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Related: Obama highlights federal grants for education reform

The White House announced Tuesday that the first daughters have received the H1N1 vaccination but the president and first lady will wait until priority groups are vaccinated before receiving theirs.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – First daughters Malia and Sasha Obama were vaccinated last week against the H1N1 flu virus, the White House announced late Tuesday in a post on the official White House blog.

"President and Mrs. Obama have not yet been vaccinated for H1N1," Katie McCormick-Lelyveld, the first lady's press secretary wrote, "and they will wait until the needs of the priority groups identified by the CDC - including young people under the age of 24, pregnant women, and people with underlying conditions - have been met."

McCormick-Lelyveld wrote that the first daughters were vaccinated last week when the H1N1 vaccine became available to Washington, D.C. school children.

"The girls' H1N1 vaccine was administered by a White House physician, who applied for and received the vaccine from the DC Department of Health using the same process as every other vaccination site in the District."

Tuesday's blog post also encouraged the public to check flu.gov in order to learn more about how to protect against the flu.

In an interview on CNN's State of the Union late last month, the president told CNN's John King that the first family would "will stand in line like everybody else," to get the H1N1 vaccine. "And when folks say it's our turn, that's when we'll get it," the president also told King.

Asked about plans for his family's health in an interview that airs Sunday on CNN's State of the Union, the president said he intends to consult with his Health and Human Services Secretary and the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"And whatever they tell me to do, I will do," Obama told CNN Chief National Correspondent John King.

"[H]ere's what I guarantee you," Obama also told King, "We want to get vaccinated. We think it's the right thing to do. We will stand in line like everybody else. And when folks say it's our turn, that's when we'll get it."
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The first family looked on as Old Faithful erupted at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming Saturday. The president has spent some time with his wife and two daughters while on a trip to the Mountain West this week to meet with voters during town hall events primarily focused on health care reform. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

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The Obamas attended Easter services at a church near the White House but have not settled on a new church in the Washington area.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Will he or won't he? President Barack Obama still hasn't decided if he'll join a church in the Washington area, his spokesman said Monday.

Obama is concerned that his presence would disrupt regular Sunday services for other parishioners, spokesman Robert Gibbs said at his daily news briefing.

"I think he believes that might take away from the experience that others might get," Gibbs said.

Obama, who is Christian, has attended services at Evergreen Chapel at Camp David, Maryland, and enjoys the pastor there, Gibbs said. But he said Obama would not formally join the Camp David church.

The president took his daughters out for a frozen treat on Saturday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - President Barack Obama and his two daughters enjoyed a pre-Father's Day visit to a dessert shop Saturday.

The president took 10-year-old Malia and 8-year-old Sasha to The Dairy Godmother frozen custard store in Alexandria, Virginia, a short drive across the Potomac River from Washington.

Obama wore slacks and a short-sleeve shirt, and both daughters wore t-shirts and pants for the casual outing, which drew cheers from surprised onlookers.

The president's security detail screened customers seeking to enter the shop while the Obamas were inside.
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The White House has released this photo of the first family visiting the famous cathedral in Paris on June 6. (Photo Credit: Pete Souza/White House Photo distributed via Flickr.com)

The Obamas will spend the weekend together as a family in Paris before the president returns to Washington.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – President Obama will be joined by the first lady and the couple's two daughters in Paris Friday as he winds down his latest overseas trip.

While the president will return to Washington Sunday, 10-year-old Malia and 7-year-old Sasha will stay in France with their mother for a few days next week, CNN has confirmed.

The first lady will have a public event in Normandy, France on Saturday.

The rest of the first family's itinerary while sightseeing in France will be private, according to the first lady's office.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Bo the Portuguese water dog made his White House debut under cloudy skies Tuesday afternoon, spending several minutes taking his
new family on a lively romp over the South Lawn with frequent stops for hearty sniffs at his new surroundings.

Bo landed on all four feet at his fourth home in his six short months of life, fulfilling President Barack Obama's campaign promise to get his daughters a dog in return for all the time he spent on the road during the long presidential fight.

