WASHINGTON – President Bush’s twin daughters, who have had brushes with the law for underage drinking, turned 21 today with an aim to stay clear of the spotlight.

Both Barbara Bush, who attends Yale University, and Jenna Bush, a student at the University of Texas at Austin, were in their home state of Texas in advance of a Thanksgiving family celebration. The president and first lady Laura Bush planned to celebrate the twins’ birthdays during the holiday weekend, a White House official said.

Laura Bush was returning to Texas today and heading to the family ranch in Crawford Tuesday. The president is to follow on Wednesday.

The White House is fiercely protective of the twins’ privacy, and officials refused to provide details about the birthday observances.

Barbara and Jenna Bush have drawn unwelcome headlines over the past few years for alcohol-related episodes.

In May 2001, police in Austin cited both of them for violating state alcoholic beverage laws.

Police accused Barbara Bush of being a minor in possession of alcohol and Jenna Bush of misrepresenting her age for allegedly trying to use false identification to buy alcohol.

Jenna Bush allegedly ordered a margarita and was asked to produce identification proving she was 21. She showed a valid driver’s license belonging to someone else, police said. She was not served.

Witnesses told police that Barbara Bush was served alcohol.

The charges were dismissed after the then-19-year-old twins performed community service, attended alcohol awareness classes and paid $100 in fines.

The month before that incident, Jenna Bush had pleaded no contest to charges of underage drinking. She was ordered to take alcohol counseling and perform community service. A judge fined her $500 and suspended her license.