Kimono Girl

After 5 posts about ninjas, it's time for a change of pace. A cute girl wearing traditional Japanese kimono.

Do you know that the word 'kimono' means 'something to wear'? There are many different types of kimonos, for both women and men. Check out the Wikipedia page if you want to learn more!

If you're wondering how my wife cut out the eyes and mouth, she uses a special seaweed punch similar to this one. Tip: you can use the more readily available paper craft punch - just Google for 'paper craft punch'.

Ninjas

Following on from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles lunchbags, here's a couple of cool little ninjas, ready to leap out from the shadows and ... be eaten.

Little ninja, weedy ninja

Nice too meet 'cha

Little ninja, bready ninja

Time to eat 'cha!

Kids, be careful when eating your ninjas as they are full of weapons. Always take off the weapons before you put them in your mouth.

Leonardo

Leonardo is Son's favourite turtle, because he wears blue, and Son's favourite colour is blue. Or yellow, but there isn't any yellow turtles, so Leonardo it is.

Leonardo is the leader of the bunch, and is equipped with the very practical twin katana blades. He's the most mature and responsible of the bunch, although he loves pizza and partying as much as the other turtles.

In the original comic, Leonardo is a much more realised character. The comic explores how he deals with the weight of leadership and the enormity of their quest . His combat prowess far exceeds the others - in one scene, he defeated all the other turtles - and *SPOILER ALERT* he eventually defeated the Shredder in single combat.

Raphael

Just like his unusual choice of weapon (the sai), Raphael is arguably the most complex dude out of the TMNT bunch. Raph's got a bit of a temper, you see, and a rather bleak outlook of the world. He has a difficult relationship with Leonardo, his older brother and the leader of the group.

Unfortunately, although maybe necessarily, in original, kid-friendly cartoon series, this complex character was simplified and was mostly known for his one-liners:

• "He's not only from medieval Japan, but also from an alternate universe, so naturally he speaks English!"
• "If he starts singing, I advise changing to another channel."
• "Thanks, Raphael, I owe you one!" "You owe me 6, but who's countin'?"
• "MMMph hmm MPHMMHM!" "That's April, alright. I recognize her mumbles!"

Donatello

Donatello's weapon is the versatile bo staff and his thing is being the brainiest and geekiest ninja turtle. As the original theme song said, "Donatello does machines!" Boy, does he ever. Within the first season he single-handedly created the Turtle Van, Turtle Blimp, the Turtle Communicator, all from his crappy sewer laboratory. Granted, he had access to salvaged alien technology that the turtles liberated from the Shredder, but still, the man, I mean turtle, got moves.

Donatello is Daughter's favourite turtle, because, well, he's wearing purple and purple is Daughter's favourite colour.