5 Gadgets for Busy Geeks

Did you know Canada.. If you're tech geek on the go, you probably love gadgets. If you're not, how do you know what the latest gadgets are? Well, sit back and check out this list of gadgets that may end up on your next "must-have" list.

Heys eCase

Image via Flickr by CollegeDegrees360

For the tech geek who travels and wants the perfect carry-on luggage, the Heys eCase is just what you're looking for. It doubles as a back-friendly wheelie case for easy transport, but is savvy enough to include a combination TSA lock should you decide to check it instead of carry it onboard. With accordion-style pockets, you can keep files separate from your underwear. And of course it has a padded laptop sleeve. You can also pick your own color and design when ordering. 

J5 Create Wormhole KM Switch
Sharing files between laptops has always been a bit problematic. You have to connect the laptop, configure your partner's security settings, and then have them load the files to the network before finally being able copy the files from the network to your own laptop. Not anymore.

This USB cable takes the complexity out of the task. Simply plug Wormhole KM Switch into both laptops via a USB cable. It works with Macs or PCs. The software on the USB connectors allows you to copy files back and forth. In addition, the keyboard and mouse from one computer can control both computers.

Targus Premium Laptop Charger
You have to keep your laptop charged but that bulky brick of a charger is a pain, especially if you're carrying around several of them for various devices. Well, no more.

The Targus Premium Laptop Charger is about the size of a BlackBerry, with a seriously sleek design. It'll power your laptop as well as one other mobile devices from a car, wall socket, or even a plane. You'll never look back after you rid yourself of that brick. If you were thinking about purchasing a blackberry 10 or similar smartphone, you may also want to consider picking up this slick gadget as well.

Lewis N. Clark Bell Hop Travel Door Alarm
Not all tech geeks are paranoid, but in case you are (or even if you aren't) you'll love this little baby. It's a door security system with a high-pitched 91-decible alarm. If anyone opens your hotel room door you'll know about – and so will your neighbors. Just remember to disengage it before room service enters. 

Jawbone Jambox
For the frequent traveling tech geek, a decent speaker in a hotel room is the perfect luxury item to make your hotel stay a bit nicer.  It's wireless, portable, affordable, and has other great features including an output capacity of 85 decibels and a 10-hour battery life.  Additionally, it can double as a speakerphone for your VoIP and cell phone calls. And the customization options using the MyTALK online platform are simply amazing.

If it's true that the "geeks shall inherit the earth," it would seem the takeover is now underway. Jump onboard and see what gizmo you could use – or simply have fun with. 

Our Kids Private School Expo #OKSchoolMem

Did you know Canada.. we are participating in the Private School Expo blog hop, and as part of that I wanted to share one of my own fond memories from the elementary years.

I attended a Montessori pre-school before attending Kindergarten, there was no JK in those days!

Amazing how being in my EARLY 30's I can still picture as clear as day the classroom, my friends, sitting at circle time talking about the weather, stringing beads for necklaces and more.

I was an only child and for some reason there were not a lot of kids on our street so I didn't have many playmates before I got to school, even now I remember being very shy when I first started at Montessori. I was lucky enough to have not one, but two girls, twins, who chose to befriend me during those first few nervous days. From that moment on we were inseparable for years, even after Montessori and heading to different grade schools. We were always the first attendants at each other's birthday parties, there were sleep overs and days at the park, feeling like another member of each others family. Though we eventually lost touch as children often do when they are not close by, I will cherish those days and my first real friends forever.

I hope my own twins have lifted someone's day at school as those girls did for me, and my twins already have their own (what I hope to be life long) friend they met in JK who already feels part of our family, these days of grade school friendships are the best. :-)

I'm participating in the Our Kids Private School Expo Blog Hop.  Yesterday's School Memories post  can be found at Downshifting.  Tomorrow, the fun is happening at MapsGirl.
Join the conversation!
Twitter: hashtag #OKSchoolMem
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ourkidsnet

Stay tuned for Twitter Party Dates and times!

Looking for a Private School for your child?
Don’t miss Canada's most successful, best-attended Private School Expos.  They’re the easiest way to learn about private and independent schools.

• Meet the leading private and independent schools and speak with current students and parents
• Learn how to find the right private school for your child and explore different types of schools, educational philosophies and special programs
• Find out about the admissions process, when to apply and what schools look for
• Understand how to budget and receive information about scholarships, bursaries and tax credits

Montreal, SEPTEMBER 16
Calgary, SEPTEMBER 30
Halton-Peel, OCTOBER 14
Toronto, OCTOBER 20
Vancouver, NOVEMBER 11

Click here to register and receive free admission for a family of 4.

What Did You Make on March Break

Did you know Canada.. Our friends at DK Canada have an awesome promotion going on this month: What Did You Make on March Break - where they are asking parents to submit photos of what their kids (ages 3-14) make on March Break! This can include a craft, painting, cooking - whatever your guys are working on this March Break. DK Canada also has an awesome selection of books to help with inspiration for "what to do with the kids?", check out their March Break Survival Boutique.

This week our family tried the Alien Robot Kit that's part of the DK Canada March Break Survival Boutique. We've learned some amazing stuff about physics, mechanics, forces, and motion while creating these awesome robots!

It was a great family activity while we checked out the whole book, the boys each got to pick a robot to make, Dad showed us all about putting wires together - it was the first time we've ever done something like that and the boys were in awe!

I love the re-usability factor of the book too, it shows you how to take everything apart so you can make more alien robots and the pieces are sturdy enough that it can handle being used and reused.

The March Break creations will be judged by our Craft Guru Extraordinaire Jane Bull, author of Make It, Made by Me and the upcoming Stitch By Stitch. The winning entry wins a signed Jane Bull collection and a $150 DK shopping spree!!!! Enter today and entries will be posted on cn.dk.com and on their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/DKCanada Good luck!!

Snowmobile in Ontario

Did you know Canada.. Armand Bombardier, of Valcourt, Quebec, developed this unique snow machine in 1926. His vehicles were used wherever heavy loads were carried over difficult terrain. In the 1950s, he pioneered the development of small, light snow vehicles for winter sports.

In this day and age snowmobiles are often used for sport and weekend activities.

Check out sites like Ontario Trails to find available trails. Over 43,000 km available in Ontario alone!

In Ontario you must have a valid driver's licence to use a snowmobile. For those without or 12+ there is a driver training course you can take to gain a valid snowmobile licence, for more information visit the OFSC site.

Now all we need is some snow eh?!

Canadian History Tunes

Did you know Canada.. we wanted to share a great new site with you: Canadian History Tunes on HomeSchoolBeaver.com!!

HomeSchoolBeaver.com is home of Canadian History Tunes, a CD of 25 original songs to help students of all ages learn about some of the most important events and people in Canadian History, including all the Canadian Prime Ministers up to Stephen Harper. Created and performed by a certified teacher who is also a professional performer and now a homeschooling mom.

Just one song a week and by the end of 25 weeks, your child will have memorized a whole Canadian History timeline!

Perfect for any school age child in your life - would make a great stocking stuffer for the upcoming Holiday Season!!

Higher Education

Did you know Canada..

More Woman than Men Enrol for College and University  57% to 43%

Also, Stats Canada’s is showing that students from a College or trade school are more likely to become employed following graduation than those graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree from a University.

Source: AUCC, Stats Canada, Study Magazine

Hit the books

Did you know Canada.. our literacy rate is 99% but that's actually 21st on the list. The top 3 countries are..

1 Georgia at 100.0%
2 Cuba at 99.8%
2 Estonia at 99.8%

Source: Wikipedia