Obamas start new life in Washington, D.C.

McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON — When the Obamas check in to the historic Hay-Adams hotel in Washington, their home through Jan. 15, they’ll have a posh and well-secured suite, White House views, 24-hour room service and probably not much free time to enjoy it.

For daughters Malia and Sasha, this week marks the start of classes at what for them will be a new school in a new city: Sidwell Friends, a Quaker private day school previously attended by Chelsea Clinton and other former first children.

“We’re delighted to have them and welcome them into the community,” said Ellis Turner, associate head of school at Sidwell Friends.

Michelle Obama and her daughters left Chicago on Saturday afternoon and were believed to be Washington-bound. President-elect Barack Obama is due at Andrews Air Force Base tonight.

The president-elect’s schedule is filling up as well.

He’s to meet Monday on Capitol Hill with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and the Republican leaders of both chambers before the 111th Congress convenes.

On Wedne sday, Obama’s invited to the White House for lunch with President Bush and the living ex-presidents, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter, in the president’s private dining room off the Oval Office.

White House deputy press secretary Gordon Johndroe said Friday that the president and the president-elect “will not only have a chance to wave to each other, but have a chance to have a nice conversation and a good meal. I think that will be a very interesting and historic lunch.”

Aides say Obama also is working on an economic recovery plan and preparing for his Jan. 20 inauguration.

School and inaugural preparations will consume Michelle Obama’s schedule as well, and the family still has one more temporary move — to Blair House, the official guest residence — before they take up residence in the White House.

Classes at Sidwell begin Monday. Turner, the school spokesman, declined to discuss most details of the girls’ schooling, including whether they will attend all classes on the first day.

The Hay-Adams sits just across Lafayette Square from the White House. The hotel’s two best suites, the Federal and the Presidential, boast panoramic views of the park, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., and St. John’s Episcopal Church.

Both suites are one-bedroom, but they can be expanded to include adjoining rooms. The hotel has declined to answer any questions about the Obama’s stay, or even publicly acknowledge the Obamas will be guests there.