President Donald Trump returned to Washington, DC on Monday for a very important event.

It was not for a meeting with an international leader.

And it was not for a joint session of Congress.

No, on this day, Trump greeted thousands of children. They had come to the White House for the annual Easter Egg Roll.

The event has been a U.S. tradition for more than a century. In the late 1800s, local children gathered on the hill beside the president's house to play a game with their colored eggs following the Easter holiday.

The White House Easter Egg Roll was of special interest this year. The Trump administration was very late to organize it. Some people who hoped to attend the event were even worried that it would be canceled.

Political observers said the Easter Egg Roll would show how well Trump's administration could plan and operate a complex public relations event.

Talk about the event also brought attention to the first lady, whose office usually plans the White House Easter Egg Roll. First Lady Melania Trump has not yet moved to Washington, DC. She says she will remain in New York City until her son finishes the school year.

So, how did the White House Easter Egg Roll go this year?

Just fine, early reports say.

President Donald Trump, center, and first lady Melania Trump, third from right, along with members of the first family, watch as President Trumps blows the whistle to begin an Easter Egg Roll race on the South Lawn of the White House

About 21,000 children and their families received tickets to this year's event. They came in small groups to the lawn near the president's house. They played soccer, tossed bean bags and, of course, pushed hard-boiled eggs down the hill.

The event was smaller than in previous years. Last year, for example, about 36,000 people attended.

This year's Easter Egg Roll also did not include performances by top celebrities or professional athletes. Instead, children were invited to draw pictures for U.S. soldiers.

The Easter Bunny made an appearance, though, as did both Trump and the first lady. They were there with their 11-year-old son, Barron. The president welcomed his young guests and promised them that the nation was getting stronger, bigger, and better.

I'm Kelly Jean Kelly.

Kelly Jean Kelly wrote this story for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor.

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Words in This Story

joint – adj. combining two or more people or groups

century – n. one hundred years

bean bag – n. a small cloth bag that is filled with dried beans or small pieces of another material and used as a toy to toss