48 pictures of President Obama discovering his inner child for his 55th birthday

Happy birthday, President Obama!

The 44th president turned 55 on Thursday — his final birthday in office. He’s a Leo and, incidentally, Leos are ambitious, magnetic, and love being center stage — which sound like qualifications for the nation’s top job.

On his birthday, Obama is set to hold a press conference after a National Security Council meeting to discuss the fight against ISIS.

Perhaps sometime between these events, Obama will have time for some cake.

In the meantime, celebrate 44’s 55th with pictures of him doing one of the things he does best: kissing babies and embracing his inner child.

Amelia Acosta and Matthew Spieser contributed to an earlier version of this post.

The president is more amused than his young mohawked friend.

Getty Images

Obama greets one of his youngest fans in Prague in 2009.

Getty Images

This kid will never take off that cast.

Flickr/The White House

Obama puffs out his cheeks to amuse an infant visitor to the Oval Office.

Pete Souza/White House Photo

The president carefully inspects a classroom in Georgia.

Pete Souza/White House Photo

The signature fist bump.

Pete Souza/White House Photo

This baby gives Obama a fist bump of his own.

Pete Souza/White House Photo

Keeping pace with children running through the White House.

Pete Souza/White House Photo

Abraham Lincoln watches in approval as the president and a young girl share a hug in the Oval Office.

Lawrence Jackson/White House Photo

A young Ohio boy splits some strawberry pie with the POTUS.

Pete Souza/White House Photo

The president said this shot of him and a pint-sized Spider-Man was his favourite of 2012.

Pete Souza/White House Photo

High five!

Pete Souza/White House Photo

A quick game of hoops in Missouri Valley, Iowa.

Pete Souza/White House Photo

Cool dad.

White House/Pete Souza

Obama circles his desk with a petite pink pal in hot pursuit.

Pete Souza/White House Photo

It's hard to say who looks more dapper.

Pete Souza/White House Photo

The president fills in as coach for his daughter Sasha's basketball game.

Pete Souza/White House Photo

Sceptical infants peer at the POTUS through a window.

Pete Souza/White House Photo

Obama hoists his young pal Simba-style.

Pete Souza/White House Photo

A staring contest aboard Air Force One.

Pete Souza/White House Photo

President Pied Piper.

Pete Souza/White House Photo

Holding House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's granddaughter in California.

Pete Souza/White House Photo

Dandelion blowing on Martha's Vineyard.

Pete Souza/White House Photographer

An adorable tie-wearing baby visits the White House.

Pete Souza/White House Photo

The president embraces a young girl during a 2011 visit to Ireland.

Pete Souza/White House Photo

Sharing secrets.

Pete Souza/White House Photo

First Lady Michelle Obama persuades her husband to join in the dancing in Mumbai, India.

Pete Souza/White House Photo

The president greeting some Estonian schoolgirls.

Flickr/The White House

The president at the heart of the La Follette Lancers' huddle in Madison, Wis.

Pete Souza/White House Photo

Spelling out 'Ohio' with some of the state's happiest residents.

Pete Souza/White House Photo

Trick or Treat!

Flickr/The White House

Peek-a-boo!

Pete Souza/White House Photo

The president and his daughters celebrate the arrival of Portuguese Water Dog Bo.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The POTUS casually greets a family at Stonehenge.

Flickr/The White House

The president hoists a baby into the air during a visit to Japan.

Pete Souza/White House Photo

A young boy reaches up to compare the president's hair to his own.

Pete Souza/White House Photo

Secret secrets.

White House Flickr/Pete Souza

One White House staffer is extra excited at this encounter.

White House Flickr/Pete Souza

This is Lincoln Rose Pierce Smith, the daughter of former deputy press secretary Jamie Smith.

White House Flickr/Pete Souza

The president also fits in with a slightly older crowd.

Flickr/The White House

Obama says hello to a set of twins on the South Lawn.

Flickr/The White House

The president lets this first grader touch up his hairdo.

Flickr/The White House

Nice baby face.

Flickr/ The White House

A presidential cheek pinch.

Flickr/The White House

POTUS reaching out to a younger fan.

Flickr/The White House

You've got something on your face.

Flickr/White House

Hi! (Or bye!)

Flickr/The White House

The President exchanges a wave with Alya Dorelien Bitar, one-year-old daughter of Maher Bitar, the outgoing National Security Council Director for Israeli and Palestinian Affairs, and his wife, Astrid Dorelien, during a family photo in the Oval Office.

In his most natural state.

Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

The President carries the twin boys of Katie Beirne Fallon, Director of Legislative Affairs, into the Oval Office just a few months after they were born.

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