buon compleanno mia!
Mia Rose and her stinky toes,
Green/blue eyes, and button nose.
Princess gowns, tiaras, and sparkly heels,
Cheerleading skirts, bracelets, and ear-piercing squeals.
Cornsilky blond hair pulled back in a pony,
Your birthday dinner will be delicious with Nana’s macaroni.
Eight years you’re here, from baby to young girl,
They’ve passed like a blur–an awesome pink whirl.
I wish you many happy things for the coming year,
That breeze you feel? It’s me–I’m near!
My favorite niece you’ll always be,
Even though they say you’re just a little pujie.*
(drawing by P’s niece, Sara, age 9.)
Happy, happy birthday and first day of school!
Baci e abbracci
Aunt Shell
*Family joke. My grandmother used to call something smelly a “pujack” which she told us was a smelly goat; it’s been shortened for Mia, because, you know, she’s little and all.
33 Beans of Wisdom to “buon compleanno mia!”
Michelle Kaminsky is an American attorney-turned-freelance writer who lived in her family's ancestral village in Calabria, Italy for 15 years. This blog is now archived.
Calabria Guidebook
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Beautiful, whimsical poem to described (who you’ve described to me as) your beautiful, whimsical niece!
Gosh, eight and eleven, can’t believe it!!
Of course, mine are seven and four – unbelievable too!
– K
Between your family and P’s you must have at least two birthday’s a month! Another great poem and a beautiful picture.
Very sweet! Happy B’day to Mia!
Happy Birthday to Mia!!! 🙂
Sara made a very pretty drawing 🙂
Is your “little pujie” in Italy?
Sognatrice, is “Aunt Shell!”…short for Michelle? that’s very pretty 🙂
Happy, happy Birthday, Mia!
You’re quite the little Picasso.
Happiness and blessings to you, sweet girl!
Laxlaw, I know I can’t believe it either–and yours are getting so big too!
Gil, P’s family really takes up most of the calendar, but yes, between the two of us, it’s pretty much year-round birthdays around here 😉
Jen, thanks, and thanks 🙂
Farfallina, the pujie’s in America (she’s the sister of Michael from last week’s birthday post); I only have one brother, and he only has two kids, so that’s all for the kids’ birthday announcements on here for a while. None of the Italian nieces and nephews (P’s side) read the blog.
Yes, Aunt Shell is what I was called from the time Michael was little and couldn’t really say Michelle very easily–thus Aunt Shell was born, and it stuck. I think it’s rather cute as well 😉
JennieBoo, thanks for the good wishes! I’ll be sure to let Sara know her drawing was appreciated (she’s still here on vacation from Perugia) 🙂
you shine with these poems, missy!
i think we are related
and
when my birthday comes
i might need a poem, too…
🙂
*aunt shell* has a magical feel.
do you send them sea shells
from time to time?
What a beautiful, colorful little poem. What a lucky girl Mia is to have you.
Quand’e il suo compleanno?
Have to practice my italian. Just took an immersion class for travelers.
Happy Birthday Little Mia!
SPF, what a wonderful compliment! Please do email me your birthday…I *love* birthdays (my own especially hah!).
Aunt Shell has yet to send seashells; as you might know, I don’t go to the beach very often, but also, we don’t have many around here 🙁 Although P’s nephew from France (10 years old) was a master at finding them! He left with quite a collection–hopefully as my own niece and nephew will do when they come to visit 😉
Karen, thanks! Mia’s birthday was yesterday, the 28th. She and her brother are exactly 3 years and 1 week apart. I know she was looking for her post the day before, but I’m also a stickler for celebrating the exact day…so I hope she got to see it yesterday after her busy first day of school!
Nat, thanks for the good wishes 🙂
that is a lovely poem/tribute to someone who sounds like an awesome niece!
gotta love child art
What a lovely post for a little smelly goat. Too cute.
Qualcosa, awesome indeed; thanks 🙂
Sparky, I melt in its (children’s art’s) presence. Really.
Ally, hah! Thanks for commenting 🙂
What a fabulous gift for your niece! I love the poem, and that’s a great drawing.
What a sweet poem and post! Happy Birthday to your niece! And how sweet of P’s niece to make a drawing for her!
Amanda, glad you liked it–it was fun to write 🙂
Karina, I thought it was pretty sweet too; she was so sad when I said that Mia might be coming in June because she (Sara) always comes in August….
That was so cute!
Thanks Erin 🙂
Birthdays all around! YAY!
Yours is coming soon too!
Aren’t nieces and nephews wonderful? Absolutely the best.
Birthday cake… balloons… ice cream and presents… YAY!
Scarlett & Viaggiatore
Awww, Happy Birthday to Mia (I LOVE that name). What a sweet drawing. (I love kids’ art). 🙂
That is soo sweet!
Happy Birthday to Mia! And wow, to share a birthday AND first day of school. How did she feel about that?!
Scarlett, yes, birthday fever has begun! Woohoo!
Nino, isn’t it a great name? I love your kids names too…obviously we have similar taste there 🙂
Sabine, let’s just say she wasn’t psyched about having the first day of school and her bday on the same day. Can’t blame her really, even though I always liked school. I’m guessing she missed out a bit on the attention factor 🙁
Wishes for a beautiful day to your niece, mia. What a beautiful name. I love your blog. Just working my way through the foodie blogroll, and got stuck here. I think I’ll stay a while
Ah, thanks Vanielje! I’ve already checked out your place, and the feeling is mutual 🙂
Thanks sognatrice (I’m practising saying that in ‘eye-talian’. Most of my favourite people are dreamers. I’m putting a link to you on my page. Hope that’s okay. I like to have a quick link to any special treats so I can nibble as I work…
Joyeux anniversaire
Beautiful picture !!
I wish I could have the same drawing !!
Vanielje, what an honor to be on your links–I hope you’ll come by and nibble often 😉
Mélanie, thanks for the wishes; if you really can’t find a child to draw a cake for you, I think you’ll just have to do one yourself!
Another birthday! Here’s to Mia! Happy birthday Mia!
Happy Birthday Mia!
What a lovely poem, filled with so much love. It is great when you can tease (talking about stinky toes) but wrap it up in so much affection, that stinky toes sound like a perfectly wonderful thing to have.
Thanks Maryann! And thanks for visiting!
Taffiny, yes, even stinky toes are cute when they’re on such a cute little girl…of course I’m not sure how crazy about the phrase Mia is 😉
I can’t believe Mia is eight! Where does the time go? Caroline started first grade today! We are getting old, Miss Songatrice : ) At first i wrote your name and then I wasn’t sure if that was allowed (I don’t know blogging rules) so I changed it. — Eileen
Eileen, time sure is flying, isn’t it? It’s almost 6 years since that fateful day when we found out we were lawyers…can’t believe it!
Feel free to use my real first name, btw, as it’s already been leaked 😉