Reading as they say, is fundamental. Studies show that children who read for pleasure do better in school, scoring higher on measures of comprehension, vocabulary and even math. Nurturing a love of reading is the greatest gift a parent can give a child. With the school bell about to ring for young Sierra Vista scholars, here are some tips for encouraging a life-long love for books:
Read Together
Parents often stop reading to their children once they start school. That’s a mistake. Reading together is an excellent way to bond and foster a love for storytelling no matter how old your child is. Choose books that match their interest and take turns reading. They will become confident in their reading skills, and everyone will have fun.
Keep Bookshelves Stocked
Surround your child with books. Every room should have at least one shelf featuring a wide variety of topics. You can even put books in a basket in the bathroom. Age-appropriate book series are a great way to keep them engaged and eager to read more.
Stop In at the Library
Make regular visits to the library. Most libraries offer a storytelling hour for young children and book clubs for older children and teens. Introduce them to the children’s book section and let them browse. Get to know your librarian. He or she can help your child select books that are age-appropriate and interest them.
Every Book Needs a Nook
Create a reading nook for your child. This could be the closet under the stairs, a window seat or just a corner of the game room. Make it inviting with soft cushions, good lighting and a shelf filled with books that cater to their interests. It won’t be long before you find them curled up with a good book.
There’s Always Something to Read
Reading isn’t just about books. Encourage your child to read in different situations. When cooking, let them read the recipes. When gardening, encourage them to read the seed packets. Younger children can be encouraged to point out and read signs. Praise them for doing a good job.
Set Reading Goals
Setting reading goals can be tricky. Many children see it as just doing school at home. Instead, celebrate when your child finishes a book by taking them to the store to purchase another. This works particularly well if your child has fallen in love with a book series.
Let Them Catch You
Let your kids catch you reading. Be sure to discuss the books, newspapers and magazines you ae reading at the dinner table and encourage them to do the same. Give your child a book you enjoyed as a child and tell them why you enjoyed it.
What If It’s Hard?
If your child is having difficulty reading, don’t be afraid to have them evaluated for dyslexia. Catching it quickly means you can intervene and teach your child coping strategies. Let your child know it’s okay to read at a slower pace. It doesn’t mean they are stupid; they simply have more opportunities to enjoy the story.
Be Supportive
Be patient, understanding and supportive throughout your child’s reading journey. Avoid putting pressure on them, as it may create a negative association with reading. Instead, offer encouragement, praise their efforts and celebrate every small reading achievement.
Vacations are great for relaxing, rejuvenating and connecting with the family. That’s the theory anyway. Travel delays, different time zones, jet lag and more can turn a “vacay” into a “stresscay.” The answer? One of the many amazing vacation destinations available right here in Texas. Just rent a hotel room for the week, plan your itinerary and go! Check out these great staycation spots less than two hours away from Sierra Vista.
Houston
Tourists from around the world visit the Bayou City, reveling in great food, high-end shopping, arts and entertainment and more. If you’ve been limiting your trips there to the weekends, you are missing out. Book a stay at the Marriott Marquis with its Texas-shaped lazy river or the Omni Houston with its Kids Sensory Suite. Explore the Houston Museum District, shop the Galleria or roll down Hippie Hill in Hermann Park. Animal-loving kids will want to spend hours at the Houston Zoo while astronauts in training will enjoy Space Center Houston. There are plenty of great dining spots but if you are looking for something family-friendly, we suggest Swanny’s Grill or Little Matt’s. No trip to Houston would be complete without a stop at Fat Cat Creamery for a sundae.
Galveston
When the heat is on, Texans escape to the coast. Take advantage of summer specials at Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa and Convention Center for a stay and tickets to all the attractions. Romance is sure to be in the air if you book a room at the Grand Galvez. Once you’ve dropped off your room key, explore the Galveston Strand Historic District, relax on the beach, visit the famous Galveston Island Pleasure Pier and discover the rich maritime history at the Galveston Naval Museum. When it comes to dining, you don’t want to miss out on a burger at island famous The Spot.
Surfside Beach
Head down Highway 288 for 40 minutes and bam! You can take advantage of sun and surf in a charming beach town. Surfside Beach has four miles of coastline which makes it imperative to rent a beach cottage for maximum enjoyment. The Breeze Hotel & RV Park is great if you prefer to bring your accommodations with you. Once you’re there, put up your beach umbrella, hand the kids their pails and shovels and lounge around. Or you can visit Surfside Jetty County Park for picnics and follow the Surfside Beach Bird & Butterfly Trail. When you get hungry, enjoy the view from the Beachfront Deck Bar & Grill or fresh fish at the Red Snapper Inn.
