Obama spends morning with family, at gym, then gets to work

Barack Obama spent his first day as president-elect catching up on a little family time, then huddling with close advisers working on his transition.

The day started with a ritual the Chicago senator said he has missed over most of the last 20 months -- a leisurely breakfast with his wife and daughters Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7.

Obama even let the girls go in late to school after their late night at his victory party in Grant Park Tuesday night.

Now that Obama's president-elect, the day also started under stricter security measures around his Kenwood home, which presents a special challenge to the Secret Service to protect, unlike President Bush's ranch in rural Texas. Hyde Park Boulevard next to Obama's house is now completely shut down from Woodlawn to Ellis, and there are more concrete and steel barricades on surrounding streets.

Many of Obama’s neighbors have sported Obama signs on their lawns and have put up with the closing of Obama’s street. But at least one neighbor could be seen asking officers Wednesday morning how a guest would be able to exit her property.

In workout clothes and a White Sox cap, Obama headed to a 65-minute morning workout session, then suited up, sans tie, and headed downtown for a six-hour session with advisors at the offices of Ariel Investments, the company of his long-time supporters John Rogers and Melody Hobson.

Despite saying last week he would hold a news conference the day after the election, Obama’s only interaction with the press came as he walked from his SUV to the AON building’s underground entrance for his session at Ariel. He turned and walked a few paces toward the press and shouted from a distance, “Hi guys. Did you get much sleep?”

“Not much,” a photographer replied.

“How about you?” Obama was asked.

“Not as much as I’d like,” Obama said, and headed into the building.

Ariel’s offices are just a few blocks from Obama’s headquarters, which he plans to visit this week. But he opted instead Wednesday to address staffers around the country via a conference call from Ariel, thanking them for their hard work.

Obama made no public statement about his choice of Rep. Rahm Emanuel to be his chief of staff, but he did release a list of staffers and advisers to his transition team, which will include mayoral brother William Daley, former Clinton chief of staff John Podesta, longtime Obama confidantes Valerie Jarrett and Cassandra Butts, former EPA chief Carol Browner, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, former Transportation Secretary Federico Pena, and foreign policy adviser Susan Rice.

Also Wednesday, first lady Laura Bush spoke to Michelle Obama and invited her and the girls to visit the White House over the next few weeks.