The Obama family will stay at the historic Hay Adams Hotel, located a stone's throw from the White House, right across Lafayette Park.

The Obamas are back in town early for several reasons, but mainly to get their daughters started in their new school today.

Malia and Sasha will be at the private Sidwell Friends School, located in Northwest Washington, D.C., where you can send your kid to to school for just about $30,000 a year, from pre-Kindergarten through High School.

Don't believe me?

Check out their tuition page at http://www.sidwell.edu/admissions/tuition.asp

I've never been over to that fancy prep school, but it's one of many in this area that will drain your checkbook pretty quick.

The Obamas had wanted to stay at the Blair House (not far from the Hay Adams Hotel) but the White House said that official residence was booked for a variety of functions until January 15. So for the next 11 days or so, it's room service at the Hay Adams.

The return of the Obamas to Washington really kicks into high gear a couple weeks of stepped up security around this city that will culminate on Inauguration Day.

Three major streets around the Hay Adams will be closed to traffic for those eleven days. Also, parking will be severely restricted in several other blocks.

It is just one of many Inaugural-related items that's causing commuter and travel headaches around this town.