WASHINGTON - MR BARACK Obama's two young girls discovered what will become their future bedrooms at the White House on Tuesday afternoon on the first visit to their future home since their father's election as US president.

Twins Barbara and Jenna Bush, who will be 27 next week, 'enjoyed showing their rooms to the Obama girls,' said Ms Sally McDonough, spokesman for Mrs Laura Bush.

Malia Obama, 10, and her sister Sasha, seven, the youngest children to enter the White House in a generation, were joined by their mother, Michelle, and grandmother, Mrs Marian Robinson for a visit that lasted approximately an hour at the invitation of Mrs Laura Bush, added Ms McDonough.

In an interview with the 60 Minutes CBS television programme on Sunday night, Mrs Michelle Obama spoke of the family's move to the White House as a chance to regroup following the rigors of the campaign.

'And now, we get to be together under the one roof, having dinners together. And, you know, I envision the kids coming home from school and being able to run across the way to the Oval Office and see their dad before they start their homework. And having breakfast. And he'll be there to tuck them in at night,' she said.

Mrs Michelle Obama has repeatedly said that she will focus first and foremost on her daughters' well-being while in the White House. She toured several schools in Washington this week and seems to be leaning towards a private school.

'The primary focus for the first year will be making sure that the kids make it through the transition,' she explained.

'Michelle and I have talked about this a lot. How do we just maintain that precious normalcy in our two girls?,' Mr Barack Obama added.

'I think one of our highest priorities, over the next four years, is retaining that. If at the end of four years, just from a personal standpoint, we can say they are who they are ... I think we're going to feel pretty good.'

The Obama White House may also be home to Mrs Marian Robinson, he indicated in the interview.

Mrs Robinson has 'just been an unbelievable support for all of us during this process. And you know, she likes her own space, you know. She doesn't like a lot of fuss around her. And, like it or not, there's some fuss in the White House. But we hope that she comes,' he said.

'Marian Robinson is one of the unsung heroes of this campaign. We couldn't have done it without her. Because she retired, looked after the girls, gave Michelle confidence that somebody was going to be there when Michelle was on the road.'

Another potential White House preoccupant has been the source of intense debate in the US.

Mr Barack Obama promised a dog for his two daughters once they move in. But Malia has allergies and the Obamas have indicated a preference for adopting a shelter dog.

'As responsible owners, I don't think it would be good to get a dog in the midst of transition. So when we settle, get in a routine, we think about late winter, early spring, we're going to get the dog,' Mrs Michelle Obama said. -- AFP