By Associated Press

November 7, 2002, 7:58 PM EST

WASHINGTON -- Following his wife's instructions, President Bush gave first lady Laura Bush just the birthday present she asked for: binoculars.

And for their 25th "silver" wedding anniversary, also this week, it was silver earrings with diamonds and sapphires.

Minding his own code to be discreet on Bush family matters, Bush did not release this information. "I'm not telling," the president said on Election Day. "That's super-duper, top-secret information," press secretary Ari Fleischer echoed.

But a White House mole whispered the scoop to The Associated Press after several days of Bush's playing coy culminated in his Thursday news conference, where, asked about his anniversary gift to Mrs. Bush, the president responded with a suggestive wink and then scooted out the door without saying a word.

The source, who insisted on remaining anonymous, said Mrs. Bush had asked her husband for binoculars because she is an avid bird-watcher and gardener.

Mrs. Bush turned 56 on Monday and the couple celebrated their anniversary the next day.

-- Anonymous, November 08, 2002