Tag: Crosswinds community

Categories
Blog Kyle Kyle Texas Tips TX

Fall Scent Guide: Best Essential Oils & Candles for September

There’s something special about fall: the shift in pace, the return of routines, and the little moments that make home feel extra comforting. One of the easiest ways to invite the season in is through scent. Whether you’re lounging on the porch, entertaining on the patio, or simply winding down after a busy day, the right fragrance can set the mood and bring a touch of seasonal magic to your space.

This month, we’re sharing our favorite essential oils and candle scents for September, perfect for Crosswinds living, whether you’re diffusing indoors or lighting up your favorite candle outside with neighbors and friends.

Why Fall Scents Matter

Fragrance has the power to transform a space. A whiff of cinnamon can bring on a sense of warmth and nostalgia. A blend of vanilla and amber can help you relax and settle in. Seasonal scents add richness and depth to your everyday routines and can make your home feel more personal, welcoming, and peaceful.

Top Scent Picks for September

  • Pumpkin-Cinnamon Spice
    A timeless favorite that instantly brings a cozy, homey feel. It’s a perfect pick for family hangouts, solo quiet time, or even a casual coffee on the porch.
  • Crisp Apple & Maple
    Sweet, fresh, and a little playful, this scent adds brightness to your space while still feeling grounded and seasonal.
  • Vanilla Amber
    Smooth and slightly sultry, this scent is a go-to for creating a calming, mellow vibe, especially in the evenings or when hosting friends.
  • Evergreen & Pine
    Clean and earthy, evergreen scents bring a sense of balance and freshness to your home. It’s a great counterpoint to the sweeter options and perfect for a nature-inspired space.

Essential Oils vs. Candles

Essential oils are a great option if you love variety and prefer something subtle and steady. Use them in diffusers around your home or patio to enjoy a gentle background aroma. They’re also a simple, flame-free choice if you have little ones or pets nearby.

Candles, on the other hand, bring more than scent; they create ambiance. The flicker of a candle can add instant charm to any corner of your home, and it’s hard to beat the ritual of lighting one as you settle in for the evening. Look for soy or natural wax candles with cotton wicks for a cleaner, longer-lasting burn.

How to Infuse Your Space

Start by placing a diffuser near your favorite hangout spot, like nearby the porch swing, a patio table, or a reading chair. Try mixing your own oil blend, like cinnamon and orange for a cozy kick, or lavender and clove for something soothing and warm.

For candles, group a few together in decorative holders or lanterns and place them where you gather most. It’s easy to create a display that looks as good as it smells.

You can also add seasonal touches like a tray of wax melts, a small bowl of dried spices and herbs, or a DIY simmer pot on the stove when entertaining indoors.

Crosswinds Community Connection

Want to turn your scent obsession into a fun community moment? Host a scent-swap with your neighbors: everyone brings a candle, oil blend, or wax melt to trade and try. It’s a simple way to discover new favorites, and it’s a great excuse to gather and catch up.

You can also share your favorite blends and porch setups in the Crosswinds community group. It’s the perfect spot to swap ideas and get inspired by your fellow residents!

Let Your Porch Smell Like Home

Scent is such a small thing, but it has a big impact. It helps define the feeling of home, adds comfort to your everyday routine, and creates memorable moments for your family and guests. Whether you’re drawn to sweet, spicy, or woodsy fragrances, September is a great time to refresh your space and fully enjoy the season.

Thinking about making Crosswinds your next chapter? Contact us to learn more!

Categories
Blog Events Kyle Kyle Texas TX

Serve Up Some Fun This September at the Fall Pickleball Tournament!

Fall is arriving in Kyle, and that means it’s time to grab your paddles and get ready for a fun, casual, and community-powered morning at the Fall Co‑Ed Pickleball Tournament! Whether you’re a seasoned player or just looking to try something new, this lighthearted event is the perfect way to get outside, stay active, and bond with neighbors.

Hosted by the City of Kyle, the tournament takes place Saturday, September 6 from 8:00 AM to noon at Live Oak Academy (4820 Jack C. Hays Trail). It’s open to all adults age 18 and up, and teams can include 2–3 players. No experience? No problem. All skill levels are welcome, and the vibe is all about fun over formality.

The tournament follows a double elimination format, which means every team gets a chance to play more than once, so even if your first game doesn’t go as planned, you’re still in the action. With a $40 team registration fee, it’s an affordable way to enjoy some exercise and friendly competition.

