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
Here are all the cousins sans Elle and Seb in Baltimore. But we did get to talk to Gabe and Seb via web cam for a while. Super fun!
