Jon and Kate Plus Eight Ð Kate's Birthday Surprise

Kate reiterates why she does everything: it's for her kids. She just wants to make sure that she's providing even if that means that she's not with her children 24/7. Kate has been on a long book tour, signing books for all the fans that covers different sections of the US. She likes seeing each face as she signs her books because they represent the viewers. Jon reminds us that there's always one parent at home. They alternate and while Kate is on her book tour, he's at home with some help from assistants. He's not adjusted to the stay-at-home dad lifestyle. Kate is happy traveling and meeting people.

Jon tries to feed the kids and gives Aaden some extra apple. For eating his dinner Joel tries to get two candies; Hannah didn't eat enough of her dinner and doesn't get candy. She tries to cry her way into getting candy and Jon reminds her of the family policy. Jon & Kate are still trying to be a team making sure that the children are taken care of, but sometimes there is slight kinks in communication.

Cara and Mady get the little kids around to get birthday cards for their mother. She's a little depressed because she wasn't going to have fun. She's baking her own cake, which isn't anything new. She was hoping that the kids would appreciate the cake. Jon is in Utah snowboarding with his friends. He's been snowboarding since he was a kid and it helps him connect with his father. While in Utah, he went to the National Ability Center, where he learned about different ski/snowboards for special needs. He's helping a young man named Shey as he goes down the mountain.

Cara and Mady have planned a trip with the help of the crew and the little kids announce that there was a big bus parked in front of the house. Kate is a little shocked seeing the bus. She tried to ask Cara and Mady and they dodge the question. The crew and driver won't give her any information. The kids get ready, Kate shrugs and they go on the bus.

Jon continues to help Shey who has cerebral palsy. Jon and Tracey place Shey on the special ski/snowboard. Jon is a little surprised about how exactly Shey would go up and down a mountain, but everything goes without a hitch.

Kate and the children drove for hours and the bus drops them off. Kate is nervous about the area and the crew have to point her in the right direction. The family arrives at Charm City Cakes. The door opens to Chef Duff, who is probably best known for his show Ace of Cakes on The Food Network. They have a cake for Kate and the family gets a tour of the workspaces. The kids are given the opportunity to decorate some small cakes. The kids place a little bit of everything on their cakes. Joel rolls fondant, while Mary Alice appreciates the chaos. By the end, the icing looks like a pile.

Kate is happy about the surprise and gets to squeeze icing on the cake with no restrictions. Duff jokes around with Mady that she looked five (she's turning nine). There was one point where there seemed to be too much on the cakes so Kate stop the children. The cakes get packed and the kids washed their hands. The family and members of Charm City Cakes gather around a table and sang "Happy Birthday" for Kate. They cut her birthday cake and she loved it.

Jon loves the solitary ability of snowboarding. He likes the escape and being away from the cameras when he's snowboarding. He goes down the mountain with Shey and is impressed by how well he adjusted even with the strong snowy weather.

The kids cause a ruckus at Charm City Cakes and Duff screamed at the kids to be quiet and the kids actually obey him. Kate wants to bring him home for that one reason. Duff continues to make the kids scream and then stop. It's time for the Gosselins to leave and the kids give hugs to the members of Charm City Cakes and thank them for their time.