What to Expect on Game Day

Picture this: you and your neighbors out on the court, the sound of laughter and friendly cheers filling the air, and a few surprise volleys keeping everyone on their toes. Whether you’re playing or cheering from the sidelines, the morning promises great energy and community connection. Pack water, sunscreen, and a light snack to keep your team fueled, and plan to arrive early to warm up and grab a good shaded spot.

This tournament is a great fit for older kids to come and watch, too! Pickleball is fast-paced, easy to follow, and genuinely fun to watch. It’s the kind of morning that ends with tired legs, full hearts, and plenty of great photos.

Why Crosswinds Residents Should Join

At Crosswinds, we’re all about spending time outdoors, connecting with neighbors, and embracing the season. Forming a block-wide pickleball team is a fun way to strengthen friendships and get moving in the process. Even if you’re not playing, it’s worth gathering a group to cheer from the sidelines with coffee and lawn chairs in hand.

Hosting a little practice match in your driveway or neighborhood park beforehand could be a great warm-up and a fun way to kick off the fall season together. And who knows? You might discover your new favorite hobby.

Make it a Community Moment

This tournament is more than a game, it’s a gathering. Bring your camera, capture the smiles, and post your best rally moments on the Crosswinds group page. Share tips, celebrate wins, and even plan a post-tournament brunch to keep the good vibes going.

If you’re new to Kyle or thinking about making Crosswinds your home, this kind of event offers a great glimpse into what life here is really like: friendly, active, and full of ways to connect.

See You There!

Whether you’re swinging a paddle or clapping from the sidelines, the Fall Pickleball Tournament is your chance to enjoy the season, the sunshine, and the Crosswinds spirit. Rally your teammates, register soon, and get ready to serve up some fun!

Interested in making Crosswinds your home base for events like this and so much more? Contact us today!

Categories
Blog Events Family Fun Kyle Kyle Texas Lifestyle TX

September Movie in the Park: WONKA

As the summer winds down and September brings cooler evenings, there’s no better way to enjoy the season than with a magical movie under the stars. This month, Crosswinds families and neighbors can look forward to a whimsical night out at the September Movie in the Park, featuring WONKA—a film full of music, heart, and imagination that’s perfect for older kids and adults alike!

Event Details

Date: Thursday, September 5
Location: Steeplechase Park
Showtime: Movie begins at 8:00 PM (come early to grab your spot!)

Pack your blankets and lawn chairs and get ready for a cozy community evening. Whether you’ve seen the film or are discovering it for the first time, WONKA promises to dazzle with its story of how the world’s most famous chocolatier came to be.

More Info Here

What to Expect

Steeplechase Park will transform into an outdoor movie haven. A giant screen will light up the night sky, and the sound of laughter, music, and sweet storytelling will fill the air. Food trucks and local vendors will be on-site, offering tasty snacks and drinks, making it easy to treat yourself to movie munchies without packing a thing.

Perfect Evening for Older Kids & Adults

While WONKA is a family-friendly film, its magical storyline, musical numbers, and deeper themes make it a fantastic pick for tweens, teens, and adults, too. It’s the kind of movie that stirs your imagination and leaves you humming the tunes long after the credits roll.

Tips for an Unforgettable Movie Night

  • Arrive Early to claim a good viewing spot and explore the park before the movie starts.
  • Pack Smart: Bring along blankets, lawn chairs, and bug spray.
  • Don’t Forget Snacks: Either bring your own goodies or plan to grab something from the food trucks.
  • Bring a Flashlight or use your phone’s light for post-movie navigation.

Crosswinds Community Connection

Events like Movie in the Park are just one of the many reasons families love living at Crosswinds. They offer a chance to relax, meet neighbors, and create lasting memories just minutes from home. Whether you’re organizing a group outing or sharing popcorn with your family, these shared experiences bring the spirit of community to life.

Want to make it extra special? Coordinate with a few nearby Crosswinds families to create a shared movie zone with blankets, snacks, and lawn games before the movie begins. It’s a fun and easy way to bring people together.

See You There!

We hope to see you on September 5 for a night full of music, magic, and movie magic. And if you’re dreaming of living in a community where family-friendly fun is always on the calendar, contact us to learn more about life at Crosswinds. The next big adventure could start right here under the stars.

Categories
Blog Family Fun Kyle Kyle Texas Lifestyle TX

DIY Art in the Park at Crosswinds: A Creative Guide for Families

There’s something magical about turning a warm afternoon into a hands-on art adventure—and you don’t have to go far to make it happen! At Crosswinds, our wide-open green spaces and friendly community vibes make the perfect backdrop for your very own DIY Art in the Park. Whether you’re gathering with neighbors or planning a quiet creative morning with your kids, this guide will help you bring it all to life.

