Ron's in for a huge surprise as Natalie and the kids prepare a secret celebration for his birthday. Shaina and her friend Sara make presents for Ron out of clay, but will James find the right gift for his Dad?
A trip off Gullah Gullah Island to the bustling Charleston Market is the occasion for visits with a woodcarver, a basketweaver, and for Natalie to sell her beautiful dolls. James gets a kick out of buying beads to make a necklace for his mother.
When James gets angry with Binyah Binyah and says some hurtful words, the poor creature gets upset and runs away. Binyah Binyah's absence triggers heartfelt memories of the fun and the love he's brought into their lives, as Ron, Natalie, and kids explore the origins and habits of the Binyah Binyah Polliwog species. James also learns how important it is to be nice to someone you care about even when they make a mistake.
Join Ron, Natalie, and the kids as they come together with their friends for an outdoor celebration of the rich heritage of Gullah Gullah Island. Song, dance, and games, not to mention some delicious down-home cooking, are the order of the day. Shaina gets over stage fright and joins the rest of the family on stage for a rousing rendition of the Gullah Gullah Island theme.
On the move--planes, trains, automobiles, donkeys, elephants...everything but the Previa family van, which won't start when Ron, Natalie, and James try to go on a trip. But Marisol's Abuelo the best mechanic in the world has the van rolling in no time and the Alstons takes a jaunt on Mr. Bradley's shrimp boat.
Shaina agonizes about not being able to tie her shoelaces and James is embarrassed when he tries to whistle but can't. The kids find out that the only way to learn something is by believing in yourself and trying again and again. A lesson in the art of tie-dye restores Shaina's confidence and James leads the others in a whistling parade.
It's raining, it's boring...but not on Gullah Gullah Island. When the kids put their heads together they come up with exciting ways to occupy themselves indoors on a rainy day. Once the sun comes out, James and Marisol teach Binyah Binyah a new way of looking at himself and the Alstons hit the beach for some serious kite-flying.
When Natalie goes through a basket of James's and Shaina's baby clothes, thoughts on Gullah Gullah Island turn to babies and little things. Marisol and Armando show off their new pet chicks and Ranger Mike Walker teaches the kids about baby birds and mother turtles. Binyah Binyah Polliwog reminds us that although he's so big, he's just a baby too.
Everybody makes mistakes, and the folks on Gullah Gullah Island are no exception. After a series of mishaps, Vanessa and James learn that mistakes are just a part of life and that people don't love you any less if you mess up once in a while. Meanwhile, a lovestruck Binyah Binyah Polliwog makes valiant efforts to reach the bird of his dreams.
Lobster claws and old spark plugs--these are some of the weird things collector James carries around in a tattered shoebox and a trip to the beach with Ranger Mike yields even more "treasures". Ron and Natalie decide it's time James had a proper place to keep his things.
Big fat Biscuits, cookies, broccoli, fresh fruit, and other treats are on the menu in this mouth-watering episode which includes a fun-filled trip to the Gullah Gullah Island supermarket and a cameo appearance by a superhero made out of okra. A trail of crumbs leads the kids to a mysterious cookie thief and James learns not to be so hasty in laying the blame on others.
When Juana (Iris Chacón) brings gifts of musical instruments back from Puerto Rico, everybody decides that a dress-up Carnival is the only way to go. Imaginations run wild as folks come up with outrageous disguises and James and Natalie try on different faces at the local mask shop.
The Alstons' house on Gullah Gullah Island is a family kind of place, where friends and even polliwogs are invited to make themselves at home. Cousin Vanessa talks...and...talks to her parents far away in Africa and Armando and Marisol show that just because brothers and sisters fight all the time that doesn't mean they don't love each other. Juana teaches the kids some new Spanish words.
Shaina's going to plant her first seedlings in the family garden, so Natalie takes her to visit their friend and neighbor Farmer Holmes. Farmer Holmes gives Shaina a crash course in gardening and back home, even Binyah Binyah Polliwog shows he has a green thumb.
Shaina's always been curious about what the older kids do in school all day and finally, she and her friend Sara are getting to visit a real kindergarten. Lively stage performance by the Georgia Sea Island Singers has the kids hopping and bopping to traditional games like "Hambone", while others learn new uses for shaving cream. Ron introduces an upbeat new version of the alphabet song.
On a quiet day on Gullah Gullah Island, Natalie likes to cover her eyes and just listen to the sounds around her--chirping birds, an airplane overhead, breaking glass. Ron the handyman is at it again as the kids learn that listening to the world around us can be just as exciting as seeing or touching. Shaina plays conductor for a day with the Brotherhood Gospel Singers.
Flower, shower, Spring, swing, Cat, hat--on Gullah Gullah Island the beat goes on as rhyming fever spreads like wildfire among the Alstons and their friends. Homeboy James struts his stuff with a new rap tune and Ron adds a twist to some well-known nursery rhymes and stories. Even Binyah Binyah gets into the groove with some wacky inventions of his own.