1.19.2005


The two new additions to the Snack Machine: Jerry and Sailor Moon. Which is Which? Posted by Hello

snack machine adopts twins

Well, I promised the girls that when I moved into the new digs that I would get them a pet that we could all enjoy. On the way to the pet store we discussed, in great length, the pro's and con's of each domestic animal we might encounter. After thinning the herd of rats, snakes, lizards, tarantulas, dogs, and birds we narrowed down the gaggle to fish, gerbils or mice.

Ingrid and Ida both agreed that fish are pretty but you can't touch them. So, right before we entered the store they decided mice would be the cutest, the softest, the mostfun, pet that we could bring home. Before the automatic door opened to the warm pungent air of the store the girls were already brainstorming names for the mice they were about to meet.

I forgot how cheap these little rodents were even with the addition of the supplies. With my wallet happy from coughing up mere pocket change and the girls ecstatic with their two new friends, Jerry and Sailor Moon, we rounded up our spoils and headed onto the highway. Minutes later we created a posh habitat for the twin sister mice complete with 2 running wheels, designer water bottle, 24 hour buffet, and ceramic strawberry condominium.


Jerry takes a break from his exercise routine Posted by Hello

1.08.2005

Out of Town

The girls are taking a visit at Grandma and Grandpa's this weekend while I'm traveling to Florida on business. I got to chat with them on Traci's cell phone and they were very excited to be on the road. Ida was chattering on about her new doll and what they were going to do once they got to Grandma's house.

I'm at the house watching the UNC Tarheels whoop up on the Maryland Terrapins in basketball while I'm packing my bags. It seems very weird around here without the girls little feet pattering on the hard wood floors. I miss them every minute they are not here and find myself re-arranging their things just as if they were in the other room.

Not many snacks this week I suppose. Enjoy the artwork and look for us later next week....


1.05.2005


'Paper Doll Cut Out' by: Ingrid (2005)

Dear paper doll fan: I hope that you will print and cut these out. And I hope that you like my sister's paper doll also. - Ingrid Posted by Hello

'Serena' by: Ida (2005)

Just like Clark Kent who then becomes Superman, Serena is the mere mortal before she tranforms into Sailor Moon. This 'Serena' is a paper doll that I'm about to cut out with my handy dandy scissors....Posted by Hello

Sniff Sniff

The girls are here this evening while Traci is working at the bakery. The girls are just now getting over a mean cold and I had to stay home today with a low-grade fever and cough. So, we're all just slumping around here at the house and drinking hot tea. Traci even dropped off a pot of split pea soup for us to enjoy at dinner and I'm thankful that I don't have to cook.

The paper doll factory has re-opened although it's moving at a slower pace than normal. Here in a minute I'm going to post one of Ida's paper dolls that she just finished


1.03.2005


Untitled by: Ingrid (2001)

This is one of a series from when Ingrid was 5. She really enjoys experimenting with graphic software. I'll post more from this series later this week - sr Posted by Hello

Paper Doll Factory

The girls latest obsession is the creation of paper dolls - it is literally a paper doll factory at the Remington residence. What started out with Ingrid creating a few Sailor Moon paper dolls with popsicle stick arms for reinforcement has grown into full-scale production depending on what has their interest.

Like a good big sister, Ingrid had to create a second batch to match hers so Ida could join in with all the paper doll games and tea parties. But now that Ida has her confidence built up through encouragement and several reams of practice paper she has joined the design and fabrication team. The kitchen table has been converted into an assembly line full of crayons, pens, markers, colored pencils, scotch tape, paper, cardboard and busy little fingers.

After thorough training and lengthy hours at the kitchen table I have been promoted to the final and most crucial end of the production line: the cutting room. This Henry Ford style of paper doll fabrication comes down to me and my skill with the scissors. If it doesn't get cut properly the girls are the first to notice and sometimes I have forgotten accessories that were supposed to go with the character being freed from its crayon lined template.

The development stages of the paper dolls are the most intriguing to me. What will they think of next? After chatting with the girls before they left on a Christmas trip to Grandma and Grandpa's in Pleasant Garden, Ida was inspired to make paper dolls of every family member and pet that she knew. There wasn't anyone missed: Grandpa Sonny, Mimi, Courtney, Jay, Sidney, Traci, Grape, there was even one of me with a crayon beard that had a realistic representation of the morning scraggle.

Its Monday now and the paper doll factory has moved to Traci's and I'll be getting a couple of days off from production. I wonder who we'll be creating this weekend?

1.02.2005

welcome to the snack machine

Good morning and welcome to the first post! Why call this blog 'snack machine'? The story behind the name is quite simple: When a friend of mine asked what my two daughters call me "Dad? Daddy? Pop?" I replied, "I'm starting to think that my name is Snack"

The level of snackitude at this residence can elevate to culinary levels never before encountered. Normally beginning sometime after dusk the snack machine comes to life!

We hope you enjoy the tales, laughter, images, and happenings here at the snack machine

Happy New Year!!