Oh my, she is just beautiful and so blonde and blue eyed. I also think every kid should have their own cake at that age, just dive right in! A year already. Sigh. Annie

As a preface, my family has owned and operated a gun and ammunition shop since I was a child, I'm a NM game warden and a hunter education instructor since 1994, I train kids at the NRA Witington center here in NM every year and I answer this question often. Most of us likely grew up with a handed-down lever action 30-30 as a first rifle- which in reality is the worst (and most unsafe) gun to start a child off with. It requires small hands to carefully lower the hammer on a loaded chamber every time it's loaded or unloaded. I caution parents against carrying on this tradition. I agree with greenfinger, wholeheartedly. What is critical is that the gun fits the child- not almost or kinda fits. My 5 year old son has a tiny .22 rifle called a chipmunk, designed for small children, and in truth he is still too small to hold the rifle properly against his shoulder and still align his eye with the sights. We shoot it every now and then, but I won't be attempting to have any meaningful training sessions with him until he grows into it. If your grandson is still a little guy, I'd say a .22 chipmunk or another version called the cricket would be a good place to start (there are other manufacturers that build youth rifles, I'm not trying to advertise this one). If he's a little older, I again agree with greenfinger that a single shot with iron sights is the way to go (and one that fits him). A bolt action would definately be a good choice, but I have a better suggestion. My older son has a hinge action designed for a smaller shooter. It has two barrels that can be switched out- one is a .243 rifle barrel (appropriate for deer hunting), and the other is a 20 gauge shotgun barrel (for ducks squirrels rabbits). When I was a kid I had one that had a 30-30- barrel, and a 20 guage, you can also get a 410 shotgun barrel. It's extremely inexpensive (concidering it's two guns in one), is safe, and would suite his needs into his late teens when he might grow into more specialized hunting guns. I believe the manufacturer is called New England Firearms. hope that helps.

Thanks everone who posted for his B;dy and Thanks Jenn for posting his pic.We had a great day at his B;day.Greg and I are so so proud of him and we love Him so so much.Greg got him a little push lawn More,sinse Greg has a lawn business,Greg said he can not wait to take him when Greg goes to cut Grass,Seeing his pictues makes me want to get him from the computer and Hold him and Kiss him,He is the sweetest baby[little boy>of course I know all grandmothers say the same.Thanks everyone for kind words.Hugs Judy and Greg

Wow, girl, I can't belive your still around! Sorry your still on this site where no one else is! I'm so glad to see Johnny is doing so well, my son, Tom, turned one on June 21st and is doing exactly all the same things Johnny is, aren't they great! Like I had told you last time I talked to you, I'm pregnant again, now 6 and half months along! Getting pretty big! My husband has since became a stay at home dad and it's working great, he's teaching Tom so many things, every afternoon when I get home, he's always got something new to show me that he has learnd that day :) Hey, keep in touch, we all miss you! Cindy