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Ducks & Trucks Birthday Party

April 7, 2023 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy Leave a Comment

*This Ducks & Trucks Birthday Party post contains affiliate links

My grandson asked for a duck birthday party. In searching online for ideas for a duck party that weren’t baby-ish or baby shower-ish, I saw a ducks & trucks party. That was perfect, as he loves trucks as well. In fact, he first told my daughter he wanted a monster truck party.

So here’s what I did for my grandson’s Duck & Truck party.

Ducks & Trucks Birthday Party

My daughter (the auntie) made this sign for the front door for the party. I used this truck printable and this duck printable through out the party. And, no, the decorations didn’t say Linda’s Lunacy, lol, that’s just for the pics. lol

I had my husband draw this duck on a large piece of paper. Save those large pieces of paper that come as packing in your packages! My daughter made a lot of feathers, and the kids played pin the feather on the duck. We used tape, though, as all the kids were 4 and under.

I had a coloring table set up so as the kids arrived, they could start coloring. Keep those kids busy! lol

I lost track of how many piñatas I have made for my kids. They are expensive to buy, and usually not available for all party themes. My kids loved being able to have a piñata in what ever shape they wanted.

I am out of practice though, since my youngest is now 23. I powered through though, lol, and made a duck! The head was a small ball covered in paper. In the past I used wallpaper paste to glue the paper in layers onto a balloon, or whatever shape I was making because I had some on hand. This time I used flour and water. Serves the same purpose.

I covered it with yellow streamers.

Then I glued on some of the feathers that my daughter made. After that, I added some streamer top feathers, construction paper beak, and eyes.

It came out super cute! Don’t be intimidated by making your own pinata. The kids won’t judge if it’s not perfect. They just want to smash it and get the goods anyway! lol

The piñata, and the goody bags. I used this duck printable, printed on yellow paper, wrote the kids names on them, and glued them to the brown bags. So easy!

The goody bags held a small truck, sunglasses, noise maker, some slime in a can that my daughter picked out, and duck food. Most went with our theme. but you can put whatever you want in your bags. We didn’t put candy as we had the piñata. The kids put the candy they collected in these goody bags, so we left room for it.

I used this duck food printable. First, I printed in black and white, and then colored them. You could definitely print them in color, but I don’t have a color printer. I put gold fish crackers in zip top baggies, and stapled the topper on. Super cute, and kids love gold fish crackers.

I bought 3 packages of different little ducks from the party section at Walmart. Then I set up an adopt-A-Duck station. Complete with blue “water”, aka a blue tablecloth and streamers. I had a handmade wooden truck that I used to hold some ducks. The kids loved being able to pick out their own duck and put it in their goody bag. If your party is outside when it’s warm, the ducks in real water would be so cute. But this was a winter party, and I didn’t want water all over my house. lol

The Birthday Party Fail!

There should be a picture right here of the happy birthday banner. But I checked all of our phones, and there are no pictures! I’m so sad! So you will just have to picture it in your mind. Sorry! I used the truck and duck printables that I used on the door sign above. Also, I colored the trucks the same as above. Then printed the ducks on yellow paper. Then put one letter of the words happy birthday Alijah on a duck. We hung a couple of trucks, a word, another truck, and another word, followed by a couple more trucks in one wide door opening. Then repeated in another wide opening on the other side of the room with a couple of trucks, ducks with his name, and a couple of more trucks. So cute! I could kick myself for not getting a picture!!

Ducks & Trucks Birthday Party Food

I got this rubber duck family for a centerpiece. Too cute with streamer water on a blue tablecloth. Tip: The tablecloths are cheaper in a 3 pack at Walmart than buying tablecloths at Dollar Tree. The kids loved this duck partyware.

Now for the food! We served pizza, pepperoni stuffed with cream cheese, and a cheeseball surrounded by cheese cubes. I made a regular cheese ball, but you could make it in the shape of a duck to continue the theme.

The food buffet.

I served Bugles labeled as duck beaks. I used the duck food label from the goody bags, and edited it to say beaks.

For drinks, I served lemonade, and blue raspberry lemonade labeled appropriately as Pond Water Punch, and Duck Splash. lol Along with water bottles for those that wanted water.

You don’t need to serve expensive food and drink for a successful kids party! Soda (or pop) is way to expensive. And so wasteful, especially with kids.

