The Fourth of July not only marked the nation's birthday, but also the latest milestone for first daughter Malia Obama, who turned 11 this year.
At a barbecue and fireworks show on Saturday evening at the White House, President Obama announced to a crowd of thousands, "There's another person who is thrilled you are here today. Malia. It just happens to be her birthday as well. When she was younger, I used to say all these fireworks were for her. I'm not sure she stills buys that."
See the Obama family album.
Saturday's celebration marked the first birthday that Malia hasn't spent in a hotel room since at least 2006. (Last year, she spent her 10th birthday in a Holiday Inn Express hotel room in Montana, ordering in dinner and a birthday cake and dancing to the Jonas Brothers.)
This year, she was able to enjoy full access to the White House ushers and pastry chefs (among other perks).
Last Thursday, President Obama revealed that the birthday festivities had kicked off early, with about 20 girls arriving at the Camp David presidential retreat in western Maryland.
Check out photos of first kids in the White House.
"There are 24 double-X chromosomes up in Camp David as we speak," he told The Associated Press. "It's a little intimidating."
The Obamas are now embarking on a weeklong trip to Europe and Africa.
See pics of the Obama family's first 100 days in Washington.
On Monday, the president will attend a wreath-laying ceremony at the Russian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow. They are expected to return home to Washington on Saturday.
