Barack and Michelle Obama have two daughters, Malia Ann, 10, and Sasha, 7. Malia (pronounced /məˈliːə/) was born July 4, 1998 and Natasha (known as Sasha, /ˈsɑːʃə/) was born June 10, 2001. Sasha is the youngest resident of the White House since John F. Kennedy, Jr. arrived as an infant in 1961. Sasha is also the youngest child of a President in office since Patrick Bouvier Kennedy.
Before his inauguration, President Obama published an open letter to his daughters in Parade magazine, describing what he wants for them and every child in America: He wrote that he wanted them "to grow up in a world with no limits on your dreams and no achievements beyond your reach, and to grow into compassionate, committed women who will help build that world."
They keep busy schedules, as the Associated Press reports: "soccer, dance and drama for Malia Obama, gymnastics and tap for Sasha Obama, piano and tennis for both." They both gave an interview to the television series, Access Hollywood, which President Obama regretted allowing.
In his victory speech on the night of his election, President Obama promised Sasha and Malia Obama a puppy to take with them to the White House. The selection of a dog was complicated by the fact that Malia is allergic to animal dander. According to President Obama, the choice has been narrowed down to either a labradoodle or Portuguese Water Dog. It was announced on November 21, 2008 that Sasha and Malia will be attending the private Sidwell Friends School in Washington, DC, the same school as attended by Chelsea Clinton, Tricia Nixon Cox, and Archibald Roosevelt. They began classes there on January 5, 2009. While in Chicago, both attended the private University of Chicago Laboratory School. Sidwell is also where the grandchildren of Joe Biden attend school.