The Real Mario BrothersWe had a great Halloween yesterday and the costumes were a big hit. Since our two kids are obssessed with all the Mario characters from the Nintendo video games (Particularly Mario Kart: Double Dash and Mario Party 8), we dressed them as Mario and Baby Mario (yes he's a real character too). I went as the dashing Luigi and downright stole Mario's girl, the lovely and quite talented (she made all these costumes herself) Princess Peach.

I was real impressed that our oldest son was so into it that he kept his moustache on the whole time and even let mom draw sideburns on his cheeks. His gloves were way too big (does anyone make white costume gloves for a 4 year old?) but he insisted on wearing them. And even our little guy was a trooper. Thankfully his character doesn't have a moustache, so that wasn't a worry. But he managed to keep his hat on for roughly 30% of the time we were out trick or treating. His gloves and little yellow pom poms on his overall lasted all of 90 seconds, though.

Luigi originally had a fake moustache, which was a tiny Charlie Chaplin-type one that i turned upside down. But it kept falling off and really looked bad. So I borrowed Princess Peach's makeup expertise and had her draw me up a moustache and sideburns. Yes, I'll admit I wore makeup. All for the team, I tell ya.

Luigi and Princess PeachAs for the hats, well yeah, they don't look much like Mario hats except for the big letters. But we looked for weeks to find the right hats (without spending a fortune), and just couldn't. So the kids picked these ones out at a party store and they got the job done, even if I looked like an Irish farmer in my getup...

After a few spins around the block and a full bucket o' candy, we headed back to the house, jumped in the car and went out for pizza. I was sorely tempted to have a mushroom slice (little video game humor for you other geeks out there), but went for taste instead and had a pepperoni slice. Then we drove down to my in-laws to trick or treat at their house and then over to my folks (who live 5 minutes from my in-laws) to do the same. It makes for a long night, I know, but the kids love going and I know the grandparents love seeing them in costume. Plus, you wouldn't believe the loot they scored from grandma and grandpa... The kids actually had to put some of the candy in their hats, 'cause they ran out of room.

So all in all, a great time. And best of all, we now have a set of Mario costumes that they can dress up and play with whenever they want. Here's a few more shots of the kids (click on the thumbnail to see them full size). That last shot is near the end of the evening where 2 pretty wiped characters got a free ride along with their candy. (Yeah, dad got a workout.)

Baby Mario tips his hat to youMario’s up to no goodThe Real Mario Brothers poseMario Brothers wipe out

So how did everybody else's Halloween turn out? Any other great costumes or... ahem... horror stories?

COUPON TIME:

Since I did quite a bit of walking yesterday, here's a short-term coupon for a great shoe site:

25% off online orders at FamousFootwear.com
Use Coupon/Promo code 1107403 at checkout.
Valid through: November 3, 2007 11:59pm CT
Not valid with other coupons.

And of course, tying into today's theme, here's a few Lids coupons for ya too:

Free 2nd day Shipping on a $60+ order at Lids.com
Use sales code nov07lidsf2d.
Valid through: November 30, 2007
Not valid with any other coupon. Valid on orders shipped to the U.S. only.

$5 off a purchase of $40 or more at Lids.com
Use sale code nov07lids5off.
Valid through: November 30, 2007
Not valid with any other coupon or discount including Passport Club Membership. Valid on orders shipped to the U.S. only.

20% off a purchase of $75 or more at Lids.com
Plus Free Shipping!
Use sale code nov07lids20.
Valid through: November 30, 2007
Not valid with any other coupon or discount including Passport Club Membership. Valid on orders shipped to the U.S. only.