Related: Focus on Obama puppy 'fairly stupid,' Gingrich says

"He's a star. He's got star quality," the president said of the black curly pup with white front feet and chest, and a lion-cut tail.

The Obamas ended up with a pure-bred dog, despite the president's preference for a mutt, largely because of 10-year-old Malia's allergies - Portuguese water dogs don't shed - and because of opportunity.

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News of the arrival of the new first puppy has already caused a partisan split between Newt Gingrich and CNN Contributor Donna Brazile.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich weighed in Sunday on news that the first family has finally settled on a new puppy for daughters Malia and Sasha.

“I hope that the girls love the dog,” Gingrich said on ABC’s “This Week.” “I hope the family – and all the pressure they’re going to be in – finds it useful. And I think that this whole thing is fairly stupid.”

The six-month-old puppy is a Portuguese water dog that the Obamas have decided to name Bo. The dog is a gift to the first family from Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy, a longtime Obama political ally who also owns several dogs of the breed.

“It’s great that they have a dog. It’s great that the kids are adjusting,” Gingrich said. “And where they got it from – who cares? It’s a nice gesture on Senator Kennedy’s part to give it to them but who cares?” Gingrich added.

Perhaps it was a partisan difference, but Democratic strategist and CNN contributor Donna Brazile had kinder words for the new first puppy.

“What’s not to like about this dog?” Brazile said Sunday on CNN’s State of the Union. “He’s cute. He’s adorable. But, I hope he’s potty trained,” she joked

Bo, a six-month old Portuguese water dog, was given to the first family by Sen. Ted Kennedy.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - CNN has confirmed that President Obama and the first lady will make a donation to the Washington D.C. Humane Society.

The first family originally planned to get their new dog from an animal shelter but ultimately settled on a puppy given to them by Sen. Ted Kennedy, one of the president's close political allies.

The donation was first reported by the Washington Post which described the plan to give the money as "intended [by the Obamas] to lend a serious symbolic note" to their original pledge to get a shelter animal.

In a statement released Sunday, the Humane Society of the United States urged action from the new administration to protect animals across the country.

“President Obama can do even more for animal protection through the policies of federal agencies that deal with the welfare of millions of pets,” the statement said, by “helping us enforce existing animal welfare laws and cracking down on the national shame of rampant puppy mills in America.”

The president is finally fulfilling an important campaign promise - to get his daughters a new puppy now that his campaign is over.

WASHINGTON (CNN)– The frenzy over the First Dog is finally over. The Obamas are welcoming a Portuguese water dog to the White House that Sasha and Malia have named "Bo," according to two Democratic sources familiar with the secretive process.

The sources confirmed an account in Sunday's Washington Post that Sen. Edward Kennedy, who has three Portuguese water dogs, played a critical role in lining up the pup.

The puppy is set to be officially unveiled to the world on Tuesday after the Obamas host their first White House Easter egg roll on Monday.

The President and first lady surprised their daughters with this new swing set which arrived at the White House on Wednesday afternoon. (Photo Credit: CHRIS KLEPONIS/AFP/Getty Images)

(CNN) – The Obama girls still don't have a puppy, but they did receive another surprise when they arrived home from school Wednesday– a brand new swing set.

A spokeswoman for First Lady Michelle Obama says Malia and Sasha, ages 10 and 7, "squealed with delight" when they saw their surprise, playing on the swing set for almost an hour in the chilly weather.

The girls' parents arranged for the play set to be installed Wednesday at the White House grounds, within sight of the Oval Office, before Malia and Sasha arrived home from Sidwell Friends school.

Ty, the maker of Beanie Babies, has retired two new Ty Girlz dolls named Marvelous Malia and Sweet Sasha.

(CNN) - Controversy forced the withdrawal of two more figures from the public scene Tuesday, but these were not named Daschle or Killefer.

Ty Inc. - the company that brought the world Beanie Babies - bowed to pressure from the White House and "retired" dolls named Sweet Sasha and Marvelous Malia Tuesday.

