I was given a Joovy Ultralight Double Stroller in exchange for an honest review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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“A Leisurely Stroll is a Gift.”

This quote, from the movie Saving Mr. Banks, has stuck with me since the day I saw the film.

There is such truth in this statement.  However, I must admit, in my younger days I never saw the gift.

Growing up in Philadelphia, my family walked everywhere.  We walked to Church on Sunday, to school every day – no matter the weather.  We walked to the store.  My mom walked to work.  I, as a teen, walked to work.  If I wanted to see a friend, I walked.  Asking for a ride somewhere was something I rarely did.

We were a one car family.  My dad grew up in a family that never had a car.

There were plenty of times when my brother and sisters and I would ask our parents, “Are we walking or driving?”  Often the answer was, “walking”.  Then all of us would grunt, sigh and mumble under our breaths.

We didn’t see going for a walk as a leisurely stroll . . . we certainly didn’t view it as a gift.

As an adult, I drive everywhere.

Sometimes, it’s necessary.  Other times, I convince myself that I am saving time by driving.

Instead of walking my son to school or walking him home (which by the way he loves), I would claim I needed those extra minutes to “get things done” and I would drive.

This year my son started Kindergarten, and I resolved to embrace the gift of a “leisurely stroll”.

But this year, I also have two adorable sidekicks.

I kept hearing that quote in my head as I started thinking about my oldest starting school full-time.  I knew I wanted a double umbrella stroller so that the twins could sit side by side and enjoy the view as we walked each day.

I checked out Joovy’s website first, because I had already been using the TwinRoo+ Infant Car Seat Stroller and had been pleased with the product.

I was so happy to see Joovy was introducing an Ultralight Double Stroller!  I need the lightness – my twins are growing much quicker than my older son did, and they are only going to get heavier!

My plan was to walk our new Kindergartener to school and not only get some exercise, but enjoy some time in solitude and make more time for prayer.

What I thought I needed, and what ended up happening were not the same.

I needed exercise,  so the daily walk is definitely providing some.  In fact, what a feeling of humility I experienced when I felt sore from walking the first week of school – which was only 3 days long!  Clearly, I’ve been neglecting walking and all other forms of exercise!

But what was even more of a shock for me was the lack of solitude I experienced on my stroll home.

It amazes me how a neighborhood that does not have bus transportation provided by the school district becomes more of a community by the simple act of walking their children to school.

I may not have had the solitude needed for meditative prayer, but I have made a new friend and have gotten to know so many more of my neighbors.

This walk not only helped me feel more in touch with my community, but it helped my son as well.

Little did we know that a boy in his class lived less than a block away from us!  Xavier’s classmate is now his good friend too.  His mom and siblings have already come over for coffee and a playdate!

Having the Joovy Ultralight Double Umbrella Stroller has allowed us to have this experience. Our twins are growing out of the car seat holder, and are very interested in seeing the world around them.  If they are being fussy before the walk, they soon become silent and entranced with the scenery.  The seats are adjustable, so whether my babies are 5 months or two years, they can sit comfortably.  They can also lay back to take a nap!

There are cupholders everywhere, and two zip pouches that are perfect from my cell phone, wallet and keys (and they easily fit in just one of them)!  There is a ton of storage space on the bottom – which is often not found with a traditional umbrella stroller.

I can fit on narrow sidewalks and get through doors.

It folds up nicely and leaves space for other things in the back of the car.

It truly is a great stroller.

This stroller allows me to spend quality time with all of my children  . . . and treasure the gift of a leisurely (and sometimes not so leisurely) stroll!

Thank you Jooovy!

Thank you Joovy for giving me the storage of a traditional stroller but the flexibility of an umbrella stroller!

Thank you Joovy for making sure we have plenty of storage space and several cup holders!

Thank you Joovy for making it possible that I can fit other things in the trunk of our car besides our double stroller!

And thank you Joovy, for allowing us to enjoy the gift of a leisurely stroll -and the blessings those leisurely strolls have brought!

As for increasing prayer time . . . an hour at Eucharistic Adoration is calling me even louder now!

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