I can’t believe I know this, but do you remember how Angelina Jolie pierced Vivienne’s ears when she was just a baby? Viv has been wearing earrings for a while now. Well, I had never really noticed that neither Shiloh nor Zahara had their ears pierced. That’s according to a British tabloid, although a two-minute search through older photos confirmed that Z and Shiloh never seem to be wearing earrings until this week (as you can see in these photos). Anyway, The Sun claims that Angelina just took her two oldest girls into a London salon to get their ears pierced, and hilarity ensued. Hint: only the Empress was brave enough to go through with it.

Shiloh and Zahara Jolie-Pitt are becoming little women. Accompanied by mom Angelina Jolie, the 5 and 6-year-old sisters recently went to a small salon in London to get their ears pierced, according to The Sun.

“The eldest girl picked out some pretty 18-carat gold studs ad gave them to her mom,” a source told the British newspaper.

“The piercing gun was a bit too painful for her and she screamed then burst into tears. She was saying it felt like a stapler, so her little sister changed her mind about having hers done.”

Despite Shiloh’s last-minute decision to opt out of the rite of passage, a source told The Sun that “they all left with big smiles on their faces.”

“Angelina bought them another little gift to make sure they both felt special,” the source added.

The Jolie-Pitts are currently staying in London while patriarch Brad Pitt, 47, films World War Z. Jolie recently took Zahara and Shiloh — along with 3-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne — to visit Gwen Stefani’s home for a playdate with Kingston, 5.

“All of the kids are very close in age,” a source tells Us Weekly. “They’ve attended each other’s birthday parties and gotten together several times at each other’s homes.”

[From Us Weekly]

Aw, what are big sisters for? I love that Shiloh had every intention of getting her ears done but when Z went first, Shi chickened out. Oh, and Z “screamed then burst into tears”??? OMG, poor Z! I always forget that she has moments when she’s just a little girl and not our soon-to-be empress.

Sidenote: I let my holes grow over years ago, because I got so tired of wearing earrings. Should I get them re-pierced? I’ve been debating it for a while. Thoughts?

Oh, and this is the best Shiloh photo EVER. I imagine this is the face she made when Z screamed.

Photos courtesy of Fame & WENN.

These photos are so cute! Fame Pictures claims that Zahara, Shiloh and Knox are all present in these photos, but all I see are Z, Shiloh and some of their little friends who are not Jolie-Pitts. Anyway, Shiloh, Z and their gang went to the London Eye today. I love when the Jolie-Pitts do touristy things, I really do. For today’s trip, neither Brad nor Angelina went with the girls – they seem to have a nanny-type with them, and it seems like the mother of one of the other children was there too.

Between Zahara and Shiloh, I think Shiloh is the one most likely to get into some serious trouble. You can see her swinging on something, and you can just tell she’s itching to compete for who can swing the furthest or something. Zahara is just taking it all in, and I’d be willing to bet that as the older sister, one of Z’s main duties in life is making sure that Shiloh doesn’t run off and do something crazy. Also: look at Shi’s Montenegro Style! It’s not so much Montenegro style as it is Mr. Rogers style. Shi likes pants and boy shorts and old-man cardigans. She likes a good Tony Soprano-style golf shirt. Shi dresses like a cross between Mr. Rogers and a New Jersey mobster on his day off.

The London Eye must be a lot of fun for kids – if they’re not afraid of heights. I would think it’s terrifying if you’re afraid of heights. Z and Shi don’t appear to be afraid of anything. Now, I’ve been accused of making Zahara sound too badass, but in my defense, the little girl is badass. Look at her face! She’s all, “Yeah, I’m a tourist. What are you looking at?”

Photos courtesy of Fame.

How cute are these photos? Yesterday, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie took the Empress, Shiloh, and the twins to a puppet show in England. The show is called “the Puppet Theatre Barge” which takes place literally on a barge on the Thames. From the stuffed animals the kids are holding, my guess is that part of the puppet show involves dinosaurs, right?

Anyway, these are some of the first photos of Vivienne where I didn’t feel like she was on a cusp of a major hissy. I’ve always said that about Viv – she just has one of those faces where she always looks like she’s about to break out in an earth-shattering wail. But now she’s a big girl, and her mom even let her walk on her own, and she looks happier – Brad is carrying Knox, who definitely seems like the more easy-going twin. I think Knox looks a hell of a lot like Brad, don’t you? Although Knox’s hair looks like it’s got some ginger to it. I swear, Knox is going to end up looking like Michael Fassbender. And that’s going to be awesome.

