Obama celebrates birthday at White House

WASHINGTON -- With the arduous debt talks behind him, President Barack Obama celebrated his 50th birthday at the White House yesterday with a Rose Garden party, a toast from his senior staff and some good-natured ribbing from his wife.

After spending the morning of his milestone birthday working in the Oval Office, the president headed to the Blue Room of the White House for a celebration with top aides. White House chefs were spotted cooking chicken and burgers on outdoor grills.

Later, Obama was celebrating with family and friends, including some who came in from his hometown of Chicago, in the Rose Garden. The president's oldest daughter, Malia, also made it home from summer camp in time to celebrate her dad's 50th.

Michelle Obama couldn't resist poking some fun. In a campaign email -- subject line "Gray Hairs" -- the first lady asked supporters to sign an electronic birthday card for the president, and said she knows the reason for his salt-and-pepper hair.

"I see Barack make choices he knows will affect every American family. That's no small task for anyone -- and more proof that he's earning every last one of those gray hairs," she wrote.

The president has also approached his big birthday with a sense of humor.

"By the time I wake up, I'll have an email from AARP asking me to call President Obama and tell him to protect Medicare," he said during a fundraiser in Chicago on the eve of his birthday.