Yesterday, Lainey learned how to whistle. She’s been trying to teach herself for days now, attempting various lip positions and breath techniques until finally, around 4:00 yesterday afternoon, something came together for a weak but unmistakable whistle. It startled her at first—that final attempt that came out as a tone rather than just a heavy breath. But then she smiled, aware of her accomplishment, and proclaimed herself House Whistler for the rest of the night. Running room to room, she assembled her audience to marvel at her victory.
“Did you hear that? I did it! I can whistle now! Listen!”
Since then, she’s clocked about nine hours of whistling—the equivalent of how many hours she’s been awake since she learned. It’s still a little breathy and only one steady note, but to her it’s a really big deal. To me? I’ll be honest, by bedtime I was whistled out. Especially since she seemed to be strategically aiming her whistle a few decibels higher than surrounding sounds that dared to compete.
“Lainey, that’s a beautiful whistle, but we’re talking here. Can you whistle somewhere else please?”
Bedtime saved us, but we awoke to an encore that grew in intensity overnight—a shrilly siren that can’t be turned off.
I went to silence her once and for all this morning, and almost went through with it. “Alright, no more whistling!” I was going to say, with good reasons to back it too. It’s annoying. It’s too loud. I can’t think.
But I stopped myself. She’s still so proud. Still smiling enough from satisfaction that sometimes, if we’re lucky, her grin breaks her whistle. No doubt, she’ll meet Whistle Dampeners soon enough and learn, like we all have, that the world can only take so much whistling. But she’s still so young. Maybe there’s hope.
Whistle loud and strong, girl.
Baby, hold your tune.
*****
Our summer tune looks like…
Keep your whistle.
Use it more.
Happy Wednesday.
Way to go, Lainey-girl! Whistle for us 23-year-olds who still can’t get a note to come out 🙂
ps: LOVE those photos of Lainey with the water hose. That’s a serious summer tune!
My 5 year old wants to whistle SO BADLY right now! My favorite post from you in a while 🙂 Beautiful summer photos.
Awe, sweet! Beautiful images!! I have to say, I have a boss that walks through the office several times a day whistling… no specific tune, just woooo woooo woooo woooooo wooooo weeeeeee weeeeee woooooo woooo… yeah, it gets old… I’m always glad to see the door close behind him. lol
Kara still can’t whistle! And good for you 🙂
Oh! Those little things that make you so proud!! I remember when I learned to whistle and what a major accomplishment that was!! Go Lainey! 🙂 Love the hose picture!
My oldest is still so proud of his whistle. He cannot go *anywhere* without whistling AND snapping his fingers as he gallops to his destination. 🙂
HAHA you’re whistling my tune kelle. my 9yo son whistles all the time. i feel horrible asking him to stop but it’s just too much sometimes. wait until lainey starts whistling in the car! that’s when you’ll politely ask her to stop whistling. so funny. i so love my whistling boy.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that you didn’t crush her whistling spirit….you’ve inspired me to pay more attention to the things I may have inadvertently crushed for my explorer girl….today I will do nothing but encourage her explorations and discoveries…even if it means 9 hours of whistling or snapping or twirling… Thank you Kelle! Whistle on Hampton Clan, whistle on.
Dash looks like he’s whistling too 🙂
My 7 year old learned to whistle as well this past spring and you put to words exactly what my thoughts were at the time. There were many days where I didn’t think I could take it one more second, but I too stopped myself from telling her to stop. It really was amazing to see how proud of herself she was!
My husband whistles one lonnnngggg, flat note when he’s ticked off at me. That irritates me way more than if he’d just say what he wants to say and get on with it. Sometimes I have to say “You’re whistling…what’s up?” Other times I simply have to tell him to “STOP!” I’m certain Lainey’s whistling is for a much happier reason and she’ll learn “whistling etiquette soon enough! 😉
Ahh, the joyful sounds of a proud child. Such a blessing. Rose is dying to whistle and man, for the life of me I can’t explain how it’s done.
Every little milestone brings joy. They grow up so fast and little things like that are quickly forgotten as the years go by. Your blog keeps every treasured memory intact to enjoy for years to come.
This is for Lainey!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG-aA7nEJec
Beautiful images!Those little things that make you so proud!
Great post! So nicely written and really lovely pictures. Thank you!
LOVE, love, love those pictures of Lainey with the hose – the colors, her suit… so summer!
And this was a good reminder not to try to “shhh” my 3 1/2 yr old whenever he does something that’s spectacular for him, but not so fun for mommy 😉
Yay Lainey!
And oh no.
