6 things to do with your mom on Mother's Day

Face it: You're never going to make it up to her.

But Sunday's your chance to start on the make-goods you owe your mother anyway.

And, naturally, you're still struggling to come up with something to fill the bill for Mother's Day. There's always brunch, but if you're reading this and haven't made your reservations yet for the brunchiest day of the year, you're going to want a Plan B.

If you're still hunting for something to do with Mom on Sunday, here are a half-dozen ways to spell "Happy Mother's Day" in the Milwaukee area. Put them all together and...well, it's a start, anyway.

M is for 'Mamma Mia'

Instead of dinner and a movie, you can take Mom to brunch and then watch "Mamma Mia," the 2008 musical starring Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and a whole bunch of ABBA songs. Marcus Theatres' Majestic Cinema, 770 N. Springdale Road, Waukesha, has three shows/seatings in its Big Screen Bistro theater Sunday, with buffets served starting at 9, 10 and 11 a.m., with the movie to follow a half-hour later. Tickets are $33.95 for adults, $12.95 for children ages 5 to 11, and free for kids younger than 5. Reservations are suggested, because seating is limited; call (262) 798-7592.

O is for orangutan

Take Mom to see some mother-child bonding in action at the Milwaukee County Zoo, 10001 W. Blue Mound Road, where mothers get in free on Sunday. In addition to the usual zoo-riffic doings, there will be special outreach areas in the zoo's primates building for "Project M.O.M." — for "Missing Orangutan Mothers" — designed to raise awareness about the challenges facing Bornean orangutans. The zoo is open Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; admission for non-moms is $14.25 for adults, $11.25 for kids ages 3 to 12, $13.25 for seniors 60 and older, and free for kids 2 and younger. (Milwaukee County residents with ID receive $1.75 off regular admission.) Parking is $12. For info, go to milwaukeezoo.org.

T is for tee time

If your mother is in the pink when she's on the green, take her to Milwaukee County golf courses in Brown Deer, Currie, Dretzka, Grant, Greenfield, Hansen, Lincoln, Oakwood, Warnimont and Whitnall parks after 1 p.m. Sunday. If you purchase one nine- or 18-hole round of golf and a single-rider cart, Mom's round is free. (The offer is also good on Saturday after 1 p.m.) For info, go to milwaukeecountygolfcourses.com.

H is for home team

Moms aren't immune to Brewers fever. Sunday's 1:10 p.m. game at Miller Park has two added attractions: It's Kyle Lohse bobblehead day, and it's the Brewers' final game against the New York Yankees, whose star shortstop, Derek Jeter, is retiring after this season. No guarantee he'll play Sunday, but if he does, Mom gets a chance to see a Hall of Famer in action — as well as baseball's winningest team. Go to brewers.com for tickets and information.

E is for Earth (as in Mother)

Take Mom on a walk among the flowers during Riveredge Nature Center's Mother's Day Wildflower Walk. A naturalist leads the way and offers wildflower tips. The event runs from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Riveredge, 4458 Hawthorne Drive (County Highway Y), near Newburg. Moms get in free, $5 for non-members; registration is required. For info and to register, go to riveredgenaturecenter.org.

R is for rings (and pins, and broaches, and...)

If you're still in the market for a gift for Mom but low on cash, you can surround her with flowers and jewelry at the Mitchell Park Domes, 524 S. Layton Blvd., which is holding a Jewelry is Fun Fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Everything on sale — rings, bracelets, necklaces, kids' items, men's stuff and more — is $5.99. A portion of the proceeds go to supporting the Domes. Regular Domes admission applies: $7; $5 for Milwaukee County seniors 60 and older, and for people with disabilities, students with ID, and kids ages 6 to 17.