Events and activities to enjoy this Mother's Day

Mother's Day is Sunday. Did you forget to buy Mom a gift? If you didn't, don't worry. Turns out most moms would be happy to just spend the day with their children and grandchildren. Here are 12 things you can do with your mom -- or your kids -- for a fun-filled Mother's Day. More information on many events can be found at semoevents.com.

1: Explore downtown. Old Town Cape's Downtown Historic Home and Garden Tour will be from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. Buy a tickets for yourself and your mom and explore six of Cape's historic homes -- all were built in the late 19th or early 20th centuries. Tickets are $15 in advance at Old Town Cape, Annie Laurie's Antiques, Spanish Street Mercantile or Realty Executives. Tickets will be sold for $20 Saturday at the Bertrand Home, 306 Independence. While you're downtown, take the chance to tour some other historic spots. Old St. Vincent's Church will be open for tours, along with the Red House Interpretative Center.

2: Create something. Stop by Sloan & Themis, 31C N. Main St. in Cape Girardeau, to make jewelry with mom, or Creative Ewe Pottery, 1912 Independence St., to paint the pottery of your choice. Southeast Missouri State University will hold a "Trash to Treasure: Wine Extravaganza" from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Dempster Hall, Room 127. Attend this workshop to learn how to make coasters, home decor and more from leftover wine bottles and corks. The fee is $35, and you'll need to bring two empty wine bottles and a bag of corks. If mom's not the crafty type, head to one of these places alone or with the kids to make her a special gift.

Treat your mother to a tour one of out local wineries for Mothers Day. Look for a list of wineries at semissourian.com/flourish for contact information.

3: Head to a winery. Southeast Missouri is home to a number of wineries, many nestled in the countryside miles away from anything. Treat your mom to a relaxing afternoon, sipping on her favorite wine and enjoying good conversation or, in some cases, live music. Many wineries also serve food, with fare ranging from gourmet sandwiches to wood-fired pizzas. Look for a list of wineries at www.semissourian.com/flourish for contact information.

Take your mother for a drive or walk through the Pinecrest Azela Gardens in Oak Ridge.

4: Flora and fauna.Lazy L Safari Park, right, outside Cape Girardeau is home to dozens of animals ranging from goats to giraffes. On Sunday, admission to the park will be half price for mother's and grandmothers in honor of Mothers Day. If your mom is a fan of flowers rather than four-legged creatures, take a drive to Oak Ridge, below, and explore the Pinecrest Azalea Gardens. The gardens, open from March through May, are an ever-changing kalediscope of colorful blooms. Designed to be a driving tour, there is parking and benches for those who want to explore the area by foot.

5: Plan a salon day. Treat mom to a day of pampering, or book your appointments together so you can spend the day with her. Belladona Salon & Spa in Cape Girardeau has a Mother's Day Spa Package for $99, which includes a 30-minute Swedish massage, manicure and pedicure, and King Nails of Cape Girardeau always has VIP pedicures for two. Check with your favorite salon about customized packages and gift certificates.

6: Have a picnic. The forecast for Mother's Day is a high of 75 and sunny -- perfect picnic weather! Make lunch for mom (or buy it from her favorite restaurant) and head to the park to eat, visit and play games.

7: Have tea for two. The Church of God in Chaffee, Mo., will host a Ladies Day/Mother Daughter Tea from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday. The free event includes food, prizes, a mother-daughter look-alike contest, special speakers, music and more. The church is at 11929 Highway 77. Call 573-887-9166 for more information.

8: Go to brunch. Several restaurants and other venues will have special Mother's Day brunches Sunday. The all-you-can-eat buffet at Ray's Plaza Conference Center, 3257 William St. in Cape Girardeau, will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. The cost is $14.99 for adults, $6.99 for children ages 5 to 12 and free for children 4 and younger. Brunch will also be served at The Venue, 80 S. Plaza Way in Cape Girardeau, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cost is $16.99 for adults and $5.99 for children 10 and younger. If you're up for a drive, head to Chaumette Winery and Vineyards in Ste. Genevieve, Mo. In addition to an adult brunch buffet, they'll have a special buffet for kids, a chocolate buffet for dessert and a free mimosa or glass of sparkling wine for all moms. Brunch will be served from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; call 573-747-1000 for reservations. The cost is $24.95 for adults, $9.99 for kids 6 to 12 years and free for kids younger than 6.

9: Celebrate Mayfest. Head north to Perryville, Mo., tonight or Saturday to join the festivities as Perryville celebrates Mayfest. The outdoor festival takes place at Perryville's downtown square and is highlighed by a craft fair, carnival rides and live entertainment. There will also be a pet parade, car show and bed races. And, of course, plenty of fair food!

10: Quilts and history. The Lutheran Heritage Center and Museum in Altenburg is hosting a special exhibit on loan from the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, Ky. "New Quilts from a Old Favorite" features quilts designed with the familiar-looking orange peel pattern. While you're there, be sure to explore other exhibits chronicling the history of German immigrants in Perry County. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

11: Spend "A Night in the Theatre." Sit back and enjoy a show as The River City Players present "A Night in the Theatre," a comedy by Lawrence Casler, at Port Cape Girardeau, 19 N. Water St. Dinner shows will be this Friday and Saturday, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m., dinner at 7 and the show at 8. Tickets are $35. Call 573-334-0954 for reservations.

12: Catch a show ... and a roll. Sikeston High School students will perform the classic musical "Man of La Mancha" at 7 p.m. today and Saturday at the Sikeston Field House. Enjoy the tale of Don Quixote, a knight with a dream for a much nobler world, and well-known songs such as "The Impossible Dream" and "Dulcinea." While you're in Sikeston, treat mom to a home-cooked meal she doesn't have to cook at Lambert's.