Donna Green 'Living With' the Graco Evo Mini

Living With Review

Jump to a Month: June 2013 | July 2013 |  August 2013 |  September 2013 |

October 2013 | November 2013  | Final Summary

First Impressions

Ellie was asleep in her pram and I was tidying the back garden when I heard a knock on the door. Answering it quickly so as not to wake Ellie up I was excited to see the arrival of the Graco Mini Evo!

We had been waiting impatiently for this to arrive and opened the box within minutes. It only took a few  minutes to assemble, and it was very easy to put together, so I was sat there waiting for Ellie to wake up!

I did a few practice runs round the house and was pleasantly surprised at how light and easy to manoeuvre it was. As my spine is fractured having a light weight pram is a must and I was glad when Ellie woke up a few minutes late and I could try it out with her in it.

Wow it's so easy and light to push, it turns and glides effortlessly and the basket underneath is huge which is great and we really enjoyed our first outing to the park.

*************************** 

16th June 2013

This week we decided we would test drive the Graco Mini Evo more thoroughly and we  got ourselves ready to go to the local woods. Mid June and the weather was pouring down!!! Luckliy for us the Evo glided through the woods with ease and Ellie really enjoyed her day trip staying nice and warm and very comfortable.

21st June 2013

I was a little nervous today as we were going to the hospital for aone allergy testing for Ellie and we had to use public transport!
I am not a huge fan of public transport with a pram in tow but today I had no choice, so we set off (in the rain again) to the bus stop. The bus arived and Ellie and myself got on the bus, with surprising ease and found a seat with plenty of space for the pram.
We arrived at the hospital in plenty of time and I got Ellie out of the pram and let her play with the toys and other children.  After Ellies appointment we went back to the  bus stop, no longer worried about the bus journey as I knew that the journey would be easy enough.
Ellie fell asleep on the way home and the easy pull system to recline helpa me allot as I cannot bend much at all. Our hospital journey was so much easier with such a light weight and eaay to manoeuvre pram and I'm happy to say Ellie has outgrown her Egg allergy!

30th June 2013

This weekend we had to venture over to Liverpool for my Mum and Dads 50th wedding anniversary and that meant two train journeys.
We set off with everyone around 2.30pm and caught a taxi to the train station,  the thing I love about the Evo mini is that its so easy to manoeuvre in and out of taxis, on and off buses and trains, so it makes what could be a nightmare journey into a pleasant one.
Ellie loves to fall asleep in the Graco and slept most of the ride and again on the way home! 

8th July 2013

Today we decided it would be a food day for a picnic as the weather was glorious! 
Ellie is at the age were she wants to be exploring not stuck in a pushchair so it can be hard work taking her out at times. Today though she was very chilled out and practically slept all the way there,  and the easy accessible recline feature made me so easy for me to lie her down . Although its not as easy to put it back up.

16th July 2013

This week the weather has been sweltering hot and Ellie hasn't settled well at all. We bought her a paddling pool to help her cool down and of course to play in and she loved it. So after a lovely day with family having a BBQ Ellie decided she was far too tired to carry on playing and promptly climbed into the Evo and sat down and fell asleep!  Thia weather has wipes her out and I'm glad of the Evo for her naps.

July the 24th 2013

This week we gad to go to the local hospital for my physio as I have a lot of fractures on my spine. We met Ellies big sister at the hospital so that she could watch Ellie while I had my treatment.
Ellie loves new places and new things and loved spending time with Katy while I was getting my treatment.
Katy and Ellie had a great time exploring and it was Katy's first time pushing a 3 wheeler and she was impressed at how light and easy it is to push.
I should be getting crutches in a few weeks to help with walking so it'll be very interesting to see how it is to push with 1 hand! 

August the 5th 2013

This week has been difficult to say the least. I got my crutches from physio on Monday and I've been using them since. I tried to use my  silvercross pram but I couldn't push it with one hand so I had to give up.
I tried the Evo, and it is pushable with a single hand and I did manage to get the shopping etc... done with Ellie in it and me using a crutch and pushing the pram with one hand but it was still difficult,  the Evo is easy enough to steer and move but because my bones are very weak it is putting a huge strain in my wrist so I am now only going out as and when needed until the weather improves.  Ellie loves all weather and she loves my crutch as she finds it amusing ! 

August the 18th 2013

This week has been hectic to say the least!  I am struggling pushing the pram with one hand and I have given up completely trying to push my other pram as  it is impossible to steer with one hand so I have been using the Graco Evo Mini 24/7 and I am beginning to get the hang of it.

Thankfully it is lightweight and folds so easily so that has made my life easier. Absolutely love the ease of steering this pram , as I have said before it practically glides along, even one handed!
Today I needed to go shopping so the Evo was folded and put in the car (Ellie helped) and then put back up in one swift motion. I do love the easy fold and put back up part of this pram! 

August the 31st 2013

This week our adventures with the Graco Mini Evo take a puddle splashing!  Ellie is all set for puddles as you can see and we have the Evo and rain cover at the ready.

I'm hoping it handles well in the wetter weather on rougher terrain otherwise things will be extremely difficult. I am getting used to steering with one hand now as I use a  crutch for my leg and back.  Its getting easier the more I push the pram and my wrist no longer feels like its going to break so thats a bonus! I absolutely love the ease of manoeuvring the Evo and with my disability this pram is a godsend!
Well as I expected the Evo was great with the puddles and rougher terrain so a great day was had by all!   

Well this week has been very different, Ellie has been enrolled in nursery and starts next Thursday as I'm going to college to study to become a nurse! So its all very exciting, albeit a little scary! The nursery staff asked about the Evo as they noticed how easy it is to steer, as I have to steer one handed due to  using crutches. They were very impressed with it after trying it out themselves.  The picture this week is of Ellie ready to go and enroll in nursery!   

 September the 22nd 2013

I started College and after the initial chaos I absolutely love it and Ellie started Nursery.  At first she cried but she seems more settled now, fingers crossed. The Evo has been a godsend and I don't think I could take Ellie anywhere without it as it's easier to push and steer one handed and using a crutch all the time puts allot of pressure upon my wrists,  so I am always concerned about further breaks and fractures.  The Evo definitely reduces the risk of this as its so easy to manoeuvre! 

October the 2nd 2013 

Off to College this week laden with bags. Laptop Bag, my bag of folders which is huge and Ellies bag with her change of clothes etc for nursery.  I absolutely love how much you can get into the basket underneath.  It's huge and even with everything in it, there is still so much room left!
This has got to be the best part of this pram and I'm loving how its making my life easier! 

October the 19th 2013

All set for winter this week!  It's getting colder by the day and as winter approaches fast we're getting prepared and Ellie loves her pram. It's so easy to use, I cannot say it enough, if you're disabled and have to use a walking stick etc this pram can be pushed one handed with ease.

This week we set off for the woods as Ellie loves the woods and as the leaves are falling off the trees the woods look amazing, albeit very muddy. The Evo still glides through the mud so easily and it's a pleasure to push!

October the 30th 2013

The weather is getting significantly colder but Ellie is snug as a bug in her Evo and after using it daily all this time its still in pristine condition as it's so easy to clean!  Today we went to nursery and Ellie fell asleep just outside nursery, but she does look very comfortable so I don't blame her at all. A few more people have asked about the Evo now, more so as they see me pushing it single handed so they know by watching me that its easy to push!

November the 6th 2013

This week has been cold!  As winter begins to arrive the rain cover is now a permanent attachment on the Evo.
Ellie loves to play with the release clip on the Evo and fortunately is not strong enough to unclip it. However,  I do love the easy release clip/handle that allows you to put the Evo up in one single movement!  

Final Summary

Over the last 6 months I have had the pleasure of testing the Graco Evo Mini, and I have loved every minute of it. Ellie and I have had some great adventures and are last adventure was to go and see Santa in the local Grotto, and Ellie loved it! I love the Graco Evo Mimi, as I am disabled and I find pushing the Evo single handed is actually very easy, it does not veer to the sides, it does not tip, it simply glides wherever you want it to go!