Joe applies for a part-time job at a household goods store but, before hiring him the owner wants to meet his parents. Meanwhile Joe's friend Frankie has been thrown out of his parents house and asks the Peña's if he can stay with them for a couple of days reluctantly they agree. Frankie is involved in not so honest endeavors and makes trouble for the Peña's.

A local TV reporter goes to Joe's school to interview kids whose parents are Cuban immigrants. The interview goes bad for Joe when he says that his parents and grandparents complain about how things are in this country (USA). To clear they air the reporter offers the Peña's a chance to clear things up, live on TV. Just when they thought it couldn't get worse, it does.

Encouraged by her boss Juanita decides to go to school for book- keeping. Pepe, Adela & Antonio are against it but the kids are for it. Life becomes interesting when Juanita isn't around to take care of things.

Carmen and Sharon become candy striper's just in time for Joe's appendicitis operation.

Joe and Carmen take up Yoga. While burning incense Abuela thinks they are smoking marijuana. Pepe and Juana accuse the kids of never doing anything productive. Joe and Carmen argue that they are always being criticized. In comes Father Santos who tries a little role reversal therapy.

Joe, Juana, Adela and Antonio decide to become U.S. citizens. Pepe is against the idea. Pepe feels that becoming a citizen somehow betrays Cuba.

The abuelos (grandparents) are trying to learn how to speak English but Joe have very little patience or faith that they will ever learn. During a nap Joe dreams that he speaks no English and that his grandparents speak perfect English. In his dream Joe gets a visit from his fairly godmother and the devilish Pepe who teach him about the difficulties of learning a new language.

Carmen, Sharon and Joe apply for summer jobs at the local mall. During their interviews Sharon realizes that she probably won't be hired because she's not bilingual. Carmen and Violeta set out to transform Sharon into a Cuban named, Anita Rodriguez. Anita doesn't get the job because they need a bilingual person who speaks French, which Sharon Robinson does.

Carmen's new boyfriend asks her to marry him. Her family opposes the marriage because they feel Carmen is too young. Carmen decides to elope but then has second thoughts when her husband to be describes how their life will be after they get married.