President Obama and the first lady made a surprise stop at a Washington, D.C., charter school this afternoon to participate in a service project, much to the dismay of a young girl who had hoped the surprise visitor would be Beyoncé.

"I understand," Obama told the girl, named Madison. "[First daughters] Malia and Sasha would feel the same way."

The first lady agreed, "It's a disappointment."

As they filled backpacks with toys for homeless children, Madison tried to make up for it, telling the president, "but then I realized it was going to be you and that's even better!"

But Obama wasn't buying it. "I appreciate you saying that in front of the press," he told her. "I know it's not really true."

The first lady joked, "I'd rather see Beyoncé," getting a big smile from her husband.

U.S. President Barack Obama and volunteers take part in a service project filling backpacks with books and toys for homeless children at the Inspired Teaching School to mark the September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance on Sept. 11, 2014 in Washington, DC. Martin H. Simon-Pool/Getty Images