The 12-inch-tall dolls, which bear a resemblance to the first family's Sasha, 7, and Malia, 10, were introduced last month as part of the Ty Girlz collection.

Watch: First daughter dolls?

First Lady Michelle Obama's press secretary said it was "inappropriate to use young private citizens for marketing purposes."

While the dolls still appeared on the Ty Web site Tuesday, a red banner above them read "Retired."

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George Obama was arrested in Kenya on a charge for possession of marijuana, according to police.

NAIROBI, Kenya (CNN) - George Obama, the half brother of President Obama, told CNN on Sunday that he was released from a Kenyan jail hours after his arrest for possession of marijuana.

Kenyan police did not confirm whether Obama is still in their custody.

Obama spoke to CNN from his cell phone, and a family member also said he was released.

He said he was arrested on Saturday and released later the same day.

Inspector Augustine Mutembei said Obama was arrested for possession of cannabis, known in Kenya as Bhang, and for resisting arrest. He was being held at Huruma police post in the capital, Nairobi.

He was scheduled to appear in court Monday, Mutembei said.

But Obama told CNN that all charges had been dropped against him.

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Watch Kate Balduan report the Obama's could prompt a DC renaissance.

WASHINGTON (CNN)– President Barack Obama pledged to bring change to Washington.

Now that he's moved to town, local restaurant owners are hoping he'll keep his campaign promise.

After eight years of largely being ignored by a homebody president, Washington restaurateurs are throwing open their doors to the new first family - dreaming of a presidential visit that would undoubtedly spark buzz at a time when some restaurants are struggling.

"I think the Obama family brings back this kind of Kennedy-era style of having a youthful family in the White House," said Sheldon Scott, general manager of Marvin restaurant, in the trendy U-Street corridor. "People actually plan on living in the city, not just necessarily living at the city."

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George Obama was arrested in Kenya on a charge for possession of marijuana, according to police.

NAIROBI, Kenya (CNN) - George Obama, the half brother of U.S. President Barack Obama, has been arrested by Kenyan police for possession of marijuana, police said Saturday.

Inspector Augustine Mutembei, the officer in charge, said Obama was arrested for possession of cannabis, known in Kenya as Bhang, and resisting arrest. He is scheduled to appear in court Monday, Mutembei said.

He is being held at Huruma police post in the capital of Nairobi.

CNN Correspondent David McKenzie talked with George Obama at the jail where he is being held. Speaking from behind bars, Obama denied the allegations.

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Ty, the maker of Beanie Babies, is introducing two new Ty Girlz dolls named Marvelous Malia and Sweet Sasha.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – They’ve been in the White House less than a week, but the first daughters have already been co-opted by marketers — and Michelle Obama isn’t happy about it.

Ty, the toy company responsible for the popular Beanie Babies dolls, is now marketing “Sweet Sasha” and “Marvelous Malia” dolls.

The first lady’s office said Friday Ty was out of line. “We feel it is inappropriate to use young private citizens for marketing purposes,” said a spokeswoman for Michelle Obama in a statement.

A Ty representative told CNN the company generally avoids naming dolls for “any particular living individual,” because doing so might interfere with how kids use their imaginations to play with them. But they wouldn’t reveal the source of their inspiration for the new figures, telling CNN that information relating to the development of the company’s merchandise - including how it comes up with products, product names, and trademarks – is proprietary.

Related video: First lady miffed by 'Malia,' 'Sasha' dolls

–CNN White House Producer Becky Brittain contributed to this report.

A senior aide to the president credited the family routine set up by the first lady for easing the Obamas' transition into White House life.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – The Obamas are settling into the new home just fine, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Thursday.

The new president “enjoys – to use a phrase - living above the company store,” said Gibbs. Yesterday, between two events, Obama went upstairs to have dinner with the first lady and the couple’s two daughters. “That obviously means a lot to him as a father,” said Gibbs.

The Obamas’ ability to adjust to all of the changes in their lives, including three moves in the past few weeks, “is a monumental testament to Michelle,” Gibbs told reporters.

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