From TIME’s Sophia Yan:
President Obama dropped by the White House briefing room today on his 48th birthday. With cupcakes in hand, a sprightly Obama wished Happy Birthday to another celebrating reveler, White House correspondent Helen Thomas of Hearst newspapers, who turned 89 today.
Grinning broadly, Obama plopped down in the front row seat next to Thomas and said, “I will leave it up to you, Helen, how you want to distribute the cupcakes.” Thomas beamed as the camera shutters whirred — photographers were eager to capture the scene.
Obama’s birthday has been packed with events, including a lunch with the Senate Democratic Caucus. Reporters waited for nearly an hour in the hot, midday August sun for Obama and the senators to finish the dessert course — it must have been an especially delicious birthday cake. Also on the agenda today were meetings with Vice President Biden and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.
Outside the White House, a group of youthful supporters armed with megaphones sent Obama warm birthday wishes — and urged him to take a progressive stand on climate change.