The Final Lap

Nearly everything that can be set is ready. Tomorrow we picnic in the east meadow.

Applejack built a gift box and Rarity made it look stunning. It's on Big MacIntosh's cart and ready to roll to the train station. There's a sheet over it right now which is just as well -- it's so glittery that if the sun hits it, I think everypony clear across Ponyville will see it.

Today Applejack was delivering pies, fritters, and caramel apples to some of the 'food mules'. We might end up with too much food. Better to have too much than not enough.

The Cakes are on the cake phase of the bake off. They're making cupcakes, muffins, donuts and cakes today. The icing is already made, and as soon as the baked goods cool, they will get decorated. Except for the hollow cake for Cheese. They'll stack the frame with cake and puffed oat cubes and slather on the icing after Cheese is inside. They'll have to work fast, they have only one hour at most.

Checklist.

Maud Pie contacted and confirmed. Check.
Date set for picnic to coincide with Maud's arrival. Check.
Cheese Sandwich recruited and confirmed. Check.
Cakes recruited. Check.
Zecora recruited. Check.
Ponytones recruited. Check.
Skywriters recruited by Rainbow Dash. Check.
Fluttershy providing a messenger critter. Check.
Applejack providing extra treats. Check.
Maud-sized gift box. Check.
Big MacIntosh to meet Maud at the train station. Check.
Rock candy. Check.
Keeping Pinkie occupied. Check.
Somehow keeping it a surprise. So far so good.

We dropped the group portrait idea. It's better to do that as group project, not as a surprise.

We are so close to the goal! The Map better not call us.