Times Observer photo by Lorri Drumm Mrs. Claus visited with children and their grown-up friends and relatives on Monday at the Warren Public Library. She told everyone about their home at the North Pole, read stories, sang songs and visited with all who attended. Santa was busy working late but intends to accompany the Mrs. for another visit soon.

It’s a busy time of year for Santa Claus but his wife took a break from all the holiday preparations for a visit in Warren on Monday evening.

Mrs. Claus stopped by the Warren Public Library to visit with children and their adult friends and relatives. She explained to those who came to see her that Santa is busy getting ready for Christmas.

She came prepared with all sorts of photos from the Claus home in the North Pole. She showed everyone pictures of the different rooms of their house. She noted that they both prefer the color red in their decor.

As she displayed a picture of their kitchen, she admitted that she spends a lot of time in that room baking cookies. Somebody has to help Santa maintain his jolly physique.

She asked the children to guess what type of cookie is Santa’s favorite. The majority of children called out “chocolate chip.” It turned out to be the correct answer. So, if you’re fretting over what to leave out Christmas Eve — problem solved.

Times Observer photo by Lorri Drumm Mrs. Claus visited with children and their grown-up friends and relatives on Monday at the Warren Public Library. She told everyone about their home at the North Pole, read stories, sang songs and visited with all who attended. Santa was busy working late but intends to accompany the Mrs. for another visit soon.

Since it’s not every day you get one-on-one time with the real “First Lady,” there were some questions asked of her. When Ms. Susan, the children’s librarian, asked if Santa snores, Mrs. Claus replied, “Does he ever!”

Following the informal Q & A, she read a story about the year that she took Santa’s place delivering gifts when he had to “call off sick.” She told a tale of “skidding through Sweden” and traveling the world.

When she finished, Ms. Susan had another question. “Did you ever really take over?” she asked. “Oh no,” Claus replied. “It’s just a story someone wrote.”

After the story ended, she passed out jingle bells to everyone and their arose such a clatter of song that it filled the library. Most of the bells were about elf-sized but she claimed her large bells came “straight off the sleigh.”

Another visit by both Santa and Mrs. Claus is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 14 from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the library’s Slater Room. There will be stories, songs and the chance to visit with the couple while others create holiday crafts and enjoy some holiday snacks. Preregistration is appreciated. Please leave a message for Ms. Susan, children’s librarian.