The Ducks & Trucks Birthday Party Cake

Cake and cupcakes! My daughter (the Auntie) made these duck butt cupcakes. Too cute! Kids, and adults, alike, loved them!

I started the cake by frosting it blue. and covering part of it with cookie crumbs for a sand effect.. You can also use graham cracker crumbs. Or chocolate cookie crumbs for dirt.

I added some green lili pads, and assorted green grasses. Not perfect, but literally no one cares if your cake grass is perfect! So don’t be afraid to try it! Then topped with a duck swimming in the water, and a truck on the sand. Then we added another duck in the truck.

I didn’t write happy birthday on the cake, just my grandson’s name. It turned out pretty cute!

The cake with some of the duck butt cupcakes. Super cute!!

This was the table after. If the sign of a good party is the mess to clean up afterwards, then this was a good party. lol See the pinata laying there? That’s why they don’t have to be perfect! They end up a pile of rubble! lol

This Ducks and Trucks birthday party was so fun! It all turned out super cute. And most importantly, my grandson loved it!


*This post contains affiliate links. If you click the links, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you

Filed Under: Homemaking, Kids

6 Ways to Make Your House Feel More Like Your Home

July 2, 2021 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy 1 Comment

*6 Ways to Make Your House Feel More Like Your Home is a sponsored post

Did you recently buy a home, or are you doing a big home renovation? If so, you might be wondering how you turn the house into more of a home. A home that you can call yours. A home that you feel safe in. A home that you love to run to at the end of each long day. There are so many steps that you could take to make your feel more inviting and more home-y, but here are just a few of my favorite ways to make your house feel more like your home:

Pictures:

I find that a pretty immediate way to make a house feel more like home is to put up photos. If I am honest, I have a slight obsession with photos and I am not ashamed of it. I love how a photo has the power to bottle up a memory, a certain feeling, and then make it last a lifetime. Looking at a photo can take you back to a certain time or place, while connecting you to those people or things you love. Therefore, find photos that hold a special place in your heart and showcase them in your home. This simple project can change the way you feel in your home, and about your home pretty rapidly.

Candles:

Although there are so many things that can replace candles nowadays, such as wax melts and essential oils, I think that candles are SO worth it when it comes to setting the mood, making your home feel cozier, and making it feel truly inviting + like a home and not just a house. Candles automatically create a feeling of warmth and comfort. A home where you want to cuddle up on the couch, under a fuzzy blanket, with some homemade popcorn and watch a good romantic comedy. 

Pillows:

Pillows are a great way to fill and warm up a space, while generating a cozy environment. Pillows are great for decoration as they come in all different shapes, sizes, and colors – stay neutral, or spice things up with a bold color. That means, whatever your style may be, there is a pillow to match it.

Needed (or wanted) renovations:

When you move into your new home, you definitely want to do any needed or wanted inspections, renovations, and other projects to your home. Create your list and get to work, but start with the most important ones. For example, if you have mold issues, that would be my #1 priority. If you have a leak in your roof, get that taken care of ASAP so that you do not have additional on-going issues down the road. Greater American Roofing Louisville can help you with that one, if you’re in the market. They are residential and commercial roofers in Louisville KY and they offer services such as roof inspections, roof repairs, gutters, TPO roofing, and so much more. Their beautifully crafted, professionally installed roofs are second-to-none, and their quality of work is immaculate. Why choose to work with them? There are many reasons like their system warranties, amazing reviews, and personal approach. But also because they specialize in roofs. They say: “There are dozens of roofing contractors to choose from when it comes to a new roof.  However, not many SPECIALIZE in the luxury market like we do. We have invested heavily in this market because we understand that YOUR luxury home deserves specialized attention.  What sets us apart? Our dedication to providing our customers with professional inspection reports, with assistance working with an insurance claim, professional design consultation, and certified luxury roofing system installation crews that understand that every roof is not the same. At Greater American Roofing & Restoration, we refuse to cut corners, and provide experienced project managers to ensure everything is done with quality that far exceeds the average in the industry.”

A familiar smell:

A familiar smell always transforms a house and makes it into a place that yuou can call home. For a lot of us, that familiar smell might be baked goods. You know – the things that you make for your kids, your spouse, or that your mom used to make for you when you were younger. And honestly, who doesn’t love the smell of fresh baked cookies anyway?! In my opinion, nothing is more welcoming than the scent of something baking in the oven. The smell of something baking is like getting a hug from grandma…and if that doesn’t scream home then I don’t know what does. HGTV even notes that the way to a home-buyer’s heart is to leave out a tray of fresh baked cookies or brownies. So get creative, or stay traditional, and put that oven to use! Before you know it, your house will be filled with the aroma of baked goods, making it feel more and more like home. 

