"The Obamas kick off action-packed Easter Egg Roll".
Click to viewWASHINGTON (CNN) - With the Easter Bunny at their side, the first family opened up their backyard to 30,000 people from all 50 states for the annual action packed Easter Egg Roll on Monday.
As Colbie Caillat sang the national anthem, President Obama appeared on the Truman Balcony overlooking the South Lawn with the first lady, their daughters Sasha and Malia, and his mother-in-law, Marian Robinson. “I want to introduce somebody who is doing extraordinary work helping military families, making sure everybody’s up and moving," Obama said as he introduced his wife, whose “Let’s Move!” initiative, a program designed to combat childhood obesity, inspired the theme of this years egg roll, “Get Up and Go!”
“Everybody ready? Everybody feel good about their form,” the president asked the young contestants a few minutes later just as he blew the whistle to kick off the egg rolling competition. Malia and Sasha joined their father as he high-fived the eventual winner of the first race, and posed for pictures along with the Easter Bunny and Mrs. Obama.
Beyond the traditional rolling of eggs up and down the south lawn, this years event also featured live musical performances from Greyson Chance, and Willow Smith, and a “Storytime Stage” where Kelly Ripa, Kristi Yamaguchi. John Lithgow and Geena Davis were among the celebrities scheduled to read books to the young audience. Mr. Obama took a turn reading a passage of “Where the Wild Things Are.”
There was also a station where White House chefs, along with a few celebrity guest chefs, used their expertise to help prepare and demonstrate healthy cooking ideas. Mrs. Obama took part in a cooking class with Al Roker, and Chef Jacques Pepin as they demonstrated how to make healthy crepes. As she took turns flipping a crepe in a pan, the first lady told her guests about Sasha’s love of searing foods under the tutelage of White House chefs, and that it was still possible to enjoy great tasting food while eating healthy. She said she was working with her organization to find ways to make local farm markets more affordable and accessible.
Physical activity was also part of the theme, and professional basketball players Nick Young, Darrel Dawkins, and Elena Beard were on hand to help practice layups on the White House basketball court. President Obama joined tennis greats Chris Evert and Patrick McEnroe on the White House tennis court for a tennis clinic. On his way back inside the White House, Obama told the press he had played a little tennis with Evert, but did not win.
Tickets for the Easter Egg roll were distributed through an online lottery system. The tradition dates back to 1878.
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Colored eggs used in the annual Easter Egg Roll are seen at the White House in Washington, April 25, 2011.
(L-R) First lady Michelle Obama, President Barack Obama, Sasha Obama, Michelle Obama's mother Marian Robinson and Malia Obama arrive for the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House on April 25, 2011 in Washington, DC. About 30,000 people are expected to attend the 133-year-old tradition of rolling colored eggs down the White House lawn.
(Roger L. Wollenberg | Pool/Getty Images)
Marian Robinson, the mother of First Lady Michelle Obama, waves during the annual Easter egg roll April 25, 2011 on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC.
(MANDEL NGAN | AFP/Getty Images)
Sasha (L) and Malia, daughters of US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, read a book to children as the grandmother Marian Robinson (R) looks on during the annual Easter egg roll April 25, 2011 on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC.
Family pet Bo (C) walks up to U.S. President Barack Obama as he and First Lady Michelle Obama read a book titled "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" to children during the annual Easter Egg Roll at the White House in Washington April 25, 2011.
( REUTERS | Kevin Lamarque)
U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama read "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" to children as their dog Bo tries to get attention during the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House on April 25, 2011 in Washington, DC. About 30,000 people are expected to attend the 133-year-old tradition of rolling colored eggs down the White House lawn.
U.S. President Barack Obama volleys a tennis ball between his legs while participating in a "Let's Move" clinic with members of the NBA, WNBA and the Harlem Globetrotters during the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House April 25, 2011 in Washington, DC. About 30,000 people are expected to attend the 133-year-old tradition of rolling colored eggs down the White House lawn.
(Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images)
First Lady Michelle Obama and TV personality Kelly Rippa applaud as chef Jacques Pepin flips a crepe during an healthy eating event at the annual Easter egg roll April 25, 2011 on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC.
First Lady Michelle Obama watches as TV personalities Kelly Ripa and Al Roker share a crepe at the annual Easter Egg Roll, at the White House in Washington April 25, 2011.
(REUTERS | Kevin Lamarque)
U.S. first lady Michelle Obama (L) joins Jada Pinkett Smith and her son Jaden (2nd R) as Smith's daughter Willow (not pictured) performs on stage at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll in Washington, April 25, 2011.
(REUTERS | Jason Reed)
U.S. President Barack Obama hugs White House Visitors Office Director Ellie Schafer as they listen to Willow Smith perform during the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House on April 25, 2011 in Washington, DC. About 30,000 people are expected to attend the 133-year-old tradition of rolling colored eggs down the White House lawn.
Malia Obama (R), Sasha Obama (2nd R) and other children wait for the starting whistle during the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House April 25, 2011 in Washington, DC. About 30,000 people are expected to attend the 133-year-old tradition of rolling colored eggs down the White House lawn.
Entrepreneur Russell Simmons and actor Djimon Hounsou, the husband of his ex-wife Kimora Lee Simmons, are seen during the annual Easter egg roll April 25, 2011 on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC.
Article source: CNN
Photo source: Daylife
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