Lakeside Camping
If you like spending your vacations by the lake, there are several approximately an hour and half away from Sierra Vista. Huntsville State Park is a hidden gem where you can spend the day hiking, kayaking and swimming. Hitch up your boat and head to Lake Livingston State Park for fishing, swimming and enjoying the stars. Sheldon Lake State Park and Environmental Learning Center is perfect for wildlife lovers. Bring cameras to capture memories. There is no place to camp in the park, but you can stay at Junction Meadows nearby.
Brenham
Known as the heart of the Texas Bluebonnet region, Brenham offers picturesque countryside views and charming downtown streets filled with antique shops, boutiques, and local eateries. Main Street House is a cozy bed and breakfast. Ant Street Inn is a boutique hotel in Downtown Brenham. The Lake Somerville Marina & Campground offers cabins, tent campsites and 168 acres of wilderness to explore. Be sure to visit Blue Bell Creameries & Ice Cream Parlor for a sweet treat in between visits to the Washington-on-the-Brazos-State-Historic-Site, Chappell Hill Lavender Farm and the Brazos Valley Brewing Company. When it’s time for dinner, check out Nathan’s BBQ or Chappell Hill Sausage Company.
Seeking summer fun that helps you beat the Texas heat? We suggest a nice cool museum. The Natural History Science Museum Houston is a treasure trove of knowledge and wonder, offering an amazing array of exhibits and activities for visitors of all ages. It’s also an easy drive up Highway 288 from Sierra Vista. Here are some of the must-see attractions:
So Many Permanent Exhibits
There are 16 permanent exhibits to explore. Children will most likely gravitate to the Morian Hall of Paleontology. Rather than a static row of skeletons, the hall shows them chasing, eating and escaping. The Hall of Ancient Egypt is a fascinating look at one of the world’s great civilizations. Spanning 10,000 square feet, the exhibits include coffins and sarcophagi as well as preserved mummies. For the technologically inclined, the Wiess Energy Hall is one of the largest and most fascinating explorations of the science and technology of energy in the world. Other exhibits focus on wildlife, gems, ecology, chemistry and physics.
What’s On This Summer?
Special exhibits are only at the museum for a limited amount of time. King Tut’s Tomb Discovery Experiencetakes you back in time to the discovery of King Tut’s tomb. You will experience the dark and winding tunnels that led to Tutankhamen’s burial chambers, see the boy king’s golden treasures and explore the brightly colored, floor-to-ceiling hieroglyphs that detail his life. If you’ve ever wanted to pet a shark, now’s the time. Sharks! The Meg, The Monsters, & The Myths takes up an entire floor of the museum. You’ll get a chance to touch a shark and discover what makes these creatures unique. The Art of Texas State Parksincludes 30 paintings of our state parks commissioned by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to celebrate their beauty.
The Cockrell Butterfly Center and Brown Hall of Entomology
Beautiful butterflies flutter around you as you walk through a living butterfly habitat. The habitat is found in the stunning Rainforest Conservatory, a three-story glass structure built around a 50-foot waterfall. Simulating a tropical rainforest, the exhibit boasts more than 1,500 butterflies and extensive vegetation. Don’t miss the Brown Hall of Entomology with bug models and interactive games. Children can attend Butterfly Flight School.
Burke Baker Planetarium
The Burke Baker Planetarium offers stunning visual displays and immersive shows that transport you to distant galaxies, explore the wonders of our solar system and delve into the mysteries of the universe. Sit back, relax and let the wonders of space unfold before your eyes.
Wortham Giant Screen Theatre
Houston’s very first IMAX theatre offers state-of-the-art, 4K digital projection producing incredible 3D images nearly eight stories high. The theater was recently renovated and now boasts new rocker seats, cool new flooring and a high-dynamic-range (HDR) screen that wraps audiences in larger-than-life stories. New state-of-the art digital sound and lights complete the immersive effect.
Visitor Information
The museum is located at 5555 Hermann Park Drive. Admission is $25 for ages 12 and up, $16 for ages 3-ll and college students with ID. Seniors 62 and up and military are $10. Admission is free 5 to 8 p.m. every Thursday. Prices for special exhibits vary. Separate admission to the butterfly exhibit, planetarium and theater is required. Membership provides many benefits including unlimited free admission for your family. It’s perfect for Sierra Vista residents because the museum is an easy drive from the community — they can go all the time! Summer hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Sunday until August 13.