The ones you love:

It is hard to make a house a home without filling it with those you love. I strongly believe family is the most important thing we have on earth. Without them there is no home. Therefore, it is important to create an environment full of love, respect, and comfort. 

Buying a home can be a daunting experience. Along with a new home may come a variety of additional tasks, including: purchasing additional furniture to fill the space, selecting new paint, updating the appliances, etc. Buying and styling a new home can be enough to send stress levels through the roof. But if you take the time to make your new house feel more like a home, I promise that you will have a really great experience in your new home, for years to come!

*6 Ways to Make Your House Feel More Like Your Home is a sponsored post

Filed Under: Homemaking

When Is It Time to Replace Your Smoke Detector?

October 23, 2020 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy Leave a Comment

*This smoke detector post contains affiliate links

Did you know that smoke detectors have a life span? I didn’t until last week.  I read that smoke detectors have to be replaced every 10 years. That was the first I had ever heard of that. So I looked it up.

Do You Know When It's Time to Replace Your Smoke Detector?

Do You Know When It’s Time to Replace Your Smoke Detector?

And it was right! 

Smoke detectors do have a life span. The sensors inside stop working, even if they have never been exposed to smoke.

So….we bought this house new 21 years ago. And were still using the same smoke detectors.  So now I was freaked out about whether they would actually work in the event of a fire.

I replaced the batteries twice a year, and pressed the test button. And ours were actually wired into the electric. Yes, you have to change the batteries in hard wired smoke detectors, too!

But all those things don’t have anything to do with the sensors!

Do You Know When It's Time to Replace Your Smoke Detector?

So I did some research, and bought new ones. I like that it has an escape light. Especially important for the elderly and children, that can get easily confused finding their way in the dark.

I bought 2, one for outside the master bedroom, and one for outside the bedrooms at the other end of the house.

The one that I bought is not longer available.  I just did some research, and I would buy this one. if I was buying them now.

Do You Know When It's Time to Replace Your Smoke Detector?

Smoke Detector Do’s & Don’ts

Place smoke detectors outside all bedroom areas.  Even if a bedroom is off a living room, or family room where you don’t won’t to  see one. Safety first! Decor second.

Replace your smoke detector regularly. If like me, yours is older, replace now. I saw new ones for sale with a 3 or 5 year life span. Pay attention to those recommendations, and replace when needed.

Replace the batteries twice a year. Even if according to the test button the batteries still work. If your smoke detector is wired into the electric, don’t depend on just the electric. The electric could and will go out in a fire. You need the battery back up. I use changing the clocks twice a year as a reminder to replace my smoke detector batteries.

Don’t paint your smoke detector! You wouldn’t think that just putting a little paint on the outside would affect the sensors inside, but it does. Follow the manufactures recommendations and don’t paint.

 

*This post contains affiliate links. If you click the link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission.

Filed Under: Homemaking Tagged With: family, safety

Making a Home – Homemaking Link Up

May 26, 2020 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy 3 Comments

 

Welcome to this weeks………

 

Making a Home – Homemaking Link Up!

 

This weeks featured post is…… Dollar Store Bin and Basket Hacks from Chas’ Crazy Creations.

 

All of these baskets came from Dollar Tree. Start by gluing 3 of the same sized basket together. After hot gluing to initially get them together I did place some E6000 for a more secure hold and let it dry.

 

Did you see this post last week? So many great ideas for all the rooms in your house! If you missed this, go check it out now!

Don’t forget to pin it to try later!

 

Making a Home – Homemaking Link Up

Now it’s your turn!  Share your posts about homemaking ideas, recipes, crafts, decorating, cleaning tips, basically anything that has to do with caring for a home and family.   The Link Up is open all week.

 

Don’t forget to visit a few other links while your here!

 

Your click is a vote for next weeks featured post! Having your post featured means I will share the picture you add in the link up, as well as the link to your post, in next weeks post!

 

All featured posts will be pinned to a special

 

Making a Home – Homemaking Link Up Pinterest board!! So link up your posts, tell everyone to visit the link up, and maybe your post will be the featured post next week!

 

NEW! I post all featured posts on Mix!

