In April, I shared what those first practices can feel like—full of energy, a little chaotic, and slowly coming together.

Now, just over halfway through the season, things look different.

We have a routine.

We still start in the STEAM room, and yes, there are still snacks and untied shoes. But now, when things get a little too chatty, someone will point to the team expectations poster and say, “Wait… we said we were going to listen.” And it works. At least most of the time.

“I Can! Power” comes up constantly. Not because we prompt it every time, but because they’ve started to use the language themselves.

And energy awards? We almost never have enough time for all the ones they want to give.

The Tools Are Sticking

Over the past several weeks, we’ve moved through lessons that build on each other in a really intentional way.

We started by getting to know each other and building our team. Then we celebrated what makes each girl unique with “Recipe of Me.” From there, we dug into “I Can! Power”—what it feels like, when it shows up, and what to do when the “I Can’t” voice tries to take over.

They’ve practiced finding their “happy pace,” learning that it’s okay to adjust based on how they feel, the weather, or the day they’re having. They’ve talked about what it means to stick with something when it’s hard, and they have real strategies for doing that.

They can name those strategies, too.

You’ll hear things like:

"I just used 5-finger breathing.”
“I’m going to try again… I just can’t do it yet.”
“Can you help me? I need a Stick With It strategy.”

They’re recognizing their self-talk. They’re trying out ways to move through big emotions. They’re learning when to pause, take a breath, and keep going.

And they’re doing all of this while running laps on the blacktop.

A Moment That Stuck With Me

Last week, we completed our practice 5K.

Every single girl finished.

But the part I keep thinking about happened after some of the girls crossed the “finish line.” A few of our more reluctant runners—kids who haven’t always loved the running part—finished early.

And instead of being done, they chose to go back out.

They ran another half mile just to be alongside their teammates who were still finishing. Encouraging them. Running with them. Making sure no one was doing it alone.

That wasn’t something we asked them to do.

That was them.

You could see it in real time—this shift from “I Can” to something bigger. Joy in each other. Pride in the team. A willingness to show up for someone else, even when they were already tired.

What Comes Next

As we head into the final stretch of the season, we’re starting to build on all of this with a new layer: how we work through challenges together.

There will be lessons on compromise, communication, and what it looks like to turn “I Can” into “We Can.”

I’m curious to see how it plays out.

Because if the first half of the season is any indication, they’re more than ready.

And in just a few weeks, they’ll bring all of it—every lesson, every lap, every small moment—to the 5K on May 30.

I’ll share more after the finish line.

But for now, it’s been pretty special to watch it all take shape, one practice at a time.