Easter egg hunting

On a cloudless crisp afternoon, about 600 children aging from a few months to 9 years old, wearing light coats and jackets, gathered to do battle on Sadler Lawn for the 15th Annual TCU Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by the TCU Young Alumni Chapter.

Bright blue, green, yellow, red and pink plastic eggs – which contrasted against the lush manicured green lawn - were their spoils, inside sweet treats and small toys awaited them.

Throughout Sadler Lawn, each age group were designated a specific area, and even though children could get their faces painted and photos taken with Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny, many were already lining the boundaries of their respective areas - focused on the task at hand.

Some, like Sydney Airheart, 4, and Abby Beard, 4, armed with large baskets – picked specifically for their optimal egg gathering capabilities - were already pointing to certain eggs and planning their routes to maximize their efficiency.

“We had to get bigger basket this year so we could get all the Easter eggs,” four-year-old Abby Beard said with a smile.
As the countdown began, children edged their feet over the yellow caution tape that bordered their arena and honed in on their first targets.

While large speakers on the steps of Sadler played Frank Sinatra's “Easter Parade” the voice finished
the countdown and at the word “go”
chaos ensued.

While some children went for any colored egg, others seemed to execute a very methodical plan.

In about 50 seconds, the 4-6 area, which was once a brightly dotted lawn, was picked clean - leaving behind only pieces of purple plastic basket lining.

Immediately after filling their baskets, children sat down on the lawn with their parents
– some without regards to where their parents were -
to rummage through their new found treasures.

Among the assorted cadies, stretchy man and small yo-yo, five-year-old Olivia Loffland’s prized possession was a small pink sticky hand she said as she held it up and smiled with pride.

On the ground of Sadler lawn the battle of the Easter egg had been won.