Prepare to Die From "Adorableness!"

The urge to smother those two in kisses is so strong that I may lose control of all my faculties!

When ever I see little Sasha and Malia Obama I think of me and my two "sisters of Snob," Baby Snob and Big Sis, and our childhood together. I especially think of how long we had to sit still for our mother to press our hair to make it look like Sasha and Malia's (and our mother only let us wear it down on "special occasions," like piano recitals. I'm going to assume "Daddy's going to be president" counts as a special occassion). The pressing was murder, I tell you! I detest having my hair straightened to this day even though I love how it looks whether natural or straight.

Like the Obama girls, the Snob sisters spent 99 percent rocking braids or twists. And it's amazing Mama Snob still has an arm from welding that hot comb. That said, those coats are ADORABLE! (And no, I don't know who made them!) But everything about them is adorable. Cheeks must be smothered in smooches!

More pictures of the soon-to-be First Daughters (as well as Michelle and Barack and the Bidens) on my Obama Inaugural Flickr page!

More Obama Inauguration Weekend Pictures

More pictures of the Obamas on the way to the inauguration (this time, now in Washington, D.C. for a concert televised on HBO) can be found on the Flickr page!

The Obama Family Heads to Washington

So many cute pictures! No room for them all! Check out the full roster on my Flickr page or check back at the BlackSnob 2.0 site later today! (Don't forget to poke around and check out all the new pages and services! Especially the new "Hot Topics" discussion boards!)

Awww! Young Obama Love!

From The New Yorker:

(T)here are times when we are lying in bed and I look over and sort of have a start. Because I realize here is this other person who is separate and different and has different memories and backgrounds and thoughts and feelings. It’s that tension between familiarity and mystery that makes for something strong, because, even as you build a life of trust and comfort and mutual support, you retain some sense of surprise or wonder about the other person.

Must resist! Can't write 500 paragraphs about how beautiful love is ... won't do it!

Read more about our hopelessly devoted, up with love, future power couple here.

Why Are The Obamas Feeding My Obama Crack Habit?

I was really depressed today (don't ask), but then Christmas came back when the President-Elect and Michelle Obama released "first day of school" pictures of the kiddies. Why? Obamas? Why can't I quit you??? You're just so aspirational! I can't find my snark. I CAN'T FIND IT! (Gawker)

The Obamas Go To Washington

Goodbye Hawaii. Goodbye Chicago. Hello Washington, D.C.

Sidenote: There's a debate going on in one of the threads about Michelle Obama's appearance. Normally, I stay out of such fracas because I honestly don't think its relevant. She's First Lady, not a beauty contestant. But to toss in my two cents -- stop. Nothing good will come of this. I don't like it when people reduce Michelle O. to her body parts and lust all over her. I don't like it when people talk like she's the Queen of Sheba. I don't like it when people accuse her of looking mannish. I goof on how much like Michelle because I do, genuinely, like her and find her fascinating. But there's no need to cut each other over this issue of "beauty" and its many definitions.

So just stop. It's not her job to be pretty. I enjoy that she likes to dress with some flare. I enjoy that she has taken to her role as aspirational figure well. But this isn't America's Next Top Model. This shouldn't be an argument at all because her looks are immaterial to what she truly represents --

The first black First Lady. That pretty much beats beauty queen hands down. If she wears cool clothes on top of that, that's all just extra nuts and syrup on the Sundae.

That said, Daddy/Daughters time! (At the zoo Dec. 30 in Honolulu!) We black folks need our paternal therapy via pictures of Barack hugging his kids. You don't know how happy this makes people feel. Seriously. Black women alone are OD'ing on this right now. It's like the Snickers Bar of Hope. Hug your kids, people!

The Honolulu Advertiser Is Entering Creepy Stalker Territory With the President-Elect

Did they swim with dolphins? What kind of shaved ice did they eat? What are they wearing? When they poop does it smell like cinnamon loaf and rainbow sprinkles? More! More!

Obama entered Koko Marina Paradise Deli and said, "So, what are we going to get?" "Let me get a tuna sandwich," Obama said, asking for it on 12-grain bread, tomatoes and no mayo.

"Actually, can you melt cheese on that?" he asked. "Can you make like a tuna melt with cheddar cheese?"

