Brian takes the title of "Hippest Dad" to heart, when all Ross would like him to be is "Anonymous Ride Giver," especially when his dad's newfound coolness threatens to ruin his party.
Caught in a stock scam, Eileen receives a sentence worse than death: community service at the daycare center. Meanwhile, Ross's bathrobe, Baby, seems to have escaped from his custody.
Brian and Kate have their hands full at a slumber party with a guitar-strumming Ross, Eileen, two hyper kids, and another kid who's dreading the arrival of a new sibling.
Aided by amateur counselors Elaine and Kristin, Kate tries to rekindle the romance in her marriage, as hamsters and finger painting replace dining and dancing.
The kids are geared up for a petting zoo trip but Kate's ego is what needs stroking after a bad day has her convinced that she's a daycare disaster. Meanwhile, Eileen raids Kate's wardrobe and overprotective Martha helps with the kids.
Brian welcomes his old college buddy Steven Keaton whose plan to see St. Louis with his son Andy falls on its arches when Andy decides that he would rather spend time at the playschool.
Kristin gets her feelings hurt when she throws the Harper's her family's traditional Danish Eve of Christmas Eve feast. Later, the preschool throws a Christmas pageant.