Another lil Benley collection

First Day of Kindergarten

How would you react when your baby goes to kindergarten? Will you cry at drop off? Will you pretend to be strong? Will you try to avoid it altogether? The first day of kindergarten despite being a huge milestone is a milestone many parents dread. Your little baby is growing up. Sure they went to daycare and maybe even preschool but this is kindergarten. And for little Pruitt Arike Miller-Warren. Her time had come.

"Mommy, will I like kindergarten" She asked while Miranda was doing her hair

"Well did you like orientation, where you met your teacher and saw your classroom?"

"Mrs. Teacher seems nice." Pru shyly responded

"Miss Penny is her name babygirl, not Mrs. Teacher."

"Miss Penny" Pru repeated "she was nice. And her room was nice. But is kindergarten like daycare?"

"Well it is similar in many ways but it is also different. You will be practicing some of the same things you did in daycare but also learning new things."

"Well I already know my alphabet, and my numbers up to 10, and my name." She smiled

"Pru honey you are one smart cookie, and I'm sure you will love kindergarten."

"Does my daddy know I am starting kindergarten?" She asked

Miranda paused, her hands still brushing through her daughter's hair. "Of course, sweetie. Ben's downstairs packing your lunch for school."

Pru shook her head, her eyes filled with confusion. "No, I mean..." She trailed off,

Miranda's heart skipped a beat. She knew exactly who Pru was referring to. "Dean?" she asked

Pru nodded slowly, "I don't remember him very well, Mommy. But I wish I could."

"I know, sweetie. It's hard to think about someone you don't remember. But I promise you, Dean loved you very much. And anytime you want to know about him, just talk to us."

"Really?"

Miranda nodded. "Really. And even though he's not here in person, he's always with you in your heart."

They walked downstairs together. Ben was sitting at the kitchen table, a plate of pancakes in front of him. When he saw them, his face lit up. "Good morning, my favorite ladies," he said, his voice warm.

Pru ran over and climbed onto his lap. "Look, Daddy," she said, shaking her hair "Do you like it?"

Ben examined her hair with a smile. "It's beautiful, Pru. You look like a princess."

As they were eating breakfast, Ben's phone rang. He answered it, and Pru and Miranda heard the familiar voices of the boys.

"Hey guys, how are you?" Ben asked

Tuck and Joey waved to the camera. "We're good, Dad," Joey said. "We just wanted to wish Pru luck on her first day of school."

Pru beamed. "Thank you"

"How are you feeling?" Tuck asked

"Happy, maybe a little scared." She admitted

"You'll love kindergarten Pruey, You'll make friends, and learn new things. It'll be awesome." Joey assured her

"And you can show all your classmates what we worked on," Tuck added "How many of them can count to 10 in two different languages."

Pru giggled. As their call ended and she waved goodbye to her brothers, she felt a wave of excitement wash over her. She was ready for this new adventure.