Abstract: A talking alphabet block set for enabling a child to selectively hear a sound identifying a selected letter or the phonetic sound of the selected letter includes a set of single letter blocks, each associated with a single letter of the alphabet, and a toggle block. The letter blocks and the toggle block each individually include a front side on which a single letter is printed, with the front side being almost entirely defined by a push button. On the letter blocks, the push button actuator causes the actuated letter block to selectively play over an integral speaker either a sound identifying the letter associated with the block or its phonetic sound. On the toggle block, the push button actuator causes it to transmit a wireless signal receivable by the letter blocks that toggles the setting of the letter blocks between playing the identifying or phonetic sound when actuated.

Abstract: A hockey practice apparatus comprises a thin mat member having a length and a width each substantially greater than its thickness, a generally centrally disposed longitudinal axis extending along its length, and including a bottom stratum presenting a slippage precluding bottom surface and a top stratum adjoined to the bottom stratum and presenting a low friction substantially planar top surface for receiving a hockey puck in free sliding relation thereon.