I hadn’t thought about this specific learning moment. I’ll get earplugs now. Whistling is like the Vulcan mind melt to me.
Dash is so very handsome.
From now on, when I go to shush my son for doing something I find mind-numbing & annoying, I am going to remember “Keep your whistle.” Thanks for the reminder!
Beautiful photos! The ones of Dash are making my baby fever worse!
How sweet!
It looks like you’re having a wonderful summer!
So she’s put in, what?, 25 hours so far? Tell her she’s only got 9,975 hours until she’s a whistle master! That girl’s got drive! So beautiful that you embrace it. Love reading this blog for that very reason.
YAY Lainey!! I bet Dash & Nella love the whistling sister! Dash – what a cutie that little guy is!!
Kelly,
I’ve started writing comments a few times, but the pressure I built within myself always seems too strong for me to press the “publish” button. I don’t know why today’s different, but while reading your last post, I guess something overflowed. I gotta say this: you always seem to dig up the right words (not to mention the right camera angle, the right light) to express alternatively the most simple and trivial things and the deepest, most intense emotions. You’re a damn good writer. Here, I finally came out as one of your avid readers.
Good job, Mama. Let her whistle on!!!
yaya! Keep that whistle going, girl!
Kelle, I die every time I see a new picture of Dash. He is so gorgeous!
Great post =)
i wish i could whistle. go lainey go!
I’m 37 and still can’t whistle. Great pictures!
“If we’re lucky, her grin breaks her whistle.” Love it!!
Congratulations to Lainey on her whistling!! But you failed to mention that Dash also has a new skill – he’s mastered “Blue Steel” (from Zoolander) hahaha 🙂
Kelle, one of the things I remember best about my grama is that she was always whistling. It drove my hubbie crazy- but I loved it. I don’t think a crabby person whistles. It means contentment to me.
GO LAINY GIRL…
p.s. how danged precious is little Dash??????????????
xo
Yay!! Hope you got that on video!Now if only you could get her to whistle a real tune!
She’s cute, and you’re a good mom. I’ve been wondering- does Dash have torticollis? My infant son does, and now we’re doing physical therapy for him.
Every time I see a post appear on my reader list with pictures of your family my face starts smiling uncontrollably. You are fabulous!
You may enjoy reading “Whistle for Willie” by Ezra Jack Keats…a favorite, especially for whistlers!
Love this post because we are going through the EXACT SAME THING in my house! My 5 year old just learned to whistle-and he does so incessantly. And to every song he knows- he whistles along. I agree it can get to be too much, but I have caught myself laughing when I hear him whistling the theme songs to his favorite shows from across the house. Whistle on!! 😉
Well done Lainey!!!!! Another special milestone reached:) Gorgeous photos Kelle-thanks so much for sharing. I LOVE viewing photos of sunshine and warm weather play as I experience winter in New Zealand.
Ps: Kelle-is it possible for you to blog in a larger font size? The last couple of posts have been a little difficult to read and I so enjoy reading your beautiful blog. Thanks so much!!!!
LOVE the Small Things….. but any chance these slightly tired eyes could see a font in the two digits?! and how hilarious! as I am typing this I look up and see that Leah C. already asked you 🙂 Mee too! XOXOXO
Your pictures are always so perfect. Can I ask you what you set your camera on when taking most of your pics? I have a Canon 7D and use a 50mm 1.8 lens. I shoot in Av and a lot of times outside my photos are way too bright. Thanks for any tips you might have!
Lisa (aka jam358)
Haha, my mom installed a “no whistling in the house” rule long before I knew how to whistle! These summer pictures are lovely!
My oldest daughter taught herself to whistle AND snap about a month ago. When she reeeeeally wants you to hear her snap, she gets it right up in your face. 😉
Here’s some hope for you: The novelty has worn off, and we are only hearing it every few days or so. Hang in there! 😉
~Lisa
Kelle….
I’m afraid that I do not have time to read this post. {Expect another comment later!!} But, I have been freakin’ busy lately. Yesterday, my one-year old niece–who I lovingly call Little Munchkin!!–came over for the day. We had so much fun!! Then today, my nearly ten-year old cousin came over. He was here from 9:30AM to 5:00PM!! And tomorrow? We are going hiking!! Phew!! 😉
–Raelyn
I’m pretty sure my five year old received the same memo this summer. It took him a few days but finally got it. And we were SUPER excited and proud for about a minute. Now that I’ve read your post I’m thinking it’s a conspiracy. Maybe. Then again, that grin gets me every time. Whistle on, young son. Whistle on.