Thoughts on Vivienne’s oufit? She seems to like more girlish ensembles – at her age, Shiloh was already dressing like a tomboy, so at least we’re going to be spared tabloid covers about how Vivienne is 3-year-old lesbian, because she wears dockers and likes to play rough with her brothers. I like Viv’s little Mary Janes! So cute.

The Empress! Such a face.

Photos courtesy of Fame.

These are some new photos of Angelina Jolie going into “The Toy Shop” in Richmond, England today. She brought Shiloh and Empress Z, and she caused a commotion. Can I just say something? I kind of love that Shiloh and the Empress are joined at the hip. More often than not, they are the pair that consistently gets taken out for treats and such. Brad takes out Maddox and Pax a lot, but I feel like Shiloh and Z get a lot of mom-time all together. It feels like Z and Shiloh are BFF-sisters. Shiloh will make a very loyal patron to the Court of the Empress. LOOK AT THE FACE:

*dies*

As you’ve probably seen on other blogs, Angelina has been taking the kids out a lot lately. You can see some photos here, at LaineyGossip. The Jolie-Pitts are in England (where Brad is completing World War Z), and Angelina has been doing fun mom stuff with the little ones. They’ve been to the Aquarium, they went to the movies, they went to McDonalds and…? I don’t know, they’ve been in and out of The Dorchester Hotel. Sounds like fun. Sidenote: Last night, I had a dream I was pregnant and Angelina wanted to adopt the baby. Weird, right? She kept saying, “Your baby is going to be Indian, I don’t have an Indian baby.”

Also: I HATE Angelina’s wedges. Wedges are so “Aniston”. Bitch needs to either wear flats or heels. As for the rest of Angelina’s outfit: LV bag (fine), great pencil skirt, and a too-neutral sweater. The ensemble makes me miss her all-black outfits.

Photos courtesy of WENN.

In case you missed it yesterday, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie walked the red carpet for the morning premiere of Kung Fu Panda 2 in Los Angeles. Jolie wore black Michael Kors, Brad wore head-to-toe SAND. It was all lovely. But not as lovely as these photos – apparently, Brangelina brought their older kids to the premiere! Shiloh got done up in a little vest, tie and pants, and she was more dressed up than her dad. I love this little girl. I love that Brad and Angelina are like, “You want to wear a vest and tie to the premiere? Awesome!” Sidenote: Angelina slipped on a comfortable black SACK/poncho!!! Huzzah!

Meanwhile, Maddox is starting to get tall! He’s starting to be a big kid now. Pax is just kind of there (I know he’s a favorite of some commenters, but his style never really impresses me). And my favorite, The Empress, was shooting the stink-eye at everyone. And she was rocking the hell out of some awesome pink booties. I guess all of the kids at the premiere got those little drinks, it was probably some marketing tie-in with the film soon to be seen at Burger King or whatever.

All of the kids were in France with their parents at the Cannes Film Festival, but they weren’t photographed once. Angelina had to confirm her kids’ presences at the KFP 2 press conference: “Yes, we’re all in France. Our whole family is in France, and we’re very happy. They’re running around the hotel now, playing games and making a giant mess! I’m sure they’re having a great time. They love it here.” At the LA premiere, Jolie told Us Weekly that she is able to balance her work and her family life “Like every woman does in life. I think we just take time to do all the things we love. If you love what you do, and I’m very blessed that I love my job, and I love to do charity work and I love to be with my kids, so you find time. You’re not exhausted by it if you’re passionate.” Here’s video from the premiere:

Photos courtesy of Fame & WENN.

This story comes on the heels of the non-story that the Jolie-Pitt children are being raised by an educating, bilingual nanny army. At the time, I thought “meh” because we all know that Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have nannies, and having high hiring standards just seems like a smart choice. Now InTouch Weekly is dialing up the Scandal-Meter by getting into specific (alleged) numbers for the cost of the Jolie-Pitts’ childcare. InTouch (via The Mail) thinks that Angelina and Brad are paying about $1 million per child, per year. Let’s see the breakdown, shall we?

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie spend a staggering $10 million (£6.1 million) on childcare for their brood, it was claimed today. The superstar couple rack up huge child care, travel and food bills every month looking after their six kids. As well as spending $5 million (£3.1 million) on private jets, the Hollywood pair splashed out $900,000 (£541,000) last year on a nanny for each of the children.

