AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE

Greg comes down with the flu and Katie battles exhaustion trying to take care of him and the kids. Her exhaustion leads to a confrontation with the school's overbearing school crossing guard.

Katie, jealous of Taylor's friendship with neighbor Viv, reluctantly competes in the Westport Halloween "Zombie Run" after she finds out they'll both be running. Meanwhile, Greg and Anna-Kat get a little too much in character for the "zombie" part of the run's obstacle course.

When Anna-Kat draws an unflattering portrait of Katie for the school art show, Katie plans to retrieve it before anyone can see it; Doris is left in charge of Oliver and Taylor.

Katie tries to fit in with the other Westport moms in order to get Anna-Kat invited to a popular girl's birthday party. When Anna-Kat still isn't invited, Katie vents to Angela and Doris, and realizes her daughter doesn't need a bunch of friends, just a couple of close ones. Elsewhere, Greg tries to convince Taylor that she can't get by on her athletic ability alone, while Oliver complains about a flawed polo shirt that his mom bought at an outlet store.

Katie's mother Kathryn (Wendie Malick) shows up for Thanksgiving, and typically wants to be the center of attention. Just prior, Katie met with Anna-Kat's teacher, who said Anna-Kat is more anxious than normal, and Katie realizes her own anxiety over her mother is affecting her daughter. Also, an unwanted guest (Viv) crashes the Otto family Thanksgiving.

Katie and Greg throw themselves into PTA politics when they learn that Anna-Kat's special needs teacher, Dr. Ellie, has been cut from the school budget. Greg gets elected to the PTA, and things are looking good, but can Katie keep her mouth in check long enough to win the votes they need?

Oliver is secretly taking dancing and manners classes in hopes of getting the girl he likes to go to the Westport Cotillion with him. He asks for his dad's help in keeping this all secret from Katie, afraid that she'll interfere, but that's easier said than done,

Katie's holiday spirit, never great to begin with, is soured even further when Viv corners her into helping out with the school Christmas pageant. Greg, determined to teach Taylor and Oliver the true meaning of Christmas, takes them to a local nursing home to cheer up the residents, but things don't quite turn out the way he planned.

Katie and Greg are thrilled when Anna-Kat finally has a playdate with a "normal" girl. But Anna-Kat has a little secret: She's a budding kleptomaniac and has taken something from her new friend Penny's home. Greg wants her to return the item and fess up, but Katie disagrees, especially since Penny's mom, Chloe Brown Mueller, is one of Westport's most infamous gossips.

The Ottos struggle with being stuck at home without power during a snowstorm.

Oliver tells his parents that he's so embarrassed by their modest house that he'd rather not have a birthday party at all. Katie decides to teach him a lesson by ambushing him with a surprise party at home with all his wealthy friends.