Ethan's 4th birthday party & tricolor pasta salad

Ethan's prima, scooping up candy from his piñata.

It took a few tries before the lucky string was pulled on the piñata.

Ethan's gifts!

Tricolor pasta salad.

Today I celebrated Ethan's 4th birthday party with his mom (thank you Monalisa for the invite) and her family. Monalisa is a very creative person and she had their home decked out in a Toy Story theme, complete with a Buzz Lightyear Spaceship piñata and a pin the tail on Buzz Lightyear game.

Monalisa's mom Rosie brought a delicious pasta salad to round out a yummy meal of hot dogs, chili, nachos, a 6 foot sub, cake and ice cream. Rosie was kind enough to share the recipe with us:

Tricolor pasta salad

1 lb tricolor pasta
1/2 cup diced red onion
1 16 oz can whole black olives
12 cherry tomatoes or 2 roma tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup Italian dressing
2 tbsp. parmesean cheese
1/2 cup broccoli florettes
black pepper to taste

Cook your pasta until it is al-dente. Then drain and add to a large bowl with diced onion, black olives and tomatoes. Add your dressing, cheese, broccoli and pepper and stir.

This a pretty easy pasta salad to make, economical and it is a crowd pleaser.

Ethan was happy because he pulled the lucky string on the piñata, and all of the candy fell, to the great delight of his primos.

¡Feliz cumple Ethan!