Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka’s twins are headed off to high school, but, much like their parents, fans are having a hard time grasping the immense passage of time since their birth.
The How I Met Your Mother alum shared a snapshot of Harper and Gideon, both 14, ahead of their first day of ninth grade, each seated behind their brand new MacBooks—Silver for Harper and Space Black for Gideon. Just the top halves of their faces were visible, and they each gave the other a cheeky glance over the tops of the computers.
A few fans noted that the set-up of the shot would be perfect for “a movie poster or an album cover,” with one feeling it looked “like the opener for a new Disney channel show!”
“The kids are entering high school this year (how wait what??), and they are at last allowed to rid themselves of their Chromebook anchors and ascend to the world of the MacBook,” Harris wrote as he posted the photo to Instagram on Friday, Aug. 29. “Huzzah!”
Neil Patrick Harris’ Fans Are Feeling Rather Old After Seeing How Big Harper and Gideon Have Grown
The actor’s followers felt “so old” after seeing the “insane” new update.
“The kids are what now?!? 😱,” one asked for clarification in shock, while another pointed out, “Hey, I’m pretty sure they were just toddlers a few weeks ago, so there’s no way.”
“Are you sure? I’m pretty sure they are babies! 😂,” another agreed, as someone else admitted they “cannot believe” it.
“My knees just cracked what do you mean they’re in high school,” somebody emphasized, as another parent of a soon-to-be high school student agreed, “time is blazing too fast!!”
“i’m sorry what???? i remember the coordinated halloween when they were babies 😭,” another recalled fondly, calling back to the family’s often viral holiday group costumes—a tradition that followed them through their teenage years, with parents and kids dressing in theme each year.
All in all, though, fans were grateful that the father of two was willing to keep “sharing these precious moments!!! 👏👏👏.”
A Few Offered a Word of Warning for the Future, Too
“Don’t blink,” somebody advised. “They’ll be graduating with Masters Degrees tomorrow, Boo. Face it. We’re OLD. xoxo.”
“Wait for college drop off…” another warned. “I did that last week and it was like someone took a melon baller to my heart and I left a chunk there with him ☺️😢🥹.”
Harris and Burtka welcomed Harper and Gideon via surrogate in October 2010, four years before the couple married in Italy.
Related: Adam Sandler’s Teenage Daughters Make Glam Red Carpet Debut at Venice Film Festival
This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 30, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.