US President Barack Obama will celebrate his 49th birthday Wednesday in Chicago without his wife and daughters.

First lady Michelle Obama plans a trip to Spain with daughter Sasha, 9, next week, and word is that daughter Malia, 12, is off to camp, the Chicago Tribune reported Sunday.

Though there will be plenty of FOBs - Friends of Barack - to help blow out the candles for the final gasp of his 40s.

'Unfortunately, I can't comment on any birthday-related activities. Sorry,' said Chicago attorney Obama Alan S. King who is a friend of Obama.

A safe bet is that basketball will figure, as happened last year when the first lady had arranged for her husband's friends, including King, to visit Camp David, for some birthday fun and games.

Obama will depart for Chicago Wednesday afternoon and return to Washington Thursday evening after touring the South Side Ford Motor Co, a White House official said.