Aug. 27, 2007

Go on, say it. You know you can't resist. Just look at the way gape-mouthed Pax cutely places his bare foot on pouty Zahara's shoe. Come on, don't hold it in ...

Awwwww.

Yep, New York has been overloaded with adorableness in recent days courtesy of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's camera-ready clan, who, as usual, were treated to several kid-friendly -- and paparazzi-documented -- activities.

On Friday, a throng of shutterbugs tagged along as the impossibly prepossessing parents accompanied Maddox, 6, Pax, 3, and Zahara, 2, on a shopping trip to an art supply store (Shiloh, 15 months, was a no-show).

According to the New York Post, Brangelina spent 45 minutes browsing around, eventually picking up some educational games and toy cars for their brood. By the time they left, a huge crowd had formed outside the store.

"They're here all the time," a store staffer tells the paper.

Later in the day, a peckish Brad and Maddox hopped out of their SUV to grab some hot dogs from a street vendor, a suspect food foray that had even been-there, seen-that New Yorkers stopping to ogle and whip out their cell phones to grab a shot.

It didn't take long for the professional snappers to close in on father and son, a move that prompted a protective Pitt to take action. He quietly urged them to back off, a polite plea he also made the day before while out solo.

TMZ.com says a "cool and respectful" Brad approached the paps, disarming them first by saying, "Man, you guys work hard!" before affably asking they keep their distance from the kids, suggesting, "Anything you guys can do long-lens would be much appreciated."

The actor, who previously pointed out to snappers that the photogenic family will be in New York for a while (he's shooting a movie in town), even offered another compliment before taking his leave, enthusing, "You're working hard, you guys!"

Over the weekend, the industrious photogs were in tow on two more family outings (both sans Shiloh, who we're guessing was catching up on her napping).

On Saturday, Angelina took the kids for a spin on a carousel in Central Park, while Brad tried to wear them out on Sunday by getting hands-on during an excursion to a playground.

Jolie stuck close to Pax on the ride as she urged him to wave to Zahara, who was watching nearby from the arms of a bodyguard.

Later, with an ever-growing crowd following behind, the attenuated Oscar winner stopped by a souvenir stand and picked up some star-shaped novelty sunglasses for the tykes before making a break for it.

The unquestionable money shot of the day? Maddox putting his arm warmly around little brother Pax.

Pitt's time with the kids was a little more rough-and-tumble, with snappers catching him pushing Pax high on a swing, helping Maddox across the monkey bars and down a pole and grabbing the hand of Zahara as she tried to make a break for it.

But the pervasive presence of the paparazzi eventually brought out the police, who, in video shot by Splash News, stood watch as Brad and his trio of tykes exited the playground and climbed into their waiting car.

The amiable actor, in between making Pax smile by sticking out his tongue and saying, "Blehhhh," furthered his good-guy reputation by making sure to thank the boys in blue for their assistance.

Despite this seeming portrait of domestic bliss, it's a good bet the tabloids will turn the separate playtimes into further evidence that Brad and Angelina's relationship is on shaky ground, an allegation insiders have repeatedly denied.

Last week's cover stories ran the gamut from the National Enquirer's completely sensationalism-free assertion, "Custody Battle! Brad tells Angelina: 'I'm Taking Shiloh,'" which claims they're arguing over parenting techniques, to Star's headline, "Angie Fighting Deadly Disease!" (the all-important fine print reads, "Family fears").

The altruistic amours put on a united front on Saturday night, when they took a helicopter out to the Hamptons to host a Hurricane Katrina benefit to raise money for victims and promote Brad's Make It Right organization, which aims to build environmentally friendly housing in New Orleans.

People reports Pitt and Jolie's plans changed midair because of fog, forcing them to land at a different location and grab a cab (hey, celebrities really are just like us!) to the exclusive fete, which was attended by the likes of Christie Brinkley, Pitt's "Ocean's Thirteen" co-star Ellen Barkin and Jimmy Buffett.

"It was lovely," a guest tells E! Online' Marc Malkin. "It was very low-key. It was just a great way for Brad to promote the great things that he's doing."

When questioned about Pitt and Jolie, the spywitness gushed, "They're adorable."

Next: Romance Report: Paris, Orlando, Kirsten