U.S. President Donald Trump, with First Lady Melania Trump, speaks during the annual Easter Egg Roll at the White House in Washington, D.C., on April 2, 2018. (Xinhua/AFP)

WASHINGTON, April 2 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump hosted the annual Easter Egg Roll on the White House South Lawn on Monday, the second of its kind under the Trump presidency.

During his brief remarks from the Blue Room Balcony, Trump thanked the first lady and the White House Historical Association for organizing the annual festivities, while taking a moment to tout the country's economic progress and its newly-boosted military spending.

"Perfect weather. Beautiful weather," said Trump in an overcoat, though the sky was chilly and overcast. "It was supposed to be very rainy and nasty and cold and windy."

U.S. President Donald Trump appears on the South Portico of the White House with the Easter Bunny standing behind him as the annual White House Easter Egg Roll is held on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, U.S., April 2, 2018. (Xinhua/REUTERS)

Following the remarks, Trump and the first lady, standing beside their son Barron, helped kick off several rounds of egg-rolling games, after which the couple joined a group of children at a card-making station for U.S. troops.

Melania announced last week that she had added lawn bowling to the roster of festivities that also included egg hunts, cookie decorating and a reading nook featuring readers including herself, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said.

U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, with son Barron (L), blow whistles at the start of an Easter egg roll during Easter celebrations at the White House in Washington, D.C., on April 2, 2018. (Xinhua/AFP)

The White House said it expected nearly 30,000 adults and children at Monday's event.

This year marks the 140th anniversary of the White House Easter Egg Roll, which dates back to 1878.