Hey, they were home made. Besides, I once won a cupcake in a spelling bee -- I spelled "dictionary" correctly and won. Not bad for the fourth grade, huh?

You see, mothers were expected to provide treats for the entire class on your birthday or whenever asked. Since on my birthday the school was usually closed (my birthday was then a High Holy Day) I didn't have a problem. But one brother and my sister did (the other brother also had the foresight to be born on day when the school would be closed). And when your mother has to make treats for 30 to 40 kids she goes for fast and cheap.