Feeding adopted Maddox, nine, Pax, seven, Zahara, six, Shiloh, four, and biological twins Knox and Vivienne, two, meanwhile costs around $36,000 (£22,000 ). And having a nanny for each of them costs up to $900,000 (£541,000).

A source told a US magazine In Touch: ‘They spend more than a million dollars on private tutors who travel around the world with them. They [even] once spent $500,000 (£301,000) for one stay at the Waldorf [Astoria hotel in New York].’

The couple also spent an estimated several million dollars on first-class airfare and hotel bills for the youngsters. Representatives for Pitt, 47, and Jolie, 35, were not available for comment. The news comes just days after it was revealed that the couple were on the hunt for a new nanny.

The pair are apparently prepared to pay a £90,000 a year salary for the lucky applicant. They will also be required to travel between California, New Orleans and France, as well as other film locations around the world.

As well as a degree in education or child development, Brad and Angelina are demanding the nanny should speak at least two different languages, as well as the native tongues of their children.

Brad’s parents, Bill and Jane, recently moved in to the family’s Chateau Miraval estate in France to help the couple raise their large brood – meaning the nannying position may not be a lifetime role.

A source told The Sun earlier this week: ‘The whole family is going to move there as soon as the renovations are done. At the moment they have six nannies – one for each of the kids – and the plan is to get rid of the helpers and rely on Bill and Jane. The annex they will live in is an old building which used to be used as a dovecote. It’s big enough to have a sitting room, kitchen and a couple of bedrooms. It will make a lovely little cottage for them.’

[From The Mail]

Let’s see… other costs: kids’ clothing, per year is allegedly $100,000. $5 million spent on private jets in a year (why not?) and $600 a day on cars. Oh, and each kid gets a $7000 birthday party. And don’t forget the high cost of gerbil maintenance. That could easily run you a cool million per year, adjusting for the requisite gerbils-of-doom cost of living adjustment. The gerbils know too much. But it’s easier to pay them off and maintain them rather than kill them off.

And no one is discussing the cost of Zahara’s empress maintenance!

Photos courtesy of Fame.

I just sent this cover to CB with the subject heading “LMAO”. I mean… whoever does The Enquirer’s cover layout truly deserves an award. This is one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen. Let’s just take it point by point:

*Maddox looks likes he’s licking a button on his jacket. VIOLENT.

*Empress Zahara is going to cut a bitch, no doubt. Completely warranted.

*Pax wants ice cream. VIOLENT.

*Shiloh is such a little ham, and I even know where that photo is from – Angelina had taken the four older kids toy shopping, and Shiloh was wearing her Nutcracker jacket and brandishing a cardboard sword and making faces at the paparazzi. Obviously, VIOLENT.

* And then there’s the photo of Angelina, looking very much like the violent, mercurial matriarch who raises her children to first cut a bitch and ask questions later.

*Finally, there is POOR BRAD and the twins. Brad is “protecting” them, you see, from button-licking and ice cream and Empress Zahara’s world domination.

The Enquirer hasn’t released their story as of yet. But I can’t imagine it will outshine this magnificent cover.

Enquirer cover courtesy of CoverAwards. Additional photos by Fame.

What potentially could have been a great scoop for In Touch Weekly – if they’re telling the truth – quickly turned into another “Angelina is hungry for babies, Brad is exhausted and gives in to whatever crazy demand Angelina makes” story. In Touch claims that when Brad and Angelina were in Namibia for Christmas, they visited the Unesco Center orphanage. This I will buy. Even if they are looking to adopt, Brad and Angelina have a history of visiting orphanages and passing out toys. But then In Touch spins a story about how Angelina and Empress Zahara met a little Namibian orphan girl and the Empress was all “Mother, you need to adopt her. I demand it.” And Angelina was all “Okay, whatever you say, your highness.” And Brad was all “Angie, ANOTHER BABY?!!?” Maybe that’s not exactly what happened, but I like my version better.

During their recent trip to Namibia, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie visited the Unesco center orphanage. As they met with the children, Angelina and Zahara fell in love with a sweet 5-year-old girl.

“She was adorable,” an insider reveals, adding that Zahara bonded with her immediately, and told Angelina that she thought the girl would “fit right into their home.”

Angelina was so moved with Zahara’s bond with the girl, she presented Brad with her most impulsive plan yet – adopting a seventh child from Africa as soon as possible.

“The problem is that Brad is just about to go to New Orleans to begin a new movie and Angelina is starting post production on the film she directed. It seems like a really bad time to bring another child into the family.”

