An emotional Barack Obama big good-bye to his home in Chicago Sunday night as the soon-to-be first family moved to Washington.

"I gotta say, I choked up a little bit leaving my house today," the president-elect told reporters Sunday aboard one of the fleet of Air Force One’s planes (although the actual Air Force One is only for the current president), as he ordered a cheeseburger and fries. Daughter "Malia’s friend had dropped off an album of the two of them together. They had been friends since preschool and I just looked through the pages and the house was empty and it was a little tough, it got me."

The Obamas are staying at the posh Hay-Adams Hotel near the White House until they move into their new digs. Michelle Obama and the girls went ahead of their presidential dad to get ready for school. Sasha, 7, and Malia, 10, start school at the prestigious Sidwell Friends today. Obama said the ladies in his life were "having fun" and that he was looking forward to going to Washington.

"Although living in a hotel for two weeks, we kind of did that for two years,” he said, referring to life on the campaign trail.

Obama got some cheers from the crowds lining the block near the hotel Sunday night. Several Obama aides said the experience of traveling aboard one of the Air Force’s Special Air Mission fleet drove home the realization that Obama had won the presidency.

"It’s a little clearer now," said press secretary Robert Gibbs. "Nice digs."

With the girls off to school, the president-elect is also off to work. He’s meeting with congressional leaders today to push for fast action on his economic stimulus plan. He’ll also meet with his top economic advisors.

Obama plans to include about $300 billion in tax cuts for workers and businesses in his plan, which may total anywhere from $675 billion to $775 billion. But he may have some trouble convincing those in Congress trying to rein in spending.

From the New York Times:

The legislation Mr. Obama is developing with Congressional Democrats will devote about 40 percent of the cost to tax cuts, including his centerpiece campaign promise to provide credits up to $500 for most workers, costing roughly $150 billion. The package will also include more than $100 billion in tax incentives for businesses to create jobs and invest in equipment or factories … Republicans have begun voicing criticism of what they describe as an open-checkbook approach to spending.

We’ll hear more details on the package from Obama himself on Thursday.

Democrats say the stimulus package may not be ready for Obama’s signature immediately after taking office on January 20, as he hoped. It could actually take about six weeks.

"We have two criteria: Do it as quickly as possible, but do it right," House Majority Leader Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-MD, said on "FOX News Sunday."

OK, do it right. But please — do it fast.