Robin goes to a skiing camp and needs money to go. So she tries to find a way to teach more children music lessons. Vanessa gives her the idea of ""having the first lesson free"". But, there are more than enough lessons than she can handle. Also the music lessons are driving Vanessa and Mark crazy. Mark teaches an high school Algebra class and Mark has a basketball student in the class called Andre. Mark meets his old baskeball coach Coach Rickits. Coach Rickits excuses Andre and tells Mark that Andre needs to pass the next test and Mark has to give him the exact questions before the test. The coach puts pressure on Mark saying that Mark did not pass the Algebra test when he was in high school and the coach made Mark pass because Mark was failing Algebra like Andre. Mark does not know what to do. Mark does not give Andre the questions and agrees to take and study the test with him so that he himself can pass Algebra class. The principal gives Mark and Andre the test and both of them pass

Vanessa's car does not start. Mark, ""Man of the house"", can not fix it either. Robin says that it is an engine problem and convinces Vanessa that she can fix it free of charge. Unfortuntly, Robin takes apart the engine but can not put it back together again. Vanessa finds out and wants Robin to fix it by the weekend. Robin puts back the engine together and the car still does not start. Vanessa is still mad at Robin and Robin doubts her own judgement. It was all over, until Robin bangs the dashboard and the gasoline indicator goes from Full to Empty! Vanessa has been driving the car, without refueling, for 2 weeks! Mark substitutes his first P.E. class in Oakland High and coaches the Girl's Cheeleading Class. Mark finds out that the Division 3 competiton is in 3 days at their school and Oakland High is not a very good squad. The competition (Oakland Prep High School) shows up and does stunts 12 feet high! The only cheer for Mark's team is ""Go Penguins Go! Waddle! Waddle! Waddle!"" The te

Andre can't choose between his music and basket-ball. Robin wants him to go for his piano-playing but Mark wants him to go for BasketBall.

It's Christmas time in Oakland! Vanessa finds out that she won't be able to go to her family for Christmas because she is working. Robin and Mark agrees that Vanessa will have her Christmas at their house and Vanessa can celebrate the Christmas her way, ""The Russel Family Way"". Mark agrees to be Santa Claus at the school fair that Robin is running. Robin finds out that the son (Noel) of the Guidance Counselor does not believe in Santa Claus. Mark convinces Noel that Santa will be there that night. Vanessa is Mrs. Claus and Earvin is a Rudolph. The principal is a snowman and the students are elves. Also, coach Rickets is running a military booth (!). ""Santa"" has some problems and the worst one of all is that Noel wants his dad to come home for Christmas. One problem, Noel's dad is stuck in the Navy and can not come home for Christmas. Mark tries to get the father home by using numerous ways. Still, it does not work. Mark tries everything from asking coach Rickets, to asking the kids