But while Brad suggested they postpone the paperwork until one of them is less busy, Angelina told him now’s the time.

“She knows the timing is bad, but she told Brad, ‘We need to bring home another child very soon.’”

Brad begged her to reconsider, but it looks like Angelina is about to get her way once again. Even though they are “overwhelmed” with their six kids, the insider says Angelina’s “heart melted” at Zahara’s request for a little sister who “looks like her… Angie says that Zahara has fantastic maternal instincts for a little 6-year-old girl.”

“Brad suggested they wait a year,” the insider reveals. He finds it difficult to keep up with all of their kids – “The twins are in their ‘terrible 2s’ and need a lot of attention.”

[From In Touch Weekly, print edition]

The story just kind of falls off after that, like In Touch is unsure of whether or not to claim that Angelina did in fact begin the paperwork to adopt. Now, I’ve said it many times before – I do think they’re adopt again. And hell, maybe they would even adopt from Namibia. I do tend to think they would do another African adoption if and when they adopt again. But I’ll say this – the fact that ITW spun this tale about Angelina “getting her way” and Brad being sad and letting Angelina do whatever she wants… well, it makes me doubt all of it. Whatever.

Photos courtesy of WENN and Fame.

This is a new photo of Angelina, Brad, Shiloh and the Empress in Namibia, day unknown. Apparently the other people in the larger photo (below) are the Jolie-Pitts’ hosts in Namibia, at least for the weekend. One of the adult men is Dr. Rudie van Vuuren, a “famous physician, cricket player and conservationist.” Sure. I’ll buy that! I have two favorite things about this photo – one, Shiloh’s shaggy hair. She’s growing out her pixie cut, and it looks adorable. My second favorite, and maybe my favorite thing of all time: Empress Zahara’s side-eye cutting like a goddamn knife. Who is she about to shank with her eyes? Her MOTHER? The Empress friggin’ slays me.

Angelina Jolie held Zahara while Brad Pitt had Shiloh in his arms as they posed with their host family and a few new friends in Namibia over the weekend. The Jolie-Pitts are in Shiloh’s birth country staying with Dr. Rudie van Vuuren, a famous physician, cricket player and conservationist, his wife Marlice, also a well known conservationist, and their son Zacheo.

The family runs the Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary and Lodge, where Brad, Angelina, and their kids decided to spend Christmas this year. Angelina and Brad were spotted doing last minute gift shopping on Friday, ensuring a special holiday for their six kids. Brad is finishing out his year of facial hair with sexy stubble while Shiloh’s famous blond locks are growing out. The Jolie-Pitt family is always among the most talked about stars and in 2010 Angelina and Brad kept their passion strong all year long.

[From PopSugar]

Sigh… I wish I was in Namibia, being given the royal shank-eye. Must be lovely.

Photo courtesy of Fame.

Angelina Jolie took her four oldest kids out for some New York shopping on Tuesday. They went to Lee’s Art Store – again. That’s where Brad and Angelina took the twins a few days ago. The Empress is wearing a fabulous little black coat, obviously taking style tips from mom (the black, and the coat porn), while Shiloh seems especially eager to ham it up for the cameras in… whatever kind of get-up this is. Some are saying Nutcracker. Some are saying pirate. I’m leaning more towards one of those British guards, you know? The ones that can’t move when they’re on duty. All Shiloh needs is a big furry black hat. Which I’m sure she’s got at home. My favorites of the photos are where Shiloh is hamming it up big-time and the Empress cracks up. Z has such a beautiful smile – I sometimes forget that because I love her little bitchface so much.

By the way, Johnny Depp sang Angelina and Brad’s praises as parents while walking the red carpet for The Tourist’s premiere. He told E! News: “I was surprised by how down-to-earth she is. After all the, sort of, madness that surrounds their lives, Brad [Pitt] and Angelina, just how beautifully they deal with all the attention [and] chaos. They’re very, very good parents. Great parents. Wonderful people. Down-to-earth. Sweet.” I remember when Depp and Jolie were filming together, The Enquirer ran a funny story about Shiloh being obsessed with Johnny Depp, because of Captain Jack Sparrow. I thought the story was a little silly at the time… but now I’m kind of wondering. Shiloh seems like the spiritual heir to Depp’s eccentricities.

One last thing – apparently, only one photographer grabbed a photo of Brad Pitt squeezing Angelina’s ass at The Tourist premiere. Us Weekly has a good shot here, but here’s a decent pic… you can’t really see the squeeze, though.

More photos of the kids:

Photos courtesy of Fame.