A bike giveaway, a great musical, discount toys and Other Stuff Worth Knowing About

Win an adapted bike for your child with special needs! The Friendship Circle, a nonprofit that offers social programs for kids with special needs (Max is a MAJOR fan), just kicked off The Great Bike Giveaway: Special Bikes For Special Kids. They've partnered adaptive bike companies to give away 18 adapted bikes. From now through May 10th, submit a photo of your child and up to 250 characters that describe why he or she could use an adaptive bike. From May 13 to May 18, share your submission with friends and family and encourage them to vote for you. The fourteen entrants with the most votes win; anyone who gets more than 100 votes will be entered to win one of four Directors' Choice prizes. Head on over to The Friendship Circle's Facebook page to read more info and to enter. Squeee!!!

Better play for kids with autism: This month Creative Kidstuff, a specialty toy store based in Minnesota, launched a section on its site geared toward kids with autism to help enhance their development (and fun). Created with a team of autism spectrum disorder experts, it features a curated collection of toys arranged by categories including "Social Engagement and Interaction" and "Cognition & Problem Solving." There are also informational videos and educational tips, too. Get 20 percent off your purchase from now until May 1 by entering the code Max20 at checkout. 

A super-cool musical with a great message: A few weeks ago, my pals at MamaDrama invited me and Sabrina to see Freckleface The Musical. We'd never read the book, Freckleface Strawberry by the actress Julianne Moore, but it didn't matter because we got sucked right into the play. It's about a girl who decides she wants to get rid of her freckles because she can't stand looking different. The storyline, music and cast were completely entertaining (for kids and adults alike), and the message rocks: love yourself for who you are. Afterward I had a great discussion with Sabrina about her freckles and how Max's special needs are like his freckles. If you're planning to visit New York City, I highly recommend this show.

Win $500 for a fave school or charity (and Starbucks for you): In honor of National Volunteer Week (this week!) and Teacher Appreciation Week (starting May 7), VolunteerSpot is running a #DoGood Sweepstakes. Through April 29, they're giving away a Starbucks gift card each day. On April 30, one school or charity will score $500. Enter over on their Facebook page. 

Be a wild thing: April 21 through April 29 is National Parks Week; parks across the country have free admission and special programs. Good incentive to tear our kids away from their computers and iPads and get out there! Especially this Sunday, which is Earth Day.

Want to be someone's secret admirer? From now until Mother's Day, May 20, nominate someone you want to surprise with a cute flower (like the above) at Hallmark's Blooming Expressions Secret Admirer. They'll randomly select one winner a day and mail them a flower, which comes with a code the recepient can entire online to find out who their admirer is. Hallmark sent me one and when I accidentally left Dave's birthday card at work, I gave him mine (NOBODY TELL DAVE).

Rock the vote: I've submitted the video I made, Would You Call My Child A Retard?, to BlogHer Voices of the Year. The more awareness I can raise, the better. You can vote here, and I'd appreciate it.

Freckleface photo/Carol Rosegg; Starbucks, nunun