Parents everywhere, take heart: Even the Obamas have trouble getting their kids to keep all the promises made when begging for a pet.
"I got up at 5:15 a.m. in the morning to walk my puppy," first lady Michelle Obama said Thursday of Bo, the Portuguese Water Dog who joined the family Easter weekend, fulfilling President Obama's campaign promise to daughters Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7.
"Even though the kids are supposed to do a lot of the work, I'm still up at 5:15 a.m. taking my dog out. So for everyone who has a child asking for a puppy – you have to want the dog," Mrs. Obama said to knowing laughter from a luncheon audience of congressional spouses.
"As I do," she added. "I love my Bo."The First Lady also allowed a peek inside the more routine aspects of life in the White House, painting herself as just another Soccer Mom. "I feel like I've never left Chicago. Soccer on Saturday – yes, I'm on a soccer field all day just like many of you. Slumber parties. We had about seven girls over, screaming and yelling. And we're shuttling kids back and forth to play dates, just like usual." As for Sasha and Malia, she reported: "The girls are happy and healthy. They love their school. They're making friends. They're getting good grades."