I would always play as Toad in Mario Kart and Mario Party. I didn't even think he was that cute or cool or anything- I'm not sure why I gravitated towards playing as the little mushroom guy.
I made several books (folded papers stapled together) called "Super Toad", where Toad would mostly play pranks on Toadette. I also made a poster (drawing on a big piece of paper) of Toad to celebrate an unlikely win in Mario Party. I remember it was on the "King Boo's Haunted Mansion" board, and just against computer players.
Honestly, it's crazy that I wasn't a Yoshi kid. I mean, he was RIGHT THERE.