Ducky Birthday Party

     For her tenth birthday, Marissa chose a duck theme At first I was skeptical, but then reasoned that it was more interesting than a Justin Bieber party. Also it was fun because it was probably the last time we'll celebrate with a little girl theme. Researching online and at the local 'dime' store (a motherload of duckies, especially now at Easter season), produced lots of simple ideas and I already had a couple of stuffed toy ducks in my Easter decor boxes - like the little fellow shown below holding an appropriate penant. 

The fanciful sign below was composed and printed on my computer, and placed in the front yard garden near the sidewalk, directing visitors to the hypothetical party place (beyond the front door).

 

One of the activities was a game involving these paper duck feet. Players had to follow the trail, stepping on the feet, until they came to a basket of plastic duck eggs (again from my Easter deco box), where they had to pick up an egg without using their hands and return to start.

The yellow layer cake, frosted with blue buttercream, was embellished with marshmallow "bubbles" and four rubber duckies. After the photo was taken, ten candles were added to the top layer.

Most of the gift wrapping reflected the chosen theme as well. 

A cheerful plush duckling sits happily between two china bowls of malted milk eggs. (Two bags were divided into colors; the pink were saved for another time.)

 Even the garden provided an unexpected complement to the color scheme - a spray of radiant daffodils!