" isn't this a lovely spot to picnic, Ray?* Maya asked as she set the basket down.
Ray nodded. " It really is."
The sun was shining. The birds were tweeting.
And Mia was..... Nowhere in sight.
" Mom, have you seen Mia?" Nya asked.
Maya shook her head. " Last time I saw her we were getting out of the car."
" You don't think she's still in there so you?" Kai asked.
Jay shrugged. " I'll check."
" I'll come with you " nya volunteered.
Ray turned to Kai. " You go too. Me and Maya will set up."
They nodded, and ran back to their parking spot.
Mia was inside the car, mapping out where to go. " Well.... I suppose we could go there.... And maybe here.... And-"
" Hey, Mia." Jay said as he opened the door. " Whatcha doing?"
" Nothing. Just mapping out our stay."
Then she picked a red marker. " We can't go here... Or here.... Oh boy no way there."
* Mia, it's nice of you to map where we are, but perhaps have a bit of fun?*
Mia looked up. " This is fun!*
Blackie meowed. " Of course it is."
Mia shot him a look.
Nya leaned in, glancing at the map Mia had been working on. "You've already marked off half the places, Mia. Are we even going to have anywhere left to visit?"
Mia frowned, holding her marker firmly. "I'm just making sure we don’t end up anywhere... dangerous or boring. Gotta keep us all safe, you know?"
Kai chuckled, standing beside the car door. "Mia, it's a picnic, not a mission. I think we can relax a little. Plus, Mom and Dad picked the spot—it’s perfect."
Jay nodded in agreement. "Yeah, how about we leave the map for later and just go enjoy some fresh air? Maybe play some games?"
Mia paused, looking at her carefully planned map, and then at her brothers and sister. "But what if something happens? What if we get lost?"
Nya knelt down to her level and put a hand on her shoulder. "Mia, we're all here together. Nothing's going to happen. And besides," she winked, "if we do get lost, I think we've got plenty of ninja skills between us to find our way back."
Blackie purred, rubbing against Mia’s leg. "You heard her. I can always lead us back, too."
Mia sighed, feeling a bit of the tension release from her shoulders. "Alright, fine. But if we get lost, don’t blame me!"
Jay grinned and ruffled her hair. "Deal. Now come on, let’s get to the picnic before all the snacks are gone."
With a reluctant nod, Mia closed her map and followed her siblings back to the picnic area. As they approached, the smell of food wafted through the air, and the sound of birds singing filled the sunny spot. Maya and Ray were already laying out the blanket and setting up the food.
"Ah, there she is!" Ray exclaimed with a smile. "I was wondering if our little adventurer had gotten lost in the car."
Maya laughed, pulling out some sandwiches. "We were just about to start without you!"
Mia smiled, looking around at her family, the beautiful picnic spot, and the food spread out before them. "Okay, maybe this does look a little fun."
