

Sign up for Sephora's Beauty Insider and then stop by the store during your birthday month for a free gift: last year's gift was a bottle of Philosophy body wash. Bliss. 

Get your favorite Starbucks drink free on your birthday. Just register your Starbucks card and they'll mail you a birthday postcard a week or so before your big day. (Make sure you register a couple weeks in advance.)

The Children's Place offers a coupon on both yours and your child's birthday. 

Know of more? Please post in the comments below!

Announcing Our Winners

Aloha Mamas! We were thrilled to partner with Baby Banz for our holiday giveaway for not one, but TWO, $30 gift certificates to their online store. 


And the winners are...Camille Clements & Jean Qiua (both won by LIKING our Facebook page)! 


Congrats!

Don't Forget to Enter!

Just a little short and sweet reminder that the giveaway is still on. We're gaining momentum and are excited for our Baby Banz drawing on January 2nd. See our last blog entry for more details.

 Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday break and here's to a fun and safe New Year's!

Announcing Our First Giveaway with Baby Banz!

Keiki Sitters and Baby Banz have 

teamed up for a holiday giveaway!

Baby Banz is a brilliant company which was originally born in Australia. With the deterioration of ozone, their keiki-friendly sunglasses continue to fly off shelves. 

We'll be drawing for (2) $30 gift certificates on January 2nd!

Here's how to enter:

LIKE us on Facebook (two entries)
Follow us on Twitter (one entry)
Re-Tweet the giveaway (one entry)
Post a comment below on which Baby Banz product is on your wishlist (one entry)

Thanksgiving Treats for Kids

Turkey and stuffing is right around the corner. 

To celebrate, we've rounded up some of this season's most 

creative treat ideas that your keiki will love to help make and eat. 

Woman's Day has whipped up pilgrim hats that are easily assembled with 

three ingredients (chocolate wafers, orange frosting, and peanut butter cups). 

Tonya Stabb has two Thankgiving cupcake winners that we are crazy about:
cupcake pilgrims (take the Woman's Day recipe above to a whole new level)
and cupcake turkeys.                                                                                                               

Plymouth Rock cookies add historical context.

Disney's FamilyFun gets creative with edible Indian corn

and a fun turkey-handprint pumpkin pie topper. 

We've saved the best for last.  

Aren't these Oreo turkeys from OurBestBites really too cute not to make?

We thought so. 

As always we're grateful for life and the opportunity
to work with such incredible families and sitters on a daily basis.