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A Guide to Creating Unforgettable Memories with Dad this Father’s Day

Father’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the fathers in our lives. Whether they’re biological fathers, adoptive fathers, grandfathers, or fatherly mentors, it’s a special chance for us to tell them and show them how much they mean to us. 

 

Here are some ideas that will surely put a smile on Dad’s face – whether they are right here in the Texas Hill Country or miles away. 

 

Keep It Simple

 

There’s nothing wrong with going all out, but often, something straightforward and from the heart is a perfect way to show Dad how much you care. While every father is unique, here are a few gifts that just about any dad is guaranteed to love. 

 

  • Thoughtful card – While Hallmark has some amazing scribes, a personal, heartfelt message is just as special.
  • Book – Ask the dad in your life about a few of his favorite literary genres and grab him one of the latest bestsellers. Who knows, maybe you’ll introduce him to his new favorite author?
  • Framed photo – Give him a framed picture of you two or even of him and his grandchildren.
  • Sports Jersey – Surprise Dad with a top-notch jersey featuring his all-time favorite player’s number. This gift will allow him to enjoy games in style, feeling like he’s part of the action.

 

Take Him Out

 

You don’t need to whisk them off to a foreign destination or even a weekend getaway to show him you care. Take him to his favorite restaurant, treat him to a movie or concert of his choice, or go out for a round of golf together. The important thing is that you find an opportunity to spend time with him doing something he’ll enjoy. 

 

There are some pretty great ways to make Father’s Day special right here in Kyle and the greater Austin area. Pack up all your dad’s favorite snacks in a picnic basket, grab a blanket, and head out to one of the local parks in Kyle for some quality time together. And if you don’t feel like doing the cooking yourself, local restaurants like Milt’s Pit BBQ and Texas Pie Company can put together a perfect takeout plate for your picnic basket. 

 

Get Creative

 

If Dad loves to try new things, consider signing him up for a subscription service. For example, does he enjoy an evening beer? Check out the Beer of the Month Club. The subscription allows you to choose from five different clubs that vary by brewery, country of origin, and beer style to suit their specific tastes. A Beer of the Month subscription is a great way to stretch out the Father’s Day celebration all year long!

 

Head Outdoors

 

There’s a good chance that the father in your life works harder than you realize. Treat him to a day outdoors, whether it be hiking, a bike ride, fishing, or even a local camping trip. No matter what he prefers, it is another great way to spend some quality time together doing something they love!

 

These are just a few of the great ways you can celebrate Father’s Day around Kyle. Prefer to keep your plans within walking distance? Get the whole family together and take in the fresh air with a walk along the trails at Crosswinds. To learn more about this wonderful city and find a home here, contact the Crosswinds team today. 

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Area Attractions Blog Education Family Fun Kyle

National Museum Day: Museums to visit near Kyle

Texas is fortunate to have over 1,000 museums open to the public. National Museum Day is May 18, and there are some fantastic museums right here in Central Texas. From the presidential to the downright weird, here are seven museums near Kyle that you should check out. 

 

Blanton Museum of Art: Since 1963, this art museum housed on the UT campus has attracted art lovers from around the state and the world. The museum boasts more than 21,000 works in its collection, spanning a range of artistic mediums and eras. If you love spending an afternoon simply wandering around and getting lost in a museum, the Blanton Museum of Art should be at the top of your list. 

 

Calaboose African American History Museum: Located about 15 minutes from Kyle in San Marcos, this small museum is housed in Hays County’s first jail – a building that dates back all the way to 1873. The museum’s collection includes over 500 items centered around the African American experience. Entry to the museum is free of charge, but it is only open on Saturdays from 10 AM to 3 PM or by appointment, so plan accordingly.

 

Memorial Mini Golf and Museum: Part mini golf course, part military museum (you read that right), this Buda golf course/museum aims to provide some fun for visitors and honor the U.S. men and women who served in World War II. With both indoor and outdoor mini golf courses to play, it promises some competitive fun paired with a little bit of military history along the way. 

 

LBJ Museum: The Lyndon Baines Johnson Museum of San Marcos commemorates our nation’s 36th president and the role Texas played in molding him to become one of the 20th century’s most regarded leaders. Exhibits include presidential memorabilia, early photographs, local news clippings, and materials from LBJ’s years as a student at Southwest Texas State Teachers College and his time as a teacher in the state before moving into the White House. 

 

McKenna Children’s Museum: Located in New Braunfels, this local children’s museum is all about providing a fun and educational atmosphere that encourages kids to see, touch, and smell the exhibits. With an environment that allows a child’s imagination to run wild, this is one museum where parents will never have to worry about their kiddos uttering that dreaded phrase, “I’m bored.”

