A Teenager!

 Bode is now an official teenager--no more of this tween crap.  He's a full-fledged adolescent, but despite the new age, he's still a pleasant person to be around. We started the day with the opening of the presents.  Bode was thrilled when he received an Oculus 2.

Ashley spent a good portion of the day making a three-layer Neapolitan cake.  She didn't do ice-cream this year, which was great because that meant I got to eat some.  She made all three layers from scratch and even made the icing.  Here is a look at the finished product.

I managed to get Bode to pose for a picture with me.  This was far from easy, as Bode seems adverse to having his picture taken now that he's a teenager.

We then got the cake set up for the singing of the birthday song.

As always, Ashley and I carry a perfect tune.

Bode's wish, sadly, was not granted as Auburn lost a close one to Alabama 42 - 13.  We did sample the cake and gave our critique similar to Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith from The British Baking Show.

Note the well-defined layers--chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.  The texture is moist and fluffy.  Well done, and if I were Paul, I would have shaken Ashley's hand, which is the highest compliment he gives).

It's a bit rainy today, so we'll spend it indoors.  Perhaps we'll get the Christmas decorations out of mothballs or maybe we'll do some cyber shopping.  Pleasant week to all.