Hoda Kotb was pulling double duty on Tuesday’s episode of Today, welcoming daughter Haley’s first grade class into the studio for an unforgettable field trip.
The 59-year-old host was beaming with pride as her oldest daughter joined her on camera.
“It’s a big day around here, we’re so excited,” Kotb gushed. “We’re so happy because she’s got such wonderful kids in all the classes that came today, and they’ve been so polite and kind and cooperative and amazing, they read the prompter. So, anyway, happy field trip day, girl!”
Haley was all smiles as she agreed that it was the “best field trip” ever.
“You have set the bar very high,” co-host Jenna Bush Hager said. “Hoda’s now the most popular mom in the whole school.”
Kotb later took to Instagram to share a collection of highlights from the fun-filled day.
“Bring your first grader to work! ❤️ what a great day!” she captioned the carousel.
Kotb adopted daughter Haley Joy, 7, in 2017 with her ex-fiancé, Joel Schiffman. The former couple also adopted daughter Hope Catherine, 4, in 2019.
The proud mom previously penned the children’s book, I’ve Loved You Since Forever, in honor of welcoming Haley into her life. She went on to author a second children’s book, You Are My Happy, in 2019 and will release Hope is a Rainbow, in honor of her youngest child, on March 5.
ET recently spoke with Kotb at Savannah Guthrie‘s book launch party for Mostly What God Does earlier this month, where she opened up about entering a new era as she turns 60 this year.
“I am very, very excited, because here’s what’s been happening with my decades as I’ve been going through life,” she explained. “Every decade’s gotten better and when you don’t think it can, you’re like, ‘Why is this one better than the last one?’ My 50s were 1,000 times better than my 40s.”
She continued, “I’m about to hit this new decade, I’ve got two kids, I’ve got such a vibrant, awesome life, I’ve got a job I love, I get to work with my besties, I can’t wait to see what it has.”
She also paid tribute to the likes of Oprah Winfrey, 70, and Gayle King, 69, for paving the way for greatness at any age.
“All of these cool, awesome women are stepping into these decades with, like, backs straight, ‘Look at me now,'” she effused. “I am like, ‘We are in a new world, girls!’ So let’s jump in it.”
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