Mark's former girlfriend, Paula, moves back into town and wants to get reacquainted with him.

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

In the beginning of the episode, Mark is fixing Tyler's bike. Tyler asks to have dinner with them but Mark says no. Tyler asks Vanessa and Robin and they say yes. They are celebrating their eight month anniversary of living together and being roomates. We go back in time when they moved in together. Mark and his friends are playing basketball outside and Vanessa and Robin takes their basketball. Mark gets a Spanish class at the high school. Mark tries to use the bathroom so he could get their earlier but Vanessa is doing her hair. Mark gets into the bathroom through another door. Robin, Mark, and Vanessa are having a hard time using the only bathroom. Mark goes to class late and meets the principal. The principal remembers Mark and gets a headache. Mark tries to read the lesson plan but he can't because it's in Spanish. Robin asks Mark to get home and sign for the new chairs arriving at home. Mark gets locked out of the class by Earvin. At home, Mark tries to get used to the new fu