Obama then approached the press pool to say hello. He placed his shoulder on this reporter, who was scribbling notes, and said, "You don't really need to write all that down." (Honolulu Advertiser)

But was the tuna dolphin safe? The reporter didn't write that down! Inquiring minds musat know, Honolulu Advertiser!

At one point on the sidewalk, Obama dropped his sunglasses, bent down and picked then up.

Because, I really needed to know that. Was Angelina and Brad there, you know, as long as we're being ridiculous in our coverage? Did Jennifer Aniston say it was "uncool" that the President-Elect seemed to approve of Brangelina sinful, international adopted baby-filled common-law marriage? Where's the scoop Advertiser?

Obama ate his sandwich before his shave ice, saying he wanted to set a good example for his girls by eating healthy food before dessert.

Inside Kokonuts, Obama, with his BlackBerry on his left hip, ordered shave ice for the kids and friends.

He told Malia, "We're going to do it one at a time."

Some ordered banana coconut or pina colada. Sasha ordered a medium banana-flavor shave ice.

"Everyone, once you've ordered, step back," Obama instructed the kids.

Obama pulled cash out of his wallet and Eric Whitaker pitched in to pay the bill. Obama ordered mixed-berry shave ice for Sam Tubman and offered shave ice to the press pool.

"Guys, here's your chance," he told the pool. "No? I'm telling you, this is really good ... I don't think this is against policy. You want one, I can tell."

The press pool declined the president-elect's offer.

Fascinating. And now, for my favorite mundane detail about a routine trip for snacks and fun at a water park.

Earlier in the day, the group left Sea Life Park about 1:40 p.m. after spending 90 minutes at the marine amusement park.

The press pool was not allowed inside the park. Obama did not pose for pictures or talk to reporters, but reporters could see him, his daughters, and several other family friends leave the park from the interactive dolphin area.

Tourists who were inside showed pool reporters photographs they took of Obama and his family and friends. Obama is wearing a casual cream-colored shirt tucked into olive shorts, and sandals.

The Obamas and friends were seen attending the dolphin show, tourists said.

It is unclear whether the Obamas swam with dolphins, and Obama's clothing did not appear wet.

OMG! The world may never know if Sasha and Malia swam with dolphins! I don't know if my life can be complete now! (And, yes, if that had happened the pictures would be cute, but I seriously didn't need to know how the Big O likes his tuna melt or that he dropped his sunglasses. Seriously. What are you people? Cops?) And while I faux stalk the Obamas, you, Honolulu Advertiser, you beat my faux stalking with your real-time accounts of banality hands down. Did you bid on that used Kleenex Scarlett Johansson sold on eBay last week? Because that's almost where this breadth of detail belongs.

That said ... DADDY/DAUGHTERS TIME! Or should I say, President-Elect/Future First Daughters time!

Christmas In Hawaii: The Obamas Say Goodbye to "Toot"

On Tuesday, President-Elect Barack Obama, his wife Michelle, his sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, and several other friends and family members attended a ceremony in honor of Obama and Soetoro-Ng's grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, whom they called Toot.

After a service at the First Unitarian Church, her ashes were scattered at a seaside memorial in Honolulu. (Photos from Associated Press and Reuters)

More Obama In Hawaii, Now Shirtless

I was going to bury this because it feels so odd to ogle the president, but ... eh, screw it. Shirtless pics are going up top!

He played some golf too. (And yes, I got all ninty-billion of your notes and emails about Obama being shirtless! Yes! I got them ALL!!!)

This is going to be the most awkwardly sexy four-to-eight years ever. Also, are we joining the rest of the world in shirtless world leaders? If so, Hopey McChangey's abs kicks Putin's abs ass. And all disputes between our two countries should be settle with ab-offs.

But, back to serious business now. Nothing to see here! Move along! Enjoy the golfing pictures. Aren't they great? What? No, I don't want to discuss the shirtless pictures. YES, I'm aware I posted them. They're from TMZ and he's allegedly doing the laundry on his washboard abs, they joked. (Shirtless tip from Gawker, of course.)

They were taken along with several others of the family at the vacation home by gossip site Bauer-Griffin. It was a nightmare just to view the few pictures I did on their blog, (the site is all kinds of not working today), but it's worth it. There are tons of pictures on there. Although, if both the Washington Press corps and the paparazzi are all going to stalk the Obamas at once this is going to be an odd presidency.