Washington (CNN) - While the first lady and daughters Malia and Sasha were away this weekend, President Barack Obama has been enjoying what some have jokingly referred to as a bachelor's weekend with friends - golfing, playing basketball and grilling out on the South Lawn.
The festivities are all part of a belated birthday celebration of sorts for the president, who turned 49 on Wednesday.
First lady Michelle Obama and youngest daughter Sasha, 9, were on vacation in Spain, while 12-year-old Malia is attending camp.
Friends from Hawaii, Chicago, Illinois, and college joined the president on Saturday at Andrews Air Force Base for a round of golf.
The sports outings continued Sunday with a basketball game at Fort McNair where Obama - along with such NBA stars as LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Grant Hill and Earvin "Magic" Johnson - played in front of an audience of wounded servicemen and participants in the White House mentoring program.
Obama was scheduled to return to the White House Sunday evening with friends and some of the basketball players for a seafood barbecue on the South Lawn.
Updated: 6:37 p.m.
From CNN Politics
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He's lucky ,my shrimp come from the gulf.
Good for you, Mr. President.
What a cool way to celebrate your birthday, Mr. President. May you have many more, including six more as our president.
How Dare He. How dare he have some personal time. Cause you know, nobody in Congress goes to the golf course or spends time with their familles or their "secret" friends.
With nobama there, they still need a guy.
Boy, everyone's on vaction. Who's working on the economy?
The petty sniping about the First Lady's trip to Spain is so ironic. The Obamas have been accused of being Socialists and Communists, although they both have a history of a typical professional capitalistic lifestyle. They both promote education, higher education, and professional success. The Obamas can afford the vacation. The Secret Service costs are the same as they are for any President and Bush took far more vacation days by this time in his presidency. The airplane is required by security. So, let's at least admit that, if the Obamas are socialists or communists, they are not at all good at it. Even his policies encourage capitalistic success. Take a look at the auto industry.
At least it wasn't a coke and alcohol party like Bush would do.
Just a regular guy?
Its funny, states have elected new Republican Governors after years of demorat governors and suddenly these states are getting balanced budgets and unions are screaming because they have to shoulder their own load. It is amazing what a good Republican Governor can do after years of tax and spending inept demorat governors.
Does this guy ever work?
You deserve it Mr. President! Maybe you can take some time at the BBQ to re-think marijuana prohibition, it may be key to your reelection! Thank You MC
President Obama is a regular, healthy guy with a healthy, loving marriage to a woman he adores. The Conservatives just hate that.
Meanwhile, our soldiers are being killed, 10 percent unemployment, Liberals spending like crack-addicts and certain to raise taxes, Congress's approval rating at 14 per cent, illegals running amuck and America divided Happy Birthday Bozo!
Can US citizens handle a normal guy in the White House?
With all that's going on in the world this president has the audacity to celebrate his birthday. My God! We still have high unemployment, world hunger, oil out in the Gulf, diseases that have not been cured, wars, climate change, immigration issues, obesity, etc. and this man who promised hope and change is taking a whole weekend to celebrate his day of birth with friends. And to top it off he probably played golf for 2 hours. Shameful! Impeach him! Impeach him now!
I wonder if Barak got to spend any time with his old friend Larry Sinclair.
What really gripes me about this is that Congress is "In Recess" every few weeks, including times when bills important to "Main Street" are awaiting action, and little or nothing is said – "Oh, they deserve their break". The GOP side has been "In Recess" since Obama won the election and little has been said. Obama takes a weekend to relax and recharge and all hell breaks loose - nobody can keep quiet about the President's "dereliction of duties."
Congress is the Legislative branch – they MAKE THE LAWS!!! Hold THEM accountable for nothing, or not enough, getting done.
I had to work this weekend and of course my birthday weekend because of this inept, incompetent, corrupt, immoral union toady policies and poor performance and my wife not I can afford a vacation. Happy birthday Obozo and have a wonderful time on my dime Michelle.
I can not believe no one left a comment here
It seems to me that President Obama should be more aware of the many people in this country that can't take a vacation because they either have no job or no money. Also, his family should not be vacationing in foreign countries that will cost the taxpayers thousands of dollars when this country is sinking further in debt. This administration has pushed a great deal of things such as health care on people that don't want it. They don't seem to listen to the American people!!!!!!! I'm sure that when Democrats come up for re-election, the majority will vote them out of office!!!!!!
Happy Birthday Mr. President. Sounds like a fun weekend !
Happy Birthday Mr. President. And even with the grey hair you still look younger than any of your predecessors.
Happy Birthday Mr President. Hope you had a wonderful weekend even tho your on duty 24/7 you deserve to enjoy yourself also.
I'm sure the Republicans will be outraged.