 

Museum of Ice Cream: The honor of the “most delicious museum” on our list goes to this Austin museum that promises to help visitors “rediscover” their inner child through the “universal power of ice cream.” It’s not so much a museum dedicated to the history of the frozen treat as it is a space designed for Instagram-worthy photoshoots (think giant tubs of plastic sprinkles). But yes – you do get to eat actual ice cream! 

 

Museum of the Weird: Inspired by the capital city’s “keep Austin weird” slogan, this kooky museum houses all sorts of unusual attractions and curiosities. Once visitors pay the $13 admission, they’ll be welcomed inside to view shrunken heads, the Fiji mermaid, and other “freaks of nature.”

 

 Whether you’re looking to entertain the kids, learn about Texas state history, or simply want to broaden your appreciation for art, there’s a museum in the Kyle area for just about everyone. 

To learn more about Kyle and find your home here, reach out to the Crosswinds team.

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Blog Family Fun Kyle Texas Lifestyle

Getting Into Gardening

If you’re looking to spend more time outdoors this spring and aren’t afraid of getting a little dirty, gardening is a wonderful hobby to take up. Gardening not only allows you to connect with nature but provides a sense of satisfaction from watching your plants grow (and potentially even produce food)!

 

Here are a few tips to consider if you’re a newbie to gardening and are hoping to grow a green thumb in the Texas Hill Country.

 

Timing is Everything

 

May is an ideal month for gardening. There’s usually a healthy amount of rain, the possibility of a cold snap is in the rearview mirror, and it’s still not too hot out yet. While it’s a little late in the season to be planting spring flowers (those should have been planted in March), this is the ideal time for many vegetables.

 

Know Your Zone

 

Each part of the country is made up of various hardiness zones. These help gardeners know which types of plants will thrive best in their particular region, and Kyle happens to be in Zone 8. If you’ve been here for any amount of time, you know that hot summers and mild winters are the standard. It’s these conditions that make this area great for heat-loving vegetables. 

 

Prep Your Garden Area

 

Unless you aim to grow cattails, well-draining soil is going to be a must. You’ll also want to aim for a space that offers a good amount of sun.

 

Once you have your gardening spot picked out, there are a few things you’ll need to do to ensure your plants flourish.

 

  • Apply a compost layer of mulch to flower beds to suppress weeds and retain moisture.
  • Plant any bedding plants, such as shrubs, and give them ample water before the weather really heats up.
  • Water your plants deeply and infrequently to foster strong roots.
  • Loosen up the soil before planting any vegetable seeds.
  • Pull any weeds that may have popped up before they start seeding.

 

Grow What You Like

 

Some plants are going to be easier than others to grow, but regardless of difficulty, you should grow what you like. There’s no sense in growing tomatoes if nobody in your household can stand them. If you grow what you like, you’ll enjoy gardening that much more!

 

Vegetables that do well in Zone 8 and are perfect for planting in May:

 

  • Beans
  • Beets
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Eggplant
  • Peppers
  • Okra
  • Spinach
  • Cucumbers
  • Herbs
  • Summer squash

 

Because some vegetables grow faster than others, you’ll also want to stagger your plantings out rather than putting all your seeds in the ground at once.

 

Another key thing to consider is making sure those seeds get the right amount of water. A wooden chopstick or skewer is handy for gauging if the soil is too dry. If when you poke the chopstick in the ground, the top two inches are dry, you need to water it.

 

May is a wonderful month for gardening, and with so much natural beauty around Kyle, it’s a perfect outdoor hobby. If you’re looking for a home here, reach out to us to learn more about the master-planned Crosswinds community. 

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Area Attractions Blog Family Fun Kyle Texas

Community organizations + clubs to get involved in

Maybe you’re new to Kyle and looking to get out and meet some folks, or maybe you’re a longtime resident with some extra time on your hands. In either case, there are plenty of community groups in town worth checking out. 

 

In fact, there’s something happening just about every day of the week in Kyle; the only question is, what do you want to do first?

 

For the Bibliophiles

 

If you love reading a good book and are always on the hunt for the next great novel and somebody to discuss it with, then check out the Page Turners Book Club.

 

The group meets every third Thursday of the month at 6 PM at the Kyle Public Library. The book club is open to readers of all ages and has a reading list of both new and old titles. At the May 18 meeting, members will discuss The Housekeeper by Joy Fielding.

 

For the Stargazers

 

The Texas Hill Country is home to some of the best stargazing in the United States, and on a clear night, astronomy enthusiasts can spot an array of constellations in the nighttime sky.

 

Whether you’re a novice astronomer or fancy yourself as the next Galileo, the Astronomy Club is all about encouraging exploration of the night sky. The group meets on the third Saturday of each month at 2 PM to discuss the wonders of the cosmos and stargazing outings. 

 

For the Trivia Buff

 

If you have dreams of going on Jeopardy! or simply love learning new facts in a competitive setting, then Trivia Night at Centerfield Sports Bar & Grill should be on your radar. 