Choose Your Canvas

You don’t need a fancy setup to enjoy art outdoors. A picnic blanket on your backyard lawn or a shady spot near the Crosswinds clubhouse works perfectly. Choose an area with plenty of natural light and enough room for kids (and grown-ups) to spread out supplies and let their imaginations run wild.

Gather Simple Supplies

Keep things easy and fun by using art supplies you already have at home. A few must-haves include crayons, colored pencils, watercolors, washable paints, markers, brushes, and thick paper or small canvases. Don’t forget wipes, water cups, and aprons or old t-shirts to protect clothes. Keep everything in a basket or tote so cleanup is a breeze.

Pick a Project Theme

Give your art day a little extra spark with a theme! Some favorites:

  • Nature-Inspired: Have kids paint flowers, trees, or bugs they see around them.
  • Community Love: Draw your favorite part of Crosswinds—maybe the playground, your home, or a friendly neighbor.
  • Color Challenge: Pick a few colors and let kids create a masterpiece using only those shades.

Themes keep everyone engaged and can lead to some creative storytelling, too!

Set the Mood

Make your art space feel extra special. Set up a playlist with calm or cheerful tunes and bring along a few snacks and drinks to keep everyone happy. Hang some string lights or bring a couple of bright pillows to turn your art station into a cozy corner. The more relaxed and inviting it feels, the more creative your artists will be.

Invite Neighbors & Friends

Art is more fun when it’s shared! Spread the word to a few nearby families and encourage them to bring their own supplies. You can keep things casual—just a few friends gathering under the trees—or plan a mini event with a theme, treats, and even a small gallery walk at the end.

Showcase & Share

When everyone’s finished, lay the artwork out on the grass or prop it against a picnic table for a mini “art show.” Let each artist talk about their piece and what inspired them. Take photos of the finished works and post them in the Crosswinds community group to share the fun with neighbors who couldn’t make it.

Memories Happen Here!

At Crosswinds, it’s easy to turn a sunny day into something meaningful—especially when you’re surrounded by good people, wide open spaces, and a little artistic inspiration. Whether you’re painting under the trees or crafting on your patio, Art in the Park is a beautiful way to connect with your community and make the most of the season.

Thinking about putting down roots in a place where creativity and connection thrive? Contact us to learn more about life at Crosswinds and how you can be part of the fun.

Categories
Family Fun Kyle Kyle Texas Lifestyle

Get Outside in Kyle, TX

Image from The City of Kyle - Local Government Facebook

Although winter has technically just begun, many parts of Texas are already feeling like spring with crisp mornings and warm afternoons. Whether you are looking for more ways to spend days outside or you have more free time on your schedule this time of year, whatever the case may be, here are just a few ways to get outside and discover (or rediscover) all that Kyle has going on.

 

County Line Polo Club – Did you know that Kyle has its polo club? That’s right, you can try your hand at the sport of British aristocrats without having to jump aboard a flight to England. The County Line Polo Club is a local polo club open to the public that specializes in teaching aspiring and skilled equestrians the sport of polo. The club’s instructors offer both individual classes as well as team training to individuals of all ages. The club even has matches for riders to show off their mallet-swinging skills. 

 

If you’re looking to try a new sport this year, you just found it. Giddy up!

 

Sports and Rec Leagues – Perhaps you prefer sports that don’t require you to climb aboard another animal… we get it. The Kyle Parks and Rec Department has options aimed at more traditional sports with winter and spring leagues. 

 

Adult sports leagues include roller hockey as well as kickball, which kicks off at the end of this month. If you’re looking for something a little more low-key, there’s also the adult spring fishing tournament happening in April – with a cash jackpot!

 

Kids aren’t left out of the fun as they have their youth fishing tournament, as well as leagues for basketball, swimming, and hockey in the winter and spring months. 

 

City Parks – Sometimes making the most of the great outdoors can be as simple as going for a walk. Two of our favorite places to take in some natural beauty are Lake Kyle and Mary Kyle Hartson City Park. 

 

Lake Kyle is a wonderful spot for a morning or evening walk and is a popular destination for fishing. Birding enthusiasts will also enjoy visiting this park, with herons, ducks, egrets, and other species of waterfowl calling the lake home. Starting in early spring, Lake Kyle is a great place to enjoy some beautiful wildflowers, including a large population of Bluebonnets, the Texas state flower. 

 

Mary Kyle Hartson City Park is a small but charming park and has been part of the city since the early 1900s. It’s a great place for enjoying your lunch break outside or killing some time with the kiddos. In 2020, the city made several improvements including a playground, picnic tables, a rain garden, and a 20-foot-wide promenade. 