 

Mix Making a Home – Homemaking Link Up Featured Posts Collection

 

Click to tweet! Help spread the word! The more people that know about the Making a Home Homemaking Link Up are more people that will see your link!

 

[Tweet “I just shared my post at the Making a Home #Homemaking #LinkUp @LindasLunacy #recipe #craft #DIY #homeschool posts & more!”]

 

 

Making a Home - Homemaking Link Up

 

No giveaways, please. Giveaway links will be deleted.You can link your giveaways on my Thursday’s Giveaways link up. Thanks!   Please provide a link back to me. A text link is fine. Of course, family friendly posts only.

 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter


Filed Under: Homemaking

Homemaking Link Up

July 16, 2019 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy 1 Comment

 

Welcome to this weeks………

 

Making a Home – Homemaking Link Up!

 

This weeks featured post is…… Unintentional Neglect from A New Lens.

 

beverage-caffeine-cappuccino-162947 (1)

 

This weeks featured post if a change from what we usually have. I think it’s safe to say that we all have good intentions that we are unable to follow through with, whatever the reason. I needed to read this, for sure. If you didn’t get to read it last week, click on over now and read it! This is definitely a good read, and well worth your time.

 

Making a Home – Homemaking Link Up

Now it’s your turn!  Share your posts about homemaking ideas, recipes, crafts, decorating, cleaning tips, basically anything that has to do with caring for a home and family.   The Link Up is open all week.

Don’t forget to visit a few other links while your here!

Your click is a vote for next weeks featured post! Having your post featured means I will share the picture you add in the link up, as well as the link to your post, in next weeks post!

All featured posts will be pinned to a special

Making a Home – Homemaking Link Up Pinterest board!!

So link up your posts, tell everyone to visit the link up, and maybe your post will be the featured post next week!

 

NEW! I post all featured posts on Mix!

 

Mix Making a Home – Homemaking Link Up Featured Posts Collection

 

Click to tweet! Help spread the word! The more people that know about the Making a Home Homemaking Link Up are more people that will see your link!

[Tweet “I just shared my post at the Making a Home #Homemaking #LinkUp @LindasLunacy #recipe #craft #DIY #homeschool posts & more!”]

 

Making a Home - Homemaking Link Up

No giveaways, please. Giveaway links will be deleted.You can link your giveaways on my Thursday’s Giveaways link up. Thanks!

Please provide a link back to me. A text link is fine. Of course, family friendly posts only.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter


Filed Under: Homemaking

A Unique Wedding Shower Idea

July 6, 2017 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy 4 Comments

My youngest daughter is getting married in September, so I recently hosted a wedding shower for her and her fiance. Fiance didn’t really want to come. My daughter told him he had to, though. lol So I endeavored to make the shower as guy friendly as I could so he wouldn’t feel uncomfortable, and would have a good time.

 

We are in Kentucky, and fiance is from Tennessee. So I came up with the “Kentucky meets Tennessee” wedding shower theme. Once I had the idea, everything else fell into place.

 

I had my husband draw out a big K, T, and the word meets on poster board. I colored them with markers, and cut them out. We hung them on the focal wall with a poster of one of their engagement pictures that I had made. The poster looks crooked in the picture for some reason, but was not crooked in real life. lol

 

3

 

I put two gift tables on the focal wall. Covering one with a Kentucky tablecloth, and the other with a Tennessee table cloth. My daughter decorated the chairs with blue and orange tablecloths.

 

A Unique Wedding Shower Idea

 

I also used blue and orange tablecloths on the tables.

 

A Unique Wedding Shower Idea

 

Since I was trying to keep all the decorations guy friendly, I used these blue and orange sprays that I got for $1.25 each. I mixed the colors ups to keep it a little festive.

 

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I served guy friendly food in the kitchen of the hall, using blue and orange paper products and utensils. I forgot to take a picture of the food! I served hot dogs, hot dog chili that I made, along with cheese, onions, ketchup, mustard, and relish. I had corn chips for those that didn’t want a hot dog, so they could put the chili and cheese on those. I also served nacho chips, the ones in the red bag, because those are a favorite of fiance.

 

A Unique Wedding Shower Idea

 

I set up the dessert table on the wall to the right of the gift table. My daughter hung some or their engagement pictures on the wall above. I used blue and orange plates & utensils, Kentucky napkins & Tennessee napkins.

