When you said feather weight, I thought you meant a Singer FW, until I got further into your post. It might be better if you said "light weight", so people don't get the wrong idea.
That being said, congratulations on your new machine. I don't think I could put the housework in front of playing with it. You are stronger than I.
And on the Mother's Day gift idea, I always tell my husband what I want, and he can choose to go with me or not when I purchase it. This year, I need two specialty feet for my Bernina -- one that will sew over vinyl without sticking, and a topstitching foot. I will be picking them up on Saturday.