Faye turns Four: The Paper Dolls

Ever since we went on our Mauritius holiday, I had been slacking on the blogging front. I wrote my last piece just before we left for beach life and came back with zero inspiration to touch the blog. It felt really refreshing to take it slow with my mornings and nights; for a change! Faye turning Four is  the only reason I feel motivated to write again. It's a milestone and even though the body feels like sleeping right now more than anything, the adrenaline rush from today's events do not allow me to. 

I had a few themes in mind before The Paper Dolls. Mermaid for a pool party, origami which I had shelved for two years now because I never found time to fold those origamis, princesses but that's really last on my list, hmmm... I wasn't exactly pleased with all of them.

The Paper Dolls theme came up just a month before today as I read the story to Faye one night. As we turned to Page three, I exclaimed excitedly, "How about a Paper Dolls party Faye!" Her eyes lit up and gave me a resounding Yes! Oh I imagined paper dolls bunting, paper dolls story-telling, paper dolls cake and best of all, my very own blessed paper Faye-doll.  

I've always kept their celebrations small, confining only to immediate family. So when the paper dolls characters in the book were only five [two boys and three girls], I knew this must be it. Faye, Ewan and their three cousins are perfectly five, perfectly two boys and three girls. 

The Joy Troopers had a great idea. Life-size paper dolls of Faye, Ewan, Cayley, Cayla and Callum, holding hands [using velcro] just like the paper dolls in the storybook. Velcro encourages versatility which allows their cousins to bring home their own dolls after giving them their own unique personalities. These paper doll standees would be drawn and cut in monochrome and Faye's birthday activity would be colouring.

Her favourite thing to do every day after school is colouring and cutting. This would make her day! I was excited to see how their 70cm tall paper dolls would turn out!

Hanzhi, the woman behind The Joy Troopers, and the same person who drew Faye's wall mural in her loft, arrived early on Faye's actual day to deliver the standees. We went up to the roof garden for a quick photoshoot of her adorable masterpieces! I was stoked to find Faye and her paper doll doppelgänger to be so similar and was cut smaller than the rest like how she is in real life.

While I scooted off to collect the birthday cake and macarons, Hanzhi helped me with the backdrop decor at home. All I did was tossed her my 3 Little Picks merchandises and she did magic! I came home to settle the rest of the decor for the table. Settings for pizza over lunch, cake, macarons, faunas, dessert plates and everything else to beautify the space.

Everyone should know by now that we will always have at least one Cake per year made by Cupplets [Read: Creative Minds - A chat with mmlittlee]. It became a tradition and every year Sam and Ernest outdo themselves to fit my unconventional themes. And every year, it’s always a surprise. I never work with them on designs like how it should look or what shape I'd like the cake to be because artists should be given full reign to creativity. I didn't think I know better anyway!

They are also the only bakers I know who never said it was too difficult. Amazing isn’t it? They delivered, every single time. Even did a great job at #fayeturnstwo where Sam put together mini ice-cream coned cakes for her party!

Faye met Sam on Monday this week and she said the sweetest thing, “You know I like to cook?” Sam asked her what food does she like to cook and Faye replied, “I like to cook Cake. Just like you.”

This year, our little girl got a painting for a Cake! A picture straight out from The Paper Dolls storybook that we all love. Strawberry Elderflower - our first time trying this flavour!

I ordered macarons as well for Faye's school party; extras for home too. I would have skipped it but she requested for one with her classmates. Macarons are small and easy for tiny hands. Saves me a lot of trouble from cutting and serving in school as well! They were beautiful! Scissors, grass, toasts, honey pots and little details from the book came to life on the macarons.

I decided the morning before her birthday to write her a paper doll inspired book that features her as the main character. Honestly speaking, writing a children's book is a dream I would like to fulfil this lifetime. One that rhymes because personally, I enjoyed those books that rhymed and very importantly, illustrations that make people buy the book just because they want to keep it for the art. It will take me some time to get that going but here is my very first attempt!

Faye has all the toys she could possibly want. A hand-illustrated and written book by mommy should mean a lot more than a toy from the store. Wow drawing and colouring is tough! The hand gets pretty achy after a few hours on it.

After the colouring activity, I thought it would be great to read the kids this book I wrote. There were laughters and the best reward I got after that was the many "I Love You"s Faye showered me before she slept.

I am not a good artist. In fact, I never liked to draw. So I'm thankful this came out quite alright.

You are an amazing little sister Faye. Your love for 哥哥 is so exceptional that I myself find it unbelievable. When he gets into trouble, you show up and offer to help. When he feels sad, you have the urge to put your hand on his shoulder. When he is happy, you suddenly become happier. As much as I am your world, he is yours too.

You even included him in your goody bag packing for your school party. How thoughtful are you?

You, as our daughter, had been nothing short of exciting. You challenge us in your own stubborn ways. Oh I know your steadfastness and strong-willed character are virtues that would turn you into an astounding leader if we cultivated it well. I love your hugs, your neediness and most of all, your smiles. Less your tantrums and thank goodness you are not making us read your mind as much as before.

Keep shining baby!

I had a good time today and exceptionally proud that I didn't influence Ewan and Faye in their choice of colours for their paper dolls. I mean, look at the colours they chose? Any typical adult would try to steer them in the right direction with socially accepted colours for hair, eyes, skin and clothes.

Faye! Pink hair, green face and a purple neck? Okay, that's fine. You are living in Year 3020! You are futuristic!

Ewan! Why did you give your forehead a touch of blue? Ah well, it turned out to be quite a cool graffiti, like those in Warsaw with dripping yellow paint coming down from his hair to his face.

They now sit proudly in our living room with rainbow-coloured trees. Our home has so many art pieces from renowned artists. Now these paper dolls become the most meaningful ones in #mmlittle家.

Till our next party! Ewan's turning six in two weeks!

Read Faye's other Birthday Celebrations:
- First Birthday, 2015
- Second Birthday, 2016
- Third Birthday, 2017

Like Us on Facebook if you enjoyed the read!

A stay at home mum, blogging to widen her social life. 
We want to echo the sound of love through our lives to inspire other mothers alike.