The 44-year-old actress, Zooey Deschanel, made a notable appearance at an event for The Simpsons’ latest holiday special, “O C’mon All Ye Faithful,” on Friday, December 13. Accompanied by her two children, daughter Elsie Otter, 9, and son Charlie Wolf, 7, she was also joined by her fiancé, Jonathan Scott. This rare outing with her kids was a heartwarming sight.

Jonathan Scott: An Active “Bonus Dad”

Jonathan Scott, 46, who proposed to Zooey Deschanel in August 2023, has seamlessly integrated himself into Elsie and Charlie’s lives. He considers himself their “bonus dad” and takes an active role. As he told Today in 2023, “I always knew I would be a great dad — former clown, magician, I can build stuff — and it’s been incredible. You see your life transform, your priorities become your kids, and when they have a performance or are working on homework, it’s a joy.”

Kids’ Behavior at the Event

An onlooker shared with PEOPLE that both kids were very polite and well-behaved at the event. They were excited to be there and seemed normal, even shy when Zooey introduced them to Weird Al Yankovic. This shows the good upbringing they are receiving.

Scott’s Interaction with the Kids

During the event, Jonathan was great with both kids. He held Charlie’s hand while standing around waiting for Zooey. This shows his caring and attentive nature towards the children. It also highlights the bond they are building.

Challenges of Being a “Bonus Dad”

However, Scott has also admitted that his role as a “bonus dad” isn’t always easy. As he explained in a video on his website last year, one struggle was that the kids didn’t necessarily run up and give him a big hug initially. There were also times when they would be with other kids and someone would refer to him as “daddy,” and they would correct them, saying “That’s not my daddy, he’s my Jonathan.” These moments show the complexity of his new role.The Simpsons’ latest special Christmas-themed double episode premieres on Disney+ on December 17, timed to the 35th anniversary of the series’ original holiday special. It’s a special occasion for the family and a moment to celebrate together.