One thing was clear for the President today - his daughter's far more interested in watching a pop star perform that letting him read her bedtime stories.
Nine-year-old Sasha Obama looked the picture of misery as she listened to Barack read out a story at the White House's annual Easter Egg Roll.
But she cheered up remarkably once her father's story was over, dancing and smiling as Will Smith's daughter, Willow, performed in a concert later in the afternoon.
Picture of misery: Nine-year-old Sasha, centre, looks less than amused as her parents read out Chicka Chicka Boom Boom to a young audience at the White House. Her sister Malia, 12, does a much better job
What a transformation! Sasha looked much happier once Willow Smith, right, took to the stage for a concert
Whip it! Willow Smith, the daughter of actor Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, performs her hit song Whip My Hair at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll in Washington today
While her elder sister Malia managed to summon at least a hint of interest, Sasha seemed thoroughly bored by the whole affair, propping her head up with her hand as she struggled to stay awake.
But Sasha was much happier when 10-year-old Willow Smith proved to be quite the consummate as she performed to a packed crowd at the White House.
The singer delighted crowds who assembled on the lawn at the U.S. President's residence for the annual Easter party, complete with games, storytelling and a visit from the Easter Bunny.
She was watched on by none other than President Barack Obama himself, his wife Michelle and their two daughters, Sasha and Malia, as well as her own proud family.
Michelle and Willow's mother Jada Pinkett Smith were spotted cheering Willow on in the crowd, and looked like they were having an absolute ball.
Jada was seen waving her hands in the air as her daughter performed her hit Whip My Hair, with Sasha even whipping her hair back and forth a few times.
She's got swagger: The 10-year-old delighted the thousands of children and families who turned out to the event, seen here filming the crowd
Support: Her mother Jada and the U.S. President's wife Michelle Obama cheered her on from the packed crowd, which assembled on the famous South Lawn
Applause: Michelle and Jada appeared to be getting on fantastically as they watched the high-energy performance
Willow's 12-year-old brother Jaden was also pictured watching on as his sister put on her high-energy performance on the South Lawn.
The event saw thousands of children and their parents swarm on to the White House grounds for the annual tradition of rolling Easter eggs across the lawn.
'I hope everybody is having a great time here,' President Barack Obama said in kicking off Monday's celebration.
He was joined on a balcony overlooking the sun-drenched South Lawn by his wife, Michelle, daughters Malia and Sasha, and mother-in-law, Marian Robinson.
That was impressive: Michelle leans over to talk to the proud mother during the gig
Get me out of here: Sasha, left, looks distinctly unimpressed by her parents' storytelling, while elder sister Malia, 12, looks to the family's dog Bo to keep her entertained
Cheer up dear: Sasha manages a brief smile when Bo joins in the storytelling at the White House Easter Egg Roll
Mrs Obama said it was 'pretty amazing' that a record 30,000 were expected to attend. All 50 states and Washington, D.C., were represented, according to the White House.
'We are so excited about this year's Easter egg roll,' she said. 'The theme is "Get Up and Go!" because, as you know, I'm a big proponent of getting up and going, making sure we're moving and eating healthy, and this Easter egg roll reflects all of that.'
The event began at 7.30am and ran all day. Tickets were allocated to five groups, each of 6,000 people, who were allowed to spend two hours on the South Lawn.
Mrs Obama has travelled around the country stressing healthy eating and exercise as part of a nationwide campaign against childhood obesity.
Say cheese: Willow, Jaden and Jada arrive at the White House ready for the big performance, decked out in all their finery
Big smiles: U.S. President Barack Obama was another face in the crowd
Nice work, sis: Willow was also supported by her 12-year-old brother Jaden
She urged participants to enjoy all the activities, including story time, obstacle courses, yoga, dancing, tennis and basketball with professional athletes and, of course, the traditional rolling of pastel-colored hard-boiled eggs across the plush lawn.
With his family and the Easter bunny looking on, Obama blew a whistle to start one of the traditional egg-rolling races.
'Is everybody ready? Everybody feels good about their form?' he asked.
As the race neared an end, one girl was left rolling her egg long after the others. Obama encouraged her and then helped her flip her egg across the finish line.
On a roll: Children take part in the annual event on the South Lawn of the White House
Doting parents: Actor Will Smith and Jada flick peace signs to the cameras as he leave the White House after their daughter Willow's soundcheck yesterday
'Everybody's a winner!' he said before delivering a high-five to the boy who won and posing for pictures with them all.
The first family then moved to a story time area where Sasha and Malia took turns reading 'Where the Wild Things Are,' followed by Obama and the first lady reading 'Chicka Chicka Boom Boom' as Mrs. Robinson and the family dog, Bo, looked on.
The first couple split up to visit different stations on the White House grounds.
Obama spent a few minutes at both the basketball and tennis courts. Cheered on by youngsters and former NBA star Darryl Dawkins and current Washington Wizard Nick Young, the president took a pass from Alana Beard of the WNBA Mystics, dribbled through cones, did a behind-the-back dribble and tossed in a layup.
Good luck! Willow, who looked chic and funky in her animal print top, is hugged and kissed by a friend after her rehearsal
It was the only basket Obama attempted. He then watched as a boy tried to follow his example, shouting, 'He's got some moves!'
Mrs Obama visited the Kid's Kitchen for a healthy cooking demonstration by celebrity chef Jacques Pepin along with TV personalities Al Roker and Kelly Ripa.
'You can eat good food and it tastes good,' she said. Mrs Obama also shared her love of fresh produce, as youngsters munched on apples and pears.
Obama greeted people on the sidelines and waved to his family before departing. On his way back to the Oval Office, he shook hands with some of the people standing in line at the edge of the lawn.
The Easter egg roll dates to 1878 and President Rutherford B. Hayes.
Tickets to the daylong affair were distributed to five groups. Each group of 6,000 guests was allowed in for two hours.
Approximately 14,500 dyed, hard-boiled eggs were used in White House Easter egg roll and egg hunt, according to the first lady's office.
she's so great and talented
ReplyDelete