HAPPY EASTER: MALL BUNNY BRINGS JOY TO CHILDREN

Eggs and Easter baskets are not at the top of children's Easter wish list this year.

In addition to eggs, Power Rangers and bicycles are some of the things children are asking for, said Judy Hewitt, an Easter Bunny at the West Park Mall.

The Easter bunny at the Mall is played by three different people. Hewitt, Ed Luma and Theresa Blake all put on the bunny suit during the two weeks before Easter. Mary Thompson, Robin Hill, Jane Luma, Carol Simmons and Timothy Pappas all work as bunny helpers.

The bunnies and their helpers are area residents hired by Cherry Hill Photography out of New Jersey, according to Thompson, who manages the Easter Bunnies. Children are able to meet and talk to the bunnies, and they can get their picture taken with the bunny if they wish.

Children have different reactions to the sight of the oversized bunnies. "Some of the little ones are scared of the ears," Hewitt said. "The ears can be kind of overpowering looming over them. And then there are some children that just won't get off your lap, because they like the bunny so much."

Thompson said a lot of children just clam up when they get on the bunny's lap. "Those that do ask the bunny for something usually just ask for eggs," she said. "However, we do have some kids ask for Star Wars figures and Nickelodeon toys. I guess they just thought the Easter bunny might have them lying around."

Bunny helper Jane Luma, said the bunnies are not allowed to talk. "They can only nod their head," she said, "and wiggle their ears because real bunnies don't talk."

Blake and Sydney Ozbun, 3-year-old twins, visited the Easter Bunny and got their picture taken. Blake Ozbun said he would rather have suckers in his basket from the bunny instead of eggs. And Sydney Ozbun said she went Easter egg hunting last year, and this year she wants a basket and eggs from the bunny.

Seven-year-old Justin Wibbenmeyer and 9-year-old Gregory Wibbenmeyer from Perryville said the Easter Bunny's job should be to keep children happy. "But, the bunny's main job is to deliver eggs all over the whole world," said Justin Wibbenmeyer.

Seven-year-old Cassie Lawrence from Perryville also said the Easter Bunny's job is to deliver eggs even though she is not sure how he delivers them. "I plan to get some eggs from the bunny," Lawrence said, "but we're going to dye some eggs at home, too."

Twelve-year-olds Roy and Kassie Kunz from Fredricktown stopped by to look at the bunny in the Mall. They are both too old to believe in the Easter Bunny, they said. However, they both associate the Easter Bunny with good things.

"When I think of the Easter Bunny," Roy Kunz said, "I think of baskets, candy and joy. I think it's great that the bunny cheers up little kids when they see him."

Kassie Kunz said I don't think most children believe the bunny is real once they get older. The Easter Bunny is just a fun part of the whole holiday. However, she always likes to dye eggs around Easter time.

There is often a line of parents and children waiting to see the bunny, Jane Luma said. About 100 children visit the bunny during the week, and even more on the weekends.

"It's really fun and enjoyable to see the little ones," she said. "They are in awe of the bunny, but no child is afraid to reach out and grab the candy from the bunny. And all the parents make the kids say thank you, which I think is really great."