The White House Blog

First Lady Michelle Obama reads '' 'Twas the Night Before Christmas" during a Christmas holiday program at the Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., Dec. 15, 2014. The First Lady is seated with Elves Aaron Irby (age 9), and Kyra DeStefano (age 10), right, and Obama family pets, Bo and Sunny. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

First Lady Michelle Obama visited the patients at the Children’s National Medical Center today in Washington, D.C., continuing a tradition dating back more than 60 years to First Lady Bess Truman. First Dogs Bo and Sunny joined Mrs. Obama to help spread holiday cheer to the kids and their families.

After meeting with patients and doctors in the surgical care unit and with the infectious disease team, the First Lady sat down with Santa Claus to read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas to a group of children gathered in the hospital's atrium.

CHILD: I knew it was Santa!

MRS. OBAMA: You knew it was Santa! It’s a Christmas story, who else would it be? 

Watch on YouTube

The First Lady followed the story by answering questions from the children and their parents. They asked about her favorite winter activity, whether she wears Christmas pajamas, and the gifts she'll give to her daughters and her husband.

CHILD: Do Sunny and Bo have stockings?

MRS. OBAMA: They do. Everybody has a stocking in our house -- Grandma, Malia, Sasha, the President, me, Sunny and Bo. But we’re not going to tell them what we’re putting in their stockings, okay? It’s a secret. 

Continuing a tradition that dates back to Bess Truman, Mrs. Obama visits with kids at @ChildrensHealth. pic.twitter.com/7BusGgyubY

— The First Lady (@FLOTUS) December 15, 2014

For additional White House Holidays content, go to WH.gov/Holidays or use #WHHolidays on social media.