First Grandmother Is Finding Washington to Her Liking

WASHINGTON — Marian Robinson, President Obama’s mother-in-law, moved into the White House “kicking and screaming,” said her son, Craig Robinson. She had never lived outside of Chicago and was reluctant to leave her beloved bungalow, her friends and family, her weekly yoga class and her familiar routines.

But after three months in the Executive Mansion, Mrs. Robinson is unexpectedly and decidedly savoring her new life.

She entertains visitors from Chicago. She attends White House dinners and concerts hosted by her daughter, the first lady, Michelle Obama. She dines at local restaurants and delights in events at the Kennedy Center, where she often sits in the president’s box and chats with performers.

In fact, Mrs. Robinson, 71, is so busy these days that the Obamas hired a baby sitter to watch their two daughters one evening because the nation’s first grandmother had plans.

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Sally Quinn, a Washington writer and socialite, who met Mrs. Robinson at the lunch hosted by Mrs. Heinz Kerry, described her as “the perfect grandmother you’d kill for: cozy, nice, sweet, friendly, dear.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/04/us/politics/04robinson.html?ref=us



Dang - that whole family is so cool! I'm glad Mrs. Robinson is enjoying life in the White House and D.C.

I know how she feels. My mother couldn't leave Chicago to visit me for more than a few days at a time...and I was 4 hours away!

I was concerned about it, but upon thinking about it, I thought that if its done well, she's BOUND to like it; its THAT kind of place, imo.

No one is in a better position to enjoy life at the White House. I'm glad for her.

--imm

I luv the first family :)

is malia really as tall as her grandma? she's growing so fast!

that kids are always taller than their parents. It happens every generation. When i was younger, it was a comparison made between those raised during the Great Depression/WWII and the baby boomers and was attributed to nutritional difference. But people my age (45 y) have kids that are taller than them, and so it can't be nutrition.

:)

but why the height changes now?

The average Japanese soldier in WWII was 4'11" 110 lbs.

height at two and doubling it. :)

Her brother is SUPER tall as well so it must come from somewhere.

All I know is that Sasha and Malia are pretty much going to be guaranteed super model tall with their parents.

She's entitled to a life of her own and some time off from babysitting her granddaughters.

;)

Isn't that house full of people that would/could look after them?

i'm sure they'd do it willingly given how delightful the girls are, but It could be seen as taking advantage of their goodwill. Besides, a sitter isn't just someone who watches the kids, it is a job that comes with a lot of responsibility. That person has to know how to gently impose discipline, be trained in pediatric first aid, and have a narrowly-defined working relationship with the family based only on his/her work with the children.

that she's now able to enjoy herself and experience things that weren't available to her in Chicago.

I was wondering how she was doing :)

you will find Sally Quinn's picture there... what a truly disgusting example of a woman. Ms. Robinson, on the other hand, is just great!

sometimes everybody needs to get away from the zoo that is the White House and live without servants/aides, etc.

It's also right next door to the zoo for the kids.

The K-W permits pets, too.

From reading various presidential biographies, it becomes clear that being in the WH - and having all your movements recorded - even when the Prez and FL go to sleep - starts to wear on you.

http://www.kennedy-warren.com/

This is yet another example of how Democrats actually live the type of family values that Republicans only like to talk about.

It would be wonderful if she found love in some well to do lonely widower.

The quintessential street-wise Southern Belle. Calls everyone "dahlin'" but could cut you down with merely a glance. I'm a twice-college educated world traveler and she still corrects my grammar to this day.

I love my granny. :)

maybe at the Beijing Olympics? What a difference in her fleeting, non-focused smiles and waves and Michelle Obama's. Laura - doing us a favor, Michelle - having the time of her life.

:thumbsup:

married to chimp I can see she would be. :-(

reading that really made me smile, it's just terrific she's having such a great time. :bounce: