Posts Tagged ‘Spring Fun’

Those of us who are 55+ are ready to relax and live the way we want. We want comfort. We want convenience. We want to have fun! At Paran Homes, we understand that desire and have created two wonderful metro Atlanta communities just for you.

On the west side, we have Creekwood in Powder Springs, just moments away from the Silver Comet Trail. On the east side in Loganville, we have Seaboard Junction. Both of these 55+ gated communities offer luxurious living in 3 bedroom 2 bath homes starting in the $300’s. These homes feature spacious open floor plans with gourmet inspired kitchens loaded with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and plenty of room to bake cookies or prepare a feast for visiting grandchildren. Your new home has all the luxury and comfort you and your family could want.

Now that warm weather has arrived, you may want to explore outside your gates. Here are some suggestions for things to entertain (and maybe tire out) your active grandchildren!

Near Seaboard Junction:

• SeaQuest Aquarium at Stonecrest Mall – this land and sea attraction is loaded with interactive activities. Get hands on with birds, fish, and mammals from five continents around the world.
• Go on a mini-golf adventure at Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf for an 18-hole or 27-hole challenge that’s fun for kids (and adults) of all ages. An annual pass will not only improve your game but you can take part in one of their many charity activities.
• If you’re ready to get out into nature, try the Elwyn John Wildlife Sanctuary with a 1.7 mile loop trail perfect for all ages and hiking skill levels. With wide trails and a beautiful waterfall, everyone in your group will be pleased.
• Take in the beautiful flora at Vines Botanical Garden or just wander the gorgeous grounds of Vines Park and view the mansion, the walking trails, and take in the lovely history of it all.

Near Creekwood:

• Since you’ll have easy access to the Silver Comet Trail which is perfect for walking, hiking, biking, rollerblading, or even horseback riding, stop in at Rooted Trading Company to pick up trail snacks, local goods, and maybe rent a bike! You’ll want to come back again and again, trying a different path each time. 
• Take a trip to the Chattahoochee Nature Center and get up close and personal with bald eagles, falcons, snakes, and other rescued wildlife. Take a stroll among the trails and learn about the nature around you from guides along the way.
• If you’re feeling hungry, take the kids to the Young Chef’s Academy so they can learn how to prepare all your favorites!
• If that’s not fast enough, grab a corndog when you enter Six Flags Amusement Park to  experience the latest coaster, or check out the Brews and Bites festival at the end of April. A season pass will keep you from missing anything.

No matter which adventure you choose, trust that you are making memories for your kids and grandkids that are priceless and will stay with them forever. When you return to the comfort of your Paran Homes house, curl up in the great room and talk about things you’ve seen and done and make a plan for tomorrow’s escapades.

Spring in the South is a funny thing. One day, you’re bundled in sweaters and scarves, and the next, you’re donning shorts and flip-flops, only to return to the sweater the third day. It can be frustrating, but rest assured – the summer heat is coming!

No one likes to think about spring cleaning but as a new Paran homeowner, it will be easy! This is a great time to really get to know your house. There are some future great habits to call your own to ensure that you’ll love your new home forever. Do these things when spring weather is warm and you will be prepared for the summer fun when it’s in full bloom.

1. Keep your AC tuned-up. Your brand new home and state-of-the-art AC are terrific performers, but give it a quick once-over to make yourself familiar with it. Look at the filter and make sure it’s clean and there’s nothing obstructing proper airflow. Moving forward, routinely check the filter and keep things clean as your best defense in staying cool. We recommend changing your filter once per month, even with filters designed for longer life. This will keep your HVAC system in tip-top shape for decades to come.
2. Now that you’re sure the cold air will be pumping, make sure it stays in your house! Of course, your new home is sealed tightly and there are no leaks but as time goes on and activity in your family is steady, get into the habit of doing annual checks. Ensure that the seals on your doors and windows are intact and seal any places where air may escape. If there are any gaps, a simple caulk application should take care of them.
3. Take a look at your gutters. They are clean and clear now and water flows nicely. Next year, after fall foliage has dropped, take a quick look to ensure that they are still clear of leaves and other blockages. Since Spring and summer can bring heavy rains, it’s important to keep water flowing from your gutters to the downspouts, and away from your house.
4. Defend your home against bugs. In this part of the country, warm weather brings out all the many-legged creatures you don’t want at your party. Take a quick stroll around your exterior and remove piles of brush or standing water near your home. This is the best way to reduce the appearance of fire ants, beetles, mosquitoes, and other unwelcome insects in your yard. Exterior perimeter protection and maintenance is the number 1 way to keep your home pest free all year.
5. Your new lawn looks terrific! It’s a great time to decide where to put the hammock, and where to plant the roses. In a couple of years, you can aerate it, dethatch and reseed the grass every 2 to 3 years to keep things looking green and fresh.
6. Visit your garden bed. Get the kids to help! Pull out weeds, till the soil, and select seeds and/or sprouting seedlings that you want to grow. If things look too sparse, fill in some spaces with nice perennial flowers or, maybe, some herbs! Did you know that lavender, mint, basil, petunias, and chrysanthemums are not only lovely, they also repel insects?
7. Now comes the fun part, pull out the pressure washer! Spray down lawn furniture, decking, walkways, etc. and get rid of the winter grunge. Pressure washing saves time and energy over hand washing with buckets and sponges. It’s more efficient and even kind of gratifying. It’s like painting with Clean!
8. Now that things are washed, take a walk around and scan the fence and gates. Take a look at the siding and doors and consider a seasonal welcome mat or flower box. Moving forward, doing a yearly scan will keep you ahead of any small adjustments or repairs that will keep your home perfect.
9. Prepare the grill! This is the time of year when guests will want burgers, hotdogs, and sundried treats from the grill. Is it ready? Turn the grill up to its highest heat and close the hood. After about 15 minutes, scrape the surface with a metal grill brush. Don’t forget the grill box. Scrape out burnt leavings and clean with soapy water then rinse with fresh water. When the grill surface is clean, wipe on a light layer of vegetable-based oil and you’re ready for the party!
10. Don’t forget your other guests. How does that birdbath and bird feeder look? Give them a nice cleaning and refill with fresh water and birdseed.

Of course, inside the house, you may want to change your linens from winter to summer. Clean the windows. Dust the ceiling fans and set them to rotate counter-clockwise to push the cool air down.

After that, you are ready to pull out the shorts and flip-flops. Maybe it’s time to search for grill recipes, try that new mint julep recipe or a new lemonade for the kids. Celebrate summer in your wonderful new Paran Homes house – where quality lives and so does your family!

Have you been looking for the perfect things to do to really enjoy this spring weather around the Atlanta area? We’ve compiled a wonderful list of hot spots to hit, from outdoor adventures to family-friendly fun. Head out to one of these exciting adventures in beautiful Metro Atlanta this spring!

Farmers Markets

• Dallas Farmers Market – The benefits of a farmers market are clear! Between the variety of fresh produce to choose and the opportunity to support local businesses, the Dallas Farmers Market is one you should check out this spring! 

• Marietta Square Farmers Market – Also, Marietta Square Farmers Market should be on your list of things to do near Atlanta this May 2022. It draws a large crowd with over 65 vendors to choose from year round. Grab your favorite in-season veggies and set up a spring picnic in your nearest park.

Waterfalls & Hikes 

• Blue Hole Falls + High Shoals Falls – On the High Shoals Falls Trail, you get a 2-for-1 special – two waterfalls, one hike! This hike is a breathtaking choice when deciding on things to do around Atlanta. Plus, it is under a 20 minute drive from our Oakleigh Pointe community in Dallas, GA.

• Amicalola Falls State Park – This park is nestled in the beauty of the Chattahoochee National Forest. It is home to the tallest waterfall in Georgia and plenty of hikes for a range of ages and experience levels. With over 8,500 reviews and 4.8 stars on Google, you won’t be disappointed spending springtime exploring this park. 

Water Parks 

• Seven Springs Water Park – Scheduled to open at the end of May 2022, this water park is located in Powder Springs. It is located near our Creekwood neighborhood, an active adult community. Homeowners can win the “Best Grandparents Award” by bringing the grandkids to enjoy the lazy river, splash pad, and 2 water slides! 

• Six Flags White Water – May 7th (opening day) couldn’t come soon enough! Six Flags White Water offers so much for your family and friends to do. Spend hours bouncing from one water slide to the next. Refuel with Beachside Smoothies and turkey legs. Then, end the day in the relaxing Little Hooch!  

• Margaritaville at Lanier Islands – If you are a big lake visitor in the spring and summertime, you don’t want to miss the one-of-a-kind experience that Margaritaville at Lanier Islands offers. There is plenty of family fun waiting for you here! 

Resorts  

• Chateau Elan Winery & Resort – Chateau Elan is a premier North Atlanta destination, sure to end those winter blues! Take in the absolutely breathtaking scenery, relax and refresh at the spa, or taste test on the winery tour. Also, there’s an excellent golf course, world-class dining, and so much more to discover here. We know you’ll fall in love with the scenery of it all, so check out our master planned community in Jefferson so you never have to leave.

Mini Golf 

• Puttshack Atlanta – This bar and restaurant in West Midtown offers an upscale mini golf experience, perfect for date nights!

• Outrageous Mini Golf – Located in Hiram, GA, grab your family for some clean, competitive fun. The mini golf course is a blacklight course and has a haunted mansion theme! 

Explore Spring Things to do Around Atlanta from a New Home (May 2022)

You can live near some of the best things to do around Atlanta from a Paran Homes community. We mentioned a few of our communities in this Spring Things to Do Guide, but feel free to reach out if you have any questions. And, you can explore where we currently build to discover our available homes.