Construction has started on a new amenity village in Sierra Vista that will include a feature unique to the Houston residential landscape — a heated lazy river.
Sierra Vista is located along the Highway 288 corridor south of Pearland with new homes from the high $200,000s to the $500,000s. The Island Amenity Village is located within the heart of Sierra Vista, located along the Highway 288 corridor. The heated lazy river flows 709 linear feet through The Island Amenity Village and is anchored by a white sand beach.
“The free-form lazy river provides a fun place for residents to relax and enjoy time with family members while riding the river’s gentle current,” said John Brian, Regional President of Starwood Land.
“A heated lazy river is a unique feature and will allow for extended use beyond the typical swim season,” he said. “This will definitely add to the appeal of Sierra Vista, which is currently ranked among the nation’s top-selling master-planned communities.”
Adjacent to the lazy river is a pool for lounging and lap swimming.
The Island Amenity Village also will feature sports courts for tennis, basketball, bocce ball and pickleball, as well as an open space for soccer or other games. A large playground with a nearby pavilion and splash pad are other features of the complex. A future clubhouse is also planned for the site.
The Island Amenity Village is estimated to open near the end of 2024.
“The Island Amenity Village and lazy river are right along our 12-foot-wide pedestrian trail system, making it easy for residents to walk, ride their bikes or drive their golf carts there,” Brian said.
Sound fun? Talk to our builders about making the move to Sierra Vista!
Understanding credit scores and their impact on buying a new home is essential for a successful home-buying journey. Credit scores affect how lenders see you and impact everything from your eligibility for a mortgage loan to the interest rate you’ll receive. Here’s what you need to know before purchasing your new home in Sierra Vista:
What is a Credit Score?
A credit score is a three-digit number that represents your creditworthiness and indicates how likely you are to repay your debts. Most lenders use your FICO score when deciding whether to offer you a loan. These scores are based on your credit history, including factors such as payment history, credit utilization, length of credit history, types of credit and new credit applications. The higher your score, the easier it can be to get a favorable loan.
What is Considered a ‘Good’ Score?
How high a score you need depends on your lender and the type of loan you are trying to secure. Some lenders are more flexible than others, but in general, you will need a FICO score in the 670 to 739 range. If you want to qualify for the best interest rates, you need a score starting at 740. However, government-backed loans, such as FHA loans, may accept lower credit scores, often starting at 500.
Can You Improve Your Credit Score?
As credit scores affect the terms of your loan, it’s well worth it to strengthen your score before shopping for a new home. Some steps you can take are paying your bills on time, lowering existing debt and not opening or closing credit accounts.
Why Pay Your Bills on Time?
Payment history makes up 35 percent of your credit score. Any time you miss a payment, your credit score will be affected. A late payment more than 30 days overdue can lower your credit score by as much as 100 points. A missed payment can affect your score for up to 18 months. It can take up to seven years for it to completely fall off your report.
Why Beef Up Your Credit History?
Lenders want to see a lengthy credit history. That way they know you are less likely to default. If your history is short or spotty, it’s time to extend it. If you rent, ask your landlord if they report your rental payment history to credit agencies. If not, you can sign up for PayYourRent, a service you use to pay your rent that will report on-time payments to all three major credit bureaus. Experian Boost can also add your rent to your credit history, as well as phone, utility and even streaming bills. Secured credit cards are a good way to build your credit history.
Why Lower Your Current Debt?
The more debt you are carrying, the more lenders will see you as a poor loan prospect. Carrying a large balance will increase something called your “credit utilization ratio.” This is the amount of credit you’re using compared to your total credit limit. Typically, your credit utilization ratio should be under 30 percent.
Why Order a Credit Report?
Order copies of your credit reports from the three big credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Not only will you see your current score, but you can also check for mistakes. If you notice an error, contact the credit bureau. You can usually file the dispute online. The agency is required by law to investigate and respond to your claim. Be sure to do this in advance of purchasing a home as any disputes can interfere with your lender approving your loan.
Talk To Your Sierra Vista Builder Today
Many builders have preferred lenders who can find ways to help you build or repair your credit. If your credit is already great, they may be able to help you secure more favorable terms. Once your financing is secured, you can pick one of their beautiful new homes.
