Over the past few weeks, my boy has gotten a few Happy Meals from McDonalds. (Now, before you get all nuts about me contributing to making America's youth fat, let me just say that this thing only costs $2.99 and it keeps him still and quiet for almost thirty minutes.) Inside each of them was one of the small toys, pictured below:

They are young versions of the lovable Ronald McDonald, one on a tricycle and the other on a "Sit and Spin." The boy loves them. The pair is never separated, and they're known around the house as simply, "The Ronalds."

Not much happens around the Phillips' house without The Ronalds. And I don't just mean that The Ronalds are present all the time, they are active participants in what goes on. For example:

"The Ronalds say it's time for bed, and I agree."
"The Ronalds say you should keep your hat on, it's cold."
"The Ronalds want daddy to watch football right now."
"The Ronalds are tired of watching 'Bob the Builder'."
"The Ronalds would like you to pick up some French Onion Sunchips when you go to the store."

I don't want to speak for the whole family, but I know I have come to rely on The Ronalds for their guidance and decision making abilities. After doing some quick research online, I came to find that I'm not the only one who seems to rely on The Ronalds (click the images below for larger versions):

Here's Gerald Ford in an Oval Office meeting:

Kofi Annan at a UN Security Council meeting:

and the mission control room at NASA:

There were more, but I have to cut this short because The Ronalds say it's time for me to grab a snack.