The Last Straw

Greg forgets to get his mom a gift for Mother’s Day, so he piggybacks on Manny’s handmade card. He considers making her a chore coupon book like he usually does but decides that he does not want to actually do chores.

Greg’s plan to impress his dad with a do-over campout gets ruined when Mom suggests that Rodrick tag along. Greg dreads spending more time with Rodrick since he and Greg are currently fighting.

Greg’s camping plans are thwarted when a rainstorm floods the campsite. Dad decides that they will all stay in a hotel room for the night. While Dad is down at the hotel front desk, Rodrick locks Greg out of the room. Greg, in only his underwear, hides behind a vending machine until his dad comes by looking for snacks. Greg feels bummed that he didn’t get the chance to show off any of his “manly” camping skills.

Greg resigns himself to a future at military school and resolves to talk to Holly Hills before he leaves. He shakes her hand during the greetings at church. During dinner, he tells his family that he needs to place an important call and plans to follow up the handshake by calling Holly. Rodrick hides all the phone receivers to pick on Greg. Greg sneaks up to his parents’ room and works up the courage to make the call. Before he can dial, his dad walks in. Greg tries to escape under a blanket but ends up nearly giving Dad a heart attack.

While Dad and Rodrick are out, Greg tries to call Holly again. Just as he dials, Mom picks up the receiver and tries to make a call. Mom starts chatting with Mrs. Hill, and eventually the conversation turns to embarrassing stories about Greg. Greg gives up on talking to Holly.

Greg invites Rowley to the roller rink after hearing that Holly will be there. Greg worries that he will embarrass himself when Rowley shows up dressed in 1980s garb and wearing sparkly lip gloss. Greg also loses a contact and has to wear his thick glasses. At the roller rink, Greg tries skating over to Holly but discovers that skating is difficult. He scoots on his butt over toward her and tries to say hello, but she mistakes him for Fregley. Greg spends the rest of the night in the arcade, feeling low. He decides that he is officially done with girls.

On the last day of school, everyone is excited except Greg, who dreads military school. Greg feels a little hopeful when Holly signs his yearbook with the acronym “K.I.T,” meaning “keep in touch.” He deflates when he sees that she wrote a much nicer note in Rowley’s yearbook. Greg retaliates by forging a note from Rowley in Holly’s yearbook, claiming that he just sees her as a friend. Greg rationalizes to himself that he is saving Rowley from getting his heart broken by cruel girls.

The Heffleys attend the party at the Snellas’ house. Soon the adults start lining up to perform their antics in front of the Snellas’ baby, trying to elicit a laugh. Mr. Snella films everything, hoping to catch something worthy of America’s Funniest Families. Dad pulls Greg aside and asks if he can help him get out of having to perform. As retaliation for his dad sending him to military school, Greg leaves his dad to squirm. Greg notices Manny opening the present they brought for the Snellas, revealing a brand-new “Tingy.” Greg tries to take it away, so Manny throws it into a tree. Greg climbs the tree to fetch the blanket, but he is too weak to lift himself all the way up. His pants, which he borrowed from Rodrick, fall down, revealing the Wonder Woman Underoos. Mr. Snella gets the whole thing on tape. Dad eventually helps Greg down and thinks that Greg planned the whole thing to get Dad out of performing. Greg decides not to correct him.

Dad rethinks military school and encourages Greg to do some more exercise. Greg realizes that he will now get to experience summer vacation and heads to Rowley’s house. They play video games, go out for popsicles, and talk to a cute girl who has just moved to the neighborhood. Greg decides that his story has a happy ending.