 

The brainy games kick off every Monday night at 6:30, participation is free, and you can either play solo or as a team of up to six people. Winners not only receive bragging rights as the smartest person in the room but will walk away with $25 in food and drink credit at Centerfield. 

 

For the Little Kids

 

Suppose you have a toddler who likes to move and loves a good story (what toddler doesn’t, right?), then be sure to swing by Lil’ Yogis. The group meets each Tuesday at 10:30 in the morning for a “half hour of pure fun.” Small children will have the chance to participate in yoga-like poses while also enjoying a story. 

 

For the Big Kids

 

On the fourth Thursday of each month, teens and tweens are encouraged to stop by the Kyle Public Library for the KPL Gamers meetup. From 4:30 to 6 PM, teens will have the chance to play both new and old video games as well as an array of board games. And snacks will be provided because no gaming experience is complete without some grub. 

 

This is really only a small sampling of the many community social groups meeting each month in Kyle. There are also opportunities to learn a new language, pick up a new hobby, work on crafts, or simply play a few games of chess. 

The Kyle community calendar is always changing, and it’s exactly this sort of variety that makes a flourishing city like Kyle such a wonderful place to live. If you’re looking for the perfect home here, reach out to the Crosswinds team today.

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Area Attractions Blog Kyle Texas

The Wall That Heals in Kyle, TX

For four days this May, the City of Kyle will be hosting a special tribute that touches on one of the most painful periods in United States history. Along with the city, Central Texas AMVETS Post 115 will be welcoming The Wall That Heals, a traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial located in Washington, D.C. Visiting the wall is free, and everyone in the community is invited to come out to learn about the memorial and the Americans it honors. 

 

When and Where

 

It’s fitting that the wall will be in town just a few weeks before Memorial Day, and it will stop in Kyle May 4-7. Visitors can stop by the wall’s location at Lake Kyle Park, 700 Lehman Road, 24 hours a day before it closes at 2 PM on May 7. LED lighting will provide readability during nighttime hours.

 

Before the wall is set up and opened for public viewing, it will arrive in Kyle on May 2, with an opening ceremony on May 4 at 9 AM. The opening ceremony is open to everyone, and veteran Stuart Hoyt will speak along with a prayer by Rev. Kenneth Bell and the playing of Taps. A closing ceremony, along with prayer and playing of Taps, will also be held at 1:30 PM on the final day of its stop in Kyle.

 

While parents are encouraged to bring along their children, no pets other than service animals will be permitted. Volunteers are also needed to help with crowd control, greeting visitors, and assist with finding names on the wall.

 

A Chance to Remember, Honor, and Heal

 

The Vietnam War was unlike any other war in the history of the United States, and it claimed the lives of over 58,000 Americans over the course of two decades. 

 

The Wall That Heals is modeled after the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which was erected in our nation’s capitol in 1982. Designed by architect Maya Lin, the memorial is composed of 72 black granite panels, which stand just over 10 feet at their highest apex and taper down to 8 inches along the wall’s length of 493 feet and 6 inches. 

 

While The Wall That Heals is a replica, its dimensions are slightly different. It stands 7.5 feet high at its tallest point and stretches 375 feet. Nevertheless, it’s a powerful statement of patriotism and the ultimate sacrifice made by the soldiers who died in combat or remain missing. 

 

Launched in 1996 by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, The Wall That Heals offers a chance for those who may not be able to visit the D.C. memorial an opportunity to pay their respects to the names inscribed on its granite panels.  

 

To date, the traveling memorial has visited almost 700 communities and impacted countless visitors. During its 2021 season alone, the wall traveled 13,000 miles around the United States, offering an opportunity for more than 200,000 visitors to remember, honor, and heal.

 

Kyle is truly fortunate to have the opportunity to host such an important memorial to military veterans and their families. It’s events like this that make this community such a wonderful place to call home. If you’d like to learn more about what makes Kyle great, contact the Crosswinds team.

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Blog Homebuilder Kyle

Builders in Crosswinds

Crosswinds was developed to create a dynamic community by incorporating design aspects that enhanced the daily aspects of life. That concept is evident with features such as resort-style amenities and homes constructed with the best materials by today’s top homebuilders. 

These elements make a Crosswinds home entirely unique and a great place to live, and a solid investment for your future. 

 

The builders at Crosswinds have been hand-picked for their proven history of excellence. All have been crafting distinctive homes in the Austin area now for decades. With exclusive designs and flexible floor plans, you’re sure to find your dream home. Get to know some of our fantastic builders and learn more about their unique styles:

 

Brightland Homes – With customizable floorplans and craftsmanship that utilizes the latest in homebuilding technology, homeowners can rest assured they’re buying a home that can be enjoyed for decades to come with Brightland. The firm has been constructing exceptional homes for over 30 years and has earned countless design and construction awards in the process. 

