Barbara & Jenna Bush give Sasha & Malia Obama advice

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President Bush’s twin daughters Jenna and Barbara, 27, wrote a letter to the Washington Post giving advice to President Obama’s young daughters Sasha, 7, and Malia, 10. They talked about the wonder of spending time exploring the great mansion and witnessing balls and events starting at Sasha’s age when their grandfather, George H.W. Bush, was first sworn in. Jenna and Barbara didn’t live at the White House during their grandfather’s Presidency, but were there for holidays and vacations. From their perspective, it was a magical time and they wouldn’t have missed it for anything. They were able to return to live in the White House at the age of 18 when their father was elected to office, but their article focused on being in that magnificent house as children like Obama’s daughters and soaking it all in:

We also first saw the White House through the innocent, optimistic eyes of children. We stood on the North Lawn gazing with wonder at her grand portico. The White House was alive with devoted and loving people, many of whom had worked in her halls for decades. Three of the White House ushers, Buddy, Ramsey, and “Smiley”, greeted us when we stepped into her intimidating hallway. Their laughter and embraces made us feel welcome right away. Sasha and Malia, here is some advice to you from two sisters who have stood where you will stand and who have lived where you will live:

— Surround yourself with loyal friends. They’ll protect and calm you and join in on some of the fun, and appreciate the history.

— If you’re traveling with your parents over Halloween, don’t let it stop you from doing what you would normally do. Dress up in some imaginative, elaborate costume (if you are like us a pack of Juicy Fruit and a Vampiress) and trick-or-treat down the plane aisle.

— If you ever need a hug, go find Ramsey. If you want to talk football, look for Buddy. And, if you just need a smile, look for “Smiley.”

— And, a note on White House puppies–our sweet puppy Spot was nursed on the lawn of the White House. And then of course, there’s Barney, who most recently bit a reporter. Cherish your animals because sometimes you’ll need the quiet comfort that only animals can provide.

— Slide down the banister of the solarium, go to T-ball games, have swimming parties, and play Sardines on the White House lawn. Have fun and enjoy your childhood in such a magical place to live and play.

— When your dad throws out the first pitch for the Yankees, go to the game.

— In fact, go to anything and everything you possibly can: the Kennedy Center for theater, State Dinners, Christmas parties (the White House staff party is our favorite!), museum openings, arrival ceremonies, and walks around the monuments. Just go. Four years goes by so fast, so absorb it all, enjoy it all!

For four years, we spent our childhood holidays and vacations in the historic house. We could almost feel the presence of all the great men and women who had lived here before us. When we played house, we sat behind the East sitting room’s massive curtains as the light poured in illuminating her yellow walls. Our seven-year-old imaginations soared as we played in the enormous, beautiful rooms; our dreams, our games, as romantic as her surroundings. At night, the house sang us quiet songs through the chimneys as we fell asleep.

[From The Washington Post via People]

Jenna has a degree in English from the University of Texas and works as a school teacher in Washington, DC. She was married this summer to Henry Hager, and the couple resides in a two bedroom townhouse in Baltimore, Maryland. Jenna’s twin Barbara graduated from Yale in 2004, lives in Greenwich Village, and works for a nonprofit organization, Global Health Corps. These two had a rough time in 2001 when they were busted drinking underage, but apart from that they’ve kept under the radar and both finished college and did charity work overseas. Jenna even published two books.

Sasha and Malia will be growing up in the White House and depending on how long their father is in office we may see them go through some awkward stages. Hopefully the press will respect their privacy as much as possible. It’s hard not to pay attention to those two lovely little girls. Along with the pitfalls of growing up in the public eye there are also plenty of advantages and memorable moments, as Jenna and Barbara mention.

Jenna Bush, Henry Hager, Barbara Bush, and their mom Laura’s personal assistant, Lindsey Knutson, are shown on the White House lawn on 1/10/09. Jenna and Barbara are also shown at the Republican National Convention in 2004, where their speech was widely panned. Sasha and Malia Obama are shown at their dad’s inauguration yesterday. All photos credit: Newscom

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27 Responses to “Barbara & Jenna Bush give Sasha & Malia Obama advice”

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  1. Baholicious says:

    What a lovely thing to do!

  2. KDRockstar says:

    That was cute, and their grammar use is impeccable.

    Only four years? Hmm…

  3. HEB says:

    I read the whole thing last night and cried a little bit–Jenna is a great writer.

  4. dudewtf says:

    I can not get over how pretty malia is. Im not a huge fan of the Obama family. But you can not deny that little girls beauty!!

  5. Anna says:

    That is a sweet gesture. And somehow, I don’t get the feeling it’s tainted by some kind of hidden agenda. Some may see this as a bit condescending but frankly, I just think it’s lovely. I really don’t like the Bushes, but hey, give credit where credit is due.

  6. Me2 says:

    I have to disagree, Anna. The Bush twins were already in college by the time Dubya took office. If it came from Amy Carter or even Caroline Schlossberg, both of whom were actually children in the White House, I might buy it.

  7. Me2 says:

    I have to disagree, Anna. The Bush twins were already in college by the time Dubya took office. If it came from Amy Carter or even Caroline Schlossberg, both of whom were actually children in the White House, I might be buy it.

  8. Me2 says:

    Oops, pardon the double-post.

  9. KateNonymous says:

    I think it was sweet, and it sounds like good advice, frankly. And “four years” is correct. Their reference is based on their grandfather’s single term, not on their father’s two terms–and at this point who knows what four years from now will hold?

  10. adrseq says:

    I think it was a nice, it’s very well written, and they seem very genuine. especially jenna. and they are talking about their grandfather’s presidency, not their father’s.

  11. rottenkitty says:

    Well, if Malia and Sasha needed advice on how to be rude, drunken ho-bags, then getting advice from the Bush girls might be appropriate.

  12. tigerlille says:

    What a lovely letter. I really enjoyed reading it. A very gracious gesture.

  13. geronimo says:

    Beautifully written, very sweet and thoughtful gesture towards the new girls.

    Out of curiousity, exactly how begrudging do you have to be to find fault with this? *eyeroll*

  14. vdantev says:

    Good on them. The twins and their mother have been the only positives I can find in the Bush White House for the most part.

  15. vicsmith says:

    rotten-spirited-kitty

    Very kind gesture from the twins.

  16. kate says:

    why are people thrilled that the letter was grammatically correct and well written? um…the twins are in their twenties. they should be able to write a letter, for god’s sake. and i seem to remember their behavior in their father’s presidency as less than sterling.

  17. ER says:

    The Bush twins have no reason to be cynical or condescending. Their father’s terms were up and I think they were extremely sweet to welcome the Obama girls in such an adorable way.

  18. minx says:

    it’s a nice gesture but it’s also very telling that the twins write about their grandfather’s presidency rather than their father’s. I know they were kids then so that time was magical but still it’s odd that there is no reference to their father’s 8 years (a much closer connection). I agree that Malia is going to be a beauty. And she clearly adores her father, her face just lights up when she looks at him– a lovely thing to see.

  19. Cara says:

    I would cut a bitch for Sasha’s blue jacket! LOVE IT!

  20. Bodhi says:

    What a sweet letter! I’m no fan of either Bush Administration, but my dislike certainly doesn’t extend to the entire Bush family. I think it was a lovely & very sweet gesture.

    I hope the press leaves the Obama girls alone. The Clintons did a great job of keeping Chelsea out of the spotlight & I hope the press corps respects Malia & Sasha the heck alone

  21. jill says:

    you know, normally those Bush girls totally annoy me, but that’s actually pretty cute.

  22. Aspen says:

    You gotta be a pretty bitter nasty person to find fault with anything in that letter.

    I did stupid shit as a teenager, too. That didn’t make me a bad person.

  23. CB Rawks says:

    “why are people thrilled that the letter was grammatically correct and well written? um…the twins are in their twenties. they should be able to write a letter, for god’s sake.”

    Because their Dad can’t. People wonder how close the apples fell to that vegetation.

    Here in Australia, many of our reporters keep pronouncing Malia’s name wrongly, and it’s really bugging me.
    (They keep saying Maaaahlia.)
    How bloodly lazy do you have to be, to not even learn a simple thing like how a name is pronounced? Don’t get me started on Barack. Our reporters are morons.

    I agree I absolutely love those outfits the girls wore, and they are some beautiful kids.

  24. Aquarius says:

    @Cara, you don’t need to do that; I doubt the Secret Service would let you get that close to Malia anyway. (I’d wink here if it wouldn’t kick this into moderation…)

    You can just squeeze yourself into your very own coat when J. Crew makes them available to the public. They will be part of the Fall 2009 kids’ Crewcuts line. Maybe now is the time to petition J. Crew to make adult versions?

  25. Cha Cha says:

    I love the grammar police on here who can’t construct proper sentences themselves. This is a celebrity blog site for God’s sake! Go to a literary site if you’re that concerned.

  26. daisy424 says:

    The Bush sister’s letter is a sweet gesture, I agree with most of the comments.

    @rottenkitty; An apt name.
    Maybe a swig of Drano followed by swift plunger action will help clean out the sludge of hate that is built up inside you. Meow!

  27. ingrid says:

    hai