Cheers, Everybody!

Ho, ho, ho! I'm in a great mood today!

Rudolph's nose-cozy has turned up! It's a complicated story -- evidently Cupid met a snow-rabbit who had indeed seen a mouse (a mouse!) here at the Pole wearing it as a hat! I heard this through Rufus, who heard it from Dancer, who heard it from Cupid herself. Normally I'd treat that like gossip, but sure enough, last night Rudolph's nose was covered up and the reindeer team slept like Yule logs. Today I saw them doing their final running run-through before heading to Finland, and they looked 100 percent better. Amazing what a full night's sleep can do for you!

I have to say, I'm really impressed with Cupid: Not only has she been the hardest-working deer on the team (and shown the most improved times), she has proven to be the most responsible, by taking the initiative to solve this whole nose-cozy problem. She may have single-hoofedly saved Christmas! She's young but definitely a leader among the reindeer!

I wish I could say the same for Blitzen.

And I have to weigh in about this mouse, the one they call Mr. Mipps. For a long time I didn't believe in him, despite the proof (disappearance of pumpkin and other seeds, and the absence of crumbs around the table in the morning) and despite elves and others at the pole who seemed to believe in him. But it sounds as though he really exists, and has a real impact on what happens around here.

You'd think that ME -- Santa Claus, of all people -- would believe in something I saw clear evidence of, even though I hadn't actually seen with my own eyes!

I've asked Mrs. Claus to knit Mr. Mipps his very own tiny cap, one to replace Rudolph's cozy. We obviously know what the right size would be (we can measure it on Rudoph's nose!), and even though I haven't seen or met this Mr. Mipps, I can imagine he would appreciate such a gift to keep his tiny mouse-ears warm. Mrs. Claus said she was happy to knit one -- it'll only take her an afternoon if she uses regular yarn!

Okay, back to work. While the reindeer are in Finland, we'll be doing a final Inspection of the Presents...I'll tell you about that tomorrow!

Love,

Santa