 

Highland Homes – For nearly 40 years, the builders of Highland Homes have been designing and constructing homes that Texans can be proud of and grow in. The company strives to provide homes with floorplans that work for today’s homeowners by using the latest innovations in construction building materials. It’s this sort of commitment that has helped Highland earn numerous industry awards, including the People’s Choice Builder of the Year award for nine consecutive years. 

 

Pacesetter Homes – Inviting living spaces, high-quality materials, and energy-efficient design and construction are what you’ll find with a Pacesetter home. The team behind the Pacesetter name knows a thing or two about designing the perfect home – they’ve been in the business for over 70 years. The Austin-based firm is committed to giving Kyle families a home that is designed to a higher standard and can be a foundation for living life to the fullest.

 

MileStone Community Builders – Co-Founder and CEO Garrett Martin is all about creating beautifully crafted homes that perfectly align with the lifestyle of Central Texas. Since 2009, he’s surrounded himself with a team of designers and project managers, all with one goal in mind – to deliver a great home and a great home-buying experience each and every time. With strong attention to detail and commitment to quality, it’s no surprise MileStone is one of the area’s most esteemed homebuilders. 

 

Perry Homes – Commitment to the highest quality, superior design, and exceptional customer service – these are the cornerstones that guide the Perry Homes team. The woman-owned business has constructed stunning homes in over 90 communities across the state, and now they’ve brought that expertise to Crosswinds. With floorplans and features developed for a variety of lifestyles, Perry Homes retain one of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry. 

 

Pulte Homes – Known for expert craftsmanship, distinctive curb appeal, and striking features, the homes built by the Pulte Homes homebuilding team are designed to provide homebuyers with a home that meets their needs of today and tomorrow. This means versatile living spaces, flexible floor plans, and customizable features. With award-winning designs and construction that can stand up to a busy lifestyle, it’s easy to see the appeal of Pulte Homes in the Crosswinds community. 

With homes starting in the $300s and features such as two-car garages, home offices, game rooms, and luxury kitchens, our hand-picked builders have thoughtfully designed the ideal home for making the most of the Hill Country lifestyle. Contact us to learn more about our current inventory of beautiful homes. 

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Blog Homeowner Tips Kyle Texas

Tips to Save Money on Moving

Most people wouldn’t describe moving as “fun.” More often, adjectives like “exhausting” and “stressful” come into play. A big reason behind the anxiety that comes with moving is money. 

 

Local moves will always be cheaper than moving from state to state, but from setting up utilities to packing supplies and fuel costs, many hidden expenses go along with moving. 

 

This doesn’t mean, however, that you can’t reduce expenses when moving. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind while planning your next move. 

 

Leave Stuff Behind

 

Okay, we don’t mean you should leave your prized possessions behind, but the less stuff you have to move, the cheaper it will be. Financial guru Dave Ramsey advises selling or getting rid of the things you’re not so attached to before loading up the moving truck. 

 

“Another way to save money on relocation costs is to sell some stuff!” Ramsey said. “We’re talking about that armoire you never found the right place for or that kayak that’s been gathering dust in your garage for years. Now’s the perfect time to get rid of that junk.”

 

Less stuff to move means less money spent on packing supplies and more money in your pocket once you move into your new home. 

 

Calculate Estimated Costs 

 

Columbus didn’t cross the Atlantic without calculating the supplies he would need, nor should he. A moving calculator will help you estimate the cost of getting from point A to point B based on the number of bedrooms you’re moving and the amount of furnishings you have. 

 

While it won’t provide an exact cost, it will help give you a rough idea of what kind of vehicle you’ll need and the fuel price. 

 

Pack Smart, Pack Cheap

 

Cardboard isn’t as cheap as you might think. Head to a packing store, and you could pay upwards of $20 per box! Don’t fret; there’s a solution. The earlier you plan your move, the more time you have to save useable boxes (and the bubble wrap) from various mail deliveries or friends or family who have boxes they no longer need. 

 

Another good option is to check sites like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist for cardboard boxes people no longer want and are giving away. 

 

You can also help offset packing costs by wrapping more fragile items in clothes and towels. 

 

Move During Off-Season

 

Moving companies are busiest from May through August. This is when school is out, and students are moving back home and then heading off to school. If you can, try to move between September and April – preferably during the week for an even cheaper rate with a moving company. 

 

Ask the moving company to handle only the big furniture if you’re not moving far. If you can move the smaller boxes yourself, it’ll reduce the time it takes to move your stuff, saving you money. 

 

A lot of planning goes into a move, but once you step foot in your new place, all that hard work will be worth it. If you’re looking to move into your dream home soon, contact us to learn more about the Crosswinds community. 

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