Warrior Girls and Eyebrow Pencil Mustaches

've never been too busy to live... but I have been too busy to blog - like the past couple weeks.

Birthday Warriors

 

 

My youngest had a "Mulan" themed birthday party last week. We love the story of Mulan in this household; "Mulan is atypical to previous female roles in Disney films; she's braver, more self-reliant, and shows little interest in romance." (Wikipedia)

My kids love anything from the pacific rim. While we're surrounded by a lot of Japanese culture (some of my family lives in Japan) they also love Chinese and Korean stories, myths and legends.

Also as an aside - YAY for a decent female/feminist figure in ancient history (the kids like the original Hua Mulan story in addition to the Disney version).

While my daughter is certainly interested in being a brave, independent, decisive, determined, smart, outspoken girl like Mulan - she was all about the sword. Cutting figures in the air, slicing through imaginary Huns and flailing like her life depended on it.

My son, however, was completely entranced by makeup - it was his first test drive of facial hair - a big, luxuriant mustache in eyebrow pencil.

That wasn't quite what I was expecting, but we went with it.

Creating costumes for the party was surprisingly easy - the kids were very happy with their costumes from "found" supplies in our house. Some of the guest's moms went all out with gorgeous, silky mini kimonos, wee little traditional Chinese dresses, one adorable set of silky Asian design pajamas... and one little boy came with a dragon cape and hood.

If you ever have to dress a kid as a 6th century Chinese warrior (and really, don't well all?) here's a short tutorial;

How to Dress a Child As A Generic 6th Century Chinese Warrior (aka Mulan)

• 1 short bathrobe (to mid-shin on the kids)
• 1 wide sash
• 1 narrow sash
• 1 pair black leggings (or long underwear or pajama bottoms)
• 1 black long-sleeved shirt
• 1 coloured adult's tank top (probably mom's)
• 1 coordinating belt or sash (for the sword)
• 1 large hair elastic (the terrycloth ones work great)
• 1 small hair elastic (for the warrior ponytail)
• white socks
• flat, black shoes with a strap (if needed)
• a sword (the favourite part)

1. Bottom layer: white socks, shoes, black leggings and black long sleeved shirt
2. Second layer: coloured tank top (should be long enough to reach mid-thigh)
3. Middle layer: bathrobe, overlapping in front, tied with the wide sash, knot in back
4. Top layer: narrow sash on waist, tied in front, ends hanging down
5. Sword belt: diagonally across body, tie the large hair elastic to the middle and place on shoulder (this is the sword scabbard belt-loop for the back of their shoulder). Tie the sword belt at the opposite hip, hidden under the wide sash.
6. Warrior hair: a ponytail at the very top of the head

Optional: a sweatband around the forehead and a generous eyebrow pencil mustache (boys love sporting fake facial hair).

Other great accessories:

• a folding fan (Mulan has a great fighting scene with a fan),
• a red, small toy dragon (also in the movie)
• a small bug toy (the cricket from the movie)

Bonus tip: first aid supplies - like back therapy belts - make great wide sashes. And back support.