Obamas roll out Easter fun

US President Barack Obama acts out a line while reading 'Where the Wild Things Are' during the...
US President Barack Obama acts out a line while reading 'Where the Wild Things Are' during the 136th annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
US President Barack Obama didn't take any chances on the basketball court during this year's White House Easter Egg Roll.

Obama stopped shooting after making one out of three shots from the foul line Monday -- not a great percentage to be sure, but much better than last year's 2-of-22 effort.

"The worst shooting I have ever done," Obama said of his 2013 performance before heading to the tennis court for another activity at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll.

The president and first lady Michelle Obama welcomed hundreds of children and parents who massed on the South Lawn for the 136th edition of this event.

In addition to basketball and tennis, Obama did some book reading - Where the Wild Things Are - and, of course, officiated an egg roll.

"Hey, my brother, you've got to be ready!" he told one egg roll participant.

As he pulled in some two dozen kids for photos and high fives, the president said: "Everybody is a winner!"

Earlier, Obama officially welcomed egg roll revelers to the White House during brief remarks from a White House balcony.

"Is everybody having fun?" Obama said. "Happy Easter! This is the biggest event that we have at the White House all year long and it is our most fun event."

The day featured live music, cooking stations, storytelling, and sports and games.

Up to 30,000 people, each with timed tickets, were expected to cycle through the South Lawn during the day-long event.

Obama joked that he has two main duties on this day every year: Officiating an egg roll and introducing his wife, the first lady.

In her remarks, Michelle Obama stressed the themes of health and fitness, urging adults to make sure "our young people are active and healthy."

She also advocated healthy eating, saying that "I'm going to be over there on the chef's stage doing some demonstrations. I want to make sure that kids know that healthy eating and being active can be fun."

The first lady also praised volunteers as well as a special guest: "And we want to thank the Easter Bunny, as always, for being here."

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