Kirsty Roberts 'Living With' the Graco Evo

 

August the 18th 2012

   

August the 19th 2012

August the 20th - 25th 2012

August the 26th 2012

We had a christening today and were running late. Michael was overtired too. Piled the EVO in the car and set off to the church.

Michael was asleep by the time we got there. Whipped out wheels and snapped seat on in seconds. I had him parent facing, note for future not a good plan when asleep. I moved the middle bar across so out of the way but still had to manoeuvre through the handle bar.

He slept throughout the ceremony and we slotted the pushchair easily up the end of the aisle.

 August the 27th 2012

We popped shopping to restock our freezer. Went out with just the EVO in the boot came back with lots more!

We managed to fit it all in and with a bit better packing - instead of hubby chucking it in we would have had more space left in the boot! Really handy that the seat comes off for stacking the car!

 

August the 29th 2012

Dad had Michael today. He keeps commenting on how much he likes the EVO.

His only complaint was having not been shown how to use the pushchair it took him a while to work out how to recline it! 

He loves that it is easy to push and means he can safely take Michael and his dog Toby out for walks!

It is also so much lighter than our other pushchair which means it can be lifted in and out of our house (we have steps) instead of bumping up the steps.

September the 1st 2012

Hubby and I went to London to watch Wicked. My dad had Michael and my nephew Kian (7 years).

Dad took both kids out and his dog Toby to visit my nan. Kian wanted to push so dad let him. Kian managed to push all the way up to nans (excluding crossing roads) and commented on how easy the pushchair is to push! As its so light!

So no worries on how heavy it is to push!

September the 2nd 2012

Michael in the EVO marshalling at Bridgwaters Half Marathon that Gavin organised.

Colour of pushchair meant he stood out when marshalling with his auntie Tracey.

September the 5th 2012

Just realised that the EVO won't fold up and clip in unless the wheels are lined up. This could prove annoying. I had to pull back up and start again.

If it was raining or I was in a hurry I would of bundled in the boot unclipped!

September the 7th 2012

We accompanied mum to school to pick up my little sisters (Indee 7 and Jaya 6)

I already had the raincover in the basket and easily had room for the two school bags and lunch boxes and my change bag.

    

My sisters were fighting over who could push it home and were both saying how much they loved it.

September the 10th 2012

We went out for an evening stroll so decided to use the foot muff.

Now I maybe being thick but I so far hate it! I threaded the straps through lifted Michael into pushchair and the thing moved. It was then really difficult to pull it up with Michael sat in it and so far caused me nothing but trouble!

My other Graco had a hole and you threaded top through and Velcro to attach. This would benefit from the same.

I need to persevere as I'm bound to get the hang of it as so far I've used a blanket ever since!!

September the 12th & 13th 2012

My father in law and sister in law had Michael for both of these days.

I dropped him off with the pushchair in forward facing mode and forgot to give any instructions on its use.

They both commented on how easy it is to push. They managed to fold it up, which shows how easy it is as my sister in law can never fold my other one up without instruction!

Apparently the rain cover is super easy to fit (I have been lucky and haven't used it YET!!) It took them seconds to put on.

Sister in law loves it and says she wants one in the future when she has kids! 

September the 15th 2012

We had Michael's swimming lesson and did some shopping before and after.

When we got home Gavin's boot was full up. We got the wheels out of the car and loaded up the shopping to push round to the front door.

Unconventional use but saved lots of time.

Once finished we folded the wheels up and it stood nicely in the hallway.

September the 17th 2012

I decided to put the liner of the foot muff on the pushchair to see if it stayed in place.

Michael had fallen asleep by the time I arrived in town. So I reclined the pushchair and the liner did stay in place while I put him in the pushchair.

I don't think Michael will be able to sleep in the EVO comfortably for too much longer as he fills the whole pushchair and he's not yet 2. 

September the 19th 2012

We went to Bournemouth for the day to visit my sister in law who was staying there.

The EVO got sand and sausage roll in the main seat and flipping it upside down and taking the liner off appears to have worked. So no need to hover it!

September the 20th 2012

As the EVO is so light it means that I can easily get it down my dads drive. His drive is completely chippings and I have never been able to get a pushchair down the drive.

If I pull the EVO with the front wheels raised then it easily comes down the drive.

Means no struggling to carry the pushchair across the drive!

September the 21st 2012

Michael marshalling at Cancer Research Zumbathon that we were involved in.

The picture is when we were directing people, he also did some dancing sat in the EVO too!! 

September the 22nd 2012

We went to Animal Farm to meet Bob The Builder.

As mentioned earlier the EVO pushes well on stones. Not too bumpy a ride.

The EVO as ever was lovely to push and pushed well on the stones or the grass.

Michael even had a go at pushing the pushchair! He's a bit too small!  Also Michael enjoyed his picnic sat in the EVO.

Fab day out had by all.  

September the 26th 2012

So I get my first opportunity to use the rain cover when it absolutely chucks it down! No warning!

Thankfully it is always kept in the basket.

I quickly put it on and it didn’t look right or fit properly at all.

I was worried that I didn’t have the correct rain cover after looking at the picture that the other reviewer had posted.

Anyway it kept him dry and I am going to look at it again to see where I am going wrong!

September the 28th 2012

The time has approached where Bridgwater Fair has arrived in town! Last year we ventured up West Street with all the stalls – but Michael was asleep and only 8 months old – so that is as far as we went!

This year we knew Michael would love the rides after a trip to Butlins in the summer.

The pushchair was fine visiting the stalls as it is on a main road (that is closed). The fair field was surprisingly hard underfoot considering the rain we had!

The EVO pushed fantastically around the field on a range of surfaces – from grass, compacted mud, gravel.

Here is a picture of the EVO on the field whilst Michael was on the Helter Skelter with his Godmother Megan.

October the 1st 2012

I decided to wash the liner from the pushchair as it was looking a bit grubby. Put it on a low heat wash and it washed like a dream and felt almost dry when it came out of the washing machine. Left it over the radiator over night and it was completely dry.

October the 2nd 2012

I decided to try out my universal foot muff as the EVO one has been a faff so far.

The universal one stayed in place a lot better than the EVO one – as the material on the back is cotton. Where as the EVO is a shiny back so slips down.

Although Michael appears to have grown out of the universal one – which seems quite long – so I am wondering if my baby boy is shooting up quicker than I realise!

It would be helpful if the foot muff had the same Velcro in place that the liner does as it would mean that it stayed in place and didn’t keep slipping down.

I am sure that it would be fine for a small baby – but it is a bit of a faff with my almost 2 year old!

October the 5th 2012

So after realising my universal foot muff is too small I thought I would try the EVO's one last time. Michael was asleep and as usual stayed asleep after being moved from the car. As you can see his feet are at the end of the foot muff.

So the EVO's foot muff is now being packed away and back to a good old blanket!! Only issue now is it doesn't match!!

October the 6th 2012 So one item I haven't really mentioned. The brakes. I'm not finding them very easy to use.

When I press them down I have been finding that they aren't actually on and I need to press them again to actually lock in position.

This has meant I hardly use them and cling on to the pushchair for dear life. But perhaps if I used them more I'd get more used to the amount of pressure required.

We helped out at a car boot sale that our local friends of Cancer Research group had a stall at.

I saw my first other EVO. They also had it in lime, so Michael (who was wandering around) thought it was his and kept following them saying me whilst pointing at it!!

They had a young baby (less than 6 months) old in the pushchair unit, laid flat. She looked really cosy!!

Thought to myself good choice!!

October the 8th 2012 We went to animal farm again.

Here's Michael's new bob the builder trying it out!!

He fits lovely, Michael wasn't as keen!!

 

I have been busy working all week and the EVO has been in the car as weather has been awful so dad didn't want it as he decided against a walk in the rain!!

We went to Gavin's grandparents to stay the night and had the EVO in the boot as well as numerous bags required for little people!!

We stopped in Sainsburys on the way home and I had the EVO in two pieces. Clipped the seat on in seconds. Lifted Michael (asleep again) into pushchair outward facing and off we went.

Put sleeping Michael in the car and folded the pushchair up in one. It would not fit back in the gap around the stuff that the wheels and seat came out of! So quickly took the seat off, folded the wheels and slotted it back in.

I actually prefer putting it in separately as can fit more in around it and I can choose which way to have Michael!

Anyone who is worried about how heavy a pushchair is, would have no worries with the EVO.  It's very light to lift and very easy to push especially one handed.

Here is the EVO and my large wheelie bin - I pushed the EVO one handed and pulled the bin round the corner to put back in the back garden.

Here is the EVO inside my front door showing the steps I have to get up to get in.

It's bumps up and down the steps well and Gav and dad just lift it straight down with Michael in it.

October the 19th 2012

We went for a walk up to my friends. As the EVO is so easy to push and put up and down we are definitely walking more than we ever did.

The recline function on the seat is super easy to use and Michael tells me UP when he wants to sit up more! It can be used one handed which is a bonus. Mums McLaren is a faff and needs both hands and the right angle leaning over to reach them both!

You can adjust the footrest of the pushchair but to be honest we don't use this function.

Anytime I have the footrest down Michael tells me No and Up. He definitely likes having his feet up!! We never had this option on our other pushchair so his feet were always down, so he definitely is making the most of the choice!!

October the 22nd 2012

October the 23rd 2012

 

I went out at lunch to try to see if I could fold the pushchair up. Took it out put it up and it went down first time.   So no idea what I was doing wrong yesterday!!

October the 28th 2012 I had to take Michael swimming as Gavin was busy helping build the carnival float for Bridgwater Carnival.

I decided to do some shopping first. Unfortunately it was miserable, so whipped the rain cover on, Michael was asleep in the car, got him in no problems and he stayed asleep until 5 minutes before swimming.

October the 29th 2012 Was thinking I was going to have 5 passengers. So set up one of the back two seats. I left the other down for the pushchair.

Still lots of room for stuff too. However I'd struggle to fit the EVO in the car if I had all 7 seats up.

A challenge I may have to try!!

November the 3rd 2012 Michael enjoying the fireworks at Longleat.

We crossed various terrain and the EVO coped brilliantly.

November the 4th 2012 Michael had swimming again, and the car park as usual was packed. So I drove to the cricket club, whipped up the EVO and off we went.

Still loving how easy it is to put together and love Michael facing me so I can talk to him. Given the choice however he wants to face out!

November the 5th 2012

I had to look after my little sisters today. As the weather appeared to be rain free we decided to go out to Animal Farm.

Gavin had the day off and my father in law and sister in law came along too.

I hadn't really anticipated how muddy and wet the farm would be. Michael was in his wellies and had great fun jumping in all the puddles.

So much so he wouldn't even sit in the pushchair.

Not a bad thing considering how muddy he got. Instead it was used to dry Indee's coat as well as keep all our belongings on it!

November the 10th 2012

January the 19th 2013

January the 23rd 2013 

In the evening our path was really icy so I sat Michael in the EVO wrapped up warm and tried to shovel some snow while Gav was coming home. I didn't get very far so he finished it when we got back from having our tea.  

January the 26th 2013 

Gavs cousins girlfriend commented on what a lovely colour the EVO is as there little girls pushchair is black and lime too!

January the 29th 2013
February the 1st 2013
I think he was asleep close to 2 hours which is a miracle these days!  He does fill the seat unit and if he fidgets his feet hang over. 

March the 3rd 2013

 

Here is Michael again not happy that I am taking his picture!

March the 16th March

The fact it come apart means its much more flexible when fitting everything in the car.

March the 18th 2013

I'm still amazed at how light the Evo is as dad managed to lift it up our steps with ease with a 2 stone Michael asleep in it!

March the 24th 2013

March the 31st 2013

We tried out our holiday shade as I was trying to get Michael to sleep and it was very bright. This extends a bit more than the EVOs hood. Although the EVO's is a good size.

April the 5th 2013

Here is me and Michael off for a walk in the EVO. Michael does prefer to walk himself and not sit in the EVO but I am trying to get full use out of it and it is much easier pushing him than chasing him up the road!

April  the 8th 2013

We have come away to Devon Cliffs in Exmouth to Gavin’s nan’s caravan for a break.

It is a very hilly site, so it is good that the EVO is so light to push!

Again Michael has fallen asleep whilst we were out exploring!! 

 

April the 11th 2013

Michael and his godmum Megan went swimming. I dropped them off as Megan was worried that she was going to get lost walking over!

I decided to walk back over to meet them with the EVO as I knew that Michael would be tired.

As the EVO is so light I decided to take the shortcut which is down the path, down some steps and then up a hill which has steps. I carried the EVO down the few steps and then managed to push it up the hill alongside the steps quite easily.

Once I met them Michael had a play in the park and then I decided it would be safer if Michael walked down the steps and up the few steps and then put him in the EVO on the path. I managed to push the EVO down the hill whilst walking down the steps alongside.

I put Michael in the EVO on the flat and Megan decided she would push him up the path back to the caravan. It was great fun to see her struggle after saying how easy it would be! 

April the 12th 2013

Another trip to Crealy Great Adventure Park.

Here is the EVO waiting for us whilst we went on the Safari Train. Here is Michael exhausted after lots of playing! I may need to clean the wheels of the EVO as going through the range of surfaces as well as fields has got the wheels a bit dirty 

April the 14th 2013

Home to reality and swimming lesson and food shopping as usual.

Here is Michael who has fallen asleep again in the EVO.

The EVO is a bit on the grubby side - so I really need to wash the liner - and probably give the whole thing a good clean!

 

We took Michael to the cricket as it was Gavin’s works sponsor match. He fell asleep in the car before we arrived.

We set up the EVO and put Michael in. It was really bright so I used the Koodi sun and sleep shade that I use on holiday.

It fitted on the EVO perfectly and kept Michael out of the sun and more importantly he stayed asleep!

May the 6th 2013

Mummy and Daddy Pig were at Animal Farm so we took Michael and the EVO along. I really struggled to push the EVO across the stones this time, but we were in the back part of the car park!

Michael seems like he soon won’t fit in the EVO – his head seems to be at the top of the hood! And he certainly is short compared to his peers and is only 2 ½ - so whether it would last him to 3 is unclear!

Although he does like walking more and more. I prefer having the pushchair as you can load everything in it!

May the 24th 2013

I wish I had taken a picture – but I didn’t.

We went to Butlins for the weekend and I had 6 of us in our car and my mum had 5 in hers. We put the wheels in front of Michael and then on top of the luggage beside my brother we had the seat unit.

We were definitely loaded up!

The EVO makes going anywhere even with a car full really easy, because it comes apart. Instead of having to put a pushchair in whole and working out what else it can fit. It is still one of my favourite features!

May the 25th 2013

After not having a very productive day yesterday we had a fun filled day today.

Here is Michael outside of our room, enjoying some juice! Ready to have more fun!

May the 26th 2013

We were in the Bob The Builders Yard and me and Megan were taking a rest on a bench.

I am always on pushchair watch to see if I see another EVO and what colour etc.

 I can’t say I was overly impressed by the colour of this one – I think the blue looks much nicer! But did think that it looked like a really nice. Looks like the basket is quite big and looked like it was easy to push too! On first impressions looks a nice stroller.  

I looked and saw a Graco EVO mini.

May the 27th 2013

So the weekend was over as soon as it began! Time to return home and load the car and hope we all fit back in.

Before we had even got to the car Michael fell asleep from all the swimming he had been doing! Here he is crashed out with his new firemans helmet!

June the 1st 2013

Here we are out in the sunshine taking my little sisters home after we had enjoyed a lovely BBQ!

Monday 3rd - Friday 14th June 2013

My car has been out of action, as has my phone so I haven't been able to take any pictures.

We seem to be using the EVO less for short journeys as Michael wants to walk. He's almost 2 and 1/2 so sitting still is not as much fun as running around.

He's also starting to drop his nap so the faithful EVO isn't being used to get him to sleep either!

June the 15th 2013

My car is back on the road and had a call to say my phone is ready. Off into town we go. Here is Michael on our way home. He fell asleep while I was walking over to the phone shop and stayed asleep and missed our trip into Subway!

Even though he is trying not to nap in the day he still finds the EVO comfy enough for a snooze

 

Gavin borrowed the zafira so we had to borrow his Peugeot. I forgot how handy it is having a big boot as I struggled to make it fit in! It did eventually but it was a challenge!

June the 23rd 2013

I left Michael with his Granny and I went off to Sherborne Race for Life to volunteer.

Ever the ECO spotter I spied another EVO in lime and a very snug looking baby with the footmuff on as it was quite windy!

I am much more aware of other pushchairs than I have ever been!!

June the 30th 2013

Gavin has been at Glastonbury Festival for a week so I had to take Michael swimming.

We went to a few shops first with my dad and nephew. Michael tried nodding off in the EVO but I kept talking to him to keep him awake as didn't want to have to wake him 10 minutes later for his swimming lesson.

After swimming we popped in the supermarket to get some shopping and before I got back to the car Michael nodded off cuddling his new lunchbox for Nursery!!

July the 5th 2013

We went out to do a course walk for Bristol Race for Life as Gavin is course manager.

Michael fell asleep on the drive over to the downs. So we put him in the EVO.

I didn't have the sun cover I have used before and was concerned of the sun shining on his legs so I covered him up with my cardigan.

The EVO was quite easy to push around the grass and roads. I struggled two years ago when I was pushing my "holiday" hauck that had really small wheels.

Michael had a really long sleep. When he woke up he wanted to play football. So whilst pushing the EVO we had a run around.I even managed to film us playing whilst running with the EVO one handed. 

 

July the 6th 2013

Today was Bristols 10k Race for Life.We arrived at 8am to set up the course. Then we marshalled the race.

I sat Michael in the EVO to eat his jacket potato for dinner. When we walked over to our position Michael fell asleep and stayed asleep until well after the race had finished.  

July the 22nd 2013

I popped into town to pick up some shopping. Michael fell asleep as soon as we pulled into the carpark so I had do the shop with the pushchair! I only needed some bits for his lunchbox at nursery so managed with a basket. Michael managed to look after a few bits while I fitted a couple bags in the basket and carry the rest. Thankfully the EVO is easy to push one handed!

Final Summary 2013