WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama’s inaugural festivities are only days away, but that’s not keeping him and Michelle Obama from celebrating the first lady’s birthday.

The White House says the president and Mrs. Obama are having dinner with friends at Cafe Milano, an Italian restaurant.

The first lady turned 49 on Thursday.

Reporters traveling with the president were not allowed to accompany him inside the restaurant in Washington’s upscale Georgetown neighborhood.

Earlier Thursday, Obama dropped by the headquarters of the Presidential Inaugural Committee to thank staffers for their hard work.

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