Obama Joins Family In Maryland To Celebrate Malia Obama's Birthday

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is helping the nation celebrate its birthday and his daughter Malia celebrate hers.

The president on Friday morning flew to Camp David, Md., for the first part of the first family's Fourth of July celebration, including daughter Malia's 11th birthday on Saturday. He set off with friend Martin Nesbitt to meet first lady Michelle Obama, who was already at Camp David.

About 20 of Malia's tween-age friends will be on hand for the festivities. In an interview with The Associated Press, the president was bemused at the thought of being surrounded by so many girls. As he put it, "It's a little intimidating."

The first family returns to the White House by Saturday evening to host 1,200 military families for a Fourth of July barbecue on the South Lawn.

(This version CORRECTS APNewsNow; UPDATES to reflect Obama has already set off. corrects last sentence to say the Obamas are returning on Saturday not Friday.)

Comments

[morebirthdayscampaign]

Good for Malia! May she have many more birthdays! Did you know the American Cancer Society has launched a campaign for more birthdays? That's right! Find out how you can live a longer, healthier life and celebrate more birthdays. Join the cause at http://morebirthdays.com.

[The Lorax]

Happy birthday!

[CeeMac]

I predict Malia will be as tall as her mom by the end of Obama's first term. At the end of his second term, she will at least as tall as her dad. I can only wonder what her dating life will be like as a teenager in the White House.

[Mr Hand]

Big deal, this neophyte will bankrupt this country before he loses in 2012 - Anyone who believes this guy is good for this country is just a mindless minion.

[CR46]

Are country has been bankrupt since august of 2008, thank to GWB/CHENEY admin, too late for you blind GOP minions to rewrite history, it goes in chronilogical order.

[LiberalForever]

Use that hand and...

[DeloresT]

Happy birthday to Malia. My nephew's son turned 11 on July 3rd. He had nine of his friends over for the weekend. His parents were pooped when all of the parents of the invited boys picked them up. Tweens are a handful.

[queotic]

Happy birthday Malia and America!

[osusana]

I hope the lovely Miss Malia had a wonderful time at her birthday slumber party. Living in Dallas I see people spending hundreds of dollars on birthday parties for 3 year olds, and it is just insane! How nice, how normal, how sensible, that Malia's parents chose to have a sleepover for her birthday. How predictable, how petty that some would begrudge the First Family the privilege of celebrating their daughter's birthday....those are some truly miserable people.

[maisnon55]

what is with m0d on aich pee.............my responses r so much tamer than some

[maisnon55]

OMG, I was kidding, thinking that to complain about this is too low for even the rethugs.

[Tiggy]

Let's end all this back and forth of who paid for what and how much was billed to the tax payer by asking our President to be "transparent"! I recall that he was asked to be "transparent" about the costs involved in taking his wife to a play in New York and he declined. The bottom line is that regardless of what any other President has done, we voted for Obama to Change those things! When there is no money, there is no money! And yes, I said the same about Bush! It's not a Dem or Repub issue, it's an American issue. I voted for Change period and I am seeing the same ole thing.

[vasta]

I could not disagree more.

Taking his wife out to dinner is not a big deal. They have jobs and money. People with jobs should not feel guilty about making purchases or going out to dinner or taking vacations.

Calm down!

[Debby Lyn]

Happy Birthday Malia!!

[CR46]

Yes its too bad we have a president who is a caring family man and allows his daughter a "slumber party" for her birthday. (rolling eyes) How is this excessive?? Just about every 11 or 12 yr old in the US, no matter what income level of the parents has a slumber party. (Though I don't remember too much slumber going on at the ones my daughter used to have). I hope you do not have any kids, you would make a bad parent.

[Crissy Patters]

If the change you wanted was for the country to forget slavery has been abolished and that the president and his family were not to enjoy of the perks of the job, I'm glad you're very disappointed.

[Urbanbarbie943]

Happy 11th Birthday Malia!!

[jazzifay]

Happy Birthday Malia. You are such a beautiful young lady.

[lmvd3]

She is. I wish someone would quietly give her some posture and walking tips, however. She slumps quite a lot, has a very awkward gait, and seems to just lack all confidence, but it could just be her age. She is beautiful and with parents like hers, probably also extremely bright.

[AngieMom57]

Happy Birthday America, I hope there is some camp fire songs this evening...like:

"This land is your land, this land is my land...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiEAcZhqojk

[AngieMom57]

THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND
words and music by Woody Guthrie

Chorus:
This land is your land, this land is my land
From California, to the New York Island
From the redwood forest, to the gulf stream waters
This land was made for you and me

As I was walking a ribbon of highway
I saw above me an endless skyway
I saw below me a golden valley
This land was made for you and me

Chorus

I've roamed and rambled and I've followed my footsteps
To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts
And all around me a voice was sounding
This land was made for you and me

Chorus

The sun comes shining as I was strolling
The wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling
The fog was lifting a voice come chanting
This land was made for you and me

Chorus

As I was walkin' - I saw a sign there
And that sign said - no tress passin'
But on the other side .... it didn't say nothin!
Now that side was made for you and me!

Chorus

In the squares of the city - In the shadow of the steeple
Near the relief office - I see my people
And some are grumblin' and some are wonderin'
If this land's still made for you and me.

[preatorius]

That girl is so tall. I though she was 14.

[Weirdwriter]

Comes with having parents over 6 feet tall each.

[AngieMom57]

No rest for the weary...birthday with twenty girls and I'll bet it's an overnight party; coupled with 1,200 military for a celebration on the White House lawn that has the sludge challenge exposed recently...well onward...

[Weirdwriter]

Did you read the story response to the "sludge" allegation?

[AngieMom57]

NO, but now I will ;-)