Love your honesty! x
I had to learn twice after having dental work done to repair my front 6 teeth! The first time I was 6 and it was set as homework over the weekend to learn how to whistle by my primary school teacher!
Also, Dash is definitely a Hampton – he looks great in a hat!
What a great story! I distinctly remember learning how to snap my fingers when I was about 5… it was after bed time but I was so happy and proud of my new skill that I started dancing around my room snapping my fingers. I am sure I looked quite a sight, but I have never asked my parents if they saw me or remember that milestone.
I love this! Way to go, Lainey! I was at Trader Joe’s yesterday, and a little boy walked around the store for close to 30 minutes…whistling. Hands in his pockets, a little sway in his step. It was obvious that some adults were agitated, but I thought it was awesome. In fact, it was seriously a high point of my day. He only stopped a few times, and when he did, he had an ear-to-ear grin that was infectious. It’s so fun to reach a goal! 🙂
Hi Kelle,
First, I love this post. It’s such a great reminder to me as a mother to my three year old whose newest phrase is, “Mommy, want to see what I can do?” She asks it about 843 times a day and, honestly, it isn’t really anything earth shattering she wants me to see. She just wants to interact with me. Anyway, this post taught me that next time she asks, I will stop and give her my full self. She’ll only be little once. THANK YOU FOR THAT REMINDER!
Also, (and I’m probably not telling you anything new here) ignore the negative people who come to your blog and comment. I hate it for you. Don’t let others’ negative comments influence what and how you write on your blog.
Thank you for your words and thoughts!
Kristen
Kelle….
Did I mention just yesterday that we would be going hiking? Well…. What I should have written was “Lord willing” we are going hiking!! Because plans changed!! Hee, hee, hee…. ;-D
Good job, Lainey!! Whistling is an amazing accomplishment!! You should be proud of yourself!! See, I lost my two front teeth as a two year old–because I’m clumsy!!–and they did not grew back until I was around your age!! Thus. I never did learn how to whistle!! That is my excuse, anyway!! Whistle away, Lainey. Whistle away…. 😉
–Raelyn
go lainey!! soo cute!!
xo,
Sandy
Sandy a la Mode
So Awesome! 🙂
My 5-year-old (as of this coming Sunday) is about a step behind Lainey. She thinks she’s whistling. It’s close. Funny the things kids are so proud of.
And because of you, Ms. Hampton, this has been in my head all day:
“You blow my whistle baby whistle baby let me know, I’m gonna show you how to do it and you start real slow, you just put your lips together and you let me know, gonna blow my whistle baby whistle baby, here we go!”
Thanks, cause I actually really love that song.
xoxo
This is pretty trite and inane… yet your followers slobber all over it like it’s profoundly inspirational.
Do you guys realize she doesn’t give a crap about you? Half the comments on here are how she hasn’t replied to an e-mail. You’re only ticks on a money meter for her, nothing more.
love it.
My youngest is a whistler and once, on the street (in St.Pete, FL, actually and we are from Quebec, Canada!): “Keep whistling, darling! People will tell you that it is annoying, but it is a lost art! Never stop whistling!” You should have seen her smile (and yes, the whistling grew louder for a few weeks), but it helped me tolerate it (we were traveling in a 30 feet trailer for 8 months at the time… a VERY tiny space when shared with a whistler!) and I held my tongue when it drove me batty, thinking about that old women and my little girl’s smile.
Beautiful, mamma! You thought before speaking, I should take lessons. I can’t whistle & I’m in my 40’s. go Lainey! I am impressed. xo SarahLICMom
Love. It. Couldn’t pick my fav picture today- Lainey and the hose? Nella’s gorgeous eyes? Sweet Dash? Love it!
Apparently some readers don’t realize that this is a blog about ENJOYING THE SMALL THINGS. Sorry, just had to say it.
Anywho, loved this cute little story about Lainey. I can’t remember how old I was when I learned to whistle but I can only whistle one note to this day! (and can only snap my fingers with my left hand, even though I’m very much right-handed.. hope Lainey has better luck than me!)
I can’t wait until L learns to whistle. Right now it’s just a “whooo hoo!” to call the dogs that mimicks our whistling!
Man did you capture summer with these pics. My oldest wants to learn to snap her fingers, blow a bubble and do a cartwheel. She’s 13! I want her to master them too. Go Lainey.
Ahhh yes, the Whistle Dampeners. I met one once. I was whistling while I worked and the Assistant Manager that I worked came up to me and said, “You’re like me! You can’t whistle either!” I didn’t know what to say… I thought I sounded pretty good. : )