White House Egg Roll, Easter, Cherry Blossom Festival

History of the White House Easter Egg Roll as described in the program:

"President Abraham Lincoln's son, Tad, hosted the first informal egg-rolling parties in 1861, however the tradition we know today was established by President Rutherford B. Hayes and his wife, Lucy.

According to press accounts from the early 1870s, young egg-rollers would flock to the Capitol's steep grassy terraces every Easter Monday for an exhilarating day of play.

In 1876, members of Congress who were tired of the growing crowds, torn-up grounds and one too many pratfalls on old egg shells, passed an Act of Congress preventing the Capitol grounds from being used as a playground. However, heavy rains on Easter Sunday in 1877 postponed the new law's enforcement until 1878. That year, a New York newspaper reported that several young boys approached a strolling President Hayes and asked for permission to use his back yard to roll eggs. Not wanting to say no to the children, President Hayes made sure that come Easter Monday, all children who wished to were allowed to enter the grounds.

By 1889 more than 8,000 children would descend upon the south lawn to play such games as "Egg Picking," "Egg Ball," "Toss and Catch," and "Egg Croquet."

The famous egg-rolling race was introduced in 1974 when youngsters wielding presidential serving spoons would roll, push, and occasionally toss colorful hard-boiled eggs on their way to the finish line."



On the train ride to DC

Entertaining ourselves during a long wait before our turn to go onto the White House grounds

The little boy who followed us around for a while, trying to get in all of our pictures

The White House rose garden

Elle and Seb at the starting line of the Egg Roll

Elle caught on, but Sebby just sucked his thumb the whole way to the finish line

Sebastien loves balls. All day he kicks balls through the house or outside wherever we walk. He was so excited when he saw the soccer activity at the Egg Roll. He played here most of the time and later we watched a soccer game on the lawn.

One of many performing groups. They had Elle and Seb's undivided attention.

Seb wanting to go back and play ball

The White House tennis court that Obama uses as a basketball court

The egg hunt

New White House community garden

Signing flags to send to troops in Afghanistan

Rolling down the hill near the fountain

The theme of the roll was to give us a few tips on how we can lead healthier and more active lives. Here's the yoga activity, near the healthy cooking demonstration and jump rope making corner

Seb watching a soccer game. He kept kicking my leg when the players would kick

The Obamas live on the top floor, the middle floor is where they have the big dinners

Sasha and Malia's new playground, right outside the Oval Office windows

The Oval Office, where President Obama had just left. His light was on and we could see his empty chair turned to the side

Elle messing around in the newspaper stands at the metro. We stopped for our favorite Armands pizza on the way home

Easter Sunday with Ed and Kelly Queen, friends in the ward. Ed and Gabe were in charge of the egg dying. Kelly and I hid the candy-filled eggs

Dying the eggs. Seb threw an egg into a cup which threw splattered colored vinegar water right into Caleb's eye. It was pretty shocking and painful

Sam and Caleb Queen

Neighbors that joined in

After the egg hunt, eating the candy

Heidi Queen, Elle's friend

Kelly and Ed

The Cherry Blossom Festival at the Tidal Pool(Jefferson Memorial in back)

Watching a high school band perform patriotic songs...it was a windy day.

At Tina's baptism.

Elle and Seb were quiet for a minute and I couldn't see them. I said, "What are you guys doing?" They both just opened their mouths to show me their crackers

Holding hands on the way to the park.

Entertainment on a rainy morning

Conference day dinner at the Ashby's house

Seb and Elle in their car seats on the way to the Ashbys. Everywhere we go they are making themselves laugh at some secret joke that happened between the two of them

Ryan and Kelsey's birthday party, next door neighbors

A sick day for Elle. This was a 9:00 a.m. nap- couldn't take it anymore