 

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I made the “Kentucky meets Tennessee” cake myself. I used boxed mixes, chocolate & yellow side by side, and made the frosting myself. Except the black. That is from a tube. Because black frosting is really hard to make.

 

A Unique Wedding Shower Idea

 

I orded 3 dozen cookies from a local person. I had 1 1/2 dozen in the shape of the state of Tennessee that said “TN Boy”.

 

5

 

And 1 1/2 dozen in the shape of the state of Kentucky that said “KY girl”. Unfortunately, the baker didn’t have time to do the writing. She did send along an edible marker. After I asked for frosting to do the writing myself. My husband did the writing on all the cookies. They looked ok. Not nearly as nice as the would have if the writing was in frosting, though. I was a little upset. As the baker still charged me full price. Didn’t even offer any kind of discount or anything. Offering a discount of even a dollar or two a dozen would have gone a long way. I probably won’t use this baker again. Unfortunately.

 

A Unique Wedding Shower Idea

 

For a little decoration on the dessert table, we used a stuffed Tennessee dog and a stuffed Kentucky Wildcat. We had them hold the opposite color balloon, and they looked really cute.

 

A Unique Wedding Shower Idea

 

A Unique Wedding Shower Idea

 

On the wall to the left of the focal wall, I put all the drinks. My daughter hung more engagement pictures. Yes, they took a ton! Water bottles, Ale81 (a soda made in Kentucky), and Dr. Pepper, the fiance’s favorite soda. My daughter brought the 2 liter bottles of soda. I also served lemonade and sweet tea. Which is iced tea with too much sugar in it. lol

 

A Unique Wedding Shower Idea

 

In keeping with the Kentucky meets Tennessee theme, I labeled the drinks. The lemonade became “Kentucky Moonshine”. And the sweet tea became “Tennessee Fire Ball”. No alcohol in either drink, just the names. lol

 

A Unique Wedding Shower Idea

 

I tried to keep the games guy friendly, too. So no clothespin or safety pin games.  So I came up with 2 word games. Not as guy friendly as a ball game, but not too bad. lol  I came up with 20 words that had to do with the bride & groom, Kentucky, and Tennessee. I used an online word scrambler to do the scrambling. So I didn’t scramble my brain. lol For the other game, I asked them a list of questions, then used their answers to form 20 questions about them. Guests had to answer Abby, Austin, or Both.

 

A Unique Wedding Shower Idea

 

Everyone had a great time! Including the fiance! So this unique wedding shower was a hit!

 

You can take this idea and make it work for any opposite sports teams, color schemes, or to combine the bride and grooms interest into one shower. This idea would also work for combined birthday parties for kids. The decorations, food, and games are all easily customize to your event.

 

Don’t forget to pin this post for later!

 

A Unique Wedding Shower Idea

 

Filed Under: Homemaking

Making a Home – Homemaking Link Up

July 4, 2017 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy 3 Comments

 

Welcome to this weeks………

 

Making a Home – Homemaking Link Up!

 

This weeks featured post is……

 

Cherry Chocolate Brownies from Simply Stacie.

 

 

I don’t know very many people that don’t like brownies. These look amazing! I’m looking forward to trying these. If you missed this yummy looking recipe last week, click on over now to get it!

 

 

Making a Home – Homemaking Link Up

 

Now it’s your turn!  Share your posts about homemaking ideas, recipes, crafts, decorating, cleaning tips, basically anything that has to do with caring for a home and family. The Link Up is open all week.

 

Don’t forget to visit a few other links while your here!

 

Your click is a vote for next weeks featured post! Having your post featured means I will share the picture you add in the link up, as well as the link to your post, in next weeks post!

 

All featured posts will be pinned to a special

 

Making a Home – Homemaking Link Up Pinterest board!!

So link up your posts, tell everyone to visit the link up, and maybe your post will be the featured post next week!

Click to tweet! Help spread the word! The more people that know about the Making a Home Homemaking Link Up are more people that will see your link!

 

[Tweet “I just shared my post at the Making a Home #Homemaking #LinkUp @LindasLunacy #recipe #craft #homeschool posts & more!”]

Making a Homemaking Linky

No giveaways, please. Giveaway links will be deleted. You can link your giveaways on my Thursday’s Giveaways link up. Thanks! Please provide a link back to me. A text link is fine. Of course, family friendly posts only.

Filed Under: Homemaking

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For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

John 3:16-17 NKJV


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