‘Today’ Host Hoda Kotb Relishes Daughters’ First Day Of School: ‘It Was So Fun’

The new school year is exciting because it represents a new beginning and clean slate. For a fleeting moment, the possibilities are endless. Today host Hoda Kotb was thrilled to share this moment with her two daughters, Haley, 6, and Hope, 4.

Hoda took time off work to be there with her girls on the big day. It was the first time they will be attending the same school together. Hoda told viewers of Today with Hoda & Jenna all about the special day.

“I was so excited,” she gushed. “So, I left the set at 7:30 and I live about 20 minutes from 30 Rock. So, I zipped home, got my kids their backpacks. They were all ready. They were busting. Haley’s going into first [grade] and Hopey’s going into pre-K and they go to the same school, for the first time together.”

There were no first day jitters for either of her girls. “It was such a fun day and the first day of school can be scary,” she went on to say. “Haley just went sprinting off with her friends. It was like, ‘Bye.’ And we’re like, ‘OK. Have a great day.’ She was gone, just dust.” Jenna asked if this made her proud and Hoda agreed it did.

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Hope did just as well as her big sister. “And Hopey’s first day in a new school and she was great,” she added. “She just kind of started playing with some people and then they do a phase-in, so she stayed for about an hour.”

To learn more about Haley and Hope’s first day, including Hoda’s musings about why this is a great time of year, watch the video.