Historic, emotional images of President-Elect Barack Obama and incoming First Lady Michelle Obama on Election Night included their daughters, 7-year-old Sasha and 10-year-old Malia. That family portrait was a reminder that a vigorous, appealing young family is entering the White House -- one that will bring a dramatically different energy and style to the presidency.
Some people are reminded of John Kennedy's brief term from 1961-63, distinguished partly by youthful vigor and two photogenic children.

Now the Obamas are getting ready for a big move like any other family, except they're doing it with global media attention and Secret Service bodyguards. Questions for the president-elect during his first post-election press conference included one about a pressing family issue - getting a pet dog. "Our preference would be to get a shelter dog," Obama said, adding: "But a lot of shelter dogs are mutts like me." Because Malia has allergies, the family needs a purebred pooch that won't be a problem.

Another decision involves where the girls will attend school. Malia is in fifth grade at a Chicago private school, here her sister is a second-grader. Their new home in Washington, D.C., has a pool, a bowling alley and a 50-seat movie theater.
The household will include maternal grandmother Marian Robinson, who cared for them regularly during the campaign. "I will do whatever Michelle needs," she says, "simply because I know how important it is for her to see that the children ... still have discipline and still have things that children do."

Sisters' interests: Malia enjoys acting and soccer, while Sasha loves singing, dancing, playing piano and tennis.

Past White House kids: Caroline Kennedy was almost 4 when she and infant brother John Jr. moved into the executive mansion in 1961 - the last time a pair of youngsters arrived. Amy Carter was 9 when her father took office in 1977. Chelsea Clinton was 12 when she moved into the White House in 1993.

Insider says: "Any house is so much more alive with children, and it's the same with the White House. The kids come in, they bring their friends. It makes it a home." - Betty Monkman, former White House staffer