ALEXANDRIA (Virginia) - THE first family was in the mood for something sweet - something like vanilla custard, fudge and sprinkles.

On a muggy Saturday just before Sunday's Father's Day holiday, President Barack Obama took Sasha, 8, and Malia, 10, to The Dairy Godmother, a frozen custard shop just outside Washington.

The president snacked on vanilla custard with hot fudge and toasted almonds in a cup, said the shop's owner, Liz Davis. Sasha ordered a brownie sundae treat with vanilla custard, hot fudge and chocolate sprinkles. Malia walked out of the shop, eating the remains of a waffle cone with vanilla frozen custard.

During his 15-minute stay, Mr Obama also shook hands with customers and posed for pictures. Mr Obama left the shop with some puppy treats for the family's dog, Bo. -- AP