Weekend Plans Mother's Day Edition: Mother's Day events, festivals, more

Noah's Landing in Coats, which is about an hour or so from the Triangle, will hold its third annual Mother's Day Celebration on Saturday and Sunday. Kids can do some crafts and see the hands-on zoo's collection of animals, which includes two baby African servals and a baby donkey. Read my earlier post for details.

The Raleigh Rose Garden will be the setting for a Mother's Day Brunch on Sunday. Reservations are required for this one (and I'm told there are spaces left). The event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. features a yummy buffet catered by Cafe Caturra, a professional portrait photo, live music and carriage rides. It's $35; $12 for kids ages 5 to 13; and free for kids under five. The Raleigh Rose Garden, near Cameron Village, is in full bloom right now. And the Raleigh Little Theatre, which is part of the complex, will open its family show "Sideways Stories from Wayside School" on Friday. Read more in my earlier post. And I'll have more on this beautiful place on Friday.

Moms who love Legos (or perhaps who have kids who love Legos) will want to head over to BrickFest 2011 at the Hilton North Raleigh on Saturday and Sunday for the BrickMagic Lego Festival. Moms get in for half price on Mother's Day with a paying child or spouse. Read my earlier post for more details on this huge event, which will include lots of hands-on activities, demonstrations and more.

Great for dads and kids ... the J.C. Raulston Arboretum will host Mayday! Mayday! from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the arboretum at 4415 Beryl Rd. in Raleigh. During the event, kids can make a gift for mom, dance around a May Pole and learn about plant science. (Moms are welcome to attend too). It's for ages 5 and up. The cost is $5 per child. Parents are admitted free. Pre-registration is required. Call 919-513-7007 to register. It's a beautiful place to visit right now. Check my earlier post for details.

And Smart Momma, the baby and accessories store in North Raleigh will have a Mother Appreciation Day on Saturday with sales, a Ju-Ju-Be trunk show and educational programs on doulas and breastfeeding.

For the teens, Jamfest will feature teen bands and musicians. It's 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Sertoma Amphitheater in Bond Park. It's free and geared toward middle schoolers and high schoolers. For more information, call (919) 460-4965.

Cameron Village is hosting Butterfly Days on Friday and Saturday with special events for kids, adults and shoppers. They include storytimes and butterfly walks. The event is held in conjunction with the Museum of Life and Science in Durham, where you'll find a giant butterfly house.

It's the first Friday of the month and that means it's First Friday in downtown Raleigh. Museums, including Marbles Kids Museum, are open late. Marbles is open until 8 p.m. and will feature an appearance from Gaspard Louis, a member of the world renowned Pilobolus Dance Theatre from 1996 to 2001. He'll lead two children's creative movement workshops. They're at 6:30 p.m .and 7:30 p.m. Friday. Free with admission, which is $5 per person.

Duke Gardens, another beautiful place to visit this time of year, has a busy weekend. The gardens will join others across the country for National Public Gardens Day on Friday. People are invited to visit and learn more about the role public gardens play in promoting environmental stewardship and awareness, plant and water conservation and education. There will be some special activities at Duke. Duke Gardens also will offer its Sunday Science free drop-program from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. The program offers free nature-themed experiments. No registration required.

DeClutter for a Cause is Saturday at 9320 Palm Bay Circle in Raleigh. It will benefit Susie's Family Olympians, a local group that is raising money to participate in the 60-mile Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure walk in September. Check my earlier post for details on the team and why they're participating.

N.C. Parent Consultants will hold one of its forums Saturday. Learn all about how to reduce sibling and peer conflict during the program from 10 a.m .to 11:30 a.m. It's open to parents with kids ages 12 and under. It's at 4904 Waters Edge Dr., Suite 151, in Raleigh. No registration required. But send them an email at enroll@ncparentconsultants.com to let them know you'll be there. The cost is $10.

And in addition to Meet in the Street in Wake Forest, the town's Six Sundays in Spring continues at 5 p.m . Sunday at Joyner Park, 701 Harris Rd. Great place for a Mother's Day picnic. And the friends of Wake Forest Library will hold its used book sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Wake Senior Center, 235 E. Holding Ave. All books are $2 or less and there are lots of children's books.

Happy Mother's Day!