Michelle dances with kids at Colorado children’s hospital during surprise visit

Michelle Obama put on her dancing shoes and boogied away with kids she surprised at a Colorado children’s hospital on Thursday afternoon. 

The former First Lady, 54, spread holiday cheer with a surprise visit to Children’s Hospital Colorado where she was joined by Santa Claus and read out the holiday classic The Night Before Christmas.  

When patient Emma Jones, 14, asked Michelle what her favorite dance move was, she struggled to answer and admitted she didn’t know how to do the popular dance move ‘the floss’.

The confident child then stood up and showed off her moves by doing the ‘floss’ and the ‘orange justice’ dance moves from the popular video game Fortnite. 

Michelle, clad in festive red pantsuit, stood up to try out the slick jive to the delight of the cheering crowd. 

 

Bust a move! Michelle Obama wowed the crowd at Children’s Hospital Colorado when she started dancing with patient Emma Jones, 14, who taught her how to do the ‘orange justice’ dance from the video game Fortnite 

Jones asked the former First Lady what dance she liked best. When she said she wasn't sure the patient stood up and taught her how to do the 'orange justice'. Michelle stood up and happily danced along as the crowd cheered

Jones asked the former First Lady what dance she liked best. When she said she wasn’t sure the patient stood up and taught her how to do the ‘orange justice’. Michelle stood up and happily danced along as the crowd cheered

High-five! Michelle Obama made a surprise appearance at the children's hospital in Aurora, Colorado, where she read out The Night Before Christmas and sat side by side with Santa Clause on Thursday prior to a book signing 

High-five! Michelle Obama made a surprise appearance at the children’s hospital in Aurora, Colorado, where she read out The Night Before Christmas and sat side by side with Santa Clause on Thursday prior to a book signing 

Santa Claus joined in on the fun too saying 'Mrs. Claus says I cannot dance' as he followed Jones' moves 

Santa Claus joined in on the fun too saying ‘Mrs. Claus says I cannot dance’ as he followed Jones’ moves 

The amused Santa said: ‘Mrs. Claus says I cannot dance’ before boogieing along with Michelle as the crowd cheered. 

Michelle Obama won the heart of the crowd, overshadowing First Lady Melania Trump’s public appearance earlier in the day where she read to kids at the Children’s National Hospital in Washington D.C..

The First Lady read Oliver the Ornament to about two dozen children spending their holiday in the hospital where she sat next to Santa Claus. 

Melania made her rounds dressed in a festive red and white coat with red and white candy cane pattern stilettos.  

Melania’s eclipsed public appearance comes as her favorability ratings have plummeted by double-digits over the past two months. 

Tis the season! After she read out the book to the kids, Santa Claus and the former First Lady answered some questions 

Tis the season! After she read out the book to the kids, Santa Claus and the former First Lady answered some questions 

Spreading Christmas cheer: She read to patients at the hospital prior to a book signing event for her memoir Becoming 

Spreading Christmas cheer: She read to patients at the hospital prior to a book signing event for her memoir Becoming 

Hospital workers and patients gathered at Children's Hospital Colorado to hear Michelle Obama read out The Night Before Christmas on Thursday 

Hospital workers and patients gathered at Children’s Hospital Colorado to hear Michelle Obama read out The Night Before Christmas on Thursday 

She was in Denver for a book signing Thursday evening at the Tattered Cover followed by a speech at the Pepsi Center 

She was in Denver for a book signing Thursday evening at the Tattered Cover followed by a speech at the Pepsi Center 

The First Lady’s favorability stood at 54 per cent in October, but according to a new CNN poll, that number has dramatically dropped to 43 per cent. 

Thirty-six per cent of people polled found her unfavorable, a six point jump from October. 

According to the poll, the biggest decrease is among liberals and white college-graduates, which slipped 17 percentage points each. 

However, ratings for her husband have remained steadily at about 40 per cent.  

Melania had an all time of popularity in May, with 57 per cent of those polled favoring her. 

In comparison, Michelle Obama’s popularity seems to have skyrocketed following the release of her memoir Becoming and her national book tour. 

She was in Denver for a book signing Thursday evening at the Tattered Cover followed by a speech at the Pepsi Center.

Michelle's surprise hospital visit overshadowed Melania Trump's Christmas visit to Children's National Hospital in Washington D.C. earlier in the day. The First Lady sat beside Nathan Simm and Santa Clause while reading 'Oliver the Ornament' to sick kids on Thursday morning 

Michelle’s surprise hospital visit overshadowed Melania Trump’s Christmas visit to Children’s National Hospital in Washington D.C. earlier in the day. The First Lady sat beside Nathan Simm and Santa Clause while reading ‘Oliver the Ornament’ to sick kids on Thursday morning 

On Thursday a new poll showed that Melania Trump's favorability ratings have plummeted 11 per cent over the past two months. Melania pictured above being presented with flowers after she read out Oliver the Ornament at the children's hospital 

On Thursday a new poll showed that Melania Trump’s favorability ratings have plummeted 11 per cent over the past two months. Melania pictured above being presented with flowers after she read out Oliver the Ornament at the children’s hospital 

The first lady asked the kids what they wanted for Christmas as she stopped by the neonatal intensive care unit 

The first lady asked the kids what they wanted for Christmas as she stopped by the neonatal intensive care unit 

The first lady posed for photos with the children when she finished reading at the Children's National Hospital 

The first lady posed for photos with the children when she finished reading at the Children’s National Hospital 

Before she read to the kids, she met with families in the neonatal unit on Thursday afternoon 

Before she read to the kids, she met with families in the neonatal unit on Thursday afternoon 

Oliver the Ornament – a touching anti-bullying tale that aligns with Melania’s Be Best campaign 

Oliver the Ornament is the first of seven children books written by Todd Zimmerman.

Oliver is a beloved ornament who has been with his owners, Mom and Dad, since they first started dating.

With time he has become injured and bullied by the other ornaments.

But when trouble arises, Oliver’s love for Christmas leads him to forgive his fellow ornaments and help save the day. 

The other books in the series tells how each ornament came into Mom, Dad, Holly and Henry’s family collection. 

The series has an anti-bullying message, teaching children to be kind and forgive others. 

Each book comes with an ornament of the book’s main character to hang on a family’s tree.

The project was launched in 2015 after a kick-starter campaign raised $52,885 in just a few months.  

Melania Trump’s hospital visit continues a tradition of 60 years, in which every first lady since Bess Truman visited the hospital.

Children’s National live streamed the book reading to every room in the hospital so those who couldn’t attend could still see and hear the first lady.

Before she read to the kids, Melania Trump stopped in the hospital’s neonatal unit to visit three families whose children had graduated the program.

Four year old Grayson Hogsett, who was born at 24 weeks, was shy and hid behind the first lady. She turned to pat him on the back while he hid in a chair. 

The first lady made small talk with the kids, asking them what they want for Christmas. 

‘How you feeling? Do you have any wishes for Santa? What do you ask him?’ She inquired.

Seven-year-old Abigail said she wanted a dog. The first lady asked if Abigail had a name in mind. ‘Peppermint,’ Abigail responded.

The first lady then listened to Nikki Watkinson’s story of her early delivery during a snow storm in her husband’s truck. 

Baby Grayson was delivered at 24 weeks and is now 16 months. ‘Our miracle baby,’ Nikki said. ‘You have an incredible story to tell,’ the first lady said.

Payton Doy, a six-year-old who was born at 24 weeks, sat down beside the first lady.  ‘What do you like to do? Do you like to dance?,’ Melania Trump asked her. Payton nodded

After her visit with the families, the first lady arrived to read to the children.

She came in to a standing ovation and holding hands with Nathan Simm and Tearrianna Cooke-Starkey, who are patients at the hospital.

‘It’s nice to be here and I have a book here to read to you,’ she told the kids. 

She sat before a large decorated Christmas tree. 

Copies of ‘Oliver the Ornament’ were stacked in wagons on either side.

Nathan and Tearrianna sat on either side of her as she read. At the ends of the row of seats, sat Santa Clause at one end and Todd Zimmermann, author of ‘Oliver the Ornament,’ at the other.

Melania read 'Oliver the Ornament' -  a story about an ornament who is bullied

Melania read ‘Oliver the Ornament’ –  a story about an ornament who is bullied

She greeted the kids while 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas' played in the background

She greeted the kids while ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’ played in the background

The kids who listened to her ranged from toddlers to pre teens

The kids who listened to her ranged from toddlers to pre teens

Every child the audience got a copy of 'Oliver the Ornament,' which the first lady read to them

Every child the audience got a copy of ‘Oliver the Ornament,’ which the first lady read to them

Four year old Grayson Hogsett, who was born at 24 weeks, was shy and hid behind the first lady. She turned to pat him on the back while he hid

Four year old Grayson Hogsett, who was born at 24 weeks, was shy and hid behind the first lady. She turned to pat him on the back while he hid

About two dozen children who are currently patients at the hospital listened to the story.

The kids ranged in ages from toddlers to pre teen. Some sat on the floor. Others were in wheelchairs with IVs attached.

Every child in audience will get a copy of ‘Oliver the Ornament.’  

‘Oliver the Ornament’ is a heartwarming tale of one family’s cherished Christmas ornaments, according to a summary on Zimmermann’s website.

Oliver was also bullied by the other ornaments, as revealed by the first lady in her reading.

Nathan Simm and Tearrianna Cooke-Starkey escorted the first lady to her book reading

Nathan Simm and Tearrianna Cooke-Starkey escorted the first lady to her book reading

Santa Claus (right), author Todd Zimmermann (left), Tearrianna and Nathan joined the first lady for her reading

Santa Claus (right), author Todd Zimmermann (left), Tearrianna and Nathan joined the first lady for her reading

Tearrianna Cooke-Starkey applauded the first lady when the reading was done

Tearrianna Cooke-Starkey applauded the first lady when the reading was done

Anti-bullying is part of FLOTUS’ Be Best campaign. 

‘Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a happy healthy New Year,’ the first lady told the children at the end of the reading.

Zimmermann thanked the first lady for reading his book and congratulated her on her Be Best campaign. 

‘I’d especially like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for including me in this tradition,’ he said to her. ‘I’d also like to thank you for everything you do to promote kindness as part of your Be Best campaign,’ he added.

The first lady signed the book she read, which will stay at the hospital. Santa and the kids gave her a bouquet of red and white flowers after the reading. 

Nathan and Tearrianna, who escorted the first lady, are patients at the hospital

Nathan and Tearrianna, who escorted the first lady, are patients at the hospital

Melania Trump reaches out to Tearrianna Cooke-Starkey when she finished reading

Melania Trump reaches out to Tearrianna Cooke-Starkey when she finished reading

The first lady wore a festive red and white coat by Tomas Maier

The first lady wore a festive red and white coat by Tomas Maier

The first lady asked Payton Doy, a six year old who was born at 24 weeks, if she liked to dance

The first lady asked Payton Doy, a six year old who was born at 24 weeks, if she liked to dance

The tradition fo first ladies visiting the hospital goes back 60 years to Bess Truman

The tradition fo first ladies visiting the hospital goes back 60 years to Bess Truman

First lady Michelle Obama sits with Stephen Orzechowski, 5, center, and Santa Claus as she reads "Twas the Night Before Christmas"  at the Children's National Hospital in December 2015.

First lady Michelle Obama sits with Stephen Orzechowski, 5, center, and Santa Claus as she reads “Twas the Night Before Christmas” at the Children’s National Hospital in December 2015.

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