A puppy isn’t the only thing first children Sasha and Malia are getting to ease their transition to White House life.
 
A well-equipped playground set appeared outside the Oval Office Wednesday, complete with swings, slides, rope ladders, climbing slopes, clubhouse and crawl spaces.
 
The playground set was designed by Rainbow Play Systems.
 
The positioning should let President Barack Obama keep an eye on the children while working.
 
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Photo credit: Reuters/Larry Downing (New swing set erected near Oval Office)

WASHINGTON -  You mean it wasn’t just about the fun stuff on the campaign trail — like junk food, picnics and parades?

Soon to be dad-in-chief, Barack Obama, explains to his young daughters why he ran for president  in an open letter published this week by Parade magazine.

Obama tells Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, that as a young man he thought life was “all about me” — until they entered his life. And suddenly all of his big plans for himself didn’t seem so important anymore, he said.

“I realized that my own life wouldn’t count for much unless I was able to ensure that you had every opportunity for happiness and fulfillment in yours,” he said.  “In the end, girls, that’s why I ran for president: because of what I want for you and for every child in this nation,” Obama said.

Good schools, the chance to go to college, and good jobs with benefits are some of the things Obama says he wants for every child in America.

“And I want every child to have the same chances to learn and dream and grow and thrive that you girls have,” Obama said. “That’s why I’ve taken our family on this great adventure.”

A new chapter in the adventure opens on Tuesday when the Obamas move into the White House.

Photo credit: Reuters/Gary Hershorn. U.S. President-elect Barack Obama arrives to speak to supporters with his wife Michelle (R) and their children Malia (2nd R) and Sasha during his election night rally in Chicago November 4, 2008.

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CHICAGO - Barack Obama moves to Washington on Sunday — 16 days before he is sworn in as the 44th president of the United States.

But his wife Michelle and daughters Sasha and Malia will beat him to their new home city.

The three are traveling on Saturday to settle in at the luxury Hay Adams Hotel until moving into Blair House, the guest residence across Pennsylvania from the White House, on Jan. 15. They take up residence in the White House on Jan. 20, the day Obama is sworn is as president.

The early move will allow them to get settled without the glare of the media spotlight that will be on Obama as he travels to Washington on Sunday, aides said.

Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, start classes at their new school — Sidwell Friends — on Monday morning. The Obamas, who are fiercely protective of their children and who have limited their media exposure, have said they would try to give their daughters as normal as a childhood as possible even while they are living at the White House.

 - Photo credit: Reuters/Hugh Gentry (The Obamas board plane Jan. 1)

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WASHINGTON - Worry not dog lovers, the White House will still have a “First Dog” under a Barack Obama administration.

Obama had promised that whether or not he won the White House, his daughters Sasha and Malia could get a dog.

“Sasha and Malia, I love you both more than you can imagine.  And you have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us,” Obama said at the start of his victory speech. 

His predecessors dating back several administrations had dogs and yes, a few cats occupied the White House too.

Obama’s running mate, Joe Biden, is also getting in on the act. He told reporters traveling with him earlier that his wife had promised him a “big dog” if he got elected.

Jill Biden had taped pictures of different dogs on the back of the seat in front of him on his campaign plane to inspire the candidate as he criss-crossed the country in the final sprint to election day.

“Jill had said the only way you are getting a dog is if you are president … we didn’t think about vice president,” said Biden. “She said at least if you live in the White House you are home.”

He dropped out of the presidential race but when Obama asked him to join the ticket, his wife Jill said if he did so she would let him have the dog he wanted.

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- Additional reporting by Sue Pleming

- Photo credit: Reuters/Jason Reed (Obama family emerges on stage at victory rally in Chicago)