 

Plum Creek Golf Course – Kyle is in close proximity to some of the best golfing in Texas and if you’re looking to hit the links in the new year, then you’ll want to check out Plum Creek Golf Course. The 18-hole public course is surrounded by the “natural beauty of Texas live oaks, limestone, rolling hills, and Texas wildflowers,” making each drive down the fairway all the more impressive. 

 

The course also offers private lessons, a pro shop, and bar and grill for guests to enjoy a meal or cocktail before tee time. 

 

There’s plenty more Kyle has to offer when it comes to outdoor recreation. If you’d like to learn more about finding a home in this wonderful city, contact the Crosswinds team today. 

Categories
Uncategorized

Ways to Give Back this Holiday Season

While the holidays are a time of cheerful winter decorations, festive traditions, and shopping for that perfect gift for the ones we love, it’s also a time of great need for those who don’t have access to basic necessities and resources.

 

Whether offering your time, donating food, toys, and necessities, or making a financial contribution, there are many ways to give to the less fortunate in Hays County and make a difference in your community. 

 

SAFE Holidays 

 

SAFE is dedicated to “serving the survivors of child abuse, sexual assault and exploitation, and domestic violence” in the greater Austin area. Many of the people served by the organization are women and children with nowhere else to turn. With programs ranging from counseling to emergency shelter and housing assistance, SAFE has been the beginning of a better future for countless individuals. 

 

Ways to give this season: 

 

  • Sponsor a SAFE wishlist to purchase gifts for adults and children in the program.
  • Stock the shelves and provide much-needed items for SAFE’s shelters. 
  • Volunteer your time with the organization.
  • Make a monetary donation that will help SAFE to continue fulfilling its mission. 

 

Toys for Tots

 

Toys for Tots is a program that’s dear to the U.S. Marine Corps and has been brightening the Christmas season for millions of children since 1947. Right here in the Austin area, the program provides over 40,000 toys for more than 34,000 children! Every fall, Marines, organizations, businesses, and other volunteers gather new, unwrapped toys to distribute throughout Burnet, LLano, Blanco, Hays, Travis, Williamson, Bastrop, and Caldwell Counties.

 

How to help:

 

  • Buy a toy online or drop one off at a recognized Toys for Tots location.
  • Volunteer your business to be a drop site.
  • Volunteer to help wrap and distribute the toys to those 34,000 children.

 

Operation Turkey

 

Operation Turkey is a 3-day series of events aimed to ensure everyone in the Austin area has a warm meal to enjoy on Thanksgiving. The program started on 6th street in Austin and has now spread to six more states, pulling in around 30,000 volunteers along the way. This year the three events include a Gumbo Cookoff Fundraiser (Nov 20), Turkey Tailgate (Nov 23), and Operation Turkey distribution (Nov 24).

Get involved:

 

  • Volunteer your time at one of the three events.
  • Get your organization or business involved in fundraising for the program.
  • Make a financial donation to help Operation Turkey provide Thanksgiving meals.

 

Central Texas Food Bank

 

The Central Texas Food Bank provides free groceries for thousands of families and individuals throughout the year, but the holiday season is often one where it sees the highest demand. Accomplishing the food bank’s goal of providing healthy and nutritious food to those in need wouldn’t be possible without volunteer and financial community support. 

 

Make an impact:

 

  • Volunteer at one of their mobile pantries.
  • Volunteer in the food warehouse, community kitchen, or garden.
  • Donate food or offer a monetary gift.

 

The holiday season is a great time to be a resident of Kyle, with festive cheer, generosity, and fun throughout the end of the year. To learn more about all Kyle has to offer and how you can find a home here, contact the team at Crosswinds today. Crosswinds is a master-planned community that offers families beautiful homes and great amenities. Visit our website to learn more.

Categories
Events Family Fun

Kyle Summer Camp & Field Trips

Kyle Texas Summer Camp and Field Trips

Ask your kid (or even better, your kid’s teacher) and they’ll probably be able to tell you down to the hour when summer vacation begins. Summer in Texas is so much fun. Yes, it’s hot, but there’s an endless array of things going on and it’s the ideal time for many families to take a vacation. What about those weeks before and after the big family vacay though? 

 

The kiddos are going to need something to keep them occupied and the city of Kyle offers a day camp program aimed at engaging kids in a “healthy and active lifestyle; rather than sitting on the couch and playing video games all summer.” Let’s face it, by the second week stuck at home, everyone is probably going to have a bit of cabin fever and the city’s day camp program not only offers daily activities but two field trips a week, all at an affordable price. 

 

Why Kyle Summer Camp is the Best Deal in Town

Overnight summer camps can be a lot of fun, but they also come with their fair share of drawbacks. For starters, they can be pretty expensive and they’re only becoming more costly with experts in the camp industry predicting the cost of a week at summer camp to be 15% more expensive this year. 

 

Not every kid does well at a week-long overnight summer camp. Younger children, in particular, can be more prone to homesickness, and if you’re having to drive a couple of hours by day 3 to pick up a child who’s not having a great time, well, consider yourself in for a dose of the summertime blues.  

 

With Kyle’s Summer Camp program, campers begin arriving each day at 7 A.M. and can stay at the camp as late as 6 P.M. This means mom and dad don’t have to worry about leaving the kids home during the week or packing a week’s worth of stuff for an overnight camp stay. Campers will have the opportunity to participate in daily arts and crafts, games, and sports such as archery, fishing, and swimming. One of the most fun aspects of Kyle’s Summer Camp program is that each week brings something different with two field trips a week to area attractions such as McKinney Falls State Park, Urban Air trampoline park, and Dart’em Up Austin. 

 

Summer Camp Details

Kyle’s camp program is spread out over eight weeks and runs from June 6th through July 29th. The camp program is designed for elementary through middle school-aged children and is broken up into two camps: 

 

Voyagers: children entering 2nd through 5th grade.

Adventurers: children entering 6th through 9th grade. 

 

The camp runs Monday through Friday from 7 in the morning until 6 in the evening at Wallace Middle School. The program does not supply breakfast or lunch, so children will need to eat before they arrive and pack a lunch with them each day as well as a water bottle. Camp is $150 each week per camper. This cost covers all daily activities including field trips as well as two daily snacks and two camp t-shirts. 

 

Parents can learn more about the summer camp program and sign up on the City of Kyle website. 

 

If you’re interested in finding a home in Kyle, reach out to learn more about available homes at Crosswinds. Crosswinds offers a variety of amenities, new homes from the area’s top builders, and an ideal location for families of all lifestyles. 

Categories
Homeowner Tips Lifestyle

How to Get to Know your Neighbors

Neighbors in Kyle, TX

Becoming friends with your neighbors is one of the best things about living in a master-planned community. Great neighbors can keep an eye on your home and surroundings, they can lend a helping hand, and they can make community events so much more fun!

Whether you’ve never met the family next door, or you spend time with your neighbors daily, here are some tips to help you get connected to the people around your community!

  1. Connect with Your Neighborhood Online

It sounds like meeting neighbors online defeats the purpose, but it can be a powerful way to meet and cultivate your relationships with people in your community. Some neighborhoods meet on NextDoor or establish a private Facebook group where they can report problems, ask questions, notify items delivered to the wrong house, and lost pets. Many people also use it to ask for local vendor recommendations. 

Many master-planned communities also have a homeowner’s association (HOA). Sometimes they have a website, an email newsletter, or both. Depending on your community, a HOA often plans community resident events which is a great way to meet others in your community. Talk to your HOA to find out what resources they offer!

  1. Create a Social Committee

Some HOAs have a lifestyle director or a committee to oversee neighbor parties and gatherings. Neighborhoods may hold a variety of events that target different groups such as families, women only, kids, or adults only. If your neighborhood doesn’t have an organization that coordinates planning events, consider taking charge and creating one, or move to a community that already has lifestyle programming in place. Having resident events often leads to great friends, which would be a wonderful way to improve the quality of life for you and your family. 

  1. Provide a Neighborhood Directory

Before creating and distributing a neighborhood directory, send a survey to your residents. Give them the opportunity to share information for the direction and to give you permission for publishing their information. If you have a private Facebook page, you can upload the directory to the page for neighbors to access. Be sure to email it as not everyone may be active on Facebook or whatever social network you use.

As you collect information for the directory, add an item about babysitters, or similar services. Parents of young kids will appreciate having access to qualified babysitters right in their neighborhood. Add a question about pets’ names and descriptions as well as the names and ages of kids (if permitted to publish). If a pet without an ID tag ever gets lost, the neighbors can refer to the directory to see if they can identify the owner.

A good directory sorts the entries in two ways: alphabetically and by street address. This comes in handy because you may not know their name, but you know where they live. 

You may not be able to choose your neighbors, but you have many choices when it comes to where to live and what type of community you want to raise your family in. And you never know—your new neighbors could be your child’s best friends for life.

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move to a community with year-round lifestyle events for residents? Meet the Kyle home builders or contact our Crosswinds team.