Britney Spears showed up to court today, didn’t freak out, looked relatively normal and healthy, and managed to stay for all of the court proceedings. She was accompanied by her lawyer Blair Berk and both of her parents. Though the details are a little vague, it appears that Britney has won some “expanded” visitation rights with her sons. According to Us Weekly, she will have three days of supervised visitation each week. The Huffington Post picked up an article from the Associated Press that’s headlined, “Britney Spears Granted Overnight Visits With Her Kids,” – however the article itself never mentions any overnights, so we’re not sure if that’s accurate.

Britney Spears’ visitation rights to sons Sean Preston and Jayden James were expanded Tuesday following a custody hearing with ex-husband Kevin Federline. There was no change in custody, Federline’s attorney Mark Vincent Kaplan said at a press conference, but he said her time with her boys will be “more than it has been.” He would not elaborate. Spears will get three days supervised visitation a week and visitation on Mother’s Day, TMZ.com reported.

“The court made orders today, they were orders that the parties were able to mostly agree to,” Kaplan said. “It represent a cautious step moving forward.” Kaplan said the court was “pleased with the progress that seems to be occurring” with Spears daily. He called the court’s ruling “a step in the right direction. The children are doing great — that’s the key,” Kaplan said. “That’s what all of this is about.”

Court spokesman Allan Parachini also read a statement from Britney’s parents, Jamie and Lynne. “We are so pleased with Britney’s progress, and we are very appreciative of the court’s recognition of this progress,” they said in their statement.

[From Us Weekly]

All the media outlets reported that Britney, her parents, K-Fed, and all the lawyers smiled and gave positive reactions upon leaving the courthouse. Some noted that Britney seemed upset during a break in the court proceedings halfway through the day, and was seen holding her mother’s hand. Say whatever you want about her parents’ behavior raising her – they have definitely been there for her in the past few months. It’s scary to think where Britney might be right now if her father hadn’t stepped up as her conservator. It would have been nice if they’d done a better job earlier on, but at least they’re here now, and it seems like she really appreciates that.

It sounds as if everything is going well for Britney, and the court recognized all the positive changes she’s made. According to TMZ, her goal is to have a 50/50 custody split by August. If Britney keeps up the good work, that seems very attainable.

Here’s Britney arriving to court today. Images thanks to Splash.

Britney Spears finally got to see her very pregnant 17-year-old sister Jamie Lynn when she flew to her hometown of Kentwood, Louisiana to attend Jaime Lynn’s baby shower. Britney left Los Angeles via private jet on Friday, and spent most of Saturday afternoon with her mom and little sis. According to Life & Style, Britney, 26, had to butter up her father Jamie to get him to let her attend.

Britney Spears is heading home today for a big reunion with her younger sister, Jamie Lynn, an insider tells Life & Style exclusively. The occasion? Jamie Lynn’s baby shower!

Britney is leaving LA today to arrive in Kentwood, La., in time for tomorrow’s baby shower at mom Lynne Spears’ house, Serenity. Britney was last seen in Kentwood in November 2006. “The shower’s on Saturday at Lynne’s house,” the insider tells Life & Style.

“At first, Jamie [Brit’s dad and also her guardian these days] didn’t think it was a good idea for Brit to go. He thought it might create chaos in Kentwood, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to put Jamie Lynn — or Britney — in the middle of that.

“Britney can’t travel without Jamie’s permission, so she worked really hard to talk him into it; it was so important for her to be there for her little sister. He finally gave in, knowing it’d be good for Brit and Jamie Lynn to finally see each other.”

[From Life & Style]

E! News that Britney is staying at Lynn’s home, and the place was flooded with security and police officers. TMZ has pictures of Britney at the baby shower, hanging out on the porch of her mom’s house smoking a cigarette - but luckily pregnant Jamie Lynn is nowhere in sight. They’re that lovely “from above” type photograph that means TMZ either had a helicopter or some photographers hanging from trees. All for a former pop star’s sister’s baby shower.

Even though her life is slowly coming back together, it’s been pretty clear that Britney Spears has done a lot of damage over the last year or so. You know, since the crazy set in. A lot has been made of her money issues, and her extravagant spending. Honestly I didn’t think it could possibly be that bad – I mean she has a lot of dough. And aside from a few nice cars, Britney always looked so trashy and ate so much fast food that I assumed she wasn’t spending a lot of cash on designer clothes and gourmet meals. Turns out you can blow a lot of money on Taco Bell and Mercedes. Like $61 million.

When Britney Spears’ father, Jamie, was named her co-conservator on February 1, he took over her financial affairs. But after going through her books, Jamie must have learned just how much of a toll Britney’s crazy behavior, which started in February 2007 when she shaved her head, has had on her bank account — she’s lost nearly $61 million. “It’s staggering how much money has been used up,” a family friend says.

In addition to the enormous tab for legal bills, rehab and psychiatric care, Britney’s inability to work has cost her a fortune. “By not touring for her last album [Blackout], she lost out on $50 million,” estimates Robert Bianchi, an LA-based CPA who isn’t an accountant for Britney. Jamie hired his own accountants to sort out the money mess and bring an end to the 26-year-old’s excessive spending. “It’s been quite a challenge getting things under control,” the insider says. Luckily, as Britney’s mental health improves, so does her bottom line. “She’s spending about a fifth of what she used to,” the insider adds.

[From In Touch]

That is an insane amount of money. I don’t even know how it’s possible to spend that on useful stuff like a few houses or something. But I doubt Britney has much of anything to show for that $61 million. She does have a home or two, but those are arguably investments, and didn’t cost her anywhere near $61 million. They say all the little stuff adds up – but really, how many Frappuccinos can a girl drink?

Brit’s legal bills are pretty extensive, so it makes sense that that’s probably a significant chunk. Hopefully she’ll continue to get her act in gear and go on tour soon. If she can really pull things together, she can make that money back.

Here’s Britney wearing sweats, on her way to a Bally’s gym in Ventura, California on April 25th. That joker smile always scares the crap out of me. Images thanks to WENN.

Britney and Jayden in September
Kevin Federline’s uber-attorney Mark Vincent Kaplan must think he’s a celebrity or something, because he sure likes to talk to the press about his famous client’s even more famous ex-wife, Britney Spears. Most recently, Kaplan did an interview with E! News to talk about the likelihood of Britney having overnight visits with her two boys.

While the time she’s spent with her two children over the past month has seemingly proved beneficial to all parties involved, overnight visits with Sean Preston and Jayden James are still a ways off, according to Kevin Federline’s resident legal eagle, Mark Vincent Kaplan.

The attorney told E! News Friday that the monitored visits between Spears and her sons “have been nothing out of the norm,” but that “there has to be consistency over time.

“I don’t think 30 or 40 days is the magic number,” Kaplan said.

[From E!Online]

Of course this guy doesn’t think 30 or 40 days is the magic number- he is going to milk this case for as long as he possibly can, especially now that Britney is footing the bill. If he has his way, this custody battle will go on until Jayden’s 18th birthday, and then Kaplan can buy an island or something. Kaplan was quick to give Jamie Spears kudos for his positive influence on Britney, and pointed out that K-Fed is still hoping to have Britney more involved in the boys upbringing.

Kaplan continues to credit Jamie Spears’ newfound presence in his daughter’s life for this noticeably more amiable state of affairs.

“All we know is that since Jamie Spears has been involved it has been a very stabilizing force,” he said.

The elder Spears has been serving as coconservator of the pop star’s estate since Feb. 1, when she was admitted to UCLA Medical Center for psychiatric evaluation. Jamie and a court-approved psychiatrist are required to be present when Spears spends time with her sons.

Kaplan said that the next custody-related hearing is expected to take place in May, and he’s still anticipating a trial, in preparation of which he has deposed a number of Spears’ friends and associates, including off-again, on-again manager Larry Rudolph.

Regardless of what anyone says about him, it’s still Federline’s intention to do the right thing for his children, the lawyer said.

“The goal is to have a stabilizing and consistent order for the kids,” Kaplan said. “His hope is that would involve the participation in a substantial way by their mother.”

[From E! Online]

I’m sure K-Fed, Jamie Spears and Britney’s doctors could work this out without Kaplan, but then we wouldn’t get these fascinating interviews anymore. Has anyone else noticed that Kaplan gives a press conference weekly, even when there’s no court hearing? I’m trying to remember the last time anyone from Britney’s legal team did a press conference or sat down with E! Hmmmm. Really makes you wonder, doesn’t it? I wonder if Kaplan will lose interest in this case now that he’s signed on to represent Robin Williams’ wife in their divorce. I bet there’s a lot of money tied up in that case.

Britney is shown shopping on Robertson Boulevard on 9/21/07 holding a screaming Jayden, whose face is blurred. Thanks to Splash News.

OK Magazine claims to have an exclusive on what life is like for Britney Spears when she’s cooped up inside her 7,400 square foot, $7.2 million home. Yeah I know what you’re thinking, “Man, I’d commit just about any crime to be locked down in a place like that.” Me too. Until I read some of the creepy details. Things aren’t really weird there because of any rules or restrictions father/conservator Jamie Spears has forced upon Britney – it seems instead that any creepiness is of her own making. Like a long counter for her wigs. And she has bizarre ways of filling up her time – namely trying on clothes over and over again. I wonder if anyone’s ever suggested something as novel and controversial as reading a book?

Now, a typical day with Britney includes spending hours alone in her bedroom, which a frequent visitor to the home tells OK! is “like a princess’ room with several walk-in closets and a spa tub, plus a long counter where she used to keep all her wigs.”

…and since she’s no longer allowed to go out, the pop star now spends hours in front of the mirror trying on different outfits. “Changing clothes all day long must seem harmless enough, so her dad doesn’t interfere with that,” a friend of Britney explains to OK!. “She’ll change three or four times on days when she’s not leaving the house.” Some of those clothes include “fat clothes” that Britney likes to wear when she’s feeling bloated or out of shape. Friends say the singer keeps a secret closet stocked with these loose-fitting garments for just these occasions.

An even bigger surprise inside the house — a shrine to ex boyfriend, Justin Timberlake! Sources tell OK! that few people have seen Brit’s collection of private mementos from her years with the pop superstar. “She’s obsessed with him,” the source reveals. “She has pictures of them together and has devoted a private area just to celebrate him.”

[From OK Magazine]

Britney’s life still sounds pretty bizarre, if not dangerous. This is probably just me, but a countertop full of wigs would freak me out a little. Let’s not get too nit-picky here - even if the wigs aren’t there anymore, the fact remains that she used to have a counter where she kept a bunch of wigs. I’m imagining them on those creepy, faceless Styrofoam heads. Or maybe some empty, vapid looking heads. Wait, no that’s Britney, never mind. The “Frequent visitor” (I would really love to know if that means friend/family/or maid) says the most surprising thing about Britney’s home is that she actually keeps it very clean and clutter-free. I’m assuming it’s because she pays someone to do that, but that’s still saying something. She could have paid someone to be her PR rep or paid someone to help her dial down the crazy and keep an extra pair of shoes in their bag so Brit didn’t walk into bathrooms barefoot, but she didn’t. So to me, still paying for a housekeeper is a pretty big step. I already knew about the shrine thing though – I think we all did – we just thought it was of Chester Cheeto.

Here’s Britney going shoe shopping at Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse on Sunset Boulevard - and then climbing into her car and flashing her underwear on March 8th. Images thanks to WENN.

Since she regained limited supervised visitation with her young sons a little over a week ago, Britney Spears has dutifully spent time with them, and could end up being allowed to visit them as often as three times a week. However according to Page Six, both Sean Preston and Jayden James are having a hard time adapting to having her back in their lives, and are suffering some of the traditional emotional ups and downs that one would expect.

Britney Spears’ visits with her kids have been emotional for the whole family. Sean Preston has been sleeping in the same room as father Kevin Federline lately because he’s been having nightmares.

According to insiders, Preston, 2, also cried for his dad at first when Britney picked them up, but Kevin soothed him and he settled down.

“Jamie told Kevin that Britney handled the visit well. She actually did cry, but that was only because Sean cried when she took them from Kevin,” says the insider.

[From Page Six]

The article goes on to say that the boys are confused by their mom and don’t have that feeling of safety that kids needs. This is the main reason that Jamie Spears or a psychologist is required to be there the whole time. Jamie is said to be very good with the boys and they love their grandpa. He has seen them consistently, often visiting them at K-Feds house when Britney couldn’t. The “source” also says that Britney doesn’t really know how to give her sons what they need, and instead views them in terms of what she enjoys, which is dressing them up and showing them off.

Part of the problem is that Britney treats her sons more like dolls than children. “She dresses them for show and tell,” says the insider. “She likes to show them off, but not give them the nurturing they need. I understand she is working on this part of her motherhood with her psychiatrist.”

Other sources tell us that the kids are said to be playing a “pivotal role in her progress.”
“Brit has expressed interest in becoming closer to the boys. Kevin hopes she is talking from her heart.”

[From Page Six]

Britney has supposedly made a deal with her parents that as long as she works hard in therapy and with her sons, she won’t have to go back into the hospital. It sounds like it’s good that they’ve made some sort of agreement so Brit knows exactly what she needs to do to avoid negative consequences. It’s really sad that her sons have to be a part of her “treatment,” and getting her life back together. Obviously it’s probably best for them to have their mother in their lives in the long run, but it sounds like in the short run it’s pretty emotionally trying for them. Let’s hope Britney is not actually pregnant again – despite the rumors and every growing stomach – and that she can just focus on getting her life back together.

In other Britney/Jamie Spears news, today it was reported that Jamie is now allowed to draw $2500 from Britney’s accounts for acting as her conservator. That’s $10,000 a month. He definitely deserves to be paid for all his hard work, but the downside is that now people can question his motivations, whereas before that wasn’t as easy.

Britney Spears saw her two boys twice in the past few days under a new visitation agreement. It was her first contact with them in over six weeks since her standoff with police and first hospitalization. Her father and psychiatrist were present for the first visit on Saturday, and she was able to spend some quality time with them again on Monday.

Britney is still trying to challenge her father’s conservatorship of her estate. Her lawyer, Jon Eardley, claims that Jamie’s ongoing supervision of her daily affairs has violated her civil rights. Eardley has moved the case to federal court, and Jamie’s lawyers have challenged this, saying that it’s not an issue that falls under federal jurisdiction, that Britney lacks the capacity to hire her own attorney, and that it’s obvious he’s under the thumb of Sam Lutfi. Jamie’s lawyers also are seeking to have their attorney’s fees of over $40,000 awarded for fighting this case.

In court papers available on TMZ, Jamie’s lawyers state that it’s clear that Britney’s lawyer is being influenced by Lutfi, who is now barred from any contact with Britney by restraining order. In a footnote they say that “Mr. Eardley’s [Britney’s lawyer’s] claim that Lynne Spears’ declaration is ‘perjured’ and his description of Mr. Lutfi as Britney’s ‘best friend’ speak volumes as to where Mr. Eardley’s allegiances apparently lie.”

Britney’s lawyer says that he needs more time to defend his case because he hasn’t been able to speak to his client in about two weeks. The phone number he had for her has been disconnected.

Britney is shown out on 2/23 at Mastro’s Restaurant with her father, Jamie, thanks to Splash. She was seen at Milennium Dance Studios again last night, and was said to have received a visit from Adnan Ghalib, the paparazzo she’s been seeing.

An older image of Britney and her boys
After more than a month of no contact, Britney Spears was allowed to spend a few hours with little Sean Preston and Jayden James on Saturday. After much back-and-forth between the lawyers for Spears and K-Fed, a deal was worked out in which the boys could see their mother in her home under the supervision of her psychiatrist and her father/conservator, Jamie Spears.

Britney Spears was reunited with her sons for three hours on Saturday.

After lawyers for Spears and Kevin Federline reached a visitation agreement Friday, the pop star saw her children Preston, 2, and Jayden, 1, for the first time since Jan. 3.

The boys left Federline’s Tarzana house Saturday morning – put in their car seats by their father, according to photographers – and were driven by Federline’s bodyguard to Spears’s Studio City home.

A source involved in the case says, “The real hero was [Spears’s father] Jamie. He has taken charge, and she has visitation again.”

Sources confirm to PEOPLE that Jamie and Britney’s psychiatrist were present for the visit.

After a three-hour stay, Spears’s sons left again in the back of Federline’s grey Dodge truck driven by his bodyguard.

[From People]

This just further proves how good it is for Britney to have her father back in her life. Less then three weeks after Papa Spears took over, Britney has access to her children. I doubt this agreement would have happened if Sam Lutfi was still controlling her life. Many sources close to Spears are now saying that it was Sam who encouraged Britney to blow off numerous court appearances, and interfered with her home phone and cell phones when she was supposed to be contacted about taking random drug tests. It was these behaviors that contributed to her losing the kids in the first place.

It was probably a lot easier for the boys to be re-introduced to their mother, after such a long absence, with their grandfather in the room. Both Jamie and Lynne Spears spend a lot of time with the boys at K-Fed’s home, most recently taking care of them while K-Fed attended Fashion Week.

I’m going to keep my opinion on whether Britney really should be allowed to see the kids just yet to myself. For now, this could be a good thing for all concerned, but this is Britney we’re talking about.

Britney and Sam Lutfi in December, 2007
Mystery lawyer Jon Eardley, who claims he has been hired by Britney Spears to contest her father’s conservatorship in federal court, has been smacked down by Federal Court Judge Phillip Gutierrez. TMZ is reporting that the lawyer’s filing earlier this week, in which he claims that Britney’s civil rights are being violated as long as Jamie Spears is her conservator, is being called “frivolous” and the case will most likely return to California state court by the end of the month.

A Federal judge in the Britney conservatorship case has issued a tentative ruling that the move to make a federal case out of it is ridiculous. Judge Philip Gutierrez set a deadline of February 29 for Britney’s so-called lawyer, Jon Eardley, to explain why on Earth the federal court has any business getting involved in Britney’s mental affairs.

The court said it sure seems the Feds have no jurisdiction to interfere, and unless Eardley can convince the judge to the contrary, the case will go back to State court on Feb 29.

[From TMZ]

Well, since Britney is not able to hire her own counsel under the rules of the conservatorship, I’d say this Federal Judge is being more than reasonable to even read the filing and give Eardley an opportunity to explain his involvement. It’s a good thing I’m not a court judge– I’d be throwing people out on their asses all day long.

In other conservatorship news, camp Jamie Spears believes that Sam Lutfi, rather than Britney, is behind this whole federal case farce. Funny how Lutfi can contact a lawyer, but somehow can’t seem to answer his door to receive that pesky restraining order.

Lawyers for Britney Spears’ conservatorship filed papers yesterday in federal court, asking the court to reject the bid to remove the case from the California Court system.

In the papers, the lawyers claim Britney was in no position to even hire a lawyer for the federal case because she’s not allowed to under the conservatorship order. Attorney Jon Eardley, who filed the federal case, claims Britney hired him.

Lawyers for the conservator also want Eardley to identify everyone with whom he worked to get the federal case filed. It’s real clear the conservators believe Sam Lutfi is behind it, and he’s been restrained from having any contact with Brit.

The conservators’ lawyers also want Eardley to pay attorney’s fees, claiming the federal file is kinda frivolous.

[From TMZ]

Every time there’s another court hearing on Britney’s behalf, I am so glad I don’t live in the state of California. I can’t even imagine how many taxpayer dollars have already been spent on EMT vehicles, ambulances, police escorts and the like. Hopefully this will stay out of federal court as well. Those federal court judges have way more important issues to deal with than stupid Sam Lutfi and his desperate attempt to weasel his way back into Britney’s life.

Header image is of Britney and Sam in December of last year.

Britney Spears’ dad Jamie is really reigning her in. Which is wonderful – until last night, we had seen nary a crotch shot from her. I guess she has to rebel in whatever ways she still can. I’m guessing that Jaime didn’t make a bodyguard inspect Brit’s lady bits when she left the house yesterday. And I’m also guessing that from now on, he most definitely will. Hopefully he won’t go all Joe Simpson and do the job himself though. Jamie Spears is watching Britney so closely that he’s ordered her bodyguards not to let her go to a bathroom or bar alone. And he also positions them all around restaurants wherever she eats. That’s right, Papa Spears is gonna get shit done.

Britney Spears’ new bodyguards are on strict orders from her dad, Jamie: Don’t let her go to a bar or a bathroom alone! The popwreck went to Jeffrey Chodorow’s new LA restaurant Citrus at Social on Saturday night with her father, a few friends and a woman described as “her chaperone.” The group sat at a table to eat, but Spears hardly touched her lobster burger, preferring butter-fried frites and Tater Tots. When she got restless, her bodyguards, stationed at several places throughout the eatery, jumped into action. “She continuously got up from the table to go to the bathroom or hang out at the bar and smoke a cigarette,” our spy said. “Bodyguards followed her to the bathroom and bar.” Another snitch who saw Spears leave noted, “She took a coffee cup from the restaurant with her.”

[From Page Six]

If Britney really is bipolar, that could easily explain her antsy behavior. Considering how closely she’s being monitored, I would guess it’s unlikely (though certainly not impossible) that she’s on anything she shouldn’t be on. Although if I were at that restaurant, I would have found her behavior incredibly annoying. Getting up and down a lot drives me nuts. The Daily Mail also noted that it looks like Brit has packed on a few pounds recently. Frankly, considering some of the things she was supposedly doing to lose weight, putting on a couple pounds is a welcome alternative. Jamie Spears seems like he’s been a really good influence on Britney, though I’m sure she doesn’t think so. The guy has his own job as a chef and isn’t supported by Britney, which speaks well of him. He’s also never talked to the press, which seems pretty rare for a celeb parent these days. It’s too bad he didn’t have his act together when Britney was growing up, because he seems like he could have been a good influence on her. Right now Britney needs to focus on getting herself put back together again, but hopefully in time she can repair her relationship with her parents and they can all make amends. For right now, she just needs to focus on wearing underwear.