One of my happy memories from childhood is the birthday cakes my mom would make for me.  Many times she spent hours baking one from scratch (she often scratched open the cake mix box) in the shape of whatever I had asked for.

I also remember the excitement of all us kids at the party as we got our pieces to eat.  Mom would wrap coins in wax paper and hide them between the layers of the cake.  She had a system devised so that she knew where to cut so everyone got a coin.  She also kept a close eye on us as we ate because she realized that her great gift of birthday cake design to me was ultimately a choking hazard.  Of course, all you have to do is tell kids there is money in a cake and you don't have to worry about them accidentally swallowing it.

Thanks Mike for making those memories rush back into my head while I viewed your cakes!