Los Olivos, Calif. ? An ebullient Michael Jackson greeted about 200 children who were brought Friday to the fairy-tale theme park at his countryside ranch — and looked at one point like he might stay to play.

“I hope you have a wonderful day. Merry Christmas. I love you,” the pop singer called out from the driveway of his estate.

Pop star Michael Jackson greets about 200 children Friday who were invited guests at his Neverland Ranch in Santa Ynez, Calif.

When one of the youngsters shouted, “We love you!” Jackson replied, “I love you more,” before putting an umbrella over his head and walking back toward his house.

In his brief appearance, Jackson smiled, waved and at one point looked as if he would come back and play with the children, but instead got into a vehicle that took him off the property.

Spokeswoman Raymone K. Bain said Jackson chose to make the unusual personal appearance as a surprise for the last group of children touring Neverland before the Christmas holiday.

Bain said charitable and civic groups brought children to Neverland at least three times a month; the estate contains streams, waterfalls and a lake.