For Better or for Worse

IT'S A LIVING

30 min

Early - ""Stage Fright"" - Elly's fight to save the Old Town Hall theatre upsets Michael. Growing - ""Hot Dog Summer"" - John helps get Michael a job at a hot dog stand. Michael learns a lesson in responsibility. Later - ""It's a Living"" - Michael must interview John about his profession as a dentist, leading to some important insights.

EGGNOG AND NUTMEG

30 min

Early - ""Wings and Things"" - Elizabeth's pageant is scheduled for the same time as Michael's hockey game, leading to a hectic holiday for the Pattersons. Growing - ""Farley -la-la-la"" - John is called away on a dental emergency on Christmas Day. Luckily his patient's wife is a vet, who offers help when Farley gets sick. Later - ""Eggnog and Nutmeg"" - Elly is upset when Christmas traditions are changing, and Michael sneaks home to surprise her on Christmas Day.

A SPECIAL KIND OF DAD

30 min

Early - ""Dad's Back"" - John puts his back out playing with Elizabeth, and Elly puts a dent in his sports car. Growing - ""A Tale of Two Daddies"" - Grandpa Jim and Grandma Marion are visiting on Father's Day, leading to double good-natured Father's Day torments, until Grandpa Jim teaches John a lesson in ""Dad Survival."" Later - ""A Special Kind of Dad"" - It's Valentine's Day and each of the Patterson men learn the value of flowers.

THE BOOGEYMAN

30 min

Early - ""Blackout"" - A snowstorm cuts the power to the Patterson house. John has trouble getting home and then gives his family and unexpected fright. Growing - ""Four Wheel Fear"" - Michael fails his driver's test and car failure strands Elly and Liz on the way to a berry farm. Later - ""The Boogeyman"" - April is spooked by the Bogyman in her closet and John is spooked by Elizabeth's date, Torch.

I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS

30 min

Early - ""I don't want to do this"" - When Michael finds out the Pattersons are moving he doesn't want to go. He decides he'll live in his tree house, but then finds out the truth. It's his best friend Lawrence who's moving. Growing - ""Surprise"" - Elly is feeling run-down and depressed about turning 40, until she learns the real reason for her lack of energy - she's pregnant! Later - ""Jingle, Jingle Mrs. Dingle"" - Michael loses his rent money in a poker game and must confess to his parents.

Season 2 - FAMILY LIES

30 min

Early - ""Family Lies"" - Elizabeth hears Elly tell a white lie, and then fibs herself about breaking Mrs. Enjo's doll. However, she confesses after Michael unfairly gets in trouble. Growing - ""Young Love's Kiss"" - Michael says he's interested in Shakespeare only to keep Martha from kissing another boy on the stage. Meanwhile, Elly enters a poetry contest. Later - ""Parade Passing By"" - Elizabeth examines the real reason why she's reluctant to participate in a gay pride parade.

IF IT AIN'T BROKE?

30 min

Early - ""Signals"" - Michael's birthday gets an unexpected boost when John unwittingly performs, and Michael realizes how much fun it is to include girls. Growing - ""Spring Clean"" - Elly goes to the spa for the weekend and her family cleans the house. Later - ""If it ain't broke"" - Gordon considers selling his garage to a big chain, and John enters a vintage car show.

BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE

30 min

Early - ""Baby it's cold outside"" - John and Phil are lost on a fishing trip. Growing - ""Crystal Clear"" - The Patterson house is disrupted when a beautiful woman comes to dinner. Later - ""A New Year"" - It's New Year's Eve and Michael is working up the nerve to tell Deanna how he really feels. Meanwhile, April stays up until midnight for the first time.

WHO WAS YOUR SLAVE LAST YEAR

30 min

Early - ""In a Pig's Eye"" - On a visit to Uncle Dan and Aunt Bev's farm, Michael is resentful of all the chores, but he ends up a hero when he rescues the escaping piglets and Elizabeth. Growing - ""Who was your slave last year"" - Elizabeth buys Anthony as her personal assistant, and Michael finds out there are fringe benefits to babysitting. Later - ""Whistle Blower"" - Michael and Weed are assigned to a crusty reporter as interns, and end up saving April and Duncan's